Newsletter — March 2022
Good afternoon Kanata–Carleton,
Spring is here! Many thanks to the city crews for their hard work keeping our streets and walkways snow-free throughout the winter months.
As the weather gets warmer and the days get sunnier, I hope you’re able to take advantage of Kanata—Carleton’s many outdoor activities and beautiful greenspaces.
My team and I have been hard at work responding to your phone calls and emails. Please reach out to me at any time. A complete list of community resources can be found on my website at JennaSuddsMP.ca/resources.
Survey in Your Mailboxes!
In the coming weeks, keep a lookout in your mailbox for a quarterly update survey from me. Every mailbox in Kanata–Carleton will receive one. I encourage constituents to use this survey as an opportunity to share your feedback about the federal government’s work with me. Once you’ve written your thoughts, cut the survey out and drop it in the mailbox (no postage needed). I read every survey response personally in order to better represent you on Parliament Hill. I always appreciate your feedback.
Help Resettle a Ukrainian Refugee
Out of the kindness of their hearts, many Kanata–Carleton residents have reached out to me to offer their homes, spare bedrooms, and basements to house Ukrainians fleeing Vladimir Putin’s war.
As Ukrainians flee to Canada in search of refuge, you can help provide them with a temporary home by visiting ICanHelp.Host. ICanHelp.Host is a volunteer-organized open source portal designed to connect Ukrainian refugees to available homes across the world.
Note: As this is a volunteer-run site and not government-run, it is incumbent on homeowners to vet users who reach out to them, and for all users to only use the site honestly and in goodwill.
Travel & Immigration Pathways for Ukrainian Refugees
Applications for the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (text link: canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/ukraine-measures.html) are now open! This new program will fast-track applications from Ukraine and neighbouring Eastern European nations to get Ukrainians to Canada as quickly as possible.
Calling All Businesses: Hire a Ukrainian Refugee
Are you an employer looking to expand your workforce?
Ukrainians seeking safe haven in Canada amidst the Russian invasion will be eligible for open work permits. If your business is able to hire a Ukrainian national, list your job opening on the Government of Canada’s Job Bank portal.
Confidence and Supply Agreement with the NDP
Our government has reached a confidence and supply agreement with the New Democratic Party.
The agreement will run from now until the end of this Parliament in 2025. The NDP has agreed to uphold the government on matters of confidence and supply (budgetary matters)—which are crucial to the survival of the government—in exchange for expedited progress on shared priorities like pharmacare, dentalcare, and childcare. These are all critical issues and social programs that Canadians have wanted for years, if not decades. The Liberal government campaigned on these issues and was elected to enact them. The support of the NDP will help expedite these crucial programs.
Most importantly, this confidence and supply agreement is a valid Parliamentary manoeuver–one as old as Westminster parliamentary systems themselves. Minority parliaments across the world seek out cooperation with other parties as a democratic way to keep making progress for their countries.
The NDP will continue to hold our Liberal government to account alongside all other Opposition parties. Parliament will continue to engage in healthy debate and disagree on things, and we will also continue working with other parties to reach consensus wherever possible. I am hopeful this will result in a more collaborative, efficient, and effective Parliament. Most importantly, I look forward to helping bring dentalcare, childcare, and pharmacare to Kanata–Carleton.
Repealing Travel Testing Measures for Fully Vaccinated Canadians
Starting April 1st, Canada will no longer require fully vaccinated travellers to provide a COVID-19 test result to enter the country. As long as you have at least two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine, you can freely re-enter Canada with no testing or quarantine restrictions.
These adjustments to Canada's border measures are made possible by a number of factors, including Canada's high vaccination rate.
Vaccine mandates and restrictions are being re-evaluated on an ongoing basis. As restrictions are lifted, I will update constituents on the changes at JennaSuddsMP.ca.
Affordability and Supply Chains
I’ve spoken to constituents these past weeks who raised concerns about affordability. I share these concerns. The ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Vladimir Putin has deeply affected supply chains, along with everything from food, energy, and financial markets. It’s taking a heavy toll on global trade and the price of things we all rely on.
While inflation and supply chain pressures are an international phenomenon, it is something the Government of Canada is actively working to combat domestically.
As Budget 2022 is drafted, we know that our fiscal plan needs to focus on economic growth while being mindful of high inflation. Keeping Canada’s economy moving will help ease inflationary pressures and will ensure fiscal stability.
Budget 2022 - April 7
It's official! Canada’s Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland, will present Budget 2022 in the House of Commons on Thursday, April 7th at 4PM.
In early March, I shared a letter outlining our riding’s Budget 2022 priorities with Canada’s Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland. You can read the letter at JennaSuddsMP.ca/news/budget-letter.
I look forward to seeing Kanata–Carleton’s priorities reflected prominently throughout Budget 2022.
Discover Technata Career Fair - Tuesday April 5
If you are serious about a successful career in tech, knowing where to start is easy: Kanata North. With the country's largest density of technology companies, ranging from promising startups to leading global giants, the Kanata North Technology Park is a hub for R&D advancement in Canada.
Join the Kanata North Business Association in-person at their Discover Technata Career Fair, hosted at the Brookstreet Hotel on April 5th, 2022!
1st Kanata Scout Group - Bike Exchange and Sale - Saturday April 23
Each year, the 1st Kanata Scout Group hosts an Annual Bike Exchange and Sale, selling hundreds of bikes to raise funds to support the Scouting programs in 1st Kanata Scout Group. Bike prices range from $20 to $300, typically much lower than many retail store prices. What a great opportunity to save money and support a local initiative!
Want to buy a bike? Visit the Mlacak Arena (2500 Campeau Drive, Kanata) on Saturday, April 23. The sales floor is open from 8:30AM to 11:00AM. Come early – the sale is popular and lineups are expected. Participants can pay with cash or cheque with ID only.
Saving Canadian Journalism, One Signature at a Time
Meet Mary Jo and David Morrison. They're worried about the rise of fake news.
Over the past month, they knocked on doors up and down Fitzroy Harbour and gathered neighbours' signatures for their petition to protect Canadian journalism.
Given that five community newspapers in West Carleton alone have closed in the last 15 years, this petition comes at an important time. Our country’s journalism laws need to be modernized to reflect the landscape of today — from fake news on social media to tech conglomerates using news articles and independent journalism for profit without crediting the authors. Through Bill C-11, we are making important steps towards modernizing Canada’s antiquated legislation and protecting Canadian journalism.
Read the full story from the West Carleton Online: http://westcarletononline.com/morrisons-deliver-journalism-petition-to-mp
Important Dates
Canada Child Benefit: April 20 & May 20
Canada Pension Plan: April 27 & May 27
Old Age Security: April 27 & May 27
Canada Workers Benefit: July 5
Veteran Disability Pension: April 28 & May 30
Climate Action Incentive: July 15
GST/HST Credit: July 5
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 April: Sikh Heritage Month
Month of April: Genocide Remembrance, Condemnation and Prevention Month
April 2: Start of Ramadan
April 3: World Autism Awareness Day
April 6: National Tartan Day
April 9: Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge
April 14: International Day of Pink - Combatting Anti-LGBTQ2 Discrimination
April 15: Good Friday
April 16: First Day of Passover
April 17: Easter Sunday
April 27: Yom HaShoah - Holocaust Remembrance Day
May 3: Eid ul Fitr
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.
