Newsletter - nov. 25, 2022
As Russia continues its brutal, unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine, Canada will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Ukrainian people.
On November 14th, we announced that Canada will provide $500 million in additional military assistance for Ukraine. This brings our total military aid commitment to over $1 billion since February, and will go toward military, surveillance, and communications equipment, fuel, and medical supplies. As well, we announced that Canada will extend its training mission for Ukrainians in the United Kingdom under Operation UNIFIER through the end of 2023.
On November 16th, I announced further details of Canada’s latest tranche of military support for Ukraine. Canada will provide approximately $34 million in additional military aid to Ukraine, including:
approximately $5 million to continue providing critical satellite imagery to the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU);
more than $18 million for additional, high-resolution drone cameras; and,
up to $10 million to provide additional winter gear to support the AFU, including portable heaters, thermal blankets and sleeping bags sourced from Canadian companies through the Canadian Commercial Corporation.
Canada’s commitment to providing Ukraine with comprehensive military aid is unwavering. Our Canadian Armed Forces continue to transport Ukraine-bound military aid and train Ukrainian soldiers under Operation UNIFIER. We stand with Ukraine – now, and for as long as it takes.
Halifax International Security Forum
Last weekend, I had the pleasure of co-hosting the 14th annual Halifax International Security Forum. The Forum brought together decision-makers, military leaders, academics, and industry to address defence and security challenges including climate change, food security, energy, technology, disinformation, as well as the future of democracy and support for Ukraine.
There, I called on like-minded nations to protect international peace, stability, and freedom via a strong commitment to multilateralism. I also highlighted Canada’s upcoming Indo-Pacific Strategy and Canada’s ongoing work, in collaboration with the United States, to bolster continental defence through NORAD modernization.
We cannot take liberal democracy for granted. And as we work together to defend the values that we hold dear, Canada is here as a friend, ally and partner.
NATO DIANA Proposal
Last week, I was pleased to annouce that Canada is proposing the Halifax Regional Municipality to host the North American Regional Office of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA). NATO DIANA is a crucial initiative that will solve critical defence and security problems facing the NATO Alliance by facilitating cooperation between military operators and the Alliance’s best and brightest start-ups.
As the home to several major universities and research centres, hundreds of science and technology start-ups and Canada’s Atlantic naval fleet, Halifax is well-positioned to support DIANA. Canada embraces our important role as a NATO Ally and will continue to take a leadership role within the Alliance to strengthen our collective security.
Oakville Town Council Inauguration
Earlier this week, I was honoured to address Oakville’s Town Council for the first time at its inauguration. In this increasingly dark world, it is crucial that we take moments like this to celebrate our democratic process, and our increasingly diverse representation. Congratulations to our new Town Council!
Hometown Games
Recently, I had the pleasure of joining Special Olympics Ontario to open their Hometown Games bowling tournament at Hopedale Bowl! So wonderful to see so many athletes getting back into the game. Many thanks to James Montague for his tireless advocacy and fundraising efforts to support our Oakville community.
Our government is continuing to invest in Special Olympics Canada to support Special Olympics athletes across the country. Recently, Budget 2022 provided $1.8 million in ongoing funding as an extension to the $16 million invested through Budget 2018. This funding is supporting over 45,000 children, youth and adults through its strong network of 21,000 volunteers.
Oakville Youth Council
On November 21st, I was so pleased to meet with my Oakville youth council. It is incredibly important to hear the perspectives of our youth and I am always impressed by their insights. Looking forward to our next meeting!
Permanently Eliminating Interest on Student Loans
With life becoming more expensive for many recent graduates, we are taking new, permanent steps to reduce the burden of student loans on young Canadians so they can invest in building their futures. The 2022 Fall Economic Statement proposes to make all Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans permanently interest-free, including those currently being repaid, beginning on April 1, 2023.
Half of all post-secondary students in Canada rely on student loans to help them afford the cost of tuition and essentials during their studies. An average student loan borrower will save $410 per year as a result of their loan being interest-free. This will benefit over 1 million student loan borrowers and save an average borrower more than $3,000 over the lifetime of their loan.
Launching Canada's National Adaption Strategy
As Canadians feel the impacts of climate change – from extreme heat and wildfires to floods and storms – this is the moment to build resilient communities for a strong economy. That's why we are launching Canada’s first-ever National Adaptation Strategy help protect communities from coast to coast to coast, with $1.6 billion in new investments and 84 focus actions.
Taking measures to adapt will save lives, avoid damage to communities, reduce economic shocks to supply chains, and spur innovative technologies and jobs. In fact, every dollar invested in prevention and preparation can save up to 15 dollars in costs. Adapting to climate change requires all orders of government, the private sector, and Canadians to work together to build resilient communities and a stronger economy, to ensure Canadians continue to thrive into the future.
Ukraine Sovereignty Bond
To offer Canadians an opportunity to directly support Ukraine, we have annouced that we will be issuing a $500-million, 5-year Ukraine Sovereignty Bond.
Canadians interested in purchasing the Ukraine Sovereignty Bond should speak to their financial institution. Participating financial institutions are offering the bond for purchase in denominations of $100.
The proceeds will help the Government of Ukraine to continue to operate in the face of Russia's illegal invasion, including by providing essential services to Ukrainians, such as pensions, the purchasing of fuel before winter, and restoring energy infrastructure.
Canadians who purchase the Ukraine Sovereignty Bond will, in effect, be purchasing a regular five-year Government of Canada bond at roughly the current 3.3 per cent rate of return, subject to the market conditions at the time of issuance.
For more information, visit the Ukraine Sovereignty Bond website.