Dear Friends,
This week in Ottawa so far
I am writing this on Wednesday evening and this week is a busy week in Ottawa. The House is sitting until midnight two or three days a week and our Justice Committee study on antisemitism resumes on Thursday with testimony from our Special Envoy on Combatting Antisemitism, Deborah Lyons, major Jewish organizations, and Jewish faculty members. I will report on what happened in next week’s update but encourage everyone to follow me on Instagram, Facebook and/or X as I will post photos and videos on those platforms. Our Ethics Committee is continuing our study on disinformation and misinformation, and I have had a number of meetings with my Minister, Anita Anand and staff on Treasury Board issues.
Trip to Vancouver
Last week, I was in Vancouver from Wednesday night to Saturday morning. I did over a dozen events and want to thank my friend Alan Shuster and Jewish community organizations for setting up meetings with hundreds of Vancouver residents. On my first day there, alongside my friend and colleague, MP Marco Mendicino, I met with students from campuses across British Columbia. We went to visit UBC, where an encampment has been set up. This was followed up by a visit to Emily Carr University. We also met with students from SFU, Langara and U Vic. You can see my videos about this here: https://fb.watch/sdZytbUMNV/. We also did multiple stakeholder meetings and attended the CJPAC Action Party that evening.
On the following day, I spoke at the King David School with MP Mendicino, met with the leadership of the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, and met with BC MLA Michael Lee, to discuss justice issues and the situation on university campuses.
I ended my tour of BC with a speech and question and answer period with Rabbi Dan at Temple Sholom.
Question and Answers
What was your reaction to the ICC Prosecutor’s announcement?
I found the decision of the prosecutor both unhelpful and outrageous. I was asked about this outside the House of Commons, please listen to my reaction here: https://fb.watch/sdZThxncrL/
The Prime Minister was asked about this as well and I quote, “What I will say is troubling, though, is the sense of an equivalency between the democratically elected leaders of Israel and the bloodthirsty terrorists that lead Hamas.”
Please listen to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Minister Joly, and Minister Freeland on the ICC’s dangerous attempt to equate Hamas and Israel: https://fb.watch/sdZSCIwlVY/
Thank you to CIJA for compiling this video.
What is the latest news about the Parents and Grandparents sponsorship program?
The IRCC officials will be inviting 35,700 potential sponsors from the remaining pool of those who submitted an Interest to Sponsor form in 2020 to sponsor their parents and grandparents. Invitations will be sent out over the course of approximately 2 weeks.
Applicants can find more information here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/guide-5772-application-sponsor-parents-grandparents.html
If you need help with immigration and live in Mount Royal, please contact Anthony.Housefather@parl.gc.ca.
How is our Government delivering Dental Care to Canadians?
In just three weeks, our Canadian Dental Care Plan has helped more than 90,000 seniors get dental care.
That means helping seniors replace old dentures, get their teeth cleaned, and prevent serious infections – it’s making a real difference in the lives of Canadians.
And starting in June, even more eligible Canadians can start applying. For more information about this program and who is eligible, please click here: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/dental/dental-care-plan.html
How is our Government Strengthening Public Health Care?
We’re delivering fairness for every generation – and that starts with quality, accessible, and affordable health care. Deputy Prime Minister, joined by Minister Holland and Minister Boissonnault, highlighted the federal government’s work to strengthen public health care and ensure Canada’s social safety net lifts up every generation.
In Budget 2024, we are taking action to ensure Canadians have access to the public health care they deserve:
- Delivering close to $200 billion over 10 years to strengthen our public health care system;
- Providing student loan forgiveness of up to $60,000 for doctors and $30,000 for nurses who choose to work in rural and remote communities;
- Recognizing the foreign credentials of newcomers in health care and construction;
- Delivering the new Canadian Dental Care Plan for 9 million Canadians;
- Launching a new $500 million Youth Mental Health Fund; and,
- Tackling Supply Shortages of Essential Drugs and Medical Devices.
What is the National Action Plan on Combatting Auto Theft?
The Action Plan is focused on disrupting, dismantling, and prosecuting the organized crime groups involved in auto theft. This Action Plan builds on the National Summit on Combatting Auto Theft, convened by the Government of Canada in February, and recent enforcement actions that have led to the seizure of hundreds of stolen vehicles.
Auto theft demands collaboration among manufacturers, insurers, shippers, law enforcement, and governments. Each partner plays a crucial role. Acknowledging its impact, the Government is taking immediate federal actions that fall within federal authority:
- Legislative and regulatory changes, including proposed amendments to the Criminal Code. To advance work on these proposed changes the Government has launched a consultation to gather information relating to the use of wireless devices in auto theft.
- Intelligence/information sharing enhancements among municipal, provincial, federal, and international police and customs officials in support of criminal investigations, charges, and prosecutions, building on existing collaborative efforts.
- Intervention improvements that will enable increased examination of shipping containers by increasing capacity at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and incorporating new targeting tools.
The National Action Plan will be continuously reviewed and updated to be responsive to this evolving criminal trend.
When is the Goldbloom Family Forum?
The Goldbloom Family Forum is taking place on Sunday, June 2 at Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom (4100 Rue Sherbrooke West) at 2 p.m. This year’s topic is mental health, and The Honourable Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, and Associate Minister of Health is the keynote speaker.
Other speakers include:
- Dr. David Goldbloom, Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto
- Ella Amir, C.M., PhD, MBA, Executive Director at AMI-Quebec
- Patricia Lemoine Smith, BFA, LL.B., PRP, Senior Vice President, Teneo
The forum is free, but you are asked to register here: https://jlive.app/events/7934
Best,
Anthony