Message from Tony
When I first entered federal politics, I did so out of a very real concern for the environment. Like most Canadians, I believed we had to make positive choices to deal with climate change so that future generations would live in a world with clean air and water. We must learn to live in balance with nature and make the right choices to ensure a healthy planet. I believe that – in Canada – we are on that path, and suggest that recent announcements, such as those below, speak to the balance we must obtain.
Right now, workers across our country are attracting historic levels of investment in the clean economy:
- In Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, workers are building more efficient tires for electric vehicles (EVs).
- In Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, workers at Rio Tinto are processing critical minerals from Northern Quebec to produce iron and steel used for wind turbines.
- In Hamilton, Ontario, generations of workers have been producing steel – a critical component of vehicle manufacturing. Now, at ArcelorMittal Dofasco, workers are making some of the cleanest steel in the world, which will help make EVs cleaner too.
- In St. Thomas, Ontario, Volkswagen chose to build its first overseas battery manufacturing plant in Canada, because of our skilled workers and expertise in EVs.
- In Winnipeg, Manitoba, workers at New Flyer are building the electric buses our cities need to deliver better, cleaner public transit options.
- In Edmonton, Alberta, the Air Products Hydrogen Production and Liquefaction Facility will help satisfy the global need for clean hydrogen – and create thousands of good jobs. Canada is a world leader in every step of the EV supply chain.
From mining critical minerals, to building batteries, cars, buses, and charging stations, Canadian workers are attracting investment and creating even better jobs and careers. Budget 2023 included new and expanded incentives for clean electricity and clean technology, to ensure that Canadians keep building and producing what the world needs. These incentives will help Canadian businesses grow, create good, middle-class jobs, and help our communities prosper. These are transformational announcements – purposeful, well-paying employment that works to build a better future for our country and our climate.
Celebrating Pride Season
This coming Thursday marks the beginning of Pride Season here in Canada, spanning from June to September as the country holds several Pride events and gatherings.
Across the country, 2SLGBTQI+ communities and allies come together to spotlight the resilience, celebrate the talent, and recognize their contributions.
Here in Newmarket, York Pride will be hosting their two-day Pride festival, including their Pride Parade.
These summer months highlight the importance of standing up for 2SLGBTQI+ rights and celebrating their accomplishments, but we must stand up for this community and acknowledge their daily struggles.
Happy Pride Season!
Lowering Credit Card Transaction Fees
In Budget 2023, we made a commitment to lower credit card transaction fees for small businesses, and we are doing just that.
We’ve finalized agreements with Visa and Mastercard that will help more than 90 per cent of credit card-accepting businesses in Canada qualify for lower rates and see their interchange fees reduced by up to 27 per cent.
In addition to this, Visa and Mastercard will provide free access to online fraud and cyber security resources to help small businesses grow their online sales, while preventing fraud and chargebacks.
These reductions will help save eligible Canadian small businesses about $1 billion over five years while protecting the reward points that Canadians receive through their credit cards.
Launching the Verified Traveler Program
We’re continuously working to improve security screening processes to ensure that travellers have a smooth experience while keeping Canadians safe.
We’re launching a new Verified Traveller program that will offer a faster and more efficient screening experience for eligible travellers at select airports across Canada.
This program will replace the current Trusted Traveller Program. By June 21, 2023, Verified Traveller screening lines will be available at select domestic and international checkpoints in the following airports:
- Vancouver International Airport
- Edmonton International Airport
- Calgary International Airport
- Winnipeg International Airport
- Toronto-Pearson International Airport T1 and T3
- Montreal-Trudeau International Airport
This program aims to ease congestion over time as well as providing eligible travellers with select benefits at security screening checkpoints.
Learn more about this new program here.
Our Investments in Housing
Our government is focused on improving access to affordable housing for all Canadians.
The Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario are investing over $46 million to support the construction of 267 new affordable housing units across Ontario.
This funding is provided through the Canada – Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI), which provides funding to repair, regenerate, and expand community housing.
Everybody should have a safe, affordable place to call home.
Reducing Canada’s Emissions
Canada is a global leader when it comes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Last month, we submitted Canada’s 2023 National Inventory Report (NIR) to the United Nations, which includes greenhouse gas emissions data for 2021.
We’ve made great strides in reducing our emissions and combatting climate change, resulting in achievements like:
- Having our GHG go down by 53 megatonnes between 2019 and 2021, which is the equivalent of taking 11 million cars off Canada’s roads;
- Having the best performance in terms of GHG reduction of all G7 countries in 2020 and 2021;
- Committing over $200 billion and introducing more than 100 measures to support climate action since 2015; and,
- Bending the emissions curve downward as our economy continues to grow.
Through our investments in protecting our climate and the clean economy, we’re almost a quarter of the way to our 2030 emissions reductions goal.
