Community Update: February 2, 2024

Dear Neighbour,

As we begin February and I return to Ottawa I wanted to provide you with an update.

In this email, you will find updates on:

• Return to Ottawa
• The National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attacks and Action against Islamophobia
• Holocaust Remembrance Day
• Canada Dental Care Plan
• Nova Scotia
• Black History Month
• The Federal Plastics Registry
• Danforth Multifaith Commons: Forum on Youth Mental Health on Tuesday, Feb 6th at 7pm
• Supporting Michael Garron Hospital

January Recap

Return to Ottawa

Parliament is back in session. I am working on a law that will allow for the development of offshore wind power in the Atlantic provinces, something which will help to create many jobs in the area and clean energy for their grid. 

I also had the chance to talk with people from our community who work in the film and television industry about how we can continue to strengthen our Canadian industry.

In Parliament, we are continuing to press forward a law that would take action on money laundering and introduce affordability measures on housing and groceries. If you want to know more about this plan or the benefits you will see, please read here.

The National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attacks and Action against Islamophobia

On January 29, 2024, we marked The National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attacks and Action against Islamophobia. On this date seven years ago, six individuals were taken from us in a heinous act of terror, nineteen others were injured, and our entire country witnessed first-hand the devastating impact of hatred in our community. My heart goes out to the families impacted by this devastating act. No matter how many years pass, we will always remember.

In more recent times, we have seen an increase in Islamophobia and religious intolerance throughout our country. We must continue to commit ourselves to confronting this hatred and supporting the members of our community who encounter Islamophobia and other forms of religious hate daily.

In 2018, I tabled a report detailing the actions that we need to take against religious discrimination, including Islamophobia. I will continue to implement these recommendations and work alongside local organizations and the Muslim community to a build a safer and more inclusive Canada. To read more about the report, please find it here.

Holocaust Remembrance Day

International Holocaust Remembrance Day, observed on January 27th, is a day for people around the world to come together to remember the acts of barbarity committed by the Nazis during World War II. More than six million Jews were systematically murdered, alongside millions of other victims, by some of the most horrific acts we have seen in our lifetime. We must never forget. Each year we must come together and reaffirm our steadfast commitment to preventing such unconscionable atrocities in the future. It is also a reminder for the continued need to take action against Antisemitism, which has seen a terrible rise in our country over the past months.

The Canadian Dental Care Plan

Our government is dedicated to providing accessible dental health services to those in need. The Canadian Dental Care Plan, CDCP, aims to help ease financial barriers to accessing oral health care services and provides coverage to eligible Canadian residents who currently do not have access to dental coverage. As of February 2024, applications for those 72 and older are open. To learn more about the program and roll-out dates, please check here.

Visit to Nova Scotia

I know many of you are frequent visitors to Rouge Urban National Park; I get out there as much as possible too. In my role as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, it was great to visit the proposed new Urban National Park in Halifax. Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society is working alongside Parks Canada to move this to a reality. National parks are crucial to conserving biodiversity and protecting wildlife and I am so excited that I got the chance to see the amazing work being done in Nova Scotia.

Looking Ahead

Black History Month

February is Black History Month in Canada. Throughout this month guided by this year's theme “Black Excellence: A Heritage to Celebrate; a Future to Build” we continue to honour past and present accomplishments and contributions made by Black Canadians that have shaped our country's history. This month serves as a reminder to us to amplify Black voices in our country, celebrate diversity, and re-commit ourselves to creating a more inclusive society. It is also the time to learn, celebrate and validate Black experiences and stories. In 2022, I had the privilege of speaking with Rosemary Sadlier about her work to help make February Black History Month and the ongoing recognition of Black Canadian heritage. To view our conversation, please check here.

Additionally, in 2020 Lanrick Bennet Jr. organized a series of walking tours with Black Historical points in our neighbourhood. You can explore this list on your own and learn more about Black History in the context of East York. Please click here.

Federal Plastics Registry to End Plastic Waste

In 2022, our government began the process of introducing a Federal Plastics Registry. This registry will require producers to report annually on the quantity and types of plastic they place on the Canadian market, how it moves through the economy, and how it will be managed once it is time for it to be disposed of. The Federal Plastics Registry lays out a clear pathway for the collection of important information which will help shape our country’s plan to measure the progress on the prevention of plastic pollution and more general protection of the environment.

On December 30th, 2023, a Notice of Intent was published which has been collecting information to support the introduction of the Federal Plastics Registry. We are currently in a 45-day public comment period, which closes on February 13, 2023.

For more information about this, please visit here.

Danforth Multifaith Commons – Forum on Youth Mental Health

On February 6th, 2023 at 7:00 pm, Danforth Multifaith Commons, including Danforth Jewish Circle, East End United and Neighbourhood Unitarian Universalist Congregation, will be hosting a Forum on Youth Mental Health at the Eastminster Campus of East End United Regional Ministry (310 Danforth Ave). This forum is a part of an annual speakers series on social justice issues, and will include valuable information about issues our youth face today, as well as the resources which are available in our community. These resources include:

• Adina Hauser and Riyan Visram, Michael Garron Hospital
• Vanessa Wu, WoodGreen Community Services
• Asante Haughton, Stella's Place
• Rod Cohen, Blake Boultbee Youth Outreach Service

Supporting Michael Garron Hospital

Our local hospital is having their February fundraiser throughout the neighbourhood. Please see the participating establishments in the graphic.

For updates on the situation in the Middle East, please visit my website here.

Yours,

Julie

Julie Dabrusin

Member of Parliament for Toronto--Danforth

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