Message From Tony
Last week I had the opportunity to speak with a group of seniors regarding what supports our government has put in place to make their lives more comfortable and more affordable. Did you know that 7.3 million Canadians are age 65 or older. That represents just under 20% of our population. As a senior myself, I do appreciate all that our government has provided to seniors in the years since coming into power. Since 2015, the federal government has taken significant action to make life more affordable for seniors, including most recently the new Canadian Dental Care Plan which is making oral health care more affordable for adults 65 or older who do not have dental insurance. To date, over 1 million seniors have enrolled.
We permanently increased the OAS pension by 10% for those aged 75 or older to address the increased financial vulnerability seniors face as they age. Our government increased the GIS by up to $947 annually, helping close to 900,000 low-income seniors who rely almost exclusively on the OAS and the GIS. And we enhanced the GIS Earnings Exemption to help low-income working seniors keep more of their benefits. The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is a monthly payment you can get if you are 65 or older. The Supplement is based on income and is available to Old Age Security pensioners with low income. It is not taxable.
Early on in our government we reversed the previous government’s announced increase to the age of eligibility for the OAS pension and the GIS back to age 65 from 67, preventing about 100,000 future seniors from falling into poverty.
Along the way we provided a one-time payment in 2022-23 that double the GST credit, which put an average of $225 more in the pockets of seniors. In July of 2023, we provided a one-time grocery rebate that sent more money directly to seniors.
On another note, I hope to continue dialogue with committee when I return to Ottawa on a national strategy for Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities. NORSs present great opportunities to increase health services and provide better social outcomes while allowing seniors to age in place. We owe it to seniors to provide better opportunities and to respect their desires to stay in the communities they proudly call home.
Investing in York Region
It was great to join my fellow York Region colleagues last week to highlight federal funding being given to York Region. We announced a federal investment of $10.8 million, alongside an $11 million investment from the Regional Municipality of York, to support individuals who are experiencing unsheltered homelessness. This funding will support the implementation of York Region’s Community Encampment Response Plan, which will expand human, physical, and funding capacity.
Our government is also providing over $22 million in funding for the United Way GTA under the Reaching Home Program. This program provides funding to urban, Indigenous, rural, and remote communities to help them prevent and reduce homelessness. In total, our government will have provided organizations in York Region with over $80.2 million from 2019 to 2028 through the Reaching Home Initiative.
Finally, we announced $95.7 million over ten years for the Regional Municipality of York under the Canada Public Transit Fund. Through this funding, York Region will be able to upgrade, replace, and modernize existing public transit infrastructure, and maintain it in a state of good repair. This will help increase the housing supply by making it easier and more affordable for people to live near public transit. This helps to create complete, transit-oriented communities, while helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
No single level of government can solve the housing crisis or provide the support needed by those facing homelessness on its own. By collaborating across all levels of government, we can achieve more for Canadians.
Strengthening our economy through Free-Trade Agreements
Last week, our government made it official—Canada and Ecuador have successfully concluded negotiations on a historic Free Trade Agreement (FTA)!
This means that:
- Canada now has trade agreements with every Pacific Coast nation in South America, reinforcing our leadership in the region.
- Women entrepreneurs, small businesses, and Indigenous communities get a fair shot at global markets.
- Our government listened to stakeholders and committed to annual reporting on the responsible business conduct of Canadian companies in Ecuador. This ensures that trade supports human rights and sustainable development.
- Canadian farmers, businesses, and investors have access to new export opportunities due to lower trade barriers.
Canada and Ecuador have maintained official bilateral diplomatic relations since 1960, and our economic ties have only strengthened over time. Bilateral trade reached $1.3 billion in 2023, a 36% increase from 2021, underscoring the rapidly growing relationship between our two nations.
The perspectives, concerns, and aspirations of Indigenous and Afro-Ecuadorian communities were actively considered throughout negotiations, ensuring their voices helped shape this deal. The Canada-Ecuador FTA is modern, inclusive, and built to evolve with our shared values of sustainability, social responsibility, and equitable economic growth.
Canada’s trade strategy is clear—diversify, expand, and open new markets for Canadian businesses. Since 2015, we’ve been breaking down barriers and creating opportunities in more than 50 countries through 15 free trade agreements.
International Day of Women and Girls in Science
Today is the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, which highlights the importance of promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment in scientific industries. Gender equality in science is crucial for building a better future for all, yet women and girls continue to face systemic barriers and biases in pursuing scientific careers.
Today and every day, we shine a light on these challenges and raise awareness of how we can all ensure that women and girls have the tools they need to succeed. Our government has taken concrete action to end gender-based violence, support girls’ pursuit of careers in STEM fields and skilled trade, and increase their political participation and leadership.
By breaking stereotypes, supporting women’s advancement, and fostering inclusive environments, we can all help close the gender gap in science and work toward a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable society.
