Dear Friends,
This year, Thanksgiving will be different as we celebrate in self-isolation. However, the spirit of Thanksgiving continues to remind us to reach out to those less fortunate – both here in Canada and around the world – and lend a helping hand.
I and my family wish you and your family a joyful and blessed Thanksgiving.
Our constituency office continues to be closed, but our services remain available to you by phone or email.
If you require assistance on matters relating to the federal government or departments (Citizenship and Immigration, Canada Revenue Agency, CPP/OAS), please contact my office by phone at 416-283-1226 or by email at John.McKay.c1@parl.gc.ca. We will return all calls and emails
Citizenship and Immigration is not assisting people via telephone. However they can be reached through their web form.
If this is the first update you have seen, and you would like to be included on all future communications, please click here. |
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Highlights from this issue:
- Response to the Speech from the Throne
- One-Time Disability Payment
- Parents & Grandparents Program
- Emergency Community Support Fund
- Apply Now: New Horizons for Seniors Program
- Outside of Canada Travel Information
- Important Immigration Information
- Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) Salmon Festival
- Rotary Club of Scarborough Tree of Remembrance
- Download the COVID-19 App
- Orange Shirt Day
- Toronto Regional Real Estate Board Meeting
- In the News
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Response to the Speech from the Throne
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I was pleased to virtually deliver my response to the Speech from the Throne. I spoke about relief programs the federal government has implemented so far and the need to establish financial anchor(s). I encourage you to watch my entire speech in the video above.
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One-Time Disability Payment
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On October 30, 2020, approximately 1.6 million eligible people will automatically start receiving the one-time payment.
Many different groups of Canadians will be eligible for this payment, including those who are eligible for the Disability Tax Credit, Canada Pension Plan Disability, a Quebec Pension Plan disability pension, and 7 programs administered by Veterans Affairs Canada.
Seniors with disabilities who were eligible for the one-time seniors payment announced on May 12, 2020 may also be eligible for the one-time payment to persons with disabilities. In cases where they are eligible for both payments, individuals would receive a total amount of $600 as follows:
- $300 for Canadians who are eligible for the Old Age Security pension and who received the one-time seniors payment of $300; or
- $100 for Canadians who are eligible for the Old Age Security pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement or Allowances and who received the one-time senior’s payment of $500.
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Parents and Grandparents Program
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Over a 3-week period, from 12 p.m. EDT on October 13, 2020, to 12 p.m. EST on November 3, 2020, Canadians and permanent residents who wish to sponsor their parents and grandparents to come to Canada will have an opportunity to submit an interest to sponsor form online.
Once the interest to sponsor period ends on November 3, 2020, , Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada will review all submissions and randomize the forms.
There will be 1 round of invitations to apply in 2020, with a maximum of 10,000 applications accepted for processing.
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Emergency Community Support Fund
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On October 5, 2020, the second round of applications for the Emergency Community Support Fund will open through the websites of Community Foundations of Canada, Canadian Red Cross and United Way Centraide Canada.
These three national partners will take a targeted approach to make sure the Emergency Community Support Fund reaches all vulnerable groups in an equitable way.
The first round of funning for the program launched on May 19, 2020. As of September 1st, 2020, $193.4 million has been disbursed, supporting over 7,134 community projects in this time of crisis.
Eligible organizations include those that work with vulnerable groups, including seniors, persons with disabilities, children and youth, women, and members of racialized communities.
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Apply Now: New Horizons for Seniors Program
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The Call for Proposals for community-based programs is now open for 2020–21 through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). This year, organizations will be able to apply for funding to support seniors dealing with the pandemic by submitting project proposals that offer specific COVID-19 relief and recovery activities for seniors. Organizations can still submit proposals for more traditional NHSP projects that they plan to deliver in 2021–22.
Applications close on October 20, 2020.
Learn more and apply here:
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While some countries are preparing to partially open up their borders, the Government of Canada reminds all Canadians that a global travel advisory to avoid all non-essential travel outside Canada remains in effect. Travellers should also avoid all cruise ship travel until further notice.
The restriction on all discretionary travel at the Canada-U.S. border has been extended until October 31st, 2020. This applies to all foreign nationals with some exceptions for immediate family members
*New*: Processes are being introduced to support enhanced family reunification, entry for compassionate reasons, and the safe and gradual entry of some international students.
