Sudds: Making the rounds in Kanata-Carleton

I can’t remember a Victoria Day long weekend with weather as stunning as this past one! 

I was happy to spend it in our beautiful community with a very special visit to a new Andrew Fleck Child Care Centre at 415 Corkstown Road in Kanata that will be opening its doors to 73 little ones in a few weeks.

Investing in affordable child care is about helping more families save thousands of dollars on child care. Every family in our community and across the country should have access to affordable, high-quality, inclusive child care. That’s why we’re working hard with the Government of Ontario to create more child care spots and reduce waitlists so kids can get the best possible start in life. Centres like the new Andrew Fleck Forest Explorers Outdoor Learning Centre are part of our government’s plan to create 250,000 new spaces by 2026. It’s a big milestone for our local community and I already look forward to a return visit once the centre has officially opened its doors!

One Million Visitors

Descend into history, 75 feet underground, at Canada’s Cold War Museum. Congratulations to the Diefenbunker on celebrating their 1 millionth visitor this month! If you have never visited, I strongly encourage it – whether to check out the exhibits, or to experience one of their special events or programs. Did you know? The Diefenbunker offers birthday parties, spy camps, and escape rooms?

 Community Events and Visits

Although active in the Kanata North technology park for decades, the University of Ottawa recently marked its fifth year anniversary of the uOttawa Kanata North campus. It sure has been five very busy years, with uOttawa having doubled their initial satellite campus footprint to over 8,000 sq.ft., setting up the Smart Connected Vehicle Innovation Centre, and opening a second uOttawa presence at Hub350.

Syntronic also celebrated a milestone this past month, Congratulations on 40 years of innovation, 10 here in Ottawa. From Research & Development to new product introduction and aftermarket services – I can’t wait to see what the future holds!

It’s great to see the return of the Far West Fun Fest presented by the Kanata Seniors Council. I know that many of our community eagerly await these two-week-long festivities, and for good reason! From trivia to bingo, darts, square dancing, carpet bowling, and more – not to mention delicious food enjoyed with friends, it truly is a fun fest! My thanks to the Kanata Seniors Council and all sponsors, partners, and volunteers for making this event possible.

I was not able to attend, but would like to congratulate the TEDxKanata team on holding a successful TEDx event on May 15 – the eighth in total and first in-person event since the pandemic. I already look forward to watching the six talks once they are available online.

Thank you to the Rooted Family Wellness Centre for lending your support to Flora’s Walk – honouring the memory of Flora and ensuring all that need it have timely access to perinatal mental health services. Flora’s tragic story underscores the pressing need for increased awareness and support surrounding postpartum mental health issues within the Canadian healthcare system. To learn more and get involved, visit floraswalk.ca.

 Happening this Saturday: Donation Event

It’s time to clean out and help out! St. Paul’s United Church is holding a donation event tomorrow, June 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., collecting items for:

• Matthew House – where new refugees or other Ottawa residents in need can access household items at no cost to them.

• The Gift of Sight Project – provides treatment around the globe for adults and children with serious untreated vision issues.

 Important Dates

• Canada Child Benefit: June 20 and July 19

• Canada Pension Plan: June 26 and July 29

• Old Age Security: June 26 and July 29

• Veteran Disability Pension: June 27 and July 30

• 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

• June: Filipino Heritage Month; National Indigenous History Month; Italian Heritage Month; Portuguese Heritage Month; Pride Season; Deaf Blind Awareness Month

• June 1: Global Day of Parents

• June 2: Canadian Armed Forces Day

• June 3: World Bicycle Day

• June 5: World Environment Day

• June 6: Anniversary of D-Day and Battle of Normandy

• June 8: World Oceans Day

• June 12: World Day Against Child Labour

• June 15: World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

• June 16: Father’s Day

• June 16-19: Eid al Adha

• June 19: International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict

• June 20: World Refugee Day

• June 21: National Indigenous Peoples Day

• June 22: 1st Anniversary of Canada Disability Benefit Law

• June 23: Public Service Day

• June 23: National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism

• June 24: St. Jean Baptiste/La Fête nationale du Québec

• June 27: Canadian Multiculturalism Day

 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.