Table of Contents

1. Davenport MP Report: Working Hard for You
2. Important News & Federal Announcements
3. Federal Supports Available to You!

Davenport Friends and Neighbours –  this letter and email update contains information on federal investments in housing and transit, notes on my meeting with local police on recent shootings and stabbings in the community. Information on new funding streams for those offering settlement services, those who want to build capacity to support disabled Canadians and for those who are offering mental health support is also included. All this in addition to providing the latest on federal government news and announcements.

This week, the House of Commons was not sitting. While I am usually back in Toronto at my office, this week,I have been travelling across Canada with the House of Commons Parliamentary Finance Committee conducting federal 2024 Pre-Budget Consultations.  

Thank you to all Davenport residents who joined me at my two Zoom meetings to discuss a wide range of topics related including the Israel-Hamas War, the need for a Palestinian state, and a call for a ceasefire. It is really important for me to both hear and listen to the concerns of Davenport residents and to exchange views on the unfolding situation. While we do not always agree on many aspects of the conflict, know that I am listening, and I am taking your views seriously.  For those who have not had a chance to see my past statement summarizing my thoughts you can find it here.

Last night, I also know that there was a peaceful rally outside of my office related to the Israel-Hamas War, the call for a ceasefire and the need for a Palestinian state. My deep appreciation to all for the peaceful gathering and I hear your messages.

I strongly support the right to peaceful protest and peaceful assembly as a keystone of our Canadian democracy – but vandalism, violent and aggressive protests, hate speech and discrimination are unacceptable.  

Earlier this week, unfortunately, my staff was assaulted when protesters entered my office. By storming my office, the protest froze the daily work that my staff do for Davenport constituents. Support for urgent casework, some in dire need, had to be stopped. I am thankful for the police response to prevent any escalation and to bring an end to the threat along with their help escorting my staff out of the office who felt unsafe in leaving. And I am thankful to my team for their bravery and strength. They work hard everyday to serve Davenport. I am so blessed to have them.

It’s important to consider the impact of extreme views on the lives of communities within Davenport, especially when the rhetoric fans the flames of anti-semitism or Islamophobia.

There are many differing views on the current situation, and all voices need to be respectfully heard. 

Our federal government has announced funding to further protect places of worship and gathering places for our Muslim and Jewish communities. The gun shots into schools, the firebombs into synagogues, the hate speech and discrimination against our Jewish and Muslim communities are unacceptable. Let’s all work to call out racism and discrimination and to make our communities feel safe and be safe again.

In Davenport, many residents have also connected with me re their concerns about public safety, after a number of local shootings and stabbings. I met with two Police Superintendents from Davenport to discuss the situation, and from that have raised a number of issues with the Attorney General and the Minister of Public Safety. Policing is controlled at the municipal level – but in speaking to our local police, I believe there are things all three levels of government can do to make our streets safer and to reduce criminal activity in the area.

Over the last couple of weeks, federal government representatives have “joined the table” with the other two levels of government to work on the following issues:

• Asylum and Refugee Claimants – $97 million has been allocated to the City of Toronto to cover the costs for asylum and refugee claimants; all three levels are working on a long term solution for all three levels.  
• Housing and Transit – these are top issues for Davenport residents. We have made new announcements this week for more rental housing and more support for the TTC.  For an update of federal government investments to date click here.
• Ongoing longer term sustainable support for the City of Toronto 

As mentioned above, I have been travelling across Canada to hear from Canadians on Pre-budget Consultations for the federal budget 2024. I also want to hear from you!  You will soon be receiving a Pre-Budget Survey in the mail so that you can have your say and share your thoughts about what should be included in the next federal budget. You can also share your thoughts online.

It’s been a tough week and I know many of us are worried about global conflicts, continued high costs of living, the rapid rise of discrimination, racism and violence in our society. Let’s take care of each other and be kind.

Have a great weekend Davenport. As always, it’s an honour and pleasure to serve you.

My best,

Julie Dzerowicz

Member of Parliament Davenport