Table of Contents
- The Top Three: Funding to process traveler complaints; Foreign Interference, Cost of Living Supports
- Davenport MP Report: Work I am doing on your behalf
- Links to other important Federal News & Announcements
- Davenport Federal Funding Available (including Small Business supports!)
Hello Davenport Friends and Neighbours,
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Earlier today, at the Comedy Bar on Bloor St, I announced $500,000 for the Just for Laughs Toronto Festival from the FedDev Canada Community Revitalization Fund. Anytime any level of government steps up to fund Canadian talent and support local small businesses – it is a good day. I am so grateful to venues like the Comedy Bar who heroically showcase amazing talent despite the enormous challenges of running a business today.
The Prime Minister today also announced $4 billion more dollars for housing – via the Housing Accelerator fund. Cities can apply for this funding in order to help them accelerate building more affordable housing and housing that is affordable in general – faster. This is great news and much needed funding – now we need to get going on building more, and faster.
Foreign interference is also on my mind. A few things for you to note: former governor general (and the principal of my university!) David Johnston is the special rapporteur who will make a determination of what more Canada needs to do to fend off foreign interference in our elections.
We already have two committees, one specifically enacted just prior to the 2019 election to monitor foreign interference during elections and empowered to take action. This committee is composed of senior government officials. The other is a national security committee composed of members of all parties and both houses (i.e MPs and senators) that is charged with studying all national security issues. More information below.
I encourage everyone interested in this issue to please read multiple sources to get the full story. Most of the “leaks” are unverified and from unnamed sources.
While I do believe there have been many foreign interference attempts on our federal elections, I do not believe that they have interfered to the extent that they have influenced the outcome. The allegations made from the leader of the opposition are ridiculous and unsubstantiated.
The Minister of Finance has announced that the Federal Budget 2023 will be tabled on Tuesday March 28 at 4pm. I will be hosting a Zoom Davenport Federal Budget Debrief, to discuss key parts of the budget and its impact on Davenport, on Thursday March 30 at 5pm. Sign up here if you’d like to participate.
Greenbelt and the Ford government’s proposed development – please read my public letter to Environment and Climate Change Minister Guilbeault and my request to use every tool at the federal level to not allow any development to happen.
I was happy to see that the Hon. Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health is speaking to the provinces to tackle any creeping in of private care and additional costs to Canadians.
Finally, the cost of living continues to be top of mind for all Davenport residents. Please make sure you familiarize yourself with existing support programs: Dental Care Benefit for children 12 and under; Housing Benefit; and the Y Mind is a free, seven-week mental wellness group program offered at the YMCA for teens (ages 13-18) and youth (ages 18-30) who are experiencing symptoms of mild-to-moderate anxiety or stress.
So much more to tell you – but the fastest way to learn of federal government announcements over the last two weeks is to go to the “Links to other important federal news & announcements” in the full report here.
Have a great weekend Davenport. As always, it is a true honour and pleasure to serve you.
My very best regards,
Julie Dzerowicz
Member of Parliament, Davenport