Liberal Party Logo

Liberal Party Icon
Julie Dzerowicz Member of Parliament
Davenport

Table of Contents

Hello Davenport Friends and Neighbours,
 

As this is my first bi-weekly email update for 2024, I want to wish you a Happy New Year. There are a lot of updates to share with you.

On the personal side, I’m heartbroken. Earlier this week my mother suffered a hemorrhagic stroke and she is in the hospital. It is too early to tell how things will unfold so I am in prayer mode. It is so hard to see a loved one go through such a difficult time, 

So much is happening and it’s hard to keep on top of the facts as events unfold. I encourage all Davenport residents to read and watch multiple credible sources to ensure you have the factual information you need to make decisions and stay up to date on issues important to you. I will continue to work hard to ensure that this is one key source to follow, one that will provide first hand information about government announcements, and relay the many ways I am serving you.

Three issues are top of mind for Davenport residents: affordability/housing; Israel/Hamas War, and funding for City of Toronto, including funding for asylum seekers. 

See my updated statement on the Israel-Hamas War where I respond to all the latest questions I received from all of you since the New Year, including my thoughts on the South African case before the ICJ.

On City of Toronto funding, Our federal government knows that our cities are economic engines for our country, we have invested a historic amount since we were first elected over 8 years ago.  I am proud of the $5.79 billion invested in the City of Toronto with the vast majority of the dollars going to transit and housing.  In 2023-2024 alone – we are giving $1.65 billion to the City compared to the Harper government in its final year (2015) giving only $205 million.

On asylum seekers – all three levels of government typically provided support. Because of the surge of claimants over the last few years, the  federal government dramatically increased its funding to over $312 million to the City since 2018.  And today (Feb 2) we announced an additional $162 million to support asylum seekers in 2024 – for a total of $474 million).  Ongoing we will continue to work with the City to support asylum seekers.

I was so happy today to hear Mayor Olivia Chow acknowledge today at the press conference the historic funding that the federal government has given over the last 8 years; she said “the federal government has delivered for Toronto.”    Together with all the other Toronto Liberal Members of Parliament, I work hard to make sure Toronto is well supported – so the Mayor’s acknowledgement was a special moment today.

Auto theft.  This is a HUGE issue in our riding of Davenport, across Toronto, the GTA and Canada.  Our federal government has announced $151 million of funding to the Ontario government to tackle this issue urgently.  Read more about it here.

On affordability – thankfully the Governor of the Bank of Canada has held the interest rates steady. According to his latest press conference, the Bank is hoping to hold rates until the end of the year when core rates hopefully stay stable and continue to decrease to the 2-3% range.   

To support the 9 million Canadians who do not have dental care coverage, our federal government has been rolling out our National Dental Care Plan since before Christmas.  Over 400,000 have already signed up. This is amazing news.  Together with the Canada Child Benefit, National Child Care Plan, increase in Old Age Security (75 and up), Canada Worker Benefit, and now the Canada Dental Care Plan – Canadians across all age levels and income levels are receiving significant support from our federal government.  

The Federal Foreign Interference Inquiry began public meetings earlier this week under the leadership and direction of Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue. Look under the Important News Link section to keep up to day on how the inquiry unfolded.

Thanks to everyone that mailed in or responded online to my PreBudget 2024 questions.  We are compiling the information and will be sending a letter to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance within the next 10 days for her review and consideration. 

February is Black History Month. Davenport is lucky to have a significant number of Black-Canadian leaders that served the local and national communities. This month we have a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the work on Black-Canadian leaders in Davenport and about the vibrant heritage of Black Canadians in Canada, and about their contributions to creating the amazing country that we are blessed to live in today.

The House of Commons is now back in session. To catch up on recent government initiatives follow the links below, You will also find a link to government funding available to individuals and organizations. 

My best regards,

Julie Dzerowicz

Member of Parliament — Davenport