As we head into December it is important to acknowledge the progress and sacrifices that businesses and residents continue to make in Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury. We must continue to do our part and follow public health recommendations in order to prevent the spread of the virus. As many are doing holiday shopping let’s also remember to shop local and to treat all front-line workers with respect and be patient as they navigate this busy time of year.

Here is a glimpse of just some of the activities, outreach and work that took place in November.

MP SERRÉ IS WORKING HARD FOR NICKEL BELT – GREATER SUDBURY: 

• Coordination with constituency office staff to remain updated on the local concerns of Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury residents
• MP Serré returns to a Hybrid House of Commons schedule between the riding and in Ottawa
• MP Serré is spearheading a collaborative initiative with his MP colleagues to address the pressing needs of the local and national not-for-profit sector
• MP Serré had calls and meetings with various stakeholders, organizations, businesses and constituents from across Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury
• MP Serré met with representatives of the the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society of Canada to discuss the impact that the pandemic has had on their fundraising and operations
• MP Serré had a meeting regarding the National Housing Strategy and the potential impact for Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury communities with Gary Michalak
• MP Serré met with representatives of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation to hear firsthand from youth delegates and parents about life with type 1 diabetes and discuss how renewed investment in diabetes research can help move beyond insulin to prevention and cures
• MP Serré had meetings with Canada’s Ambassador for Peru His Excellency Ralph Jansen, Peru’s Ambassador to Canada His Excellency Roberto Rodriguez, and Dr. McCormick, President and Chancellor of Huntington University to discuss opportunities and strengthen relations between our countries
• MP Serré participated in Greater Sudbury’s Seniors' Advisory Panel’s meeting to discuss the priorities of seniors and caregivers in the regions
• As a member of the standing committee on Citizenship and Immigration MP Serré invited representatives from Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury to discuss experiences and challenges concerning immigration related to the pandemic. Local witnesses included:
  - Helen Francis, CEO of YMCA North Eastern Ontario
  - President of Laurentian University, Robert Haché,
  - Meredith Armstrong, Acting Director of Greater Sudbury Development Corporation
  - From Collège Boréal:
  Daniel Giroux, President
       Baptiste Alain Bourquadez, Director, Immigration Programs Services
       Marc Despatie, Direction Communications
• MP Serré met with Mike Bellerose, President of CUPE Local 4705 and President of the Sudbury and District Labour Council, Heather Erlen, Staff Representative for the CLC and Rachelle Lacoste, OPSEU 666 Sector 15 Child Treatment Chair to discuss local issues of concern and their priorities such as universal pharmacare, universal childcare and more.
• MP Serré met with Evelyn Dutrisak, Steve Jacques Greater Sudbury General Manager of Community Development and JP Melville of Abbeyfield Canada to discuss possible housing initiatives in the region
• MP Serré welcomed the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health to a virtual roundtable with Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury public health officials and stakeholders to discuss a cohesive approach to handling the pandemic with a focus on the need to collaborate with all levels of government
• MP Serré hosted a townhall with the Honourable Deb Schulte, Minister of Seniors to answer questions, shared challenges and possible solutions to Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury aging populations
• MP Serré participated in a Remembrance Day ceremony at the Royal Canadian Legion - Branch 336 Falconbridge-Garson
• MP Serré participated in a Remembrance Day ceremony at the Royal Canadian Legion Lockerby Legion Branch 564
• MP Serré chaired a Northern Ontario Liberal caucus Zoom call between Northern Ontario ISPs (Internet Service Providers) and the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Gender Equality in regard to the recent launch of the Universal Broadband Fund (UBF) which will improve connectivity in rural communities
• MP Serré had a meeting with Killarney Mayor Nancy Wirtz concerning the Universal Broadband Fund to discuss the program roll out and the need to identify local gaps and encourage partnerships with local ISPs in the area
• MP Serré had a meeting with Mayor of West Nipissing, Joanne Savage concerning the Universal Broadband Fund to discuss the program roll out and the need to identify local gaps and encourage partnerships with local ISPs in the area
• MP Serré met with Mayor Schoppmann of St-Charles concerning the Universal Broadband Fund to discuss the program roll out and the need to identify local gaps and encourage partnerships with local ISPs in the area
• MP Serré met with the Mayor of French River, Gisele Pageau, and members of the municipal council concerning the Universal Broadband Fund to discuss the program roll out and the need to identify local gaps and encourage partnerships with local ISPs in the area
• MP Serré participated in a ParlAmericas meeting with multiple Latin American countries regarding circular economies and how they can improve equity and sustainability for communities
• MP Serré had a meeting with MineConnect President, Paul Bradette and Hard-Line President Walter Siggelkow regarding possible partnerships internationally with potential job creation and economic development opportunities
• MP Serré was invited to participate in the Sudbury East Municipalities group meeting to discuss UBF; and reinforce the need to encourage municipalities to identify the local service gaps and encourage outreach with local ISPs in the area

