|
Dear friends,
Last year, we were faced with an unprecedented challenge, a global pandemic that has affected millions of people around the world, including here at home.
Throughout it all, Canadians have proven to be strong and resilient in the face of crisis. There’s no other way to say it, 2020 was not an easy year.
Don Valley West has seen its fair share of challenges, but we’ve risen to them each and every time. Throughout the pandemic, we’ve seen neighbours helping neighbours, small businesses helping communities, and front-line workers helping to keep our families healthy and safe.
Building Back Better
As we move towards recovering from COVID-19, we now have a unique opportunity to build back better and change the vulnerabilities in society that have been exposed by the pandemic. We have the chance to invest in the kind of country and community we want to see:
A country that takes action on climate change and plastic pollution.
A country that will continue to walk the path of reconciliation with Indigenous communities.
A country that recognizes and addresses the challenges faced by racialized Canadians.
A country that invests in its people's health and wellbeing, through mental health supports and programs such as universal national pharmacare.
In this newsletter, I will outline the highs and lows of 2020 along with how the federal government is working to support Canadians during the second wave and in the post-COVID world.
New Year's Levee
Normally, we would gather at the Toronto Botanical Garden for the annual New Year's Levee to discuss the work of the federal government and look ahead to a brighter 2021. Instead, I am inviting you to join me virtually to welcome a year that surely will be better than 2020! My co-host, Kathleen Wynne, and I hope to see you on Sunday, January 17th at 1:00 pm at https://www.facebook.com/roboliphantdvw/live.
|
|
|
Lockdown Restrictions
My Constituency Office remains closed to the public to prevent the spread of COVID-19. My staff and I continue to serve you from home. If you ever have any questions or need support understanding measures taken by the federal government, please do not hesitate to contact my office at 416-467-7275 or [email protected]. I am always happy to connect with you by telephone, email, Skype, Zoom or any of the many platforms which are helping us to keep in touch with each other.
I wish you and your families a happy and healthy 2021.
Rob
|
|
|
2020 in Review and a Look at 2021
|
|
2020 began with the tragic news of Flight PS752 being shot down and with it Canada lost many incredible friends and neighbours. At the 2020 New Year's Levee, we paid tribute to the victims with a somber commemoration. Following a moment of silence, Essie Saedi performed a solo piece, Raindrop, by Iranian composer Morteza Mahjoobi, to help us heal. Gatherings of remembrance were also hosted across our community, including at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Don Valley West.
In our community, we lost Maya Zibaie, a Grade 10 student at Northern Secondary School. She was bright, ambitious, and was always ready to help those around her. I rose in the House last year to remember her: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=184749139396124
|
|
|
My Work as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
|
|
It is an honour to serve as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. I have had the pleasure of working with both Chrystia Freeland and François-Philippe Champagne in this role. Now, I am looking forward to supporting Marc Garneau as Canada's new Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Prior to the issuance of the travel advisory and the enactment of COVID-19 lockdown measures in March, my work in 2020 required some travel abroad to strengthen Canada's economic relationships with allies as well as to provide support to the most vulnerable in our world.
I attended the 7th Australia-Canada Economic Leadership Forum, where we discussed how the CPTPP is building bridges between Canada and Australia. It allows goods and services to be shared more easily, making it easier for entrepreneurs to create good, well-paying jobs that support the middle class in both our countries. I was also pleased to thank Canadian fire fighters who have supported our friends in Australia during a devastating bushfire season.
|
|
|
I also had the privilege of travelling to Africa on behalf of Minister Champagne to continue Canada’s ongoing commitment to engaging with African partners in a sustained and meaningful way. I visited Sudan, Mozambique, and Ethiopia, where I met Sudanese Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok, Mozambican President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, Ethopian President Sahle-Work Zewde, African Union Commission's Vice Chairperson Kwesi Quartey, and various civil society leaders, business leaders, women, and youth to discuss shared opportunities and priorities. Collaborating with our partners in Africa is key to promoting inclusive economic growth, job creation and conflict prevention, and to advancing gender equality and human rights worldwide.
|
|
|
However, I am most proud of my work with staff at Global Affairs Canada to support Canadians abroad return home safely as part of the largest repatriation effort in Canadian history. Learn more about my work in the article below:
|
|
|
Please note that the travel advisory is still in effect. Keep your passports tucked away for the time being, because vacations are not essential travel. The current restrictions for all non-essential travel between Canada and the US also remains in effect until February 21, 2021.
The Government of Canada has also announced additional measures to protect the health of Canadians. These measures relate to the return of international travellers to Canada. Effective January 7, 2021, every air traveller 5 years or over is required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test, from an accredited lab, that was taken no more than 72 hours before scheduled departure, or boarding to Canada will be denied. Anyone who receives a negative test result and is authorized to enter Canada must still complete the full, mandatory 14-day quarantine. Persons who are travelling from a country where testing is unavailable will be required to complete the mandatory 14-day quarantine at a designated Government of Canada quarantine facility near the point of entry. The Government of Canada is also increasing surveillance efforts to ensure travellers entering Canada complete the applicable mandatory 14-day quarantine period under the Quarantine Act.
|
|
|
Supporting Canadians and Businesses
|
|
Our government’s plan to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and invest in Canadian jobs and businesses has helped recover nearly 80% of the jobs lost at the start of this crisis. The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) provided income support to millions of people in need. To support businesses, we introduced the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA), the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) and various other measures to help businesses during a challenging year. The Canada Summer Jobs program supported 80 organizations in Don Valley West and created more than 250 jobs for youth in the summer and fall. We also provided support to families through the GST tax credit and a top-up payment for the Canada Child Benefit, support to students by suspending student loan repayment, support to seniors through top-up payments to the GIS/OAS, and support to people with disabilities through a one-time payment. Support was also provided to organizations fighting food insecurity, supporting seniors during the pandemic.
