Message From Tony
I was extremely pleased to be in Georgina with Mayor Margaret Quirk and council for an announcement about something fundamental. Something basic to people’s lives – about home.
The funding we announced is built on a simple idea: helping municipalities change how homes are permitted in their communities, so that, in turn, we can overcome our housing crisis.
Specifically, it’s about coming together as a society to build more homes, faster.
Georgina will receive over $5.8M in incentive payments through the Housing Accelerator Fund to deliver significant, lasting changes to the way housing is permitted in the municipality. Changes that will tear down the barriers and stumbling blocks that slow housing down. These actions, together, will help build 210 new homes.
That’s 210 more homes for a rapidly growing municipality that needs them urgently. This work will help spur the construction of 1,200 homes over the next decade. This is what the Housing Accelerator Fund is supporting.
Through the Fund, federal and municipal governments are working together towards our shared goal of fast-tracking the creation of at least 112,000 housing units from coast to coast to coast over the next three years. Cities and regions across the country estimate this will lead to the creation of almost 750,000 permitted housing units over the next ten years.
And so, while we’re announcing this exciting new plan for Georgina, we’re also debuting a new and more profound partnership between our two orders of government.
It’s a new way of working, and it comes at a time when we really need it. Because business as usual will not solve the drastic housing challenges we face today.
What we need is bold action. Fearless innovation. We need systemic change to how we permit homes in this country. What does systemic change actually look like?
In Georgina, it looks like allowing 4 units as-of-right per residential lot to support infill development in their urban areas.
It looks like implementing a process to fast-track development and building permit reviews for affordable housing and purpose-built rental developments.
It looks like expanding delegation of authority to staff over certain development approvals.
These sorts of changes will improve the housing situation in Georgina now, and they will keep paying off long into the future.
This announcement, and the Housing Accelerator Fund as a whole, builds on past successes we’ve had under our National Housing Strategy.
The strategy is taking on housing affordability in Canada from a bunch of different angles at once.
It is providing support for people across the country, with a focus on those most in need. It’s making sure we have the right kind of supply where we need it. And it’s fostering innovation in the housing sector.
It’s building a better housing system that leaves no one behind.
Because we’re not just building housing units. We’re building communities – the kind of communities we want, and Canada needs. The kind of communities that leave no one behind. Communities we can be proud to call home.
Raising over $170,000 at the Coldest Night of the year Walk
It was great to join the Coldest Night of the Year Walk this year to raise money for Inn From the Cold. With many new and familiar faces, Team Van Bynen came together to walk in support of the cause. I am proud to hear that we raised over $170,000 for Inn From the Cold, exceeding the goal of $95,000 by a landslide.
Inn From the Cold is a crucial organization in Newmarket that provides shelter, support, and hope for a brighter future. Through shelters, housing, and counseling, Inn From the Cold helps those experiencing homelessness and supports them on their path to stability. The money raised from this walk will help Inn From the Cold continue their work to end homelessness.
To the organizers, the volunteers, the walkers, and the donors, thank you.
Celebrating International Women's Day
This Saturday, March 8th, we join Canadians and people around the world in celebrating International Women’s Day. Our government’s theme for International Women’s Day is Strength in Every Story. This theme highlights the importance of amplifying the voices of all women, particularly those who continue to face barriers to success.
This day gives us an opportunity to recognize women’s and girls’ social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. Every woman’s story is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of opportunity. This International Women’s Day, celebrate the women and girls in your life and share their stories.
Our government has taken concrete action to promote gender equality. With over half of provinces and territories now offering $10-a-day child care, we are seeing the benefits of record-high levels of women’s participation in the workforce. We invested nearly $7 billion in Canada’s first Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, which is helping women start up, scale up, and soar.
Last year, I was incredibly proud to see our government’s Pharmacare Act become law, which will provide universal contraceptive coverage — ensuring women can make their own decisions about their reproductive health.
We are also taking action to accelerate the implementation of the Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. We continue to work with Indigenous partners to implement this pathway.
While we have accomplished a lot, we know there is so much more work to do. We are committed to addressing the systemic barriers that women and girls face every day, and are working toward a fairer, more inclusive society.
Supporting Black employees in the public service
Too many Black Canadians continue to experience systemic racism, including in the workplace. The Government of Canada is taking further action to support a safe, healthy and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.
As part of this work, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, President of the Treasury Board, unveiled three new initiatives as part of the Action Plan to support Black public servants:
- The Aspiring Directors Program, through the Canada School of Public Service (CSPS), to support 100 Black public servants in taking on executive roles.
- The Leadership Development Program for Black supervisors and managers, through the CSPS, to help 300 Black public servants further develop leadership skills.
- The Second Official Language Training Initiative to provide flexible training options to more than 500 Black public servants annually, including self-directed online programs and part-time online instructor-led group sessions.
The government is also expanding the career counselling and coaching through the Public Service Commission, providing one-on-one career development for 100 Black public servants who will participate in the program this year.
