April was a whirlwind month in Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury. Thanks to the hard work of essential workers and residents Sudbury Public Health and District announced that we surpassed over 75,000 administered vaccines in the region and the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (serving the West Nipissing region,) had the lowest case rate in all of Ontario from April 17 to 23. These are positive advancements we should celebrate!

We are still facing many challenges related to the pandemic and our community is collectively mourning the cuts at our cherished Laurentian University. I am committed to working hard and play a supporting role in all transitions and challenges that face the businesses, livelihoods and people of this riding. As newly appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and confirmed nominee for as a Federal Liberal Nickel Belt candidate I look forward to the opportunities ahead and my focus remains on the local task at hand- delivering more results and ensuring we capitalize on the great plan proposed by Budget 2021, prioritizing the health and wellbeing of residents and moving towards an even brighter horizon for all.

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 participates in a Hybrid House of Commons schedule between the riding and in Ottawa
• MP Serré performs all Parliamentary Secretary (PS) duties outlined by the Minister of Natural Resourses, the Honourable Seamus O’Regan and his team
• MP Serré works on 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 members of the Canadian Association of University Teachers in regards to matters concerning Laurentian University
• MP Serré, in his role as PS participated in a virtual fireside chat with CleanTech Alliance Canada to discuss environmental sustainability in Canada and investments in green tech
• MP Serré met with representatives of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers concerning the strains of the pandemic on public services and infrastructure
• MP Serré met with the Director of the Centre de Santé du Grand Sudbury, Denis Constantineau and Denise Truax, Co-Director of the Centre de santé and Director of “l’Edition Prise de Parole” concerning access to francophone education in Northern Ontario
• MP Serré met with local representatives of Vale to discuss mining sustainability, an overview of current operations and their plans to produce battery-grade Nickel in Canada
• MP Serré met with Metis Nipissing Families group to discuss métis specific issues facing local community members
• MP Serré met with Stephen Jacques, General Manager of Community Development at the City of Greater Sudbury to discuss the Federal rapid housing program
• MP Serré met with Helen Francis, CEO & President YMCA of Northeastern Ontario & Timminsregarding not-for-profit and charitable sector funding outline in Budget 2021
• MP Serré stood in the House of Commons to recognize the positive impacts of the New Horizons program in Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury and to congratulate 9 new funding recipients
• MP Serré supported the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Family, Children and Social Development for a housing funding announcement benefiting the Kenora region
• MP Serré participated in caucus calls with Minister Joly regarding Franco-ontarian post-secondary institutions
• MP Serré participated in an early learning and childcare roundtable with Northern Ontario representatives including Minister of Health, the Honourable Patty Hadju
• MP Serré met with representatives of l’Assemblée de la Francophonie de l’Ontario on matters related to Laurentian University
• MP Serré met with the Director of Science North Guy Labine to learn more about the GoDeeper project at Dynamic Earth
• MP Serré participated in the Citizens Climate Lobby International Earth Day event
• MP Serré met with CEMI representatives to learn more about their ongoing projects and future development plans
• MP Serré along with colleague Paul Lefebvre, MP for Sudbury participated in the joint Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce President Series luncheon to discuss Budget 2021
• MP Serré met with representatives from “l’Association des colleges et des universités de la francophonie canadienne” regarding francophone postsecondary education in a minority setting
• MP Serré received his first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and encourages all eligible individuals to book their appointment today

Funding opportunities announced that benefit our communities:

• MP Serré announced $161,891 for community infrastructure in St.-Charles. Read the full details here.
• MP Serré announces nearly $150,000 for community-based projects supporting seniors in Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury. Read the full details here.
• MP Serré announces $1.6 million for business development and growth in the Sudbury East and West Nipissing regions. Read the full details here.
• MP Serré announced $1,575,379 for Long-Term Care in Greater Sudbury and Nickel Belt. Read the full details here.
• MP Serré announces $875,000 through the Indigenous Community Support Fund (ICSF) to support Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, Mattagami First Nation and Wahnapitae First Nation. Full details here.
• MP Serré shares Government of Canada supports cleaner, healthier classrooms by reinvesting carbon pollution pricing revenues with more than $830,000 for schools in Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury. Read full details here.
• MP Serré announces more than $840,000 for healthier schools in Nickel Belt and Nipissing-Timiskaming through the redistribution of carbon pollution pricing. Read the full details here.

Other important news:

• MP Serré shares highlights of Budget 2021 that can benefit Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury residents and businesses. Read the full letter here.

Timely and accurate information on COVID-19 and vaccines 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 practicing 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

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

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