However, as reflected in the latest Statistics Canada job number update, many Canadians continue to face unemployment or significantly reduced hours due to public health restrictions and recent lockdown measures to control the spread of COVID-19.
To continue supporting workers and businesses through the next phase of this crisis, we have:
- Increased the maximum Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) rate to 75%,
- Expanded the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA),
- Launched the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) and Lockdown Support for businesses,
- Transitioned workers to a more flexible Employment Insurance program, and
- Created three new benefits for workers who do not qualify for Employment Insurance, including:
- The Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB),
- The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB), and
- The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)
|
|
|
Our immunization program is now ahead of schedule. With the 20 million additional doses that the Prime Minister announced on January 12th, we will now have 80 million Pfizer and Moderna doses arriving to the provinces and territories for distribution this year. This puts us well on track to immunize every Canadian who wants a vaccine by September 2021.
The federal government has secured vaccines, however each province and territory is developing its own vaccination plan as they have the jurisdictional responsibility for delivering vaccinations to the populations they serve. For information about the province of Ontario's vaccine rollout plan and details about when you might be able to get vaccinated, please visit https://covid-19.ontario.ca/covid-19-vaccines-ontario
|
|
|
Here are some useful federal stats:
- Over 14.5 million Canadians have been tested for COVID-19 to date
- Over 14.2M rapid tests have been sent to provinces and territories to date with 4,465,172 tests sent to Ontario
- Approximately 390 Red Cross Staff in long-term care homes with 20 in Ontario
- Federal staff are making approximately an average of 558 daily contact tracing calls in Ontario
- $100 million committed for safe voluntary isolation sites across the country with two in Ontario
- More than 13,475,000 gloves (pairs), 19,100 disposable gowns, 14,600 respirators, and 1,394,000 surgical masks have been shipped to Ontario
|
|
|
Thanking Frontline Workers: Prime Minister Visits Sunnybrook
|
|
Frontline workers are the true heroes during this pandemic. They have kept us safe and healthy, allowed us to access essential services, kept the City moving, supported the most vulnerable, and ensured that young people can continue their education. Over the course of the pandemic, we have been banging pots and pans, singing songs, and delivering food to honour our heroes.
As the first order of business in 2021, I was pleased to join Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in thanking the incredible healthcare workers at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre for their critical work during this pandemic. From taking care of the first COVID-19 patient in Canada, to isolating the virus, to providing mental health supports, Sunnybrook has been at the forefront of Canada's response to COVID-19. You can view a recording of our virtual visit here: https://www.facebook.com/14064064197/videos/410233033724958
|
|
|
2020 began like any other year. We gathered at the New Year's Levee, skated the Hodgson rink, celebrated the Lunar New Year, and enjoyed the Thorncliffe Park Women's Committee's Annual Winter Carnival. I also visited grade 5 classes, hosted meetings with community groups, and met with constituents about individual, local, and global issues.
|
|
In mid to late March, it became clear that Canadians need to work together to prevent the spread of COVID-19. My staff and I began working from home to support the people of Don Valley West during this difficult time. I sent out regular email updates and provided updates through Facebook Live events, while virtually religious gatherings and community events, like the annual Diwali and Thanksgiving celebrations by the Toronto Netralya Lions Club. Some groups, like the Leaside Rotary Club, innovated and hosted a drive-in movie event instead of the annual corn roast. I visited grade 5 and 10 classes virtually to hear from my youngest bosses and connected with neighbourhood associations and community members on Zoom. I hosted a telephone town hall and a virtual Youth Mental Health and Addictions town hall on Facebook Live. Big celebrations like Leaside High School's 75th Anniversary had to be cancelled, but we reminisced virtually including a speech I made in the House of Commons.
|
|
|
We have seen the best of our community during the pandemic. Neighbours and organizations have stepped up in incredible ways to support each other. From checking in on seniors, to sewing face masks, to providing food to those most in need, I am so proud to be a part of Don Valley West. Our community also came together for a fun challenge with Milton to see which one of our ridings can get the greatest number of COVID Alert App downloads. Don Valley West won of course!
I would like to recognize these incredible heroes with the Don Valley West 2020 Pandemic Heroes Award. If you know someone who has made a difference in your community, please nominate them here: https://forms.gle/sicxaUASn17EXuz19
|
|
|
The COVID Alert app can let you know if you may have been exposed to COVID-19. The more people who use the app, the more useful it will be in protecting our loved ones and limiting further spread of infection. More than 6 million Canadians have downloaded it and new updates have made the app available for Apple or Android phones released within the past 5 years (at least iOS 13.5 or Android version 6).
The app does not collect any personal information or track your location; it uses your device’s Bluetooth to let you know if your device was in close proximity to the device of someone who reported testing positive for COVID-19.
Download the COVID Alert app for free from the App Store or the Google Play Store.
|
|
|
Wellness Together Canada is a web-based portal that provides Canadians with a virtual network of psycho-social information services and supports, and is available on Canada.ca/coronavirus and the Canada COVID-19 app. The Wellness Together Canada mental health and substance use support portal is meant to support existing provincial and territorial services. It is a central resource for accessing confidential mental health and substance use support with respect to COVID-19.
|
|
|
Thank you for your continued goodwill and community spirit through this difficult time. Although we are working from home, my staff and I are making every effort to ensure Don Valley West remains a strong, vibrant community through this pandemic. If you have any concerns, questions, or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] or call 416-467-7275.
All the best,
Rob
|
|
|
Connect with me on social media
|
|
|
