| Dear Friends,
Our universal public healthcare system is something that we as Canadians are known for; something we take great pride in.
We also recognize that our system is under strain right now. Whether we have experienced this firsthand, or through our loved ones seeking care – the pressure on our system is evident.
As your Member of Parliament, but also as a mom, family member, and proud Canadian – I want the best possible healthcare options for our community and across the country.
We are committed to addressing the issues facing our healthcare system, but this cannot be accomplished without equal commitment from provincial and territorial governments.
Earlier this month, the Prime Minister met with the Premiers to work together on improving Canadian healthcare.
We then announced that the federal government will increase health funding to address long wait times for surgeries and pressures on emergency departments and pediatric hospitals. It will help to advance family health services, health workers and backlogs, mental health care, and modernizing our system. There is a specific investment to address the emergency in pediatric care in Canada. We will also work with Indigenous partners to address Indigenous health priorities and challenges.
These federal investments require continued investments and policy commitments from the province to deliver safe and effective healthcare for their residents. I was pleased the Premiers have agreed to accept this offer and on February 23, Ontario signed the agreement in principle with the federal government.
We all interact with our healthcare system, and it's often during some of the most difficult moments of our lives. Canadians deserve a system that works for them. One that is supported by a resilient and fairly compensated healthcare workforce, is timely, and where Canadians have access to home care and safe long-term care so that seniors can age safely and with dignity.
The COVID-19 pandemic was an eye-opener. We all saw how burnt out our healthcare workers became, and we witnessed firsthand the gaps in our system.
The pandemic also showed us we have nothing if we don’t have our health. While the province is responsible for delivering healthcare, as a federal government we are there to support our healthcare system, because we are there for your health.
This month we were devastated by the destruction in Türkiye and Syria. Canada will be providing humanitarian assistance and IRCC stands ready to prioritize temporary and PR applications for those in the region.
February 24th marked the 1 year anniversary of the unjust invasion of the war in Ukraine. Since February 2022, our government has provided $5 billion dollars in humanitarian, military and other support aids. Canada will continue to support Ukrainians for as long as necessary.
As we move into March, we get closer to the beginning of tax season. My office is pleased to once again offer our annual Free Tax Clinic for residents of Burlington with a modest tax income. Please read below to find out more information on the clinic, beginning March 2nd both virtually and in-person.
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