Table of Contents 

• Click here for the highlights.
  • Funding Local Innovation: Able Innovations
  • Focus on Small Business: Made in Canada
  • Environment Roundtable
  • Federal Funding for Dufferin Grove Skating Rink & Clubhouse
  • Focus on Seniors: First Portuguese Health Fair
  • WE HAVE SO MUCH TO TALK ABOUT!
  • … and so much more!
• NEWS AND UPDATES
  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Meets with Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte
  • Prime Minister’s Statement on Inclusive and Sustainable Artificial Intelligence
  • Canada Responds to Threats of 25% Tariffs on Steel and Aluminium
  • 1.5 Million Canadians Have Accessed Dental Care Through the CDCP

Davenport Friends and Neighbours / Amis et Voisins de Davenport,

February 15, 2025, is the 60th anniversary of the first time that we flew our maple leaf flag in Canada.

Irrespective of the threats that the American President is making against Canada, and any comments about Canada becoming part of the United States –  we are a strong, independent and free nation. No one can walk in and take us over.  We are one of the best countries in the world to live in and while we have made the choice to do the majority of our trade with the huge American market to the south, we can also choose to redirect that trade to within our own country and to other countries.

This, of course, will take time and there will be some pain points for our Canadian economy and for the Canadian population at large. Any type of transformation and/or radical change will not be easy. The President of the United States has announced that he will be imposing 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports beginning March the 12th. This is not just a tariff on Canada, but on all nations that import steel and aluminum to the United States.

We continue to work on our four point plan: 

First: do everything we can to stop the tariffs from actually being implemented against Canadian companies, because of the integration in trade, investment and supply chains – particularly of the auto sector – between Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.

Our Premiers did a heroic job of heading to Washington to strive to educate American representatives about the impact of any tariffs on American workers and society at large, because ultimately it will be both American and Canadian consumers paying the price in terms of increased prices and job losses. Our federal ministers and MPs continue to make their way to Washington as well as to continue to educate as quickly and as broadly as possible. 

Team Canada,  which includes  our political leadership, opposition leaders and our business leadership, continues to also work very well together.

Secondly, as we move as quickly as we can to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers and regulations, we are also strongly promoting our Buy Canada campaign. This week I sent a letter to all Business Improvement Area leaders across the Davenport constituency to ensure that they are communicating to all businesses in Davenport the need to sign onto the Made in Canada directory. We have to ensure that Canadians know how to identify Canadian companies and products to support.

Third, we are working with our other international trade allies to see how we could redirect some of our trade to them – whether European or Asian or Latin American countries.

Fourth, we continue to be focused at the border to prevent  fentanyl and undocumented migrants from going to the US, but also to work on preventing  drugs and guns moving from the US to Canada. We have appointed a Fentanyl Czar, former Mountie Kevin Brosseau, who will be working closely with law enforcement officials to ensure our borders are secure from fentanyl and weapons trafficking.

In the future it’s clear we want to depend far less on the United States, and maximize other excellent trade agreements that we already have in place.

Canada is not going to be able to redirect trade overnight, but with determination, focus and hard work, we can move rapidly. Our Prime Minister was in France and Brussels this week not just for an AI conference, and not just to speak about Ukraine and defense with NATO, but also to speak to other European leaders about American tariff threats globally, as well as the President’s  threats against Canadian sovereignty. 

We, of course, haven’t forgotten about Ukraine. We continue to be very committed to helping Ukraine end the war and to ensure Ukrainian independence moving forward. 

Flavio Volpe, head of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association, spoke about how auto industry leaders are joining forces to take the U.S. President’s tariff actions to the courts.

A couple more items to share with you: here is a statement made by Francois-Phillipe Champagne, our Innovation Minister, on the steel and aluminum tariffs.

Transport and Internal Trade Minister Anita Anand also stated that “Canada’s sovereignty is not up for debate” here; and Minister of Labour Steven McKinnon stated that Canada will always remain a strong and independent country here.

My firm belief is that despite the fact that the American President was democratically elected, that does not give him the right to engage in illegal acts and to not follow international trade agreements or the international rules-based order. I will be vocal in condemning any illegal actions against Canada, and in any acts against the international rules-based order and international humanitarian law.

As the Member of Parliament for Davenport, I am also a Member of Parliament for our country – have no doubt I will do everything I can to protect our sovereignty, and to ensure that Canada remains the true north, strong and free.

For those who may not know, I have two business degrees, and I’ve spent an exorbitant amount of time over the last seven years (unsuccessfully) trying to convince our government to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers and regulations and to do a lot more to support our entrepreneurs, innovators and small businesses. All of that work is not for naught, as many of the recommendations I have made are now being implemented and/or our federal government is pushing for them across the country.

Note that I am hosting a Canada-U.S. debrief session and town hall on Wednesday February 26. It will not be in my office, but in a bigger location to be determined because we have a number of people in the riding who would like to attend. If you have not done so already, please sign up here.

Finally, all 5 of the country’s living former Prime Ministers are asking Canadians to fly the red maple leaf this weekend in a huge display of national unity as the country stares down the U.S. President’s threats to our economy and sovereignty.

As always, it is a true honour and pleasure to serve you.

My very best regards,

Julie Dzerowicz
Member of Parliament – Davenport