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Dear Nickel Belt-Greater Sudbury,

After extensive consultations, letters of concerns and, calls to action a decision has been made concerning the Nickel Belt electoral boundaries change. You might be wondering what this means for you.

Firstly, the Nickel Belt riding has been renamed Sudbury East-Manitoulin-Nickel Belt. The changes are brought forth through the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act which creates an independent non-partisan process for the review and, if necessary, revision of the federal electoral map following the most recent decennial Census.

Some Nickel Belt communities such as Garson, Wahnapitae, Skead, and Coniston for example, will now be part of the Sudbury riding. Other areas like Manitoulin Island and Espanola will become part of the newly formed Sudbury East-Manitoulin-Nickel Belt riding.

I do appreciate the Commission was tasked with a big undertaking during the review process. It is very unfortunate that Northern Ontario will lose one riding. This will surely precipitate unintended consequences, leading to gaps in service for rural residents. With that in mind, my team and I have hit the ground running to ensure we learn the dynamic of the new Sudbury East-Manitoulin-Nickel Belt boundaries and I will do by best to ensure constituents will be informed and find connections to Federal Government services and agencies. Read my letter from August 2022 on the matter here.

If you are interested in learning more about electoral boundaries changes locally and across the province please visit: https://redecoupage-redistribution-2022.ca/com/on/med/jul2023_e.aspx

Press Releases and funding opportunities

• Government of Canada empowers seniors in Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury through community-based projects
• Housing Accelerator Fund now accepting applications
• Consultations underway regarding the national autism strategy
• Funding available through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) Grant
• FedNor invests $100,000 to help modernize and expand the Temagami Outpost in Markstay-Warren
• Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Program (SIP) application period now open
• Safe Long-Term Care Act consultations ongoing

Community Engagement

• MP Serré participated in the 3^rd annual Gaetan Serré butterfly release fundraiser in support of West Nipissing’s Horizon Centre for Women
• MP Serré visited Killarney where he met Canada Summer Jobs students at Killarney Provincial Park, and learned more about the electric vehicle charger at Killarney Outfitters
• MP Serré met with a representative from Vale to discuss business development and the 2023 Federal Budget
• MP Serré met with 64 students from across Canada participating in the SHAD program to expand their entrepreneurial and STEM skills
• MP Serré continues to meet with his constituency office staff, residents, stakeholders, municipal leaders, Indigenous communities, not-for-profit, local entrepreneurs and more, to keep the pulse on the priorities in the region
• Marc continues his role as Chair of the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas
• Marc continues his role as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages

Need to know where to address a concern?  

There are three main levels of government in Nickel Belt- Federal, Provincial and Municipal. Each has their own set of responsibilities and limitations based on electoral jurisdiction. There is also First Nations governance and those are band councils- they are similar to municipal governments.

Find out what each level of government is responsible for: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/learn-about-canada/governement.html

Levels of Government game- test your knowledge!: https://www.ola.org/en/visit-learn/teach-learn-play/games/levels-government

Nickel Belt government information:

• MP Marc G. Serré 1-800-267-4829
• MPP France Gélinas 1-705-969-3621
• MPP John Vanthof 1-705-753-0200
• City of Greater Sudbury 3-1-1
• Municipality of West Nipissing 705-753-2250
• Municipality of St.-Charles 705-867-2032
• Municipality of French River 705-898-2294
• Municipality of Killarney 705-287-2424
• Municipality of Markstay-Warren 705-853-4536
• Wahnapitae First Nation 705-858-0610
• Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation 705-692-3651
• Mattagami First Nation 705-894-2072

Not sure who your MPP (Member of Provincial Parliament) is? Find out here: Members | Legislative Assembly of Ontario (ola.org)

Not sure who your MP (Member of Parliament Federal) is? Find out here: Find Members of Parliament - Members of Parliament - House of Commons of Canada (ourcommons.ca)

In the Media

Prime Minister Trudeau announces a Ministerial Cabinet shuffle.
Find more information on new appointees here: https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2023/07/26/prime-minister-announces-changes-ministry?fbclid=IwAR1Ys0QMm4JgEMuP1AE_ROsAb-kOASNtFq_HPILOIYh3fdfQQHcKwavBYxU