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Julie Dzerowicz Member of Parliament
Davenport

Table of Contents

Greetings Davenport Friends and Neighbours:

There is so much to update you on as we are heading into the holiday season.

This will be my last bi-weekly email update for 2023 and there is a lot of very important information to update you on.  This letter will contain info and links on the following topics

  1. Israel – Palestine -Hamas war & conflict
  2. Dental Care Plan
  3. COP28
  4. Housing – WWII design template model
  5. Indigenous Drinking Water Bill
  6. Pre-Budget Consultations (already met with Arts/Cultural groups)
  7. Christmas / Holiday season office hours & support

Israel-Palestine-Hamas War & Conflict

Earlier this week, PM Trudeau and the Prime Ministers of Australia and New Zealand issued a joint statement earlier Tuesday calling for the resumption of the seven-day pause in fighting that ended earlier this month and  for “efforts towards a sustainable ceasefire” in the Israel-Hamas war.  It is a very balanced approach and Canada actively commits to working with other global leaders towards a long lasting two-state solution. I fully support this joint statement. 

 All three countries also voted in favour of a non-binding UN resolution this week at the UN calling for a ceasefire.  It is important to note that Canada initially voted for the US amendments  to the UN resolution that made clear specific reference to extremist group Hamas.  Here is what the amendment said.  Canada supported this amendment but it was voted down by the UN General Assembly.

My take on this  non-binding resolution is that Canada supported it as a way of saying the following: that there is a humanitarian catastrophe underway in Gaza and humanitarian aid needs to get in; that  innocent lives must be protected;  that Israel still needs to defend itself; that Hamas is  a terrorist group whose aim is to destroy Israel.  They also have Israeli hostages that need to be released.  

Note to Davenport community members who have written to me, called my office, rallied at my office and across the riding.  I am responding to as many of you as quickly as possible!    Sorry it is taking so long as you are many.  Thanks to everyone who joined the Zoom meetings I hosted over a  month ago.  There were outstanding questions – here are the answers.  Thank you for your patience.

National Dental Care Plan Roll Out

This week, the federal government announced the details of Canada’s Dental Care Plan.  I am so excited!  Minister of Health the Hon Mark Holland made the announcement and invited NDP MP Don Davies to join him.  

The NDP has very much been a driving force behind the need for a national dental plan and our federal government through the Supply & Confidence Agreement  has made it a priority to work with the NDP to launch this important expansion of our healthcare system.  This is the largest expansion of our health care program since health care was introduced. The roll out of the plan begins with seniors and will continue to include Canadians with disabilities, children under 18 and then all Canadians.   There is a very specific process – apply, then once verified that you are eligible, you will receive a package from Sunlife who will provide details of care and of the exact date your coverage begins.  A historic moment for Canadians – and life changing for the 9 million Canadians that will benefit from this program.

COP28 – Agreement to phase out fossil fuels 

Turning to climate change.  I am not big on meetings that are all talk … that produces few results. Or meetings where  promises are made and not followed through on.  

So I am hoping that the final agreement reached at the COP28 Climate Summit  will move us forward to phasing-out fossil fuels and provide enough incentives to ensure “deep, rapid and sustained reductions” of 43 per cent emissions cut by 2030 (relative to 2019 levels).

COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber described the agreement as a “historic package to accelerate climate action.” – and I hope he is right!!!!

During COP28,  Environment & Climate Change Minister Stephen Guilbeault made some key announcements for Canada including:

Housing – Modernizing a WWII idea to build more houses faster

Housing Minister Sean Fraser will launch consultations in January 2024 to see how we can modernize a WWII idea to have a catalogue of  pre-approved house designs – in order to  fast track housing being built across Canada. 

Experts in the field indicate this could cut up to one year off the time for construction on a project,” Fraser said.· Creating a catalogue could also  help get “shovels into the ground” faster by speeding up the process of approval for everything from financing to municipal permitting. 

Historic First: First Nations co-develops  clean water legislation with federal government

This week   Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu introduced Bill C-61, a bill that will protect fresh water sources, create minimum national drinking water and wastewater standards in First Nations, and provide sustainable funding for maintaining water quality.

This bill was co-developed with First Nations and lays the foundation for a new First Nation-led water institution to support communities — the First Nations Water Commission.

Over 84% of long term boil water advisories have been lifted and plans are in place to eliminate the rest in the coming years. Ottawa has lifted 143 drinking water advisories in First Nations since 2015. There are 28 advisories remaining in 26 communities. 

Our government was  required to introduce the new bill by the terms of the $8 billion drinking water class action settlement for First Nations. The deal includes $1.5 billion to compensate First Nations and their members who were deprived of clean drinking water. ·       

Davenport residents have consistently written to me  about how much they care about clean drinking water for First Nations in Canada.  I am proud this bill has been introduced and the progress we have made in eliminating most of the long term boil water advisories.

Finally, our DPM launched pre-budget consultations for Budget 2024.

You can share your thoughts here or mail in your thoughts via the form  I sent to every household in Davenport. The deadline is February 9, 2024.

Wow! So much more to say … but I will end it there. My office is closed from Dec 25 to Dec 29 (my birthday ) but we are back in the saddle on January 2, 2024.

Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays to you and your family.  Despite almost no snow (boo), I am so looking forward to the holidays and lots of family, friends and reading.

Wishing you all the best as 2023 comes to an end – it is an honour to serve you Davenport friends and neighbours.

My best regards,

Julie Dzerowicz

Member of Parliament Davenport