Table of Contents 

• Click here for the highlights.
  • Showdown with Immigration Minister Marc Miller
  • $2.9M in Federal Funding to Secure Cultural Spaces
  • Trade War Paused for 30 Days
  • Coffee with MP Julie Dzerowicz
  • Visits with Davenport Seniors
  • Dropping in at CHOQ FM’s Open House
  • WE HAVE SO MUCH TO TALK ABOUT!
  • … and so much more!
• NEWS AND UPDATES
  • Changes to Capital Gains Inclusion Rate Deferred Until 2026
  • Canada’s New National Cyber Security Strategy and Sensitive Technology List
  • Canada Greener Affordable Housing Loans Available Now

Davenport Friends and Neighbours / Amis et Voisins de Davenport,

It’s been another very eventful week and a very stressful one..

Today, our Prime Minister is meeting with business leaders across our country for four hours to discuss how we can make the Canadian economy more resilient.   In less than 30 days, we can drop most interprovincial trade and regulatory barriers to moving people and goods across Canada.  I will summarize the outcome in next week’s update.  

In the meantime, here is an article that summarizes what our Minister of Internal Trade has been saying and the progress she has been making. For 6 years, I have been championing interprovincial trade and urging our federal government to tackle this issue. It was crazy to put barriers in the way of Canadian businesses’ growth in a world that has become more unstable and unpredictable. One of the best ways to support Canadians and our economy is to strengthen it.  We have just about everything we need to survive in Canada; we are blessed. Now let’s help each other.   

President Trump has postponed the 25% tariffs on Canada by 30 days.  Because of the unpredictability of his actions, we will focus on the Canadian economy (as above), and we will work on taking advantage of the trade agreements we have in place to redirect our trade away from the US to other countries. 

In terms of recalling Parliament – I do not support it. We have all the tools we need to deal with President Trump now.  Also note that the Prime Minister updates all opposition leaders as well as premiers and territorial leaders on a constant basis.  

There is only one word for the real estate proposal for Gaza and the invitation for all Palestinians to leave Gaza that President Trump made earlier this week – and it is Madness.  See my tweet here.

I have also put out an updated statement on Israel – Hamas – Palestine – read it here.

There are simply no words for the shutdown of funding to USAID – 1% of the entire US budget went to USAID, and its reach and  impact is unmeasurable. There are people depending on the funding to eat – and the fact that there was little warning will be horrendous for all groups around the world who depend on this aid.  Never mind that Congress did not make the decision but an unelected leader.  Why is Congress silent?  I believe that the American Foreign Service Association and labour groups representing government employees have filed a case before the courts.

Because the House of Commons is prorogued (so not in session) I am in Toronto and am taking advantage of being here to visit as many groups as possible.  This week, I was so blessed to visit groups of seniors from the Portuguese, Italian, Afro-Caribbean, English and Vietnamese communities.  I also hosted a Coffee with Julie in my office and attended an Open House at the local French radio station – CHOQ FM – in the area. 

Finally – it was a true pleasure to join the Mayor of Toronto and the local city councillor to announce funding for local artists and Propeller Gallery. The federal government worked with the City to save 5 artistic and cultural organisations – they will own their galleries / spaces.  The federal government allocated just under $3 million – but we only formally announced $232,000 this week for Propeller – more or less matching the $180,000 coming from the City.  The top issue for all artistic and cultural organisations in Toronto is to continue to be able to afford to live, work and perform in our city.  These dollars go a long way to ensuring this for a number of organisations. 

Lots of great info below on the pause on the capital gains tax changes, new National Cyber-Security Strategy, Canada Greener Affordable Housing funding, and more! 

I have an environmental roundtable organised for next Wednesday, February 11 at 6pm – I want to see you there! You can attend in person or join us virtually via Zoom. Pre-registration is requested for all sessions. Click the here to sign up, and we’ll send you the event details and Zoom link closer to the date. I look forward to connecting with you soon!

Before I get to this week’s highlights, you should have received by mail a summary of my accomplishments in Davenport, and my annual calendar.

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

My very best regards,

Julie Dzerowicz
Member of Parliament – Davenport