Newsletter — July 2023
July has been a busy month for Kanata—Carleton!
As we head into August—the final month of summer recess before the House of Commons resumes—I'm speaking directly with residents to hear your feedback, stopping in at local businesses, working with my new provincial counterpart (more on that below!), and getting up to speed on the functions of my new role as Minister.
Here's my update for our community from the month of July:
During last week’s Cabinet shuffle, I was sworn in as Canada’s Minister of Families, Children, and Social Development.
It’s an honour of a lifetime to take on this work, following in the footsteps of my predecessor, Karina Gould, Canada’s former Minister of Families, Children, and Social Development who now becomes the new Government House Leader.
This file is an integral one, leading the charge on $10-a-day childcare, poverty reduction, national school meal programs, and youth mental health post-pandemic. I’m excited to advance policies and champion legislation that makes Canada the best place for our kids to grow up.
What’s a Cabinet shuffle, anyway?
Cabinet shuffles are an important part of governing. Ministerial portfolios are traded, responsibilities are reassigned between Ministers, and new faces are welcomed to the Cabinet table to replace Ministers who are retiring.
Since 2015, our government has challenged itself to build a Cabinet that looks like Canada, reflecting its diversity and regional differences. As Cabinet shuffles are carried out, two important factors remain: the Cabinet table must include representation from all corners of the country, and it must be gender-balanced.
Shuffling in new faces, new voices, and new opinions around the cabinet table is a routine process of government. It enables the government to retool its strategy and place a renewed focus on the issues that matter to Canadians—like pocketbook issues and the cost of living challenges facing Canadians.
Congratulations to our new Member of Provincial Parliament, Karen McCrimmon
Big congratulations are in order for Karen McCrimmon, who—after winning the provincial by-election on July 27th—will now represent Kanata–Carleton residents at Queen’s Park as our new Member of Provincial Parliament.
As our former Member of Parliament, Karen knows our community well. I look forward to collaborating with her on issues facing Kanata—Carleton, especially healthcare and housing. When speaking to residents, access to timely and quality healthcare is by far the #1 concern. Kanata–Carleton residents—and all Ontarians—deserve better healthcare and we need immediate actions from our provincial government to address current and future challenges.
Climate Action Incentive Payment Issued July 14th
Putting a price on carbon pollution is the most cost-effective way to fight climate change. And, in provinces like Ontario where the federal pollution pricing system applies, our Climate Action Incentive rebates put money back into your pocket.
If you have filed your 2022 tax return, you will automatically receive the Climate Action Incentive payment. Unlike other benefits, all Canadians are eligible, regardless of their income. The Climate Action Incentive payment is paid as a household lump sum if you have filed taxes on behalf of your household.
Residents who reduce their personal carbon footprint—by cycling on Kanata’s bike paths, taking public transit, using federal rebates to make their home fuel efficient, and more—come out even further ahead, since they reduce the amount they spend on the federal fuel charge while still collecting the full Climate Action Incentive payment.
Did you know? Kanata—Carleton’s local farmers are exempt from paying the federal fuel charge on gasoline and diesel used for eligible farming activities. Proceeds from the use of natural gas and propane by farmers are returned directly to farmers via a refundable tax credit.
New Pathway to Permanent Residency: Canada Extends Support for Ukrainians
Since its launch in 2022, the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel program has provided a temporary safe haven to over 164,000 Ukrainians.
In an effort to continue providing support to those who have fled Russia’s brutal and illegal invasion of Ukraine, Minister Fraser announced a new permanent residence pathway to help keep families together beginning October 23rd 2023. This pathway will allow Ukrainian nationals with temporary resident status to apply for permanent residency at no cost starting on Oct. 23, 2023.
Calling All Travellers! Have Your Say in New Air Passenger Protections
While Canada’s current air passenger protections regime has enabled passengers to seek compensation from airlines, we’re taking further action to strengthen passengers’ rights and close loopholes used by airlines to avoid paying compensation.
Our new changes are making Canada’s air passenger protections regime clearer, simpler, and stronger.
New changes include compensation for:
every flight disruption that results in the passenger arriving at their destination more than three hours after their scheduled arrival, or delays at departure of over three hours which result in the passenger deciding not to travel;
the right to choose between rebooking or a refund in every disruption, after a certain period of time;
food and drink, and other assistance, during every flight disruption that occurs on short notice and delays the flight's departure by two or more hours, depending on the situation.
As well as:
proactive, timely information about disruptions and about passengers' right to compensation, refund/rebooking, and assistance;
a limit on the number of flights in a row that can be claimed as exceptional if such a disruption on one flight causes a chain reaction of delays or cancellations (also called "knock-on effects"); and
a new refund right for passengers who cancel their ticket because the Government of Canada advises of new, high risks to travelling to certain countries.
Have your say! Share your feedback on these new changes online at formulaires-forms.otc-cta.gc.ca/en/consultation-2023-appr-30.
Don’t delay — the consultation period closes on August 10, 2023.
Call for School Supply Donations
Please consider helping local students return to school - ready to learn! The Kanata Food Cupboard anticipates over 1,000 students needing help with school supplies. If you can, please support their fundraising efforts by donating scientific calculators, math sets, backpacks, graph paper, lined paper, binder dividers, markers, pencil crayons, glue sticks, and binders.
Donations can be dropped off at 340 Legget Drive (door #46, Mondays to Fridays, 8am-2pm), at the Kanata Food Cupboard’s market booth at the Kanata Farmers’ Market, or left in the collection bins in local grocery stores.
Important Dates
Canada Child Benefit: August 18
Canada Pension Plan: August 29
Old Age Security: August 29 (Calculate the amount you’ll receive through OAS here).
Veteran Disability Pension: August 30
Climate Action Incentive: October 2023
GST/HST Credit: October 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.
Other Upcoming Dates
Third week of August: Public Service Pride Week
August 1: Emancipation Day
August 7: Civic Holiday
August 9: International Day of the World's Indigenous People
August 12: International Youth Day
August 15: National Acadian Day
August 19: World Humanitarian Day
August 20: Raksha Bandhan
August 21: International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism
August 23: International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition
August 30: International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearance
August 31: International Overdose Awareness Day
Please Keep in Touch!
In addition to these monthly newsletters, I also provide regular updates about my work in the House of Commons here on my website.
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 continuing to work together.
I’d like to wish you all a wonderful and safe Civic Holiday long weekend!