 Funding opportunities announced that benefit our communities:

• MP Serré announced over $840,000 for climate change adaptation for Northern Ontario Indigenous communities. Find full details
• MP Serré announced Government of Canada investment benefitting Northern Ontario businesses and enabling them to participate in Canada’s longest-running agri-food exhibition the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Full details here.
• MP Serré announced $25,000 through the New Horizons for Seniors program for the purchase of Ipads and televisions for seven long-term care homes across Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury aimed to enable seniors to connect with loved ones. Find details
• MP Serré announced the launch of the Universal Broadband Fund. Find details
• MP Serré announced how Canadian families can benefit from call for proposals to identify innovative early learning and childcare practices. Find details
• MP Serré shared that applications are now open for COVID-19 resilience Infrastructure Stream for Municipalities in Northeastern Ontario. Find details

 Other important news: 

• MP Serré optimistic facing the launch of the Universal Broadband Fund. Read the full statement on the positive benefits project with the launch of this fund
• MP Serré shared the new proposed law to better protect Canadians’ privacy and increase their control over personal information. Find details
  
  

Timely and accurate information on COVID-19 can be found at: 

marcserre.ca
https://mserre.liberal.ca

Government of Canada
https://www.canada.ca/…/d…/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html

Government of Ontario
https://covid-19.ontario.ca/index.html

World Health Organization (WHO)
https://www.who.int/emergen…/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Public Health Sudbury & District
https://www.phsd.ca/health-…/diseases-infections/coronavirus

North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
https://www.myhealthunit.ca/en/health-topics/coronavirus.asp

TIPS ON STAYING SAFE AND HEALTHY

Physical distancing

Things you can do to keep practising physical distancing are:

• avoiding crowded places
• reducing non-essential travel and trips out of your home
• keeping 2 metres away from others when outside of your home
• commuting outside of the busiest hours if you use public transit
• avoiding greetings that include physical contact, such as handshakes
• following your local public health guidance on the number of people that can gather in one place at one time

Continue to practise good hygiene

COVID-19 is a contagious disease. Proper hygiene practices will help lower your chance of getting it or spreading it to others. You should continue to do the following:

• wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol
• cough and sneeze into a tissue or the bend of your arm
• avoid touching your face with unwashed hands
• dispose of used tissues in a lined waste container and then wash your hands

Stay home and away from others if you’re feeling ill

As local governments lift public health measures, you should continue to stay home and away from others if you have symptoms. If you start to develop symptoms of COVID-19, isolate yourself from others and contact your health care provider or local public health authority. Adjust your behaviours and routines based on their advice.

Wear a medical mask if you’re ill and will be in close contact with others or need to go out to access medical care. If a medical mask isn’t available, wear a non-medical mask or cloth face covering.

 
Use of non-medical cloth masks or face coverings in community settings

http://www.phn-rsp.ca/sac-covid-ccs/wearing-masks-community-eng.php