March 23, 2023 Community Update

Dear Neighbour,

Thank you to everyone who has dropped by to talk with me at Coffee and Conversations across the community. There are more dates coming up in April, listed below.

In our discussions, we have talked about affordability and the environment. I always make sure to amplify the points you have raised as part of my work in Ottawa. Most recently, this resulted in the Minister of Environment’s announcement regarding the provincial plans for the Greenbelt and their impact on Rouge Urban National Park.

Our 2023 federal budget will be released next week. I have raised your concerns about affordability as part of the budget preparation process. I will provide you an update once it is released.

Please find the following topics in this update:

• Green Buildings update
• Tax filing
• Upcoming Coffee and Conversations
• Nexus and Passport update
• Local apprenticeship program

The Greener Neigbourhoods Pilot Program – which I announced at Federation of Canadian Municipalities – will support up to six communities to develop integrated approaches to deep energy retrofits and other major building renovation projects to decrease energy consumption and carbon emissions. You can learn more about it here.

Deep Retrofit Accelerator Initiative will invest in projects that support the development of deep retrofits in commercial, institutional, mid- or high-rise multi-unit residential buildings across Canada. You can learn more about it here.

Did you know that buildings and homes account for approximately 13% of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions, the third-largest source in Canada?

Tax Filing Season

Tax-filing season is upon us (February 22nd  to April 30th), I wanted to emphasize the importance of filing your taxes, even if you do not earn an income or owe money, in order to continue receiving benefits like the Climate action incentive payment.

Low or fixed income individuals may be eligible to use the File My Return Service which allows an individual to file a return by answering a few questions over the phone. Alternatively a number of community organizations are hosting free tax clinics you can find a directory here.

Seniors may be able to claim:

• Canada caregiver credit – an amount of $2,350 and up to $7,525 (depending on a relationship between claimant and person receiving care).
• Disability tax credit – up to $8,870 pending eligibility. If you were eligible the DTC in past years but did not claim the disability amount, you may be able to claim back up to 10 years by:
  • Asking the CRA in writing to adjust your previous return(s)
  • Adjusting your previous return(s) yourself online.

• Medical expense tax credit – 3% of claimant’s or dependent’s net income or $2,479
• Age credit – up to $7,898
• Pension income credit – up to $2,000
• Pension income splitting – Seniors may be able to jointly elect with their spouse or common-law partner to split eligible pension income

Please find below additional resources for seniors:

• CRA’s contact information for public
• Tips from the CRA on how seniors can manage their taxes and benefits.
• List of federal programs and services for seniors.

Nexus Update

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will be gradually re-opening NEXUS enrollment centres at 8 Canadian airports starting this spring. Person International Airport is planning to open April 24th.

Travelers seeking to complete the NEXUS enrollment process will be able to conduct the Canadian portion of the interview with a CBSA agent at a Canadian airport and complete the process with a US CBP officer during the preclearance process when flying to the United States.

Applicants will be able to book their interview for the Canadian portion of the interview through their Trusted Traveler Profile. Once the Canadian interview has been completed, they can complete the US part of the application on a subsequent flight to the US and will not be required to book an appointment to do so. We encourage applicants to refer to the US CBP’s website for more information on their operating hours.

More information on the enrollment process can be found here: NEXUS: Trusted traveller program for travel by air, land and boat.

This two-step process being offered at the above-mentioned Canadian airports is in addition to the enrollment opportunities currently available at land ports of entry. To find an enrollment centre near you, please consult the following: NEXUS enrolment centres (cbsa-asfc.gc.ca).

This two-step process being offered at the above-mentioned Canadian airports is in addition to the enrollment opportunities currently available at land ports of entry. To find an enrollment centre near you, please consult the following: NEXUS enrolment centres.

Passport Status Checker

On March 21, Service Canada launched a new digital tool to support the passport system. The Passport Application Status Checker enables Canadians, who recently applied for a passport, to check the status of their passport application online at Canada.ca/passport-status

Tuition-free pre-apprenticeship programs available at Centennial College

Centennial College’s Pre-Apprenticeship* program is your first step to an in-demand career as Automotive Service Technician and Truck Coach Technician. Funded by the Government of Ontario, this program is a transitional step towards finding an apprenticeship.

Start Date: April 3rd, 2023.

Program Highlights

• No tuition fees are required to take this program.
• Basic tools and textbooks are provided for you.
• It’s a condensed program, which can be completed in 33 weeks.
• A 12-week paid work placement is included as part of the program.
• Apply now, as spaces are limited!

If you’re interested in applying to the program, please contact Candice de Souze at [email protected] or call 416-289-5000 ext. 52508.

*From time to time, local organizations ask us to share their information to our email list. If you have something you’d like shared, please send along to [email protected] for consideration.

Please keep in touch and let me know your ideas as to how we can make our community and country stronger.

Yours truly, 

Julie

Julie Dabrusin

MP for Toronto—Danforth

MP Julie Dabrusin
1028 Queen St E
Toronto, Ontario M4M 1K4
Canada