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Julie Dzerowicz Member of Parliament
Davenport

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Hello Davenport friends and neighbours!

There is so much going on in the world and across our country but I will be focusing my front page letter on the 2024 Federal Budget.  In the MP Report section, you will get a better sense of what I have been up to in Ottawa and across the riding.  I also want to invite you to join me on Friday April 26 at 12:00 PM for a Virtual Federal Budget Debrief.  Sign up here.

Federal Budget 2024 was released on April 16 — and it’s a comprehensive budget that is focused on fairness for every generation, with a particular focus on addressing the concerns and needs of millennials and GenZ. It’s about turbocharging the construction of more homes, making life more affordable, and driving economic growth. Federal Budget 2024 is ultimately about what kind of Canada we want to live in. 

Below, I have highlighted what I think are the top items of interest to Davenport residents:

  1. Housing: we have already announced a new Housing Plan, published last week, that outlines how we will rapidly create more single family homes, more rental homes, and more deeply affordable homes for our most vulnerable. I also want to highlight something that I have taken the lead on, as requested by Davenport advocates and community  leaders:  the federal government  is conducting a rapid and comprehensive review of its entire federal lands portfolio, which includes Canada Post properties!  Thanks to all who have both pushed and supported me in this endeavour.  It is a huge win and will lead to the opening of public lands for affordable housing.
     
  2. Healthcare:  last year our federal government announced a major healthcare investment of  $198 billion over 10 years, with $73.97 billion  going to Ontario.  This year we deliver an additional $17 billion to Ontario and we also deliver on the first phase of our National Universal Pharmacare, which will cover contraceptives and diabetes medication treatments. 
     
  3. Climate:  While climate change is not the focus of this budget, we continue to invest significantly to ensure we meet our Paris Accord and 2050 net zero targets.  We are delivering on our commitment to return proceeds from the price on pollution (aka carbon tax) to small & medium sized businesses — and this is retroactive for the last three years!  We also announce a renewed subsidy for zero-emission vehicles, announce an “even better” Canada Greener Homes grants program for energy efficient retrofits focusing on households with low to median incomes and we have committed to developing a Youth Climate Corps program!
     
  4. Canada Disability Benefit: $2400 a year has been allocated to Canadians with disabilities. I know that disability advocates are disappointed (as am I)  that we could not do more.  But know this, the Canada Disability Benefit is the largest line item in Budget 2024 at $6 billion annually. We have to do more, and we will — but this is a great start. 
     
  5. School Food Program: As families continue to struggle with affordability challenges, our federal government continues to step up to help — now launching the National School Food Program,  which is expected to help 400,000 children access healthy food, saving the average family (with 2 kids) as much as $800 per year in groceries. This program, in addition to the Canada Child Benefit and the National Child Care program, will continue to help slash child poverty rates in Canada.  Since 2015, our federal government has lifted 650,000 children out of poverty — a laudable achievement, in addition to supporting families on the affordability front.
     
  6. Funding for Post Secondary & next generation of scientific and research leaders: with additional funding in the 2024 Budget to support Canadians pursuing post secondary education, we have now doubled the amount of grants in almost 10  years, not to mention facilitating loans and increasing accessibility.  I am also proud that we are funding grad students and postdocs — the largest investment in 20 years.  This is a huge investment in our students, preparing them to succeed in the 21st century’s economy.  
     
  7. Growing our economy:  the global  economy is growing and changing, and so is Canada.  Our federal government is serious about ensuring that we are investing in areas that will prepare Canada and Canadians for success moving forward.  There are far too many things to mention but they included: more investments in AI, boosting R&D and Intellectual Property retention, and more investment in clean electricity, biofuels, and nuclear energy.   We also make significant moves to support startups and entrepreneurs. Lastly, we are creating a registry for interprovincial trade barriers (finally!); tackling these can increase our GDP by up to 4%.  I have been a big advocate for this registry … we cannot continue to support a massive expansion in social welfare without sustainable inclusive growth. Getting rid of interprovincial trade barriers is a cost-free way to get there.
     
  8. Defence and humanitarian assistance: The Globe and Mail editorial board has stated: “Ottawa needs to further bolster spending on foreign aid. Canada’s presence in the world, whether military, economic development or humanitarian, needs to be backed up with adequate funding.” We previously announced a massive increase in military and defence spending, getting Canada closer to fulfilling our NATO obligations.  Similarly we have increased spending on development assistance, supporting veterans well-being and enhancing CSIS intelligence capabilities.  In an era where disinformation is warfare, it is critical that Canada allocates funding to protect our democracy.  
     
  9. Fiscal responsibility:  We are spending more in this budget — but we have to. Four years since the global pandemic started, there is a continued need to support Canadians to address our key challenges and to set Canada up for success moving forward in a way that is fair to all generations.  Our spending will not increase inflation; we continue to have the lowest debt- and deficit-to-GDP ratios of the G7 countries; Canada keeps its spending to 1% of its total GDP,  our employment numbers are good, we are making the right investments, and we anticipate keeping our triple AAA credit rating. Only 11 countries in the world have a credit rating this high. I should also note that we have adjusted our capital gains and are now asking our wealthiest to pay their fair share.  This will also help to pay for some of our increased spending both now and ongoing.  I will have more to say about the capital gains increase in the coming days and weeks — once I get a chance to really dig into the details.
     
  10. So much more to relay: we continue to invest in reconciliation ($9 billion on Indigenous priorities); we have made tackling auto theft a priority; we are also continuing to put major resources towards combating hate, antisemitism, and islamaphobia;  and more! 

Have a wonderful weekend, Davenport — as always, it is a true honour and pleasure to serve you.

My very best regards,

Julie Dzerowicz
Member of Parliament – Davenport