A message from our Member of Parliament, the Honourable Mona Fortier

By the Honourable Mona Fortier

Spring is finally settling into our neighbourhood. As the days grow brighter, many families in Lowertown continue to feel the very real effects of rising living costs, housing pressures, and economic uncertainty. After one year in office, the government led by Prime Minister Mark Carney is now a majority government and fully committed to taking action to improve the situation – here at home, in our community.

In Lowertown, these challenges are part of everyday life: grocery prices strain household budgets, rents continue to rise, and local businesses are adapting to an unstable global environment. That is why the government is working actively to diversify markets and trade partnerships, reducing our dependence on a limited number of trading relationships, and making our economy more resilient. This diversification is essential to protect jobs, support local businesses, and strengthen the economic vitality of neighbourhoods like ours.

Across Canada, much work remains to improve affordability. Since the start of his mandate, the Prime Minister has announced several concrete measures to support households. As of July 1, 2025, taxes for 22 million middle-class Canadians have been reduced through a cut to the lowest personal income tax rate, from 15% to 14%. This represents savings of up to $420 per person and $840 per year for a two-income household – a tangible benefit for many Lowertown families.

To help ease transportation costs, the Prime Minister also announced a temporary suspension of the federal excise tax on gasoline, unleaded aviation gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuel, from April 20 to
September 7. This measure is intended to lower costs directly at the pump and support the well-being of Canadians throughout the summer months.

At the same time, the federal carbon tax was eliminated on April 1, 2025, resulting in a reduction of approximately 18 cents per litre in most provinces and territories, helping to ease inflationary pressures and reduce everyday household expenses.

Housing remains a major concern. The elimination of the GST for first-time homebuyers purchasing homes valued at up to $1 million, as well as the partial rebate for homes priced between $1 million and $1.5 million, will help young families and first-time buyers in Lowertown access homeownership.

To support families facing higher food costs, the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit will provide up to $1,890 this year for a family of four, along with continued annual support in the years
ahead. More than 12 million Canadians will benefit from this measure.

The National School Food Program, now permanent, will allow up to 400,000 children to receive nutritious meals each year, representing savings of approximately $800 annually for families with two children in school – a meaningful impact in our neighbourhood.

To support youth employment, the Canada Summer Jobs program will create 100,000 jobs across the country. In Ottawa-Vanier-Gloucester alone, this represents 540 jobs with 167 employers, offering young people valuable opportunities to gain experience and build skills.

Finally, Ottawa-Vanier-Gloucester will benefit from funding provided to 18 community organizations through the New Horizons for Seniors Program, supporting essential local initiatives that combat
social isolation and strengthen community ties, including here in Lowertown.

As always, my team and I remain available at 613-998-1860 or by email at mona.fortier@parl.gc.ca.