Dear Scarborough-Rouge Park,
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us that there are fundamental gaps in our society that need to be addressed. I have had the pleasure of speaking to many of you over the past six months – both virtually and in-person – to hear your concerns and listen to your ideas on how we can address the challenges posed by the pandemic. I want you to know, I hear you and our government hears you.
This week, in the Speech from the Throne, our government and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unveiled our bold plan to protect Canadians against COVID-19 and how we will address many of the challenges we are facing today. I have worked closely with our government, and with members of our community on these issues, and I know that we all recognize that systemic changes are needed immediately. I am pleased to advise that our government is committed to addressing many of the concerns we have collectively raised here in Scarborough-Rouge Park -particularly on setting National Standards for Long-Term Care homes and setting out a robust plan to address systemic racism.
To review our government’s plan on building a stronger and resilient Canada and the full text from the Speech from the Throne, click here.
As always, I look forward to continuing to engage and work with you to build back better together. Please do not hesitate to contact me at my office at 416-283-1414 or [email protected] with any questions or inquiries.
Yours truly,
Gary Anandasangaree
The report by the Canadian Armed Forces describing the events taking place in long-term care homes in Canada, including Altamont Care Community located in Scarborough-Rouge Park brought to light the horrific conditions faced by our seniors.
Following the report, I co-wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister Patty Hajdu, Federal Minister of Health, to make necessary legislative and regulatory changes to implement national standards in long-term care homes across Canada, and to Premier Doug Ford calling for an independent and public inquiry into the state of Long-Term Care facilities in Ontario.
Although long-term care falls under provincial and territorial jurisdiction, the federal government has committed to take any action it can to support seniors while working alongside the provinces and territories. As part of the Speech from the Throne, our government has committed to:
Central to this is recognizing that one of the greatest tragedies of this pandemic are the lives lost by both residents and health-care workers in long-term care homes. All Canadians deserve to be safe, respected, and live in dignity.
For too many Canadians, systemic racism is a lived reality. Over the years our government has taken important steps to address racism in Canada. This includes the release of Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy for 2019-2022, the creation of an Anti-Racism Secretariat, the appointment of the first-ever Minister focused on Diversity and Inclusion, and important work to close the gaps in services for Indigenous communities.
Both in my role as Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism, and Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, I was able to work closely on the development of the Government of Canada’s National Anti-Racism Strategy, and on taking steps to address challenges related to systemic racism in Canada, including anti-Black racism, policing, and inequities in our criminal justice system.
As part of the Speech from the Throne, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reaffirmed our government’s commitment, and committed to redouble the governments efforts to address systemic racism by:
Our government will also:
Our government’s commitment brings us a step closer towards making Canada a more just and equitable place for all Canadians. Recognizing there is more work to be done, I will work closely with our government and community members to ensure progress on these issues.
Climate action has, and always will be, a top priority for our government. Canadians understand the serious risks climate change poses to our planet, our health, and our way of life. Climate action is needed now, and our government is here to deliver.
Climate action means bold steps to stop climate change and to protect our planet. That is why our government will continue to put a price on pollution, work with municipalities to expand urban parks, ban single-use plastics by next year, and plant two billion trees.
Along with this, our government is working on a plan that will not only meet Canada’s 2030 climate goal, but will exceed it and legislate Canada’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
As part of our plan, our government will:
The government will launch a new fund to attract investments in making zero-emissions products and cut the corporate tax rate in half for companies to create jobs and make Canada a world leader in clean technology.
Furthermore, the government will:
Our government will focus on reaching net zero by working with and listening to innovative ideas from all Canadians, including people in places like B.C, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
The government will:
Investing in climate action now will not only protect our planet but support and create a million jobs across our country.
| Mon: | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Tue: | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Wed: | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Thu: | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Fri: | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Sat: | Closed |
| Sun: | Closed |
