I hope you and your family enjoyed a fun and safe Halloween last night, filled with trick-or-treating and amazing costumes!
As we welcome November, we also turn our thoughts to Remembrance Day—a time to honor the Canadians who have bravely sacrificed their lives for our freedoms, as well as those who continue to serve today. I will be wearing my poppy with pride in their honor and remembrance.
I have a lot to share with you in this update. From my time spent in our community over the past two weeks, updates on national pharmacare, measures to reduce and prevent crime, lowered interest rates from the Bank of Canada and more. Our government is hard at work to make life more affordable and keep our streets safe.
Find more information on these updates below. As always, don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns related to federal matters by emailing my office at [email protected] or by calling 416-781-5583.
Warm regards,
Hon. Marco Mendicino, P.C.
Member of Parliament for Eglinton-Lawrence
Last week, I attended a ceremony to pay my respects at the National War Memorial to honour the lives of Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent and Corporal Nathan Cirillo. Ten years ago, on October 22nd, 2014, Cpl Cirillo was killed while standing sentry at the site of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. WO Vincent was killed two days prior while on duty in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. We will never forget the sacrifices of Cpl Cirilo and WO Vincent.
I attended services at Shaarei Shomayim last weekend, where I addressed the congregation and stayed for kiddush.
The Jewish community across Canada has faced an unprecedented rise in antisemitism. With this rise comes the need for improved security.
During my visit, I was happy to announce that Shaarei Shomayim was approved for additional funding from Public Safety through the Security Infrastructure Program.
The Jewish community should not be alone in their fight against hate motivated crime. I will continue to advocate for more protection so that our community remains safe.
This past weekend I attended two pumpkin giveaways! The first was the annual Fairbank Village BIA pumpkin and treats giveaway. Every year, we have so much fun and it brings out the smiles from families and kids leading up to Halloween.
During Uptown Yonge Halloween Haunt, Mark Arnstein who does amazing work in our neighbourhood, also put on a great pumpkin giveaway event. Over 1000 pumpkins were given away to families and neighbours.
Thank you to all of the organizers of these events. The work you do in our community brings neighbours together and gives us all a chance to connect and enjoy each other's company. I hope everyone had a great Halloween!
Auguri to all the award recipients of Villa Charities’ 2024 Heart & Hand Awards! It was an honour to celebrate the incredible volunteers who have given so much of their time to support our community.
There is still much work to be done as we chart the path of reconciliation.
This week in Ottawa, I had the opportunity to sit down with the Chiefs of Ontario to discuss First Nations policing, child welfare reform and the implementation of mobility rights under the Jay Treaty.
I rose in the House of Commons yesterday to acknowledge Iris Weinstein Haggai. Iris' parents, Judi and Gadi Weinstein were taken hostage and later murdered by Hamas following the October 7 terrorist attack in Israel.
Judi, Iris' mother, grew up in Toronto before moving to Israel in the 1970's. Judi was a daughter, a mother, and a grandmother that loved her community, family, and the children she taught.
Judi was a Canadian, and her life exemplified Canadian values. For over a year, Iris has fought for justice for her mother and the rights of families of the victims to see their loved ones return home. I applaud her courage and call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs to do everything in her power to secure the repatriation of Canadians who were victims of the October 7 terrorist attacks.
When I met with Iris, she asked that everyone remember and say her mother's name. I hope all members and, indeed, all Canadians will remember this name: Judi Weinstein. We must bring her and all the hostages home. Watch my full statement here.
The Government of Canada adopted the non-legally binding International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism in 2019.
The release of the IHRA handbook, drafted by Canada’s Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism, Deborah Lyons, and in consultation with over 150 Jewish community leaders, is an essential step in combatting antisemitism in Canada.
To learn more and read the handbook, click here.
Canadians should not have to choose between life-saving medications and putting food on the dinner table. Every Canadian deserves universal access to the medications they need.
That is why I'm proud to share that the Pharmacare Act has received Royal Assent. This is the first phase of delivering national pharmacare and our government will now immediately begin negotiating with provinces and territories to make prescription contraceptives free and cover a range of diabetes medications.
