Newsletter — February 2022
Good afternoon Kanata—Carleton,
This past month has not been easy. Ottawans had to endure significant disruption to their lives – to say nothing of vandalism, harassment, and expressions of hate and violence.
I would like to thank the teams at Ottawa Police Services, the Ontario Provincial Police, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Parliamentary Police Services, and all other police forces that came to help Ottawa put an end to the “Freedom Convoy” occupation. Thank you for your outstanding efforts in peacefully reclaiming our city.
Parliament Update
On the legislative calendar, important updates include:
Bill C-10 to increase access to rapid testing across the country: As COVID-19 remains a global threat, this Bill will allow Health Canada to buy the necessary rapid tests so that jurisdictions across the country can identify cases early, break the chain of transmissions, and reduce outbreaks.
Bill C-12 to support low-income seniors who received pandemic benefits: Low-income seniors should not be penalized for accessing income support they needed during the pandemic crisis. We will be fully compensating those seniors who saw their GIS and OAS amounts reduced as a result of receiving pandemic benefits in 2020.
Invasion of Ukraine
Russia is solely responsible for this crisis and their actions will not go unpunished. Canada has some of the strongest sanctions packages being imposed, and together with our Allies, we are imposing severe costs to the Russian regime and the Russian economy. Слава Україні.
Updates on Canada's military contributions and sanctions can be found on my website at JennaSuddsMP.ca/news.
Canadians in Ukraine: if you need consular assistance, contact Global Affairs Canada:
Email: sos@international.gc.ca
Phone: +1-613-996-8885
WhatsApp: 613-909-8881
International Women's Day
Please join me on March 8 to celebrate International Women's Day - a global day to recognize and celebrate women’s and girls’ social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. It’s also a time to raise awareness of the progress made towards achieving gender equality and the work remaining to be done.
My three daughters remind me of this every day, it’s all about inspiring others and lifting each other up, which is beautifully reflected in this year’s theme: Women Inspiring Women.
Join the conversation to inspire others and to be inspired! Here’s to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.
Free Volunteer Income Tax Clinic
My team and I will be hosting the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP), where volunteers will assist constituents of Kanata-Carleton, free of charge, with simple 2021 Income Tax Returns. To see if you qualify for the free tax clinic, please visit the Canada Revenue Agency’s website.
For further details and to register for the Volunteer Income Tax Clinic, please visit my website.
COVID Update
Ontario recently announced that it will remove its proof of vaccination system on March 1. As of February 17, all capacity limits in restaurants, bars, cinemas, and gyms have been lifted, as well as:
Increased social gathering limits to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors
Removed capacity limits in the following indoor public settings where proof of vaccination is required, including but not limited to:
Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments
Non-spectator areas of sports and recreational fitness facilities
and more.
Repealed COVID PCR testing for travellers: Starting today, February 28 , fully-vaccinated Canadians who travel abroad will no longer have to take a PCR test to return home. Travellers can instead opt for a cheaper, more accessible rapid antigen test approved by the country they are coming from, taken 24 hours before their scheduled flight or arrival at the land border.
On March 1, all capacity limits will be lifted in all remaining indoor public settings. Masking requirements will remain in place at this time. Also, proof of vaccination requirements will be lifted for all settings. Businesses and other settings may choose to continue to require proof of vaccination.
Canada Learning Bond
To build the workforce we need, and to give everyone a fair shot at participating in it, education has to be accessible and affordable to all Canadians. I’m pleased to see that the Canada Learning Bond is now available to even more students.
Resources on how to open an RESP and receive up to $2,000 through the Canada Learning Bond are available on my website here.
Family Day Skate at John G Mlacak Centre Arena
Many thanks to everyone who joined Kanata North Councillor Cathy Curry and me on the ice at Mlacak Arena for a Family Day skate. It was a pleasure to meet residents face to face again while practicing my skating skills, which - my three girls would assure you - could benefit from additional practice times.
Grand Opening of the West Carleton Interprovincial Snowmobile Bridge
On February 12, I joined the West Carleton Snowmobile Trails Association to celebrate the opening of West Carleton’s interprovincial snowmobile bridge, connecting Ontario to Quebec. The project involves the rehabilitation of 0.5 kilometres of an interprovincial rail bridge for snowmobile use that crosses the Ottawa River, connecting trail networks in Ontario and Quebec and benefiting businesses along the route due to the increase in snowmobile traffic. (Photo by Jake Davies of the West Carleton Online)
Congratulations, Team Canada!
You made our country proud, Team Canada! 26 medal moments and memories that will last a lifetime. I truly enjoyed watching the Beijing Winter Olympics when time permitted, and I look forward to the 2022 Winter Paralympics that kick off on March 4th with 49 athletes representing Canada. Go, Team Canada!
Important Dates
Canada Child Benefit: March 18
Canada Pension Plan: March 29
Old Age Security: March 29
Canada Workers Benefit: April 5
GST/HST Credit: April 5
Veteran Disability Pension: March 30
View all available benefit dates at: JennaSuddsMP.ca/benefits
You can sign up for direct deposit to automatically receive benefits in your bank account. To do so, visit the Canada Revenue Agency website or call 1-800-959-8281.
If you need assistance with any of these payments or with registering for these programs, please contact my Constituency Office at Jenna.Sudds@parl.gc.ca or 613-592-3469.
Other Upcoming Dates
Month of March: Irish Heritage Month
March 4th to 13th: Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games
March 8th: International Women’s Day
March 14th: Commonwealth Day
March 21st: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
March 31st: International Transgender Day of Visibility
Let’s Keep in Touch
I continue to update constituents on important government events and programs on my website. For details, please visit JennaSuddsMP.ca.
Again, please don't hesitate to reach out by email jenna.sudds@parl.gc.ca or by phone (613) 592-3469. I'd welcome your input and look forward to working together.
