Public Services Impacted, Canada Summer Jobs, Improved Passenger Rights and so much more!

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Julie Dzerowicz M.P.

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Apr 28, 2023, 7:09:14 PM4/28/23

Bi-Weekly Updates from your Member of Parliament, Julie Dzerowicz.

Hello Davenport Friends and Neighbours,

C-11, the bill that regulates online streaming services and requires them to pay to support Canadian media content such as music and TV shows, received Royal Assent last night. This new law gives the CRTC broad powers to regulate digital media companies and levels the playing field to ensure that online platforms follow the same regulations and requirements as traditional broadcasters, including allocating a certain amount of money to fund Canadian content. I fully support C-11 and do not agree in any way that it restricts freedom of expression.

Public sector strike continues; today is day 10. There was a list of 570 issues that the public sector union (PSAC) raised and the federal government has resolved all except for a minor handful. Two key issues are what is blocking an agreement. I explain below what the two issues are and what our position is. Note that there are a number of federal services that are impacted. Please carefully read the section below for what services are still available.

Earlier this week I had the privilege to host 42 “Top 10” leaders of Canada's Hispanic and Latin American community on Parliament Hill. They met with Ministers, Members of Parliament and Senators, and had a chance to learn more about how our federal government works. It was an honour to host them - the contributions of the community are an inspiration to all Canadians and make Canada a stronger and better country. Watch my 1 minute statement in the House of Commons here.

Last week, as Chair of Canada NATO Parliamentary Association, I also had the honour of hosting the NATO PA Defence and Security Committee and Subcommittee on Trans-Atlantic Defence and Security Cooperation. 35 NATO Parliamentarians from 13 NATO countries traveled to Ottawa, Halifax and Montreal to learn more about Canada’s participation in NATO and its commitment to Trans-Atlantic peace and security. It was a true pleasure to host this delegation, learn from my fellow parliamentarians, and participate in this outstanding cooperative effort.

Given the changes in the geopolitical situation including the war in Ukraine and the massive shift in global power - the world has become a more dangerous place. Many countries in the world do not share in the values that we hold dear and that govern our lives. That is why the federal government is working fast to strengthen our Canadian Armed Forces and our capacity and ability to defend ourselves.

Locally, our federal government has made an announcement that will result in the largest number of electric buses on the continent. Our Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland announced a federal investment of $395 million to buy 340 new electric buses for the TTC. With the TTC’s financial partnership the total investment will be $700 million. This is a direct response to our Net Zero by 2050 goals, and a huge step towards sustainable and affordable transit.

As the crisis in Sudan continues, our federal government stands with the Sudanese people in their pursuit of peace and calls for an end to violence. Canada has deployed 200 troops to coordinate the evacuation of Canadians. We have already completed two airlifts of Canadians out of the country. If you know anyone who is currently in Sudan, here is the information to pass along: Emergency watch Response Centre: Phone: +1 613-996-8885, Text message: +1 613-686-3658, WhatsApp: +1 613-909-8881, Telegram at Canada Emergency Abroad or E-mail: s...@international.gc.ca

Regarding foreign Interference in Canada, global reports have concluded that there are approximately 100 extra-territorial Chinese police stations operating worldwide, with roughly 5 in Canada.

Ottawa has opened investigations into Chinese extra-territorial police stations, and if community members are being harassed by staff from these stations, the government has provided a phone number to call, 1-800-420-5805 and an email to contact: RCMP.NSIN...@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Thanks to everyone who brought in donations for Toronto Cares Initiative. I will be delivering them tomorrow! Sikh celebration this weekend at City Hall! I plan on attending the Annual Khalsa Day Parade to celebrate the Sikh New Year. I invite all of you to join me!

My best regards,

Julie Dzerowicz
Member of Parliament, Davenport

Table of Contents

The Top Three: Collective Bargaining Update + Service Disruptions, Canada Summer Jobs, Air Passenger Rights
Davenport MP Report: Working hard for you
Links to important Federal News & Announcements
Davenport Federal Funding Available (including Small Business supports!)

The Top Three

1. Collective Bargaining Update + Service Disruptions

A number of Davenport residents have reached out to my office to express support for federal workers on strike and to inquire on how it will affect federal services.

