Advancing affordability solutions
While the Prime Minister finally announced his intent to resign earlier this month, none of this political upheaval changes the fact that folks across our community have long been feeling the effects of the rapidly rising costs of day-to-day essentials. It’s why I have, and will continue to, present affordability measures that will help folks […]
A new idea to address the housing crisis
It’s not rocket science – federal affordable housing funding should be going to building housing that moderate and lower income folks in our community can afford. Because while rents have skyrocketed – rather than using Canada’s established definition of housing affordability – federal affordable housing programs continue to use criteria that are out of touch with […]
Six calls from our community ahead of the Fall Economic Statement
While the federal government’s upcoming Fall Economic Statement is not a full budget, it’s still an important opportunity for needed investments into some of the most pressing issues facing Waterloo Region. It’s with this in mind that I’ve been amplifying six calls from our community, along with proposals to pay for them, that would be […]
Addressing our community’s priorities
Last month, I shared the priorities I heard from our community this summer. Today, I’d like to report back to you how I’ve been addressing each in the weeks since Parliament has resumed. This summer I held a townhall on the Canada Disability Benefit at KW AccessAbility, where I promised that I would share our […]
Back to Parliament priorities
From connecting at community events to chats on your doorsteps – all throughout the summer, I’ve been grateful to hear from so many of you about your most pressing concerns. This has included everything from ensuring essentials – like housing – are affordable, to protecting our children’s future, to pushing the Liberal government to keep […]
Stopping the erosion of affordable housing
The housing crisis is impacting Canadians across the country, but it is hitting folks in our community particularly hard. As part of the solution, I’ve been advocating for sustained, direct investments to at minimum double the supply of affordable housing – which would still only move us into the middle of the pack when compared […]
Accountability on two-way all-day GO trains
It has now been over a decade since two-way all-day GO train service from Kitchener to Toronto was first promised to our community. In the time since, in addition to provincial funds for the project, the federal government has contributed three quarter of a billion dollars, 40% of costs, to help make it happen. Yet […]
What the 2024 budget means for Kitchener Centre
On the heels of last month’s federal budget, this month I’d love to share with you my take on what it means for our community. On the whole: while there are some positives to be found in it, the bulk of the budget includes half-measures that seem to be more about checking political boxes than […]
Advancing equity in federal arts funding
For years, artists, creatives and arts organizations have been telling us there are massive inequities in how federal arts funding is distributed. And they’re right. In fact, in 2023 alone, our region faced a $9.3 million federal funding shortfall when compared to regions like Montreal, Winnipeg, and Vancouver – because while those regions receive an […]
Advocating for our community’s priorities ahead of the 2024 budget
Parliament is sitting once again, and I’m glad to be back in Ottawa making the most of every opportunity to advocate for our community’s priorities. With the 2024 Federal Budget around the corner, my team and I have been calling on the government to include a variety of critical measures. Today, I’d like to share […]