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Dear Friends, Canada Day and Update Schedule I want to wish everyone a very Happy Canada Day. We live in one of the greatest countries in the world and July 1st is a day to celebrate our past, present and future. I will be at multiple events across the riding so please come up and say hello if you are there. As we do every year, we will pause the weekly updates in July and August and resume in September. However, I will still put out updates if there is urgent or timely information I need to share with you. As we transition into the summer months, this week has been a time of both profound reflection and significant progress for our country and our community. Resilience and Unity in the Face of Tragedy Our community has been shaken by the horrific shootings in Côte-des-Neiges, where two wonderful people, Mohamed Lamine Benredouane and Michel Mizrahi, were tragically killed. In the wake of this violence, I was moved to see hundreds of Montrealers stand together in tribute and solidarity. Alongside my colleagues Elisabeth Prass, Stephanie Valenzuela, and Milany Thiagarajah, I spent last Tuesday in the area of the shooting and met with local residents and businesses and community organizations who have shown incredible courage. I also joined Rabbi Cohen at MADA to discuss the power of kindness during such dark times. The Rabbi shared a beautiful message: we do not fight darkness by fighting it directly, but by enlightening it with light. I want to extend a special thank you to the police for their bravery and to the volunteers at MADA who continued their vital work of delivering meals. Watch my statement here: |
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Last Wednesday I joined many of you at the funeral of Michael Mizrahi and this Tuesday evening I will be attending a memorial service for both Mohamed and Michael. |
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Reviewing our Supreme Court Nomination On Monday, the House Justice and Human Rights Committee gathered in Ottawa for meetings to review the nomination of Glenn Joyal, the Chief Justice of Manitoba’s Court of King’s Bench, to be an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court of Canada. IIn the morning we held a hearing where we questioned Minister of Justice and Attorney General Sean Fraser, as well as Maureen McTeer, the Chair of the Independent Advisory Board. This board is responsible for reviewing applications and creating the short list of proposed candidates, ensuring that our highest court continues to be served by individuals of the highest caliber and integrity. In the afternoon both the House Justice Committee and our counterparts in the Senate questioned the nominee. Watch my round of questions here: |
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Strengthening Food Security: A Generational Strategy Our government is taking decisive action to ensure every Canadian has access to safe, affordable, and nutritious food. Prime Minister Carney recently launched the National Food Security Strategy (NFSS), a $3.2 billion investment to strengthen domestic food production and lower prices. As part of this strategy:
Building Canada: Advancing Projects of National Interest Under the Building Canada Act, we are moving forward with the first three major initiatives identified as projects of national interest: the Mackenzie Valley Highway, the Grays Bay Road and Port, and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s Deep Geological Repository. Listing these under the Act will streamline federal permits and help unlock Canada’s economic potential while maintaining world-class environmental standards. These transformative projects will connect remote communities, strengthen our energy sovereignty, and create thousands of jobs. Local Economic Milestone: Marconi Technologies I am thrilled to share that Marconi Technologies, headquartered right here in the Town of Mount Royal, has become the first Canadian company to secure a contract under the Canada–EU SAFE defense procurement agreement. This $10 million contract to supply tactical radios to Poland’s military is a testament to the world-class talent in our riding. Canadian Human Rights Museum Exhibit A number of constituents and others have contacted me related to the Canadian Human Rights Museum Exhibit that opened this week. I share your concerns. The first thing you need to know is that by law museums are independent. Nobody in government can order them as to what to do. I have been to Winnipeg to meet with the local Jewish federation and Gail Asper (whose family started the museum) and with CIJA’s local representatives. I have also followed up with the Museum’s executive director to express the concerns directly. I have made clear that this is a very complex history and any telling of this story must tell the whole story in an unbiased way and not just parts of it. I was very unhappy with the way the panels that were erected which were extremely one sided and I once again conveyed my concerns to Minister Marc Miller and asked him to speak out and I am pleased that he did so, saying that the museum made an error and should rectify it. Palestinian exhibit: CMHR made error, heritage minister says Restoring a National Landmark: 24 Sussex Drive We are also moving forward with the rehabilitation of 24 Sussex Drive, Canada’s official residence for future Prime Ministers. To ensure fiscal responsibility, an independent national design-and-build competition will be launched, and a fundraising campaign led by the Rideau Hall Foundation will aim to offset costs to taxpayers. This project is about ensuring that future leaders have a secure and functional home to serve our country for generations to come. Celebrating Community and Heritage Finally, it was a joy to celebrate Pride with friends in Toronto last weekend while I was there for some family get togethers. I was very sorry to miss Summerfest in TMR but will be there at the citizenship ceremony on Canada Day. I hope everyone has a great summer. Best, Anthony |
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