- Starting on October 8, more information will be available outlining who qualifies under the enhanced family reunification program.
- Starting on October 20, international students, if they will be attending a designated learning institution that has been identified by their provincial or territorial government as having a COVID-19 readiness plan in place are allowed to enter Canada.
Travellers returning to Canada are required to quarantine or self-isolate for 14 days. This is mandatory. For further information and a list of exemptions, consult the Travel restrictions, exemptions, and advice page.
For more travel advice and information, click here.
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Important Immigration Information
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Check out the links below to find out how COVID-19 is affecting TRVs, citizenship applications, passport renewals, and other files:
- Click here to find out how COVID-19 is affecting immigration, refugees, citizenship and passport services:
- Click here for updates on Permanent Residence applications
- Click here for updates on your citizenship application
- Click here for updates from Passport Canada:
- Click here for updates on Refugees, asylum claimants, sponsors and PRRA applications
- Potential travellers who have specific cases can consult with the CBSA's Border Information Services here
- Click here for updates on TRV, student's permit and foreign workers
- Even if you have an approved visitor visa or eTA, you may not be approved to travel at this time or guaranteed entry to Canada.
- As of July 1, 2020, IRCC is processing all online visitor visa and eTA applications, so you can be ready to travel when the restrictions are lifted
- Quarantine requirements
- When visitors arrive in Canada by air, land or sea, border services will assess your health before you leave the port of entry.
- If you're a foreign national, and you have symptoms of COVID-19, you won't be allowed to enter Canada.
- You must have a plan to quarantine for 14 days when you arrive in Canada, including
- A place to stay
- How you'll get to your destination
- How you'll get your groceries
- Accessing essential services and medical care
- This plan is mandatory, even if you have no symptoms.
- If you don't have a plan, you should not travel to Canada. Otherwise, you will not be allowed to enter the country.
- The penalties for not following your quarantine plan once you're in the country can include
- A fine of up to $750,000
- 6 months of jail time
- Being found inadmissible, removed from Canada and banned from entering for 1 year
- Only people who provide essential services, for example truck drivers who regularly cross the border to maintain the flow of goods, are exempt from the quarantine requirements.
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Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) Salmon Festival
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Attending the 8th Annual Salmon Festival at Highland Creek
hosted at Morningside Park with my colleagues MP Gary Anandasangaree and Councillor Paul Ainslie in 2017
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This year, the Salmon Festival at Highland Creek is going virtual! The TRCA has created educational and engaging videos about salmon you can watch at home.
Learn more and participate here:
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Rotary Club of Scarborough Tree of Remembrance
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From December 11th-24th, the Rotary Club of Scarborough is presenting The Rotary Tree of Remembrance at the Church of Holy Trinity. Yellow remembrance ribbons will be available to purchase in Guildwood by Rotarians.
The Remembrance ribbons depict your personalized names and messages honouring the loss of loved ones, remembering loved ones, and giving thanks to the front-line workers who have shown great dedication during COVID-19. All donations to the program will be distributed back into the community.
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Download the COVID-19 App
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The Government of Canada, in collaboration with other orders of government and across sectors, has developed a new voluntary nation-wide mobile app to let users know if they may have been exposed to COVID-19. Tracking the virus is the best way to combat it.
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Learn more about the app and download it here:
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I was pleased to join the Prime Minister and Caucus colleagues for Orange Shirt Day in recognition of the tragic legacy of Residential Schools and to honour the survivors
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Toronto Regional Real Estate Board Meeting
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I had an interesting conversation with representatives from the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board. We discussed the housing situation in Scarborough, green building methods, and the recent investments by the federal government in housing and ending chronic homelessness.
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I invite you to read my most recent interviews here:
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My staff and I are embracing video chatting as we work remotely to continue serving you. You can reach us at 416-283-1226 or john.mckay.c1@parl.gc.ca. If this is the first update you have seen, and you would like to be included on all future communications, please click here. Our office will be closed to until further notice, but our services remain available by phone or email.
Sincerely,
Hon. John McKay, P.C.,
Member of Parliament for Scarborough-Guildwood
To view all previous issues of my email updates, click here
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