I too support our federal workers and want to make sure we have a deal that is fair to them and fair to all Canadians.

Of 570 issues that have been raised by the public sector unions (PSAC) we are down to less than a handful to resolve. There are two major sticking points:

The first is wage increase. PSAC is asking for 13.5% over three years. At an impasse, a Public Interest Commission was established to provide an independent recommendation for a fair wage increase to assist the parties to come to an agreement.

The independent recommendation suggested 9% over three years, which is what the federal government is offering. It is what is affordable for us and fair to workers. Recall that public sector workers are well paid with full benefits including pensions. They are not one of the sectors (such as nurses, PSWs, hospitality workers, etc.) who are not paid well.

The second sticking point is working from home. I don’t know the “proper” way to explain this but I understand the place where both sides are stuck. PSAC wants “working from home” to be part of collective bargaining rights, whereas the federal government wants working from home to be a decision left to managers of the different departments to decide how to establish “work at home” arrangements.

Some of the reasoning behind this position is that much of the work of our government is front-facing, (requiring direct, in-person interaction with the public) and we need people to be physically in place to do their jobs; there are also very legitimate concerns about building strong teams and mentoring workers along their career paths that require workers to be present. Lots of research is underway on this and the federal government needs flexibility around “working from home”.

Update on Federal Services
Essential services continue to be delivered during the labour disruption, but please expect other services to be delayed or interrupted. Important services to note are:

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA): The tax filing deadline has not changed, the deadline remains on midnight May 1, 2023. All returns during the labour disruption will be accepted and returns filed digitally will largely be processed automatically by the system without delay. There will be increased wait times at CRA contact centres

Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada: There are service delays and limited capacity for processing. Citizenship events will be rescheduled. Only very urgent and emergency applications may still be processed.

Passport Services: DO NOT APPLY FOR A NEW PASSPORT!!! IT WILL NOT BE PROCESSED. But if you had already applied for a passport prior to the labour disruption, follow the instructions you were given. So if you were told to pick up on May 1, pick up on May 1. My understanding is that applications prior to the start of the labour strike will continue to be processed. Emergency passport services are available. Emergency means you have a death in your family or something as urgent. Go to specialized passport sites if you fit the description of an emergency need.

Service Canada (EI, OAS, SINS, CPP): Essential services are maintained, which include Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, Employment Insurance, and Social Insurance Numbers. In-person service at Service Canada Centres is limited to clients requiring assistance with essential services

For impacts on any department or agency click here.

2. Canada Summer Jobs - So many jobs!!!

Davenport students and youth listen up! The Canada Summer Jobs portal is open for applications!! If you are between the ages of 15 to 30 and are searching for a summer job look no further than here.

Youth are encouraged to visit regularly for updates and to share exciting job opportunities with their friends. Job placements are full-time (30-40 hours per week) and have a duration of 6–16 weeks (average duration being eight weeks).

There are many wonderful jobs available with Davenport organizations and businesses across many sectors including non-profits, environmental groups, arts and culture, business and more. Don’t delay, apply today!!!

3. Air Passenger Rights - we are improving them!

Davenport residents have strongly pushed for more accountability from our airline sector.

Earlier this week, the Minister of Transport, the Honorable Omar Alghabra, announced amendments to the Canada Transportation Act to strengthen passenger rights and increase air carriers accountability.

These new proposed amendments to the Canada Transportation Act would, among other things, allow the Canadian Transportation Agency to modify its regulations to:

Make compensation mandatory for all disruptions, unless the airline proves that there was an extraordinary “security” reason or other very specifically defined reason outlined in the regulations. Burden of proof is on the airline.
Ensure for the provision of food and water be mandatory for all flight disruptions
Stronger rules around delayed baggage and clearer refund requirements for passengers.
Replace the current process for resolving air travel complaints with a more simplified process conducted primarily by Agency staff to ensure travellers get quicker decisions
Impose a greater burden of proof on air carriers where it is presumed that compensation is payable to a complainant
require air carriers to establish an internal process of dealing with air travel claims
broaden the authority of the Agency to set fees and charges to recover its costs

This new legislation is being introduced in addition to the $75.9 million announced in March 2023 to accelerate the processing and handling of complaints made to the Canadian Transportation Agency.

