| Dear friends,
It's been a busy May on Parliament Hill and at home here in Burlington!
This month, the Cost of Living Act received Royal Assent, meaning that Canadians will be receiving the new Grocery Rebate, starting July 5th.
Our government has also finalized agreements with Visa and Mastercard to lower credit card transaction fees for small businesses. These reductions are expected to save Canadian small businesses about $1 billion over the next 5 years.
As the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, I launched the Social Finance Fund earlier last week. The Social Finance Fund will help social purpose organizations grow, innovate, and enhance their social, economic, and environmental impacts. They will also extend the reach of social finance to underserved populations, sectors, and regions in Canada, including rural and remote communities and the North.
It's no secret that young people's mental health has suffered due to the pandemic. Earlier this month, I announced support for the YMCA of Hamilton Burlington Brantford for their Y Mind and Mind Medicine Programs. These programs provide free services for young people aged 13-30 experiencing mild to moderate anxiety and/or depression. You can learn more about the program here.
At home in Burlington, I had the opportunity to recognize over 50 amazing local volunteers at my annual Volunteer Appreciation Awards Ceremony. I also attended the Burlington Chamber of Commerce's Business Excellence Awards and the Aldershot Community Honour Roll Ceremony. Burlington is no stranger to incredible business and community leaders!
As we look towards the summer, I look forward to seeing you all around the community.
Sincerely, |
© 2026 Karina Gould