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Julie Dzerowicz Member of Parliament
Davenport

Davenport friends and neighbours / amis et voisins de Davenport,

This week’s newsletter will find you a day earlier than usual.   The world and what is happening is moving at an incredible pace and there is so much to update you on. As I prepare to head back to Toronto for constituency week next week,  I am constantly working on how to best serve you, and remain in close contact to keep you updated on what is happening (you may have seen some of my statements that I have put out).   Please do not hesitate to write to me if you have questions or want a phone call.  

Keep an eye out for invites from my office letting you know of roundtables or townhalls where I can meet with you in person on topics that are important to you and our community.  During this time of great change and transformation, I want to make sure you feel able to access facts and get the answers to your concerns.

There is a lot happening internationally, nationally, and right here in our community. I know many of us feel an underlying sense of anxiety as we carry on with our lives. 

But I want you to know that our federal government is working tirelessly on all fronts , that we see what you’re going through, and that the issues keeping you up at night are the same ones keeping us up and focused every single day.

So let me walk you through what’s on my mind this week.

The War in Iran & Protecting Canadians Abroad

The escalating conflict in Iran weighs heavily on all of us. Canada was not consulted before military action was taken by the United States and Israel, and our government has been unequivocal: we are calling for immediate de-escalation and doing everything in our power to protect and support Canadians who are in the region.

As Prime Minister Carney stated clearly in the House of Commons this week: Canada is not participating in the U.S. and Israeli offensive and will never participate in it. At the same time, Canada has long supported efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Carney joined G7 leaders in a virtual meeting convened by French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the crisis. The leaders condemned Iran’s strikes against civilians and civilian infrastructure and underscored the need to prevent further regional escalation. They stressed the importance of supporting partners in the region, including the Gulf States, and of opening secure access through the Strait of Hormuz.

Prime Minister Carney emphasized Canada’s support for efforts to safeguard international shipping and ensure freedom of navigation. The leaders also condemned the indiscriminate attacks carried out by Hezbollah, reaffirmed their support for Lebanon’s sovereignty, and agreed to remain in close contact as the situation evolves.

[BUTTON: Prime Minister Carney’s Full Statement]

Standing with the Jewish Community: Enough Is Enough

I need to speak directly about something that has shaken me to my core.

In the span of just one week, shots were fired at Temple Emanu-El on Purim night. Then at Shaarei Shomayim and Beth Avraham Yoseph over the weekend. Holy Blossom Temple,  Toronto’s oldest Jewish congregation,  was vandalized. And, the US Consulate on University Avenue was struck by gunfire in what the RCMP is treating as a national security incident.

Let me be blunt: this does not appear to be  a series of isolated incidents. This is an escalating campaign of violent intimidation against the Jewish community, and it is utterly unacceptable. Geopolitical tensions, however grave, can never be imported into our streets as a license to terrorize a community.

Jewish Canadians have the right to build their lives, raise their children, and walk freely into their synagogues without fear. Full stop.

Our federal government has acted and continues to act.

–        Last March, we convened the National Forum on Combatting Antisemitism, bringing together all three levels of government, law enforcement, and prosecutors, resulting in a signed Statement of Intent and National Commitments to strengthen hate crime investigation and prosecution.

–        I continue to vigorously support Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act, which would make it a criminal offence to intimidate or obstruct anyone from accessing a place of worship and would make hate-motivated crimes a distinct offence in the Criminal Code. The bill is currently in committee and this week the government moved to end the filibuster so it can proceed to a vote on amendments.

–        And just yesterday, Minister Anandasangaree announced an emergency $10 million investment through the Canada Community Security Program — directed specifically at Jewish schools, daycares, synagogues, overnight camps, and community spaces — to fund security equipment, protective barriers, window and door reinforcements, security assessments, training, and temporary licensed security personnel. Half of this funding is earmarked for Toronto, with the remainder going to Montreal and other communities across Canada. The Minister was clear: this funding will be going out the door starting this week.

Federal agencies, including the RCMP, are also supporting Toronto and York Regional police in their investigation. As Minister Anandasangaree said: make no mistake, the perpetrators will be held to account.

I have written a detailed letter to the Jewish community in Davenport outlining the full scope of our government’s actions and my personal commitments. I encourage you to read it by clicking the button below.  

[BUTTON: My Statement on Recent Acts of Antisemitism]

The War’s Impact on Cost of Living

The war in Iran is already being felt at the gas pump and in the cost of goods.

G7 leaders this week agreed to a collective oil stock release with International Energy Agency partners to help stabilize oil markets.

