As students, educators and families across Scarborough–Guildwood–Rouge Park begin a new school year, I want to extend my very best wishes for a successful and rewarding year ahead. As we look to the months ahead, our work continues to focus on the priorities that matter most to Canadians: from making life more affordable and strengthening our economy to enhancing public safety and supporting our communities.
Summer Jobs Helping Youth Succeed
This summer, our government delivered up to 100,000 Canada Summer Jobs across the country, including 363 here in our riding. With more opportunities available this year, local youth gained valuable work experience, developed new skills, and connected with employers across a variety of fields.
Investing in Canada’s Food Future
It was a privilege to highlight the National Food Security Strategy right here at our own Malvern Urban Farm. Backed by more than $3 billion in investments over 10 years, this strategy will drive productivity and innovation, support independent grocers, and create greater competition across Canada’s food system to help lower prices for Canadians.
The strategy’s key objectives:
- Spur grocery store competition and create more choice for Canadians
- Boost domestic food production across Canada
- Grow fruits and vegetables year-round
- Cut red tape across the agricultural supply chain
Together, these objectives will help build a stronger, more resilient, and more affordable food system that supports Canadian families, farmers, producers, and local communities.
Working to Protect Black Youth
Protecting vulnerable youth requires collaboration, leadership and action. To advance these efforts, I was proud to host a Community Roundtable on Missing Black Boys. The discussion brought together elected officials, local law enforcement, and community leaders to examine this issue, including the role that criminal networks, gang grooming, and human trafficking play in exploiting vulnerable youth. Participants shared perspectives on current efforts, identified gaps, and explored opportunities for stronger collaboration to better protect young people and support affected families and communities.
We must continue to strengthen partnerships, listen to the voices of affected communities, and work collaboratively to prevent exploitation, disrupt criminal networks, and ensure every young person is safe, supported, and given the opportunity to thrive.
Strengthening Public Safety
Over the past year, our federal government has prioritized community safety. Key initiatives include:
Bill C-12 – Strengthening Canada’s border security.
Bill C-8 – Protecting Canada’s critical infrastructure.
Bill C-14 – Delivering comprehensive bail and sentencing reform.
Bill C-16 – Supporting victims by recognizing femicide as a standalone criminal offence and strengthening protections against gender-based and intimate partner violence.
Bill C-9 – Protecting places of worship and community gathering spaces, particularly for minority communities.
Bill C-22 – Providing law enforcement with the modern lawful access tools needed to investigate serious crime.
Bill C-34 – Enhancing online safety and strengthening protections for children and youth under the age of 16.
Collectively, these bills strengthen Canada’s public safety framework and deliver meaningful protections for Canadians.
I remain committed to working on behalf of the residents of Scarborough–Guildwood–Rouge Park. Together, we will continue building a safer, stronger, and more affordable future for our community and for Canadians across the country.