This means that 9 million women and gender diverse Canadians will have better access to the contraception and reproductive autonomy they deserve. For 3.7 million Canadians living with diabetes, it means universal access to a suite of medications that reduce risk of serious health complications.
This is about improving health equity, relieving pressures from our health care systems, and making life more affordable. Learn more here.
Over the course of the past year, our government has introduced a suite of new measures to disrupt, dismantle, and prosecute organized crime. These policies are working: national auto theft trends show a 19% decline in the first half of the year compared to the same period last year.
We are giving law enforcement the tools they need to target auto theft and related offences such as organized crime. Our expansion of technology, data analytics, and specialized auto-theft training is keeping our cars safe in our driveways, and Canadians safe at home.
This decline in auto-theft is promising, but our government is committed to staying vigilant and focused on collaboration between all levels of government. Learn more about what our government is doing at the federal level here.
The best way to stop crime is before it even starts. Prevention is paramount.
That is why our government is expanding the National Crime Prevention Strategy to keep our streets and communities safe. With significant new funding for the Youth Gang Prevention Fund, Crime Prevention Action Fund, and the Northern and Indigenous Crime Prevention Fund, eligible organizations are now invited to apply for funding to help steer vulnerable youth away from a life of crime.
Applications are open now until December 20th, 2024. Start applying to the National Crime Prevention Strategy here.
Our government is continuing to invest in prevention and action funds to ensure that organized crime is being put to an end. Protecting vulnerable youth by supporting community-led crime prevention efforts remain our top priority in tackling organized crime at the root.
As the world transitions to electric vehicles, our government is focused on making Canada a leader in the industry. This past week, we marked another significant milestone for Canada's auto industry and auto workers.
NextStar Energy in Windsor, Ontario will become the first of its kind in Canada to start the production of battery modules. This means more environmentally friendly, fuel efficient, made-in-Canada electric-powered vehicles. It also means 2,500 new jobs in addition to more than 2,000 jobs during the construction phase.
Our government is revitalizing our auto industry through smart investments, giving supply to the growing need of environmentally friendly vehicles to protect our planet. Read more here.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is collecting feedback to help improve and modernize their service. There is a lot of work to do and much to improve on. The CRA provides essential services for Canadians and your input will help identify key areas for improvement.
Please submit your feedback here. The questionnaire will close on December 2nd, 2024.
Everyone deserves to be and feel safe in their community. With antisemitism and hate-crimes on the rise, places of worship, schools, and community centres need better support to protect themselves and the people who access their services.
In response, our government has replaced the Security Infrastructure Program with the stronger and improved Canada Community Security Program with increased funding, expanded eligibility and more coverage for security infrastructure.
In addition to schools, places of worship, and community centres, funding has been expanded to include:
In addition to security equipment, minor security renovations, security and emergency assessment plans, and security training, it will also now include limited-time security personnel and funding will cover 70% of eligible project expenses.
Learn more and apply here.
The Foundation for Black Canadians (FFBC) has launched its second call for proposals under the Black-led Philanthropic Endowment Fund.
Since endorsing the International Decade for People of African Descent, the Government of Canada has committed up to $872 million to Black-focused initiatives—from racial justice to entrepreneurship to economic dignity. By investing in Black-led and Black-serving organizations across the country, the federal government is addressing the long-standing barriers to social and economic inclusion that Black communities face.
The registration period for this call for proposals is open from now until November 8, 2024. Eligible organizations could receive up to $200,000 in funding.
Learn more and apply here.
The National Autism Network has officially launched. This network is intended to bring together the skills and resources of autism organizations and stakeholders, including people with lived experience, to implement the the Framework for Autism in Canada and Canada’s Autism Strategy to advance the health care and well-being of Autistic people in Canada.
The network will work to develop and implement initiatives that support the following priorities:
Eligible organizations will receive funding to establish and lead the National Autism Network. Learn more and apply here.
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| Mon: | 10AM-4PM |
| Tue: | 10AM-4PM |
| Wed: | 10AM-4PM |
| Thu: | 10AM-4PM |
| Fri: | 10AM-4PM |
| Sat: | Closed |
| Sun: | Closed |
