Message From Tony
After World War II, my parents made a life-changing decision – they left the Netherlands to build a new future in Canada. Like so many others who chose to make this country their home, they embraced the promise of new opportunities. I am deeply grateful for the path they took and the life it gave our family.
Canada is a wonderful country with limitless potential – one limited only by our vision of what can be. And while I appreciate our friends to the south, I will say that I have no desire to be part of the United States. So, thanks for the offer, Mr. President, but the answer is NO THANKS! Not today, not ever!
As we deal with the threat of tariffs, we need to see there is opportunity within the chaos. We need to remove internal trade barriers and establish free trade within our country. We must take bold, transformative action to eliminate regulatory barriers, encourage the free movement of labour, and further standardize regulations across Canada. The economic opportunity is significant. As is the opportunity to expand our trading partners. With a federal election looming, we are now in full debate on defining Canada’s future.
Tearing down our nation is not a solution, but being honest regarding the challenges we face is the first step to real growth. We can face those challenges, build around our extensive resources and our human capital. Let ambition fill our sails and compassion guide our rudder.
Three-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine
Next week, on February 24th, we mark three years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This has caused unspeakable violence and brutality that has led hundreds of thousands dead and forced millions to flee.
Despite Russia’s unrelenting attacks, Ukraine continues to demonstrate unwavering courage. Ukrainians are fighting for their communities, their land, their identity, and their heritage. But they are also fighting for our collective future. They are fighting to remind the world that democracy is both important enough and strong enough to win.
The friendship between Canada and Ukraine runs deep. Ukrainian immigrants arrived on our shores in 1891 and have since become an integral part of Canada’s social fabric. They’ve helped build the Canada we know and love. Today, Canada is proudly home to 1.3 million people of Ukrainian descent. Canada’s support for Ukraine is unwavering and unequivocal. We will defend a Ukraine that stands strong and free for as long as it takes.
Slava Ukraini.
Over 1.5 million Canadians receiving dental care
Last week, the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, announced that more than 1.5 million Canadians have now accessed care through the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) — including over 599,000 Ontarians. This achievement would not be possible without the dedication of over 24,360 oral health providers who are delivering care under the CDCP, which represents more than 90% of active oral health providers across Canada.
This milestone is a powerful reminder that millions of Canadians are in need of affordable dental care. Our government is committed to continuing to roll out the CDCP to ensure that all Canadians have access to the oral health care they need.
Canadians need the CDCP, and the numbers speak for themselves —over 3.3 million Canadians have been approved for the CDCP, with more registering every day. Ensuring that all Canadians have access to the care they need is at the core of our shared values and what it truly means to be Canadian.
Reinforcing Canada's cyber security
Cyber security is a serious national and economic security challenge.
This month, we launched our new National Cyber Security Strategy (NCSS) and announced the release of Canada’s Sensitive Technology List (STL). The new NCSS: Securing Canada’s Digital Future focuses a whole-of-society approach to cyber security. The Strategy outlines Canada’s long-term plan to improve partnerships across all orders of government, law enforcement, industry, Indigenous communities, academia, and our international allies to reduce critical infrastructure disruptions to services that people in Canada rely on every day
This new Strategy supports Canada-U.S. cross-border critical infrastructure and cyber resilience as-well, and more closely aligns our approach to cyber security with our U.S. partners and other international allies, ensuring Canada remains a safe place to live and work online.
