Helping foreign-trained health care workers a priority
I hope everyone had a fantastic summer and spent quality time with family and friends. This summer was especially exciting with the return of in-person events celebrating our many neighbourhoods, traditions, and rich cultures.
It was great talking to so many of you and hearing your thoughtful feedback on issues that matter to so many Canadians. I will take this to heart as I return to Ottawa for the upcoming Parliamentary session.
Supporting Canadian Health Care
Our health care workers need tangible support to continue providing quality care. That is why we will continue working with provinces and territories to help clear backlogs, address staff shortages, invest in mental health, and ensure medical staff have both the time and resources they need to help their patients.
To accomplish this, this year’s Canada Health Transfer will be 4.8 percent more than the 2021-22 baseline, totalling $45.2 billion. This will be in addition to the one-time top-up of $2 billion to help clear pandemic-related backlogs.
To address the shortage of healthcare workers, we will expand the Foreign Credential Recognition Program to annually help 11,000 internationally-trained health care professionals find work in their field, and raise the maximum amount of forgivable Canada Student Loans for doctors and nurses in rural or remote communities.
More help for Workers and Families
With the rising cost of living, we know that affordability is the number one priority for many Canadians. That is why we are increasing the Canada Workers Benefit and the Canada Child Benefit:
Every year, the Canada Workers Benefit helps make life more affordable for low-wage workers. These increases will benefit an estimated 3 million Canadians, with eligible workers getting up to $1,200 more and eligible couples getting up to $2,400 more this year alone.
Since its implementation in 2016, the Canada Child Benefit has greatly helped families and helped lift nearly 435,000 children out of poverty. With this year’s increase, eligible families can receive up to $6,997 per child under the age of 6 and $5,903 per child age 6 through 17.
Keeping our Communities Safe
Last month, our government introduced a temporary ban on handgun imports, which came into effect on August 19. With gun violence on the rise, this ban will last until the national freeze on handguns begins with the passage of Bill C-21. While no single program can prevent all gun violence, this measure will keep handguns off our streets, make our communities safer, and save lives.
It is equally important to stop gun violence before it starts by investing in crime prevention and programs to help young people and communities succeed. This was a key focus in my discussion with Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino, Mayor John Tory, and community partners earlier in the year. To break the cycle of gun violence, the Building Safer Communities Fund will allocate $12.3 million to Toronto to fund community-led initiatives combatting gun and gang violence among at-risk children, youth, and young adults.
Connect with Us:
I wish everyone the best as they return to school, work, or take on new endeavours in the fall. As always, my team and I are happy to hear your thoughts, answer any questions, and assist you with any federal matters. You can contact my office at 416-283-1414 or Gary.Anand@parl.gc.ca