Newsletter — May 2023
The warmer weather is finally here! If you have not had the chance yet to visit a local farmers’ market yet, I highly recommend it!
Both the Carp Farmers’ Market and the Kanata Farmers’ Market are held weekly on Saturdays throughout the summer months. Hope to see you there!
As we are entering the last few weeks of school before the summer holidays, Parliament is also heading into its final sittings. It’s the busiest time of year to pass legislation and to finish up legislative work before all MPs return to their ridings to connect with constituents in their communities. I’m looking forward to spending more time in Kanata—Carleton and hope to see many of you at local events in our community.
West Carleton Flood Relief Update
Thank you again to the West Carleton Disaster Relief and the many volunteers who stepped up to help with the flood relief preparations in our community. Your efforts have helped to save many homes!
One of the largest preventative barriers for West Carleton homeowners facing flooding is accessing insurance for their property. Our government is helping households that are at increasingly high risk of damage from flooding due to extreme weather by standing up a low-cost flood insurance program, which is great news for the many homeowners in West Carleton and along the Ottawa River — and follows feedback I’ve heard from residents regarding the unwillingness of insurance companies to insure homes at risk of flooding.
Additionally, work is underway by Public Safety Canada to create an online portal where Canadians can find out their home’s exposure to flooding, as the increasing risks posed by climate change mean many may not be aware of the risks their home faces.
Targeted Relief: Grocery Rebate Arrives July 5th
The Grocery Rebate will arrive on July 5th by direct deposit or cheque through the Canada Revenue Agency!
The rebate will be up to $467 for eligible couples with two children, $234 for single Canadians without children, and $225 for seniors on average.
Though the Grocery Rebate was introduced in Budget 2023 as a way to support Canadians through this period of higher grocery prices due to inflation, the rebate can be spent on anything.
There is no need to apply for the grocery rebate, which will be delivered along with the July GST Credit payment. However, to receive the payment it is required that recipients have filed their 2021 tax return.
Click here to calculate how much you could receive in federal benefits!
Kanata Seniors Far West Fun Fest
It was great connecting with seniors in our community at the Far West Fun Fest kickoff breakfast. I’m so glad this event made a return, after a 2-year hiatus due to the pandemic. I hope everyone had fun and created long-lasting memories. I know Councillor Curry and I did!
Saving Small Businesses Money
Our government has reached an agreement with Visa and MasterCard!
These two major credit card companies have agreed to lower interchange fees—otherwise known as the amount that they charge retailers when a customer pays for a purchase with a credit card.
This agreement plans to reduce the average credit card interchange fee below 1%---saving retailers about $1 billion over five years and make credit card transactions fairer for small businesses!
Canada Expels Chinese Diplomat
Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Melanie Joly, has expelled Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei after an intelligence report alleges he attempted to target a Member of Parliament who is critical of China's treatment of its Uyghur Muslim minority.
The decision to declare persona non grata Mr. Wei was taken after careful consideration of all factors. Through this, we’re sending China, and other countries trying to interfere in domestic Canadian affairs, a message that Canada will not tolerate foreign interference. Any diplomat that engages in this behaviour will be sent home.
Interim Report on Foreign Interference Published
As announced on May 23rd, the independent Special Rapporteur has recommended against calling a public inquiry into foreign interference in Canadian politics, and the government will follow that recommendation.
While he isn't recommending a public inquiry, the Rapporteur said in his report that he found "serious shortcomings in the way intelligence is communicated and processed from security agencies through to government."
Over the summer and into the fall, the Rapporteur will work to find ways to fix those shortcomings and will produce a second report later this year.
Driving Innovation in Kanata North
This past month, I got to spend a truly inspiring day in Canada’s largest technology park! On May 24, the Kanata North Business Association brought Kanata North industry executives and stakeholders together for a Technology Industry Roundtable Discussion. From a 5G roadmap to planned campus expansions, and creating a vibrant culture of collaboration across Canada's largest technology park - we covered a lot!
Kanata North is in the midst of transforming from an industrial park to a mixed-use, complete and connected community with commercial and residential development. The roundtable was a great opportunity to connect, explore partnerships and to align interests – with a common goal to turn Kanata North into a vibrant space to live, work, play, learn, and innovate.
Following the roundtable discussion, I had the pleasure to attend L-SPARK's Living Lab Accelerator Pitch Day, where 11 startups took the stage to pitch to members of our tech community, further driving innovation right here in Kanata North and across Canada! I’m excited to see what solutions are being developed as part of this accelerator program.
Important Dates
Canada Child Benefit: June 20 and July 20
Canada Pension Plan: June 28 and July 27
Old Age Security: June 28 and July 27 (Calculate the amount you’ll receive through OAS here).
Veteran Disability Pension: June 29 and July 28
Climate Action Incentive: July 2023
GST/HST Credit: July 5
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 theCanada Revenue Agency websiteor call 1-800-959-8281.
Other Upcoming Dates
June: Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month
June 5: World Environment Day
June 6: D-Day, WWII
June 8: World Ocean Day
June 14: Flag Day
June 18: Happy Father’s Day to all the amazing Dads!
June 21: Summer Solstice
June 24: Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day
July 1: Happy Canada Day!
