Sudds: Holiday countdown begins

With just over three weeks to go, the holiday countdown has officially begun!

If you are able to, please consider supporting the Kanata Food Cupboard in spreading holiday cheer. Many in our community need assistance, and giving a gift has never been easier!

You can donate gifts online via their Virtual Angel Tree initiative or in person. Community Angel Trees have been set up in various locations in our community.

If you need assistance, please note that the deadline to apply for a Christmas Hamper is Monday, December 4. For details, please visit the Kanata Food Cupboard website.

Similarly, the West Carleton Food Access Centre team is busy with their 2023 Christmas Initiative, ensuring everyone in our community has access to a joyous holiday celebration in their home. If you can help, or if you need help, you can get more info at WCfoodaid@gmail.com.

Fall Economic Statement

On November 21, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, delivered the 2023 Fall Economic Statement, taking further action to support the middle class and build more homes, faster by delivering mortgage relief, cracking down on short-term rentals, cutting red tape, and unlocking housing construction.

Additionally, the federal government has committed to exempting psychotherapy and counselling from the GST — great news and a commitment made possible by many constituents who pushed for this important change. Thank you to everyone in our community who advocated on this file. I’m proud that with this proposed measure, more Canadians can receive the mental health support they need and deserve. I look forward to supporting it in the House.

If you’re interested in reading the full measures, I’ve shared a link to the Fall Economic Statement on my website.

More Rental Housing Coming to Kanata

I’m happy to share that Kanata Avenue will be home to 306 new rental units — part of more than 1,100 new units being built across Ottawa. Look out for the new, six-storey development across from Kanata Centrum, made possible by fully repayable, low-interest federal loans under the Rental Construction Financing Initiative.

Community Services Recovery Fund

Nearly 5,500 projects across Canada are being funded under the Community Services Recovery Fund. Here in Kanata—Carleton, nine organizations—including the Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre, Restoring Hope, Canadian Nurses Foundation, Canadian Wildlife Federation, Brookside Baptist Church, PAND Settlement Services, Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre and more—are receiving federal funding, with a total of $1.4 million invested in our community.

Responding to emerging needs at the local level — charities and non-profits play a crucial role in making our communities better, safer, and stronger places to live. It’s our job as government to support the organizations that support Canadians. That’s why we created the Community Services Recovery Fund — to help community service organizations adapt, modernize, and expand their reach, so that they can continue to be there for Canadians and to contribute to the well-being of our community.

Ongoing Situation in the Middle East

As a nation, Canada stands for peace. The principles of humanity, dignity, and the protection of civilians are paramount. We must do everything possible to avoid further loss of innocent civilian life and move toward long-lasting peace in the region. I have shared regular updates on my website, and I will continue to do so.

As your Member of Parliament, I want you to know that I hear you, and the conversations we have had—conversations where many have shared their pain and heartbreak—have resonated deeply with me. I will continue to represent your voices in Parliament.

Hub350 Annual Partner Summit

On November 14, I had the pleasure of providing opening remarks during the Executive Roundtable at the Hub350 Annual Partner Summit. Congratulations to the Kanata North Business Association and all partner organizations involved in putting this event together where local business leaders reconnect and collaborate to shape the future of Canada’s technology ecosystem.

National Settlement and Resettlement Funding Call for Proposals

As more newcomers arrive in Canada, it is critical that they receive the support and services that will set them up for success here in Canada, and succeed in fully integrating and contributing to their communities. This past month, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada launched the national settlement and resettlement funding call for proposals, to help fund hundreds of settlement and resettlement service provider organizations across Canada, outside of Quebec.

Projects may be eligible to receive funding for up to five years, and applications close January 31, 2024. For details, please visit my website.

Canada Summer Jobs Wage Subsidy

When young people have the skills and experience they need to join the workforce, communities and the economy both benefit. That is why the Government of Canada supports youth at every stage of their journey towards a bright future through its comprehensive array of youth programming, that includes Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ).

Employers from not-for-profit organizations, the public sector, and private sector organizations with 50 or fewer full-time employees in Canada can apply for funding until January 10, 2024, to hire young Canadians next summer.

Constituency Office Visit

A few weeks ago, I received a surprise visit from a family whose mother from Turkey was reunited with her daughter and family on a temporary resident visa. Thank you for stopping by and brightening my day!

Kanata Santa Claus Parade

It was great to see so many of our community come out and celebrate the return of the Kanata Santa Claus Parade! A big thank you to the organizers and all volunteers.

App to Calculate Federal Carbon Tax Costs vs. Rebates

The next quarterly Climate Action Incentive payments will be sent out on January 15th. I’ve heard from many residents how helpful these payments have been with the increasing prices. This year, a family of four in our community will receive almost $1,000 delivered over four quarterly installments through this support. For most, this is more than what they pay towards the carbon price. You can see for yourself just how much you receive through the Climate Action Incentive compared to what you pay towards the carbon price here.

Important Dates

• Canada Child Benefit: December 13 and January 19

• Canada Pension Plan: December 20 and January 29

• Old Age Security: December 20 and January 29

• Veteran Disability Pension: December 21

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

• December 1: World AIDS Day

• December 2: International Day for the Abolition of Slavery

• December 3: International Day of Persons with Disabilities

• December 6: National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

• December 7: 53rd anniversary: Royal Commission on the Status of Women in Canada

• December 7-15: Hanukkah

• December 8: Pansexual Pride Day

• December 9: International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime

• December 10: Human Rights Day

• December 21: Yalda

• December 24: Christmas Eve

• December 25: Christmas

• December 26: Boxing Day

• December 31: New Year’s Eve

Call for Volunteers

Are you interested in joining my team of volunteers to assist my team and I at upcoming community events? Get in touch today, we’d love to have you.

Please Keep in Touch

In addition to these monthly newsletters, I also provide regular updates about my work in the House of Commons 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.

The preceding column was written by Kanata-Carleton MP Jenna Sudds  for West Carleton Online, made available to the entire community through an agreement with the publisher.