Hello Davenport Friends and Neighbours,

Happy first snowfall!  Winter has finally arrived. 🙂

I am in Madrid for the next few days as I am leading an all-party parliamentary delegation as Chair of the Canada NATO Parliamentary Group and Vice-President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly to the 68th Annual Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Madrid. More updates on this in next week’s update. 

Our Prime Minister has also been abroad.  He took part in ASEAN and in G20 meetings in Bali.  Links to key articles are below.

Back on Canadian soil, and earlier this week, Statistics Canada released the Consumer Price Index numbers for October. They show inflation unchanged at 6.9%.  I know that Davenport residents are continuing to face real difficulties as a result of the rising cost of living. See my previous update linked here for more details on targeted supports our federal government has implemented and will be implementing to help Canadians. 

And there is more!  Last night, C-31 passed the Senate and received Royal Assent. This means a dental care benefit for kids under 12 in households under $90,000. As of December 1, the application portal will open and eligible households can apply for up to $1,300 over two years.

We’re also delivering a tax-free payment of $500 to nearly 2 million low-income renters who are struggling with the cost of housing, including students and seniors. We also doubled the GST credit for 11 million Canadian households with payments going out last Friday. This means up to $234 for single Canadians without children, up to $467 for a family of four, and $225 for seniors on average.  And please do not forget, all Davenport residents with children in day care will save approx. 50% of their day care costs monthly starting in December due to the National Child Care Program that the federal government implemented and paid for. This will be huge savings for families in our riding.

Many parents have been in touch to let me know that they are worried about the need for more children’s pain medications in pharmacies. In Spain they have the same issue and are working to address it.

This week, Health Minister Duclos announced that we have secured a foreign supply of acetaminophen. Health Canada also recently approved additional imports of infant and children’s ibuprofen to supply hospitals and distribution of this has already begun. More info below.

At COP27, UN Secretary General  António Guterres had the following opening remarks.

“We need all hands on deck for faster, bolder climate action. A window of opportunity remains open, but only a narrow shaft of light remains … We are getting dangerously close to the point of no return. The global climate fight will be won or lost in this crucial decade – on our watch. One thing is certain: those that give up are sure to lose. So, let’s fight together – and let’s win.”

I couldn’t agree more. We need to move faster to reach our own climate goals and help global efforts. More on the wrap up of COP27 in my update below.

The situation in Iran continues to deteriorate; Our federal government has strongly condemned their decision to impose the death penalty on protesters and we have taken another significant step in holding Iran to account for their action.  Public Safety Minister Marco Mendocino announced that the Islamic Republic of Iran as a regime has been designated as terrorists for their engagement in terrorism and systematic and gross human rights violations.

This means that tens of thousands of senior members of the Iranian regime, including many members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, are now inadmissible to enter Canada. We will continue to work with international partners and use all the diplomatic tools at our disposal to respond to these actions. Canada stands with the people of Iran.

Finally, for the first time ever, the federal government is consulting on a national school food policy.  We are looking for your input and also encourage kids to share their thoughts. See below for more details on how to participate.

If you would like to read the whole update, click here.

Stay warm and have a safe weekend. It’s a true honour and privilege to serve you.

My very best regards,

Julie Dzerowicz
Member of Parliament, Davenport