Message from Tony
National Nursing Week
Yesterday marked the beginning of National Nursing Week, an occasion to recognize the courage, sacrifice, and commitment of nurses and the important role they play in supporting the health and well-being of people in Canada and around the world.
Your nursing oath speaks about the need to ensure the health and well being of those in need of care. And it also speaks to providing safe and competent care. But I believe you go far beyond your oath. For many people you are the heart of our health care system. For our loved ones you are often their voice. In situations where outcomes are not positive you provide dignity and comfort. Not just for your patients but for their families as well.
I am proud to say my mom was a nurse’s aide and that she worked in a nursing home. I believe her profession helped shape us into a very caring family. The nursing profession helps us build caring societies and today we need that more than ever. On behalf of my family and our community, thank you for all that you do. We truly do appreciate.
Electrifying Canada’s bus fleet and building a clean economy
From coast to coast to coast, we are helping public transit operators move to electrified fleets – delivering 5,000 zero emission buses, clean air for our communities, and good jobs for workers. Just a few weeks ago in Toronto, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance announced over $300 million in funding for over 300 zero-emission transit buses and over 200 charging stations.
Canada is a global leader in electric vehicle production. Our government has already secured tens of thousands of good-paying jobs by attracting historic investments to build electric vehicles, batteries, and more right here in Canada. When electric vehicles are made from Canadian minerals, assembled by Canadian auto workers, and powered by Canadian-made chargers, we secure and create good, middle-class jobs, grow our economy, and keep our air clean now and for the future.
Mental Health Week
Last week was Mental Health Week in Canada, a social change campaign to educate and shift beliefs and perceptions on mental health. It raises awareness on the importance of mental health supports and creates a culture of understanding and acceptance.
Earlier this year, we announced $198.6 billion to improve health care services, including mental health services. With this investment, Canadians will be able to access timely, equitable, and quality mental health, substance use and addiction services.
I recently visited the York and South Simcoe Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) to learn more about how they support our communities. They offer a variety of resources like:
- Youth and Teen Mental Health Services;
- Adult Mental Health Support; and,
- Family and Caregiver Mental Health Support
York Region Public health also offers a variety of resources to support Canadians’ mental health. They offer services for substance use, healthy aging and mental health, mental health and wellness in pregnancy and parent hood, and many other services and resources.
You can also access PocketWell, a companion app for Wellness Together Canada. This app allows for you to access a variety of different supports including self-assessments.
Learn more about mental health supports here in York Region by visiting the CMHA or the York Region’s Public Health websites.
Women’s Voice Leadership Program
Women’s rights organizations, feminist movements, and women’s human rights defenders are crucial in ensuring that we are taking strides to end gender inequality.
We’re investing $195M over 5 years and $43.3M annually for the Women’s Voice and Leadership Program. This program supports and directly responds to women’s rights organizations and movements in Canada and across the world.
In 2022, women’s rights organizations and movements influenced over 100 policies, laws, and frameworks.
We remain committed to ensuring that women’s rights organizations have the resources to carry out their important work in taking strides toward gender equality.
Veteran Homelessness Program
We owe Canadian veterans our support and are committed to helping them secure and maintaining housing.
We’re providing $79.1 million in funding for the new Veteran Homelessness Program. This will provide housing supports and services to veterans at risk of, or who are experiencing homelessness.
The Veteran Homelessness Program is part of our National Housing Strategy, which is designed to improve access to safe and affordable housing for all Canadians.
Through the two streams, this program will provide $72.9 million in funding for rent supplements and wrap-around services, and $6.2 million to support research on veteran homelessness and capacity building.
Eligible recipients, including veteran-serving organizations, can apply through an online portal found here. The deadline for this program is on June 23, 2023.
Action Plan for Official Languages
Our two official languages serve as an important symbol of our diverse and inclusive society. We are committed to defending and promoting our two official languages as well as working to ensure the vitality of official-language minority communities.
Last month, Min. Ginette Petitpas Taylor unveiled the Action Plan for Official Languages 2023-2028: Protection – Promotion – Collaboration. This plan includes investments totalling over $4.1 billion to help reverse the decline of French.
The investments in the Action Plan are based on four themes:
- Accelerating the restoration of the demographic weight of Francophones through Francophone immigration;
- Promoting lifelong learning opportunities for our two official languages;
- Supporting the vitality of official-language minority communities; and,
- Building on positive government action to support communities.
Through this plan, our government is committed in ensuring that French continues to thrive in Canada. The plan will be in effect from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2028.
Canada First Research Excellence Fund
Today’s research is tomorrow’s economy. We’re investing $1.4 billion in support of 11 large-scale research initiatives in strategic areas through the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF). This investment will allow researchers at Canadian institutions to capitalize on the strengths of their respective research areas and will continue to support the fundamental role of scientists.
Apply for Canada Summer Jobs
Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) provides youth in Canada an incredible opportunity to gain work experience. The Job Bank for CSJ was launched, meaning that jobs will continuously be posted between April 24 and July 24.
The CSJ job placements are full-time and have a duration of 6-16 weeks (8 weeks on average). Youth can apply for placements in a variety of sectors across Canada.
Employment among youth aged 15 to 24 has more than recovered the job losses suffered from the COVID-19 pandemic, and through CSJ, we are working towards strengthening the labour force in this age range.
I encourage those aged 15 to 30 to visit this website and apply for job placements.
