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Julie Dzerowicz Member of Parliament
Davenport

Table of Contents 

  • Click here for the highlights.
    • Seniors’ showcase at Oasis-Dufferin Community Centre
    • Celebrating International Women’s Day at the South Asian Women’s Centre
    • Honouring the Trung Sisters Commemoration Event
  • NEWS AND UPDATES
    • GST ELIMINATED FOR FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS
    • $39.7M in Federal Funding To Protect Youth From Online Sexual Exploitation
    • HELPING 40,000 More Canadian Students Find Economy-Driven Work Placements
    • Canada Signs National School Food Agreements With All Provinces And Territories
    • Canada Pledges $675 Million To Support Global Health And Life Saving Vaccines
    • Canada Launches First State Of Service Report
    • Statement From Minister Joly and Minister Hussen On The Situation In Syria

Davenport Friends and Neighbours / Amis et Voisins de Davenport,

This is my final weekly emailed update until after the federal election. The election could be called as soon as this Sunday, March 23, with Canadians heading to the polls on April 28. That’s why I want to take this last chance to update you on the issues I know are currently top of mind for Davenport residents, and make sure that you all have access to the information you need to know right now. 

One of the Prime Minister’s first acts upon being sworn in was to address key affordability issues for Canadians, including signing a prime ministerial directive to immediately cancel the carbon tax. This will lead to savings on fuel bills and save Canadians an average of 17 cents at the pump, which will go a long way to easing the cost of living. You will still receive one final carbon rebate of up to $140 for a single person or $280 family of four on April 15 – so keep an eye on your bank accounts. Today, the Prime Minister also cancelled the proposed capital gains tax increase and increased the lifetime capital gains exemption limit for small businesses.

We’re keeping the tax on industrial polluters in place, because climate change is very real, and a tax on industrial emissions is the most effective way to ensure producers are paying their fair share and are held accountable to their emissions. 

President Trump has unleashed economic warfare against Canada. In response, Prime Minister Carney has taken a number of steps to try to redirect trade flows from the United States to across Canada and to European and other partners. The Prime Minister also met with business leaders across various sectors, and he met with provincial and territorial leaders today to discuss how Canadians can stay unified, and how we can redirect trade flows to more effectively move people, goods, and services across the country. 

He also made a rapid-fire visit to the U.K. and France to discuss trade and defense. 80% of our defense procurements, and 78% of our trade, go to the U.S., and we have taken trade opportunities for granted, but we are rapidly working to strengthen trade relationships with European, Asian, and other partners. 

Prime Minister Carney also visited Iqaluit this week with Defense Minister Bill Blair and Armed Forces Chief Jennie Carignan to announce initiatives that will strengthen Canada’s sovereignty in the Arctic, increase our security and defense, and grow the Northern economy. 

What is happening in Gaza is horrific, and I am devastated that the actions of the Israeli government have caused even more death and destruction. The current humanitarian situation is not sustainable. The federal government has reiterated for an immediate ceasefire, the immediate free flow of humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians in need, and international humanitarian law to be respected, including the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers. In addition, Minister Joly has announced an additional $100M in humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. We must ensure that Palestinians have access to critical support like essential services, life-saving measures like food and water, and other measures to support peace and security. In addition to a call for an immediate end to hostilities, we have also called for Hamas to ensure an immediate and dignified release of all hostages, lay down its arms, and stop embedding itself within the broader population, and for Israel and Hamas to negotiate in good faith to reach a sustainable and lasting ceasefire. Canada also continues to support a two-state solution. 

The situation in Gaza looks increasingly dire, as President Netanyahu continues to strengthen the far-right voices within the Israeli government – eliminating more moderate voices and voices who support international rules-based order. Israel’s security chief has now been fired, and voices that are not in agreement with the Israeli Government, including the judicial system and supreme court, are being sidelined. This is very troublesome and threatens to further worsen the situation in Gaza and in the Middle East. I will be putting out a complete statement in the coming days – please stay tuned. 

On housing: Our federal government has also announced that the GST will be removed for first-time home buyers, and that we will be offering $2.55B in low-cost loans to help the City of Toronto build more affordable homes. Mayor Chow has called the investment “historic”. This funding will provide better financial incentive to the city to ensure more timely processing of zoning permits, and we are also ensuring that 25% of the new units being built with this funding will be rented at affordable prices accessible to everyday Torontonians. 

This funding package comes on top of the $25.8M that we have provided to the City of Toronto to help support those living in encampments and provide safe housing. The parks in our constituency have some of the largest encampments in the city, and there is no reason that the city is not moving faster to support those living in tents to find a safer, accessible place to live, so that our communities have full access to their local parks. 

Finally, if the news is correct, a federal election will be called this weekend for an April 28 election day. If true, I encourage everyone to get out and vote for who you believe will be the best leader for our country and our economy, who will protect our sovereignty and the progress we have made over the last ten years, and who will best be able to guide us through the turbulent times ahead. 

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

My very best regards,

Julie Dzerowicz
Member of Parliament – Davenport