Affordability remains one of the top issues I hear about from Davenport residents, and our government continues to make it a central priority. We are focused on delivering real, tangible relief and I will continue to push hard on your behalf.

Billy Bishop Airport: The Facts 

There has been a lot of talk and a lot of miscommunication about the future of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.

As someone born and raised in Toronto, who grew up playing along our waterfront, I understand deeply what these spaces mean to our community. So let me share where I stand.

I believe the world has changed in the last ten years. Torontonians, including the business community, have grown to genuinely appreciate having Billy Bishop. Technology has evolved too: newer airplane engines are significantly quieter and produce fewer emissions than those of a decade ago. But acknowledging that the conversation has changed is not the same as saying I’ve made up my mind.

Here is what I believe firmly: nothing should move forward without comprehensive consultation with impacted communities, stakeholders, and Indigenous groups. I care about noise, I care about emissions, and I need to see real evidence — not promises — before supporting any changes.

On the question of governance: any decisions about Billy Bishop require the approval of all three parties to the Tripartite Agreement — the Toronto Port Authority, the City of Toronto, and Transport Canada. That is the law, and it must be respected.

I’ve written a more detailed letter to the Davenport and Dufferin Grove community on this topic, which you can read below.

[Button:  My Letter Regarding Billy Bishop]

My Vote on Bill C-233 (No More Loopholes Act)

I know some of you have strong feelings about Bill C-233. I voted against this bill, and I want to tell you why.

After consulting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and researchers at the Library of Parliament, I concluded that C-233 would not achieve what its supporters hope.

Canada’s export controls are already among the strictest in the world. The bill would replace a calibrated, risk-based system with blanket administrative requirements that would disrupt cross-border defence supply chains — including those supporting Ukraine — and could not address the structural issue of re-exports, which fall outside Canadian jurisdiction.

I do believe the 1956 Canada-U.S. defence arrangements need to be modernized, and I will continue to push for strengthened safeguards, enhanced transparency, and the protection of civilians.

I’ve written a detailed explanation of my position, which you can read in full below: 

[BUTTON: My Letter of Bill C-233]

Re-Elected Chair, Canadian Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly

I am honoured to share that I was just re-elected as Chair of the Canadian Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. In a time of disinformation, misinformation, and shifting alliances, this role matters more than ever. It is a platform where Canada’s voice is heard directly by our allies, and where the strong, one-on-one relationships I have built over the years are vitally important to advancing our country’s interests on the world stage. I do not take this responsibility lightly.

Provincial OSAP Cuts & Health Care: Your Concerns Are My Concerns

I know that a number of protests are planned outside my office in the coming days, including around the Ontario government’s cuts to OSAP and concerns about the province following the Canada Health Act.

On OSAP: let me be clear. I do not agree with the Ontario government’s decision to slash student grants. On February 12, the Ford government announced that OSAP grants would be cut from a maximum of 85% of a student’s aid package down to just 25%, with the remaining 75% converted to repayable loans starting this fall. At the same time, they’re lifting the seven-year tuition freeze, allowing institutions to raise tuition by up to 2% per year.

Students across Ontario have already taken to the streets — including a massive rally at Queen’s Park on March 4 — and I stand with them. We need our students to be able to afford to go to university, and we need to find every way to encourage them to pursue higher education, not saddle them with more debt during an affordability crisis.

On health care: I share your concerns deeply. I am actively speaking with our Minister of Health and pressing on two fronts.

First, we need greater transparency from the province on how federal health transfers (over $52 billion annually) are being spent.

Second, we need to monitor and enforce the Canada Health Act so that Canadians are not being charged for medically necessary services. A new Canada Health Act Services Policy takes effect on April 1, 2026, which clarifies that patients must not be charged for medically necessary services whether provided by a physician or another regulated health professional. We need to find real ways to support provinces and territories in meeting their obligations, and Davenport residents deserve a health care system that works for them.

Our Plan: Budget 2025

I know that there is so much going on and a lot of worry out there.  I want to let you know how optimistic and hopeful I am – we have an incredibly strong team at the federal level.  An indication of how critical our times have become: over the last few months, we have had Progressive Conservatives and now NDP MP Lori Idlout from Nunavut join our Federal Liberal team.  We are very much in touch with Canadians how you feel and we are very clear in our plan and what we need to do to secure our sovereignty and our prosperity.

[BUTTON: View our plan here]

I also know that we are a strong community, and we will face these challenges as always …  together.

It is a true honour and pleasure to serve you Davenport!

My best regards,

Julie Dzerowicz

Member of Parliament for Davenport

Chair, Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration

Chair, Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association

Chair, Toronto Caucus