2021 is well underway and there is a renewed sense of optimism that with vaccinations starting in Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury and the number of cases on the decline in Ontario that our hard work and sacrifices are paying off. To continue building upon this positive momentum, we must keep following public health measures and assuming our role in preventing the spread of COVID-19. Thank you to everyone making a difference in our communities and please ensure to take care of your mental and physical health.

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

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 stood in the House of Commons for a speech regarding the Fall Economic Statement and Bill C-14 to highlight the many supports made available to residents and businesses of Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury. The video can be viewed here.
• MP Serré stood in the House of Commons to highlight the importance of taking care of your mental health and reaching out even when it is difficult to do so. The video can be viewed here.
• MP Serré along with Dr Kevin McCormick, President of Huntington University, honoured His Excellency Roberto Rodríguez Arnillas, Ambassador of Peru to Canada as the inaugural recipient of a Distinguished Fellowship from thePeruvian Canadian Institute.
• MP Serré met with representatives from the office of the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development to discuss housing opportunities initiatives in partnership with Abbeyfield to benefit Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury communities.
• MP Serré held a meeting with the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Labour to further advocate and discuss the concerns of local building trade unions in Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury.
• MP Serré with his colleague MP Lefebvre met with the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation to discuss the city’s economic recovery and development plan with a focus on green sustainability
• MP Serré met with representatives from Xplornet to discuss project expansion ideas to make affordable and reliable broadband available to businesses and individuals across the Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury riding.
• MP Serré met with Ward 9 Greater Sudbury councilor Deb McIntosh to discuss priorities in communities such as Coniston, Wahnapitae, Wanup and the South End of Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury.
• MP Serré join local youth and participated in a Fridays for Future Sudbury rally to welcome the United States back to the Paris Accord.

Funding opportunities announced that benefit our communities:

• MP Serré announced nearly $270,000 to bring highspeed internet to Wahnapitae First Nation. Read the full announcement here.
• MP Serré announced $500,000 to help Flosonics Medical develop the IT infrastructure required to commercially roll out its FDA-cleared FloPatch medical device. Read the full details here.
• MP Serré announced nearly $50,000 in funding to support 5 local Royal Canadian Legion Branches in Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury. Read the full details here.

Other important news: 

• MP Serré shared his comments “Helping Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury seniors.” Read the full Letter to the Editor here. 
• MP Serré along with partner Northern Policy Institute held the first annual Circular Economy Symposium to evaluate how Northern Ontario can become its own supply chain. Read the full 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

Practice 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