Hello Davenport Neighbours and Friends,
What a wonderful week!
Over the last few weeks you may have noticed that my updates have been a little thinner than usual. We are super short-staffed in my office at the moment and have not been able to put out as complete an update as we have in the past. As my office staffs up this update will evolve. I am also always looking for ways to improve this weekly update and ensure it is useful to you!
This week was extra special as I hosted the Davenport Platinum Jubilee Leadership Awards on Monday November 7 where we handed out 23 awards to extraordinary leaders in our community. The first section of my update (below) provides the full list of the winners.
These days there is always a pit in my stomach when I think about climate change and the huge challenge globally (and nationally) we have to decarbonize as quickly as possible. COP27 is underway this week in Egypt and the Canadian delegation is being led by Minister Steven Guilbeault. We know that the stakes are high and that we need to double down on our efforts to decarbonize, achieve our 2030 targets, and reach net zero by 2050. Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and their attempts to sabotage energy pipelines in Europe have provided an even greater mountain to climb. So while I remain ever hopeful I am worried all the time, and I’m constantly thinking about what more we can do to go faster in Canada and to better support the efforts globally. I will be meeting with environmental groups in Davenport in December; if you’d like to join kindly email me – julie.dzerowicz@parl.gc.ca
On the provincial front, I am so upset by the Ford government’s proposal to develop on segments of the protected Greenbelt. The Greenbelt is an ecosystem that cannot be split into pieces. Our provincial government seems to not understand the importance of our protected lands and the need to step up to do their part to decarbonize and reduce emissions. We will not meet our targets without our largest province getting onboard. And I will be redoubling our efforts nationally to see how we can incentivize the province to protect the greenbelt and take more aggressive and urgent action on climate change.
Another big item this week, Health Minister Duclos and Mental Health and Addictions Minister Bennett met with their provincial and territorial counterparts to see if an agreement could be reached on additional federal funding for healthcare. Unfortunately the provinces and territories are unwilling to accept accountability measures for federal funding. Many provinces right now have a surplus of dollars that they are giving back to citizens instead of reinvesting in the healthcare system. I agree with Minister Duclos and the federal government on the importance of accountability and transparency to make sure that the money is going towards our healthcare system which badly needs it. Many Davenport residents have also spoken to me on this and shared the same desire for accountability and transparency and that money for healthcare actually goes toward healthcare.
There are a number of links below. I want to especially highlight the link to the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence. There has been a lot in the news recently around China and political interference, there are links on this below as well as the Indo-Pacific Strategy from Minister Joly.
Affordability and the rising cost of living continues to be top of mind for Davenport residents. For those who haven’t had a chance to read it yet, you can find the Fall Economic Statement here. It contains additional supports for Canadians including students and our most vulnerable.
Respiratory illnesses in children have risen dramatically as have the number of COVID cases and so our national Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tam is once again recommending masking in crowded indoor places such as subways and large public indoor areas. She also continues to recommend other precautions such as booster and flu shots to keep Canadians healthy, minimize illness, and help reduce the numbers in hospitals.
Tomorrow is Remembrance Day. You may not know that Prospect Cemetery is home to the largest number of resting places of soldiers from WWI and WWII.
I will be joining the annual sunrise ceremony which begins at 7:30 a.m. at the cenotaph for those who would like to join.
If you would like to read the full update, click here.
It looks like another wonderful weekend. Have a safe weekend. It’s a true honour and privilege to serve you.
My very best regards,
Julie Dzerowicz
Member of Parliament, Davenport