Message from Tony
Working together with provincial and territorial counterparts, our government is making informed decisions on issues including violent repeat offenders, interpersonal violence, and firearm offences. We need lasting solutions that are tough when they need to be tough, but also address underlying issues like mental health, addictions, and homelessness. This means combatting gender-based violence, preventing gun crime and gang violence, and increasing support to law enforcement across the country to protect all Canadians. Our government’s work on bail reform is a sign to Canadians that we firmly believe in protecting their safety, and that we believe in a fair justice system that upholds the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Bill C-48, An Act to amend the Criminal Act (bail reform) has been developed through consultation with provinces and territories and stakeholders including police chiefs across the country. With the introduction of Bill C-48, Justice Minister Lametti is providing changes that support the belief that a person should not be out on bail if they have a history of violence while staying compliant with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.Bill C-48 looks to strengthen the bail system’s response to repeat violent offending, including in cases involving firearms, and other weapons. The following changes to the Criminal Code are proposed:
- Create a new reverse onus targeting repeat violent offending involving weapons;
- Expand the list of firearms offences that trigger a reverse onus;
- Broaden the existing reverse onus regime for victims of interpersonal violence;
- Clarify the meaning of the term “prohibition order” in an existing reverse onus for offences involving weapons;
- Require courts to consider an accused person’s history of convictions for violence and the safety of the community when making a bail decision.
Bill C-48 also includes the need for a parliamentary review of these measures after five years of the bill receiving royal assent while a preamble outlines the core bail principles. These principles should help ensure a consistent implementation of the act.
This week in the House of Commons
Last week in the House of Commons, I had the opportunity to celebrate the life of Dave Kerwin..
On February 6, 2023, Newmarket lost a valuable community builder. Dave Kerwin continuously gave back to the community by serving on the Newmarket Council for 39 years, supporting the renovation of the Old Town Hall, and supporting Visual and Performing Arts Newmarket.
His legacy will continue to live on through Newmarket’s history and community, and we will all continue to remember Dave and what he did for his community.
Lupus Awareness Month
More than 1 in every 1000 Canadians is living with lupus, impacting their lives drastically.
May is Lupus Awareness Month, creating awareness of the financial, medical, psychological, and social unmet needs of those impacted by lupus and reducing the stigma of living with this invisible disease.
Those living with lupus experience a variety of different symptoms, have to make tough choices, may need new treatments, and have to educate those around them. But they don’t have to do it alone.
This month, I encourage you to learn about lupus and educate yourself on how you can support those around you impacted by this chronic disease.
With new research, we can help advocate for better treatment and support, to overcome the burdens that lupus presents, and ultimately one day find a cure.
Learn more about lupus here.
Middle Class Jobs in the Clean Economy
In Canada, we’re committed to strengthening our middle class through good jobs in the clean economy.
To do this, we’ve made investments in zero-emission vehicles, clean technology, clean energy, and clean electricity.
Some of our investments include:
- Taking another step forward in building a clean transportation sector by welcoming Volkswagen to build the company’s first overseas battery cell plant;
- Providing the Clean Hydrogen Tax Credit, aimed to incentivize the use of clean hydrogen production;
- Proposing a variety of tax credits in Budget 2023 that incentivize the use of clean energy, clean electricity, and clean technology; and,
- Providing zero-emission buses to communities.
Our government is committed to a clean economy.
Centennial Flame Research Award
Every year, HUMA grants a Canadian with a disability the Centennial Flame Research Award to conduct research and prepare a report on the contributions of one or more persons with disabilities.
This year’s award is $7,500, consisting of funding gathered from the fountain of the Centennial Flame monument on Parliament Hill.
To be eligible for this award, applicants must:
- be a Canadian citizen;
- identify as a person with a disability; and,
- apply as an individual.
To learn how to submit an application, visit this website.
The deadline to submit an application is May 31, 2023.
Investing in Settlement Services for Newcomers
We’re setting up newcomers for success in Canada by providing them necessary information and support.
We’re investing over $65 million in funding extensions to service provider organizations across Canada to continue delivering important settlement services. Through this funding, the YMCA of the National Capital Region will be receiving over $1.2 million to continue delivering pre-arrival services to new immigrants.
Through these investments, we’re helping newcomers grow while strengthening Canada’s economy.
