April was filled with positive funding announcements and new opportunities for Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury. Please note constituency office staff are facing a higher demand for passport application reviewal appointments. A reminder that Nickel Belt constituency offices are unable to expedite any passport applications. Please see the final section of this newsletter for full details.

Here is a glimpse at some of what took place in April:

Press releases, funding and engagement opportunities

• Cambrian College receives $350,000 boost from National Science and Engineering Research Council
• MP Serré shares that Call for Proposals being accepted for the Social Development Partnership Program – Disability Component
• MP Serré expresses confidence in Budget 2022
• MP Serré shares that the Addressing Racism and Discrimination in Canada’s Health Systems Program is accepting Calls for Proposals
• MP Serré shares that the Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities Initiative is open to applicants
• Federal Canadian Minerals and Metals Plan still essential in supporting growth for Northern Ontario’s mining sector
• MP Serré announces funding in 3 Nickel Belt communities for water infrastructure
• MP Serré announces $15.5 million in funding to bring high-speed Internet access to Northern Ontario
• The Government of Canada provides nearly $1.9 million to the University of Sudbury
  
  

Multimedia

• MP Serré shared remarks on the International Day of Mourning in support of the Sudbury District Labour Council

Community engagement

• MP Serré is participating in both in person and Hybrid format of the Parliamentary Session
• MP Serré participated in various caucus and committee meetings including the National, Indigenous, Natural Resources and Status of Women committees, Joint Interparliamentary Council (JIC) 
• MP Serré continued his Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages functions and duties to protect and advance minority languages in the country
• MP Serré spoke to Bela Ravi to discuss culturally sensitive mental health support needs for immigrants, students and families settling into our region
• MP Serré had a virtual meeting with Undergraduates of Canadian Research-Intensive Universities (UCRU)

• MP Sérre met with colleagues regarding the Junction East Project advancements

• MP Serré welcomed the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages for a visit to Nickel Belt which included a funding announcement in support of the University of Sudbury, a visit to Collège Boreal and opening celebration at la Place des
• MP Serré met with Mr. Mark Gobbo, President, Sudbury Fire Fighters IAFF Local 527 concerning Bill C-224, A Framework for Action on Occupational Cancer in Professional Fire Fighters, and deterring on-duty assaults against fire fighters and paramedics
• MP Serré met with representatives from Métis Nation of Ontario
• MP Serré met with Tonia Occhionero, Executive Director at Canadian Association of Midwives on Federal support midwifery excellence and their essential work

Special passport information:

Please note the Nickel Belt constituency office is facing a very high demand for passport application appointments. It is important to note we are not able to expedite any passport requests. Please call our office to book an appointment if you wish to have your passport application reviewed, 1-800-267-4829.

Or you can visit Service Canada locations below. General processing times are currently taking approximately 9 weeks however that is not guaranteed. Special note, Passport applications cannot be submitted online.

• Service Canada 30 Front St. Sturgeon Falls Tuesdays 9am to 2pm (closed from 12:00pm to 12:30pm)
• Service Canada 19 Lisgar Street, Main Floor Sudbury, Ontario
• Service Canada Place 107 Shirreff Avenue, Suite 102 North Bay, Ontario

Service Canada offices across the country are experiencing a very high volume of passport applications which has affected the processing times. If you have submitted an application you may check the status of your application online at: https://secure.cic.gc.ca/rs-vd/stat-eng.aspx  

Find full details on renewals, simplified applications, and children’s passports at: https://www.canada.ca/.../services/canadian-passports.html  

If you submitted your application and are under 14 days away from your travel date you should check the status of your application https://secure.cic.gc.ca/rs-vd/stat-eng.aspx as you may need to request to have your application transferred to a passport issuing office by calling: 1-800-567-6868.

For Canadians who have not yet submitted a passport request and are traveling within 9 weeks they should visit the nearest Service Canada Centre – Passport Service office for service. Proof of urgency is required in these cases.

Canadians with no imminent travel or travel of 9 weeks or more can apply by visiting any of over 300 Service Canada Centres. Service Canada encourages Canadians to make sure they have their passport before making travel commitments and to apply a minimum of 3-4 months in advance. NOTE: processing time is not guaranteed.  

Please note:

The Sturgeon Falls Constituency office at 94 King Street remains closed at this time. Constituents may call the toll-free number 1-800-267-4829 for inquiries related to Federal government departments and agencies.