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Julie Dzerowicz Member of Parliament
Davenport

Table of Contents

  1. My Letter
  2. MP Report
  3. Federal Government Announcements
  4. Funding and Opportunities

Davenport Friends and Neighbours,

Happy May 1st! While Toronto still has that crisp edge in the morning air, there is that unmistakable feeling that spring has finally arrived in our neighbourhoods. I hope you have a chance this weekend to step outside, take a deep breath, and enjoy it.

Before I dive into this week’s update, I want to acknowledge two issues many of you have been writing to me about. The first is the proposed expansion of Billy Bishop Airport, and the second is the federal government’s plans and progress on climate action and sustainability. I’ll share an update on Billy Bishop further down in this letter. On climate and sustainability, I will not be covering it in depth this week, but you can expect a fuller update from me in next week’s letter.

This week, the centrepiece of my update is the Spring Economic Statement, tabled on April 28th by Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne. There are also updates on Canada Summer Jobs, Billy Bishop, a statement I delivered in the House on the Carnation Revolution, among other things.

1. Spring Economic Update — Key Highlights

On Monday, Minister Champagne tabled the Spring Economic Update 2026 in the House of Commons. It builds on Budget 2025 and continues our government’s plan to grow the economy, support workers, and make life more affordable, while keeping our finances on a responsible track. As the Minister told the House, “We’re building big, we’re moving fast, and the good news, we’re just getting started!”

The Update is organized around four priorities:

Making Life More Affordable. Beginning June 5th, more than 12 million Canadians will receive support through the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit. The federal fuel excise tax has been suspended until Labour Day, saving up to 10 cents per litre on gasoline and 4 cents per litre on diesel. The base Canada Pension Plan contribution rate is being reduced from 9.9% to 9.5% effective January 1, 2027, translating into roughly $133 in annual savings for someone earning $70,000, with matching savings for their employer. The Update also streamlines the Disability Tax Credit application and provides targeted GST relief for first-time homebuyers. You can read the full list of measures here.

Responsible Fiscal Management. Our guiding principle is straightforward: spend less on day-to-day operations so we can invest more in the things that grow our economy and improve people’s lives. Through our Comprehensive Expenditure Review, we have reduced operating spending and reallocated dollars toward capital and program investments. The result: our projected deficit for 2025-26 is more than $11 billion lower than originally forecast, and we remain on track to balance day-to-day operating spending with revenues by 2028-29. The IMF forecasts Canada will have the second-fastest growth in the G7 this year. You can read the full Update here.

Building Canada Strong. We are launching the Canada Strong Fund, Canada’s first national sovereign wealth fund, to invest in strategic Canadian projects and companies. Canadians themselves will be able to invest in the Fund and share in the returns. The Update also launches Team Canada Strong, a nationwide effort to recruit, train, and hire 80,000 to 100,000 new skilled trades workers by 2030-31, with paid pathways, hands-on training, and a $5,000 bonus for completing a Red Seal certification. These are the workers who will build the homes, transit, and major projects our communities need.

Stronger and Safer Communities. We are setting up a new Financial Crimes Agency and a National Anti-Fraud Strategy, a meaningful response to the rising tide of fraud and scams affecting so many Canadians, including seniors in our community. There is also significant new support for local journalism, radio, and broadcasting, recognizing the essential role local news plays in healthy democracies and informed communities.

2. Canada Summer Jobs 2026

Canada Summer Jobs is now open. The program provides wage subsidies to not-for-profits, public sector employers, and small private businesses (50 or fewer full-time employees) so they can offer quality summer work experiences to youth aged 15 to 30. For many young people in Davenport, this is a first job, an experience that helps shape future education and career choices.

Up to 100,000 summer job opportunities will be posted across Canada on the Job Bank website and mobile app throughout the hiring period, which runs from April 20 to July 20, 2026, with jobs running through to August 29, 2026. Here in Toronto, approximately 9,771 positions are expected to be available across our city. Jobs span everything from recreation, food, marketing, and tourism to high-demand fields like construction, environmental protection, and digital skills.

Young people in Davenport are encouraged to keep checking the listings, as new jobs are posted throughout the hiring period. To learn more or apply, visit canada.ca/canadasummerjobs.

3. Billy Bishop Airport — Where Things Stand

I know many of you are deeply concerned about the Province’s announcement last week regarding Billy Bishop Airport. I share your concerns about noise, pollution, and the impact any expansion could have on our waterfront. I grew up in the inner city. That waterfront was my playground, and I care about it deeply.

I want to share two things our federal government has been very clear about, and that should reassure Davenport residents.

First, any change to the operational environment of Billy Bishop requires the unanimous agreement of all three parties to the Tripartite Agreement, currently PortsToronto, the City of Toronto, and Transport Canada. Even if the Province moves forward with legislation to take over the City’s portion, that requirement for unanimous agreement does not change. Second, our Minister of Transport has committed to meaningful consultations, and has been clear that even if the City is no longer a formal party to the Tripartite Agreement, the City and Torontonians remain essential stakeholders who must be part of any consultation process.

I’ll add a third point on timing: legislation takes time to pass, and any renegotiation of the Tripartite Agreement would take additional time after that. Nothing about this is moving quickly, and that gives us the room to ensure the right information, the right process, and the right consultations are in place, grounded in evidence and shaped by the people who live here.

I spoke about all of this in detail with Angie Seth on CBC’s Metro Morning this week, and you can listen to the full interview here. As Chair of Toronto Caucus representing 23 Liberal MPs, I can assure you we are watching this closely and will continue to be Toronto’s strongest champion in Ottawa.

4. Carnation Revolution — My Statement in the House

This week I rose in the House of Commons to mark the 52nd anniversary of Portugal’s Carnation Revolution. Davenport is home to the largest Portuguese community in Canada, and 25 de Abril holds a special place in our neighbourhoods every year. This year, with democracy under pressure in so many parts of the world, the anniversary felt especially meaningful. Here is a link to the video.

Also This Week

It was a busy week of meetings beyond the Chamber. I had the pleasure of lunch with the United Kingdom’s High Commissioner, a valuable conversation about the deep ties between our two countries at a time when stable democratic partnerships matter more than ever. And I was delighted to host Minister of Agriculture Heath MacDonald in Davenport, taking him on a tour of local businesses and a visit to Nestlé. It was a chance to showcase the strength, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit of our neighbourhood, and to connect our local employers directly with the Minister.

Have a great and safe weekend, Davenport. Get outside, enjoy the spring air, and as always, it is a true honour and pleasure to serve you.

All my very best,

Julie Dzerowicz Member of Parliament for Davenport

Chair, Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration Chair,

Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association

 Chair, Toronto Caucus