Davenport MP Report

1. Parliament Hill: Hispanic Mission to Parliament

It was a true honour to welcome over 40 Hispanic and Latin American leaders to Parliament Hill and pay tribute to the extraordinary leadership within the community and their immense contributions to Canada. Watch my 1 minute statement in the House of Commons here.

The Hispanic Mission to Parliament Hill consisted of meetings with MPs, Ministers, Senators, and government officials, and was capped off with a celebration of the community at the Mexican Embassy. With representatives from Victoria to Nova Scotia and four provinces, they came to Ottawa to build relations with parliamentarians, to exchange knowledge and information and to network.

Through their hard work and dedication, the growing Hispanic-Canadian community will play a key role in Canada’s future growth and prosperity.

Thank you to Director of the Canadian Hispanic Business Alliance Mauricio Ospina and President of TLN Media Group Aldo Di Felice for putting together this amazing day and for bringing the top Hispanic Canadian leaders together.

2. Parliament Hill: Meeting with Ambassador of Estonia

I was pleased to meet this week with the Ambassador of Estonia to Canada, Margus Rava. We discussed Canada’s ongoing support to Ukraine, our commitment to NATO, and Canada’s presence in the Baltic region through Operation Reassurance. I look forward to working with Ambassador Rava to continue advancing the ties between our two countries.

3. In Davenport: International Children’s Day Celebration with the Turkish Society of Canada

Celebrated International Children’s Day at theTurkish Society of Canada’s 9th Multicultural Dance and Arts Festival at Nathan Phillips Square. The day was filled with international folk dances, multicultural art shows, balloon sculpting and cotton candy!

The celebration also included fundraising to support the education needs of the children who are affected by the devastating earthquake in Turkiye.

4. In Davenport: Multicultural Children’s Day Celebration with the Turkish Culture and Folklore Society

It is always special to celebrate International Children's Day with the Turkish community, which also landed on Turkiye’s National Sovereignty Day!

Enjoyed the celebrations, magicians, food and children’s performances. What a wonderful way to inspire the children of the world to embrace diversity and promote multiculturalism in our communities.

5. In Davenport: Community Clean Ups

On Earth day I joined Friends of Earlscourt Park and Fairbank Village BIA for their community clean ups!

A huge thank you to Davenport leaders and volunteers at the various local clean-ups across the riding! It’s great seeing the community come together for the common good and a cleaner, brighter future.

6. In the House: Speech in the House on Budget 2023

I was grateful to rise in the House of Commons to speak on behalf of the residents of Davenport on Budget 2023. It has been very helpful to talk to so many Davenport residents, organizations,and businesses about Budget 2023. Thanks to all of the stakeholders and organizations who submitted their outstanding ideas during the pre-budget consultation period.

In the seven and half years that I have been honored to serve Davenport as a member of Parliament, this year’s budget is the most targeted one released by our government. And it builds on the investments that have been announced in the previous budgets. This year, our federal government is making major investments in healthcare, in accelerating the clean economy in Canada, and in making targeted investments in affordability that will support the most vulnerable Canadians.

Among the investments of Budget 2023 is a Grocery Rebate, automatic tax filing for more Canadians, and an increase of Canada student grants by 40% annually which will provide additional $4200/year.

See full video of my speech here.

6. Parliament Hill: NATO PA Delegation Visit to Canada

I was privileged, as Chair of the Canada-NATO Parliamentary Association, to welcome 35 Parliamentarians from across NATO countries to showcase and discuss Canada’s commitment to NATO, Canada’s assistance to Ukraine, Arctic security, the modernization of NORAD, and Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy.

We had the opportunity in Ottawa to meet with the Minister of Defense Minister Anand and Chief of the Defense Staff General Eyre, before travelling to Halifax to tour IMP Aerospace, Irving Shipbuilding and CFB Halifax. The delegation concluded in Montreal with a tour of Bombardier, CAE and meetings with thought leaders at McGill University.

I will be writing a constituency mail piece to outline the work of NATO PA and to speak to the importance of a stronger NATO and a stronger, fully funded defence and security program in Canada, including funding our Canadian Forces properly, modernizing equipment, stronger non-nuclear proliferation agreements, updating NORAD and building stronger Arctic Security Defence. More to come.