Table of Contents
- Click here for the highlights.
- Defence Investment Agency Announcement, House of Commons: That’s a Wrap!, 25th Transatlantic Forum 2025: NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Fairbank BIA: Light Up the Holidays, Pia Bouman School for Ballet and Creative Movement’s Performance for the Nutcracker
- Important Federal Government Updates
- December 12: Government of Canada launches Regional Defence Investment Initiative in Ontario and across the country
- December 11: The Canada Strong Pass is back for the holidays (i.e, parks are free & discounted travel!)
- December 11: Minister Champagne meets with provincial and territorial Finance Ministers, deepens partnerships for a stronger economic future for Canada
- December 11: Celebrating two years of affordable dental care in Canada
- December 11: Government of Canada invests in AI for smarter and more efficient energy use
- December 11: CRA responsiveness doubled as the 100-Day Service Improvement Plan reaches completion
- December 10: Carney says resigning Canadian ambassador to U.S. has done ‘a fantastic job’
- December 10: National Film Board of Canada joins International Federation of Film Archives.
- December 10: Government of Canada lists four new terrorist entities
- December 10: Statement by Minister Miller, Minister Anand, Minister Valdez and Minister Fraser on Human Rights Day
- December 10: Planning a winter getaway? Here’s what you need to know
- December 9: Prime Minister Carney speaks with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy
- December 9: Canada advances international cooperation on industry, AI and digital technology at the G7 Industry, Digital and Technology Ministers’ Meeting
- December 9: Canada and the United Kingdom strengthen ties on quantum and digital infrastructure
- December 9: CBSA is strengthening the border: 2025 results and accomplishments
- December 9: Government of Canada launches new initiative to recruit world-leading researchers
- December 9: Advancing Canada’s Official Languages Commitments
- December 9: Training 2,000 Canadian workers to help build Canada strong
- December 9: Canada overhauls Criminal Code to protect victims and keep kids safe from predators
- December 9: Government of Canada announces strategic partnership to strengthen military communications in the Arctic
- December 9: Liberal government tables bill to protect children, victims of gender-based violence
- December 8: Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers Gather to Fast-Track Infrastructure Across Canada
- December 8: G7 Finance Ministers call for responsible production and supply of critical minerals
- December 8: CBSA serves $36.9M penalty to Ontario business owner for failing to declare exported vehicles
- December 8: [AI & Technology Supply Chain Expansion with the EU] Joint Statement of the first meeting of the Canada-European Union Digital Partnership Council
- December 8: Canada strengthens international cooperation during Secretary of State Sarai’s participation in Qatar
- December 8: Canada and Germany deepen their collaboration on advanced technologies
- December 8: Targeted immigration measures to boost Canada’s supply of doctors
- December 8: Canada to welcome thousands of visitors for the FIFA World Cup 26™ – Don’t wait, apply early
- December 6: Statement by Minister Rechie Valdez on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
- December 5: Statement by Prime Minister Carney on the passing of Frank Gehry, Canadian-born Architect
- Funding & Opportunities
Call for proposals: Supporting Indigenous engagement in clean energy and infrastructure. The deadline is December 17, 2025. https://www.canada.ca/en/natural-resources-canada/news/2025/10/call-for-proposals-supporting-indigenous-engagement-and-participation-in-clean-energy-and-infrastructure-for-critical-minerals.html
Canada Water Agency invites applications for projects to protect and restore fresh water across Canada. There are several deadlines throughout the month of December.
https://www.canada.ca/en/canada-water-agency/news/2025/10/canada-water-agency-invites-applications-for-projects-to-protect-restore-fresh-water-across-canada.html
CanExport Associations open Nov. 25. The deadline is January 6th!
https://www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca/en/our-solutions/funding-financing-international-business/canexport-associations.html
Call for Applications: Black Entrepreneurship Program’s (BEP) Ecosystem Fund. The deadline
is January 9, 2026, 4:59 pm EST.
https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/ised/en/programs-and-initiatives/black-entrepreneurship-program
Call for Nominations: The 2026 Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence. The deadline is January 14, 2026. https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/ised/en/programs-and-initiatives/prime-ministers-awards/how-nominate/teacher
The Government of Canada invests to support research excellence. More about various funding available here.
https://www.rsf-fsr.gc.ca/home-accueil-eng.aspx
The Regional Tariff Response Initiative in southern Ontario is now open.
https://feddev-ontario.canada.ca/en/funding-southern-ontario/regional-tariff-response-initiative-southern-ontario
For more information on various grants offered, see here:https://search.open.canada.ca/grants/
Davenport friends & neighbours:
Holiday Party Tomorrow
Tomorrow is the day! The Annual Davenport Holiday Party at the Dufferin Grove Club House (next to the skating rink) and across the street from Dufferin Mall. From 1pm to 4pm.
Enjoy festive refreshments, Christmas carolling, and a visit from a VERY special guest from the North Pole! 🎅❄️
That’s a wrap: House of Commons rises for Holiday Season
What a fall term! Lots of hard work has been done between Sept. until this week.
Our biggest achievements are that we passed Budget 2025 and supplementary estimates. We also passed our Affordability Act – C-4 (tax break, HST off of first time home buyers, consumer carbon pricing cut), the Strong Borders Act (C-12): making changes that will allow us to protect the border, and creating changes to the immigration system giving more flexibility and powers to the federal government.
We focused on tackling crime and public safety introducing three pieces of legislation (C-9, C-14 and C-16)- bail reform & stronger sentencing; strengthening criminal code to give police greater clarity and ability to tackle hate and discrimination, and lastly a bill that represents one of the most consequential updates in generations to protect victims and survivors of sexual violence, gender-based violence, and intimate partner violence, and to keep our kids safe from predators. All three bills are still working its way through the House of Commons.
Economy: in case you missed it
Bank of Canada holds interest rates stable at 2.25%. What this means is that inflation is under control and the Governor is happy with the current balance and state of the economy.
Statistics Canada last week reported that 54,000 jobs were created in November. Many of these jobs were taken by youth; and there continue to be lots of opportunities out there! Visit jobbank.gc.ca to search for jobs.
NOTE: There are currently over 52,000 job postings (in Ontario there are 14 000) on jobbank.gc.ca just for the youth!
8000 of those jobs require no experience.
These jobs span office receptionists, life guarding, mystery shopper, nanny’s and so much more!
US/Global Relations Update
Ambassador Kirsten Hillman, Canada’s first female ambassador to the US has resigned. This has long been anticipated. She was to finish her term last year but extended it until the end of this year. An inspiring woman and public servant; Amb Hillman has served Canada with distinction. Whomever replaces her will have huge shoes to fill.
As Chair of Canada NATO Parliamentary Association, I was in Washington for a couple of days this week to meet with all other NATO parliamentarian delegations to discuss transatlantic relations. The US released its National Security Strategy last week – a document that was at the heart of our very interesting and frank discussions.
I believe in the importance of NATO as a body that has kept the peace for over 70 years – with deterrence as the key to peace and stability in the world.
Small business and local economy
All Davenport residents should have received in the mail a double sided communication piece – outlining support for small businesses and encouraging all of us to shop locally to support our local businesses. The holiday season is upon us; let’s do all we can to frequent the amazing entrepreneurs and small business owners who offer amazing goods and services to our community.
I look forward to seeing many of you tomorrow! Have a great weekend. It’s a true honour and pleasure to serve you.
Warm regards,Julie Dzerowicz
Member of Parliament, Davenport