Hello Eglinton-Lawrence!
On November 7th, 2018 the Prime Minister formally apologized in the House of Commons to the passengers of the MS St. Louis and their families. In 1939, Canada turned away the MS St. Louis, which was carrying over 900 Jewish refugees due to our anti-Semitic immigration policy at the time, which stated ‘None is too many’. These refugees were forced to return to Europe where many of them were murdered during the Holocaust. This tragedy is a shameful part of our history, but also bears an important reminder—Never Again. We must always stand up to Xenophobia, and anti-Semitism.
Unfortunately, this is a problem the international community, our country, and even our riding is still dealing with. On November 11th four Jewish teens wearing religious attire were assaulted near Bathurst and Lawrence. The crime is under investigation as a hate crime, and although one suspect has been arrested, Toronto Police Services are still looking for 9 others involved in this attack. If you witnessed the attack, or have any information please contact 13 Division at 416-808-1300.
This year marked the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice, which ended World War I. On the 11th hour of the 11th day, of the 11th month, war in Europe ended with the unconditional surrender of the German Army. The war claimed approximately 60,000 Canadian lives, and irreparably damaged countless others. I attended the sunrise ceremony at Prospect Cemetery to lay a wreath in memory and in recognition of all those who have served and continue to serve and protect Canadians.
While our Government looks to the past for lessons, we’re also looking to the future and ensuring that we are doing what we can to protect our world for generations to come. This is why our Government has put a price on pollution. We know that climate change has a tangible cost on countries. Whether it is the devastation caused by forest fires, flooding of homes, or the increase in superstorms—climate change costs governments millions of dollars. Climate change is here, and our Government is taking concrete steps to address it.
Our Government knows that pollution is not free, and putting a price on pollution is one of the best tools we have to combat climate change. This is only one piece of our plan. We’re phasing out coal, protecting our oceans, and making investments in renewables and public transportation. Our Government remains resolute in combating climate change, and fighting for our children, and their grandchildren.
In addition to climate change, we’re taking steps to address poverty across Canada. On August 21st, the Canadian Government launched the first ever National Poverty Reduction Strategy. This plan aims to achieve the ambitious but realistic goal of a 20% reduction of poverty in Canada by 2020, and a 50% reduction by 2030. Furthermore, we’re legislating the first ever national poverty line so that we can measure our success. We’ve already taken steps to achieve this goal by improving the CPP for the first time in 20 years, increasing the GIS, CCB, and OAS which will result in about 650,000 Canadians being lifted out of poverty by 2019.
An important step in our poverty reduction plan is Bill C-87, [An Act respecting the reduction of poverty], introduced by Minister Jean-Yves Duclos on November 6th. You can check out the full body of the legislation here.
As always, my constituency office is open and here to help! Feel free to drop by, Monday-Friday from 10am-4pm OR call 416-781-5583
