Message from Tony
At the end of this week the month-long period of fasting and spiritual reflection known as Ramadan will come to an end. Celebrated and observed by Muslims around the world, Ramadan is one of the five “pillars of Islam.”
Over the years I have been fortunate to attend events held here in Newmarket put on by members of the Muslim community. I am not of the Muslim faith but that does not prevent me from increasing my knowledge and deepening my understanding of important Muslim celebrations. I truly believe that is how we build stronger, healthier, and more inclusive communities.
I have learned to appreciate the significance of Ramadan – a time for fasting, for reflection and prayer and to enjoy celebrating Iftar. Through my long association with the Muslim community, I have developed a deep appreciation of their commitment to our community.
Throughout Canada, Muslims play an important role in developing a more inclusive society – one that recognizes that through our differences we can truly build healthier more vibrant communities. Let us continue to embrace what we share in common with respect for our differences and build understanding and hope for all who call our community home. A home for all Canadians free of violence; a home where we can worship without fear of hate motivated attacks and a home where love and trust triumphs.
Tony in the Community
When I am back in Newmarket-Aurora from Ottawa, I am able to help my wife, Roxanne, with the weekly deliveries at the Newmarket Food Pantry.
Recently, I was able to work with the many volunteers of this organization – a valuable support for vulnerable residents in our community.
Celebrate Canada Funding
This year, four delegated authority projects here in Newmarket-Aurora were chosen to receive funding through Celebrate Canada.Celebrate Canada provides funding for activities organized on National Indigenous Peoples Day, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, Canadian Multiculturalism Day, and Canada Day.The four Newmarket-Aurora projects approved for funding are the: Association Des Francophones De La Région De York for the Fête de la St Jean – Concert gratuit;Corporation of the Town of Newmarket for Newmarket Canada Day and Canadian Multiculturalism Day 2023;Tabriz Azerbaijani Music and Dance Ensemble (TADME) for the Turkic Music and Dance Ultrafest; and,Teens & Adults Education Solutions for the Teens & Adults Celebrate Canada. These four groups received funding amounts from $4,300 to $25,000.
Compensation for First Nations Families
Recently, a revised final settlement agreement was reached by the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), Moushoom and Trout class actions plaintiffs, the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, and Canada to compensate those harmed by discriminatory underfunding of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program.This revised final settlement agreement now includes a total of just over $23.34 billion to compensate First Nations children and families. This agreement includes: First Nations children who were placed in care that was not funded by Indigenous Services Canada;Caregivers of children who were impacted by the government’s narrow definition of Jordan’s principle; and,the estates of parents who would have been eligible as one of the classes for compensation. This is a major milestone in advancing compensation, and we will continue to work towards the remaining key steps.Read more about the steps to be taken here.
Reconciliation Investments
We want to build a Canada that works for everyone, which includes addressing past wrongs and working towards a brighter future.In Budget 2023, we are building on the progress we have made so far in regards to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.Through Budget 2023, we are proposing: $30 million to Indigenous Services Canada to enhance the Reserve Land and Environment Management Program; $810.6 million to support medical travel and to maintain medically necessary services through the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program; $16.2 million over three years for interventions to reduce rates of tuberculosis in Inuit communities; $4 billion to implement a co-developed Urban, Rural, and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy; and,$124.6 million to acknowledge the leadership of families and survivors in the process of implementing of the Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People. We will continue building a country where everyone, regardless of where or who they are, can reach their full potential.Learn about all of our reconciliation investments here.
Housing Accelerator Fund
This summer, the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) will be launched, providing incentive funding to local governments to boost the housing supply across Canada. The HAF is a $4 billion initiative that will help Canada fast track the creation of 100,000 new homes across the country. With this initiative, we are inviting local governments to develop innovative action plans, in line with flexible criteria, to remove barriers to building more homes, faster.The objectives and supported priorities of the HAF are: Implementing initiatives to get more homes built faster;Speeding up approvals and building processes;Developing complete communities; Developing affordable, inclusive, equitable, and diverse communities; and, Developing low-carbon and climate-resilient communities. There are two application streams available through the HAF: the Large/Urban Stream and the Small/Rural/North/Indigenous stream.Learn more about the HAF here.
