Happy Holidays!
May the love of family, friends, and community bring you peace and joy throughout the holiday season.
King Charles III Coronation Medaal
On Friday, I was honoured to recognize the recipients of the King Charles III Coronation Medal in Newmarket-Aurora and celebrate their enormous contributions to our nation. These recipients have made our communities better places to live. They have touched neighbours with kindness, provided support for those in need, inspired others to join a movement, and demonstrated that, regardless of age, we can make a positive difference in the lives of those around us.
Your efforts have created a community where we all feel we belong – all of which leads to better health and well-being.
To our King Charles III Coronation Medalists, congratulations. You are deserving recipients and I hope you will wear your medal with pride. For your kindness, your compassion, your energy, and your love — thank you.
I encourage you to continue making a positive difference, reach out to those in need and through the spirit of your actions let them know they are not alone. Let our communities continue to benefit from your generosity.
Delivering holiday cards in our community
Last Friday, I was pleased to join the Newmarket-Aurora Youth Council (NAYC) to write holiday cards for the residents of the Southlake Health Residential Care Village. After writing the cards, they stopped by Southlake to drop them off in person.
It was great to see these young leaders work together to positively contribute to our community and help spread some holiday cheer. In the past, the NAYC has done exemplary work in our community by writing Valentine’s Day cards for Veterans, meeting with government officials, and advocating for the National School Food Program.
Tax Break for all Canadians
On Saturday, our government’s tax break went into effect, making essentially all food and many holiday essentials tax-free for two months. Specifically, this removes the GST/HST on:
- Prepared foods, including vegetable trays, pre-made meals and salads, and sandwiches;
- Restaurant meals, whether dine-in, takeout, or delivery;
- Snacks, including chips, candy, and granola bars;
- Beer, wine, and cider;
- Pre-mixed alcoholic beverages below 7 per cent alcohol by volume (ABV);
- Children’s clothing and footwear, car seats, and diapers;
- Children’s toys, such as board games, dolls, and video game consoles;
- Books, print newspapers, and puzzles for all ages; and,
- Christmas trees and similar decorative trees.
By effectively making purchases of these holiday essentials tax-free, the measure will put between $100 and $300 more in workers’ pockets on a basket of $2,000 in purchases over the next two months.
This tax relief will make life easier for Canadians during the holiday season—when they tend to face higher than usual costs—and help workers start the new year with more money in their pockets.
