Message From Tony
Helping families!
Parents in nearly half of Canadian provinces and territories are benefiting from $10-a-day childcare – three years ahead of schedule. In all other jurisdictions, childcare fees have been cut by at least 50 per cent. And we are creating an additional 250,000 childcare spaces across the country. In addition to measures like the Canada Child Benefit, which sends thousands of dollars per year to parents, our government is putting Canadian families first, putting kids on the path to success, all while creating jobs and building a strong economy. Thanks to our work, a record number of Canadian women have joined the workforce. A recent report by TD Economics found that “the labour force participation rate among women with children under the age of 6 has skyrocketed since the pandemic.”
Earlier this summer, families across the country saw an increase in their monthly Canada Child Benefit payments, in line with inflation. Families are seeing more money back in their pockets with the latest monthly payments going out. Because of the support we’re delivering, we’re making life more affordable for families and more women are working, which is growing our economy too. Each month, the Canada Child Benefit provides more money, tax free, to millions of families and has helped lift 435,000 kids out of poverty. This year, in our riding of Newmarket-Aurora, 9,430 parents will receive an average of $5,895 thanks to the Canada Child Benefit.
Ford Motor Company to build battery plant!
Last spring, GM chose to invest in Bécancour, QC, and last week, Ford chose to do the same. With its Korean partners EcoProBM and SK On, Ford will build a battery materials production plant in Bécancour to build batteries for Ford vehicles. Valued at more than $1.2 billion, this project will create hundreds of good jobs. The facility, named EcoPro CAM Canada, will produce materials for batteries used in Ford’s electric vehicles, with operations slated to begin in the first half of 2026. This project underscores our role as a preferred partner for green initiatives in the automotive industry, strengthening Canada’s position in the electric vehicle supply chain and contributing to both the environment and the economy.
Incorporating Road Tennis Into York Region
The York Region District School Board (YRDSB) is now incorporating “Road Tennis” into their curriculum, which will introduce students to a unique sport that holds a profound cultural significance for the people of Barbados.
I had the opportunity to visit Aurora Heights Public School and learn how to play “Road Tennis” as well as celebrate this new addition to the YRDSB curriculum with many others, including my colleague, Member of Parliament Leah Taylor Roy.
This sport will encourage our youth to stay active and educate them on diverse cultures throughout the world.
First Home Savings Account Now Available
Canadians have seen housing prices rise, making saving for a down payment increasingly out of reach. Through our new, tax-free First-Home Savings Account (FHSA), we’re helping Canadians find a safe and affordable place to call home.
As of earlier this month, FHSAs are available at seven financial institutions, and more are set to offer First Home Savings Accounts soon.
The FHSA is a registered savings account that helps Canadians become first-time home buyers. Canadians can contribute up to $8,000 per year, to a lifetime limit of $40,000, for their first down payment, within 15 years. Contributions to this savings account are tax deductible on annual income tax returns and withdrawals to purchase a first home are non-taxable.
Our government is committed to ensuring that Canadians have the proper resources to successfully buy their first home.
Consultations for Safe Long-Term Care Act
Every senior in Canada deserves to live in dignity, safety, and comfort, regardless of where they live. While a majority of Canadians want to age closer to home and family, they also expect and deserve long-term care—if it is needed—to be high quality and safe.
Last month, we launched a public online consultation to support the development of a Safe Long-Term Care (LTC) Act. There is less than a month left for Canadians to share their perspective on how we can improve the quality and safety of LTC, foster the implementation of the LTC standards, address human resources challenges, and strengthen accountability in the LTC sector.
I encourage everyone to visit the consultation and submit their feedback on how we can best support our seniors.
Our government is committed to meeting the needs of seniors, including ensuring that they can access the safe, quality health care they deserve.
The deadline to submit feedback is September 21, 2023.
Building a Clean, Affordable, and Reliable Electricity System
Building a clean, affordable, and reliable electricity system is at the foundation of Canada’s efforts to tackle climate change, and a generational opportunity to drive clean economic growth across the country for decades to come.
Earlier this month, Minister Wilkinson released Powering Canada Forward, our vision on how we can work together to bring clean, reliable, and affordable power to all Canadians by 2035.
Following this announcement, Minister Guilbeault announced the proposed Clean Electricity Regulations (CER), which were drafted after extensive engagement with industry, experts, all provinces and territories, Indigenous organizations, and utilities.
Through the CER regulations and our Powering Canada Forward Vision, we’re putting Canada on a path toward a prosperous net-zero economy that will create good jobs, attract new investments, increase energy security, reduce household energy costs, and ensure Canada leads in the global race to net-zero by 2050.
