Dear Nickel Belt-Greater Sudbury,

Tax season is just around the corner! Everyone should file their taxes without delay before the April 30th deadline to receive the credits and benefits they may be entitled to and to also avoid late fees.

For example, the quarterly issued carbon pricing rebate, is for all taxpayers regardless of income. It is a tax-free benefit to offset the cost of the federal pollution pricing. The first payment went out on January 15th, and the next will be paid on April 15^th.

Annual payments for a family of 4 in Ontario is $976, a couple $732 and $488 for 1 adult living alone. The amounts are broken down into 4 payments a year.

See the free upcoming tax clinic taking place on March 19^th 2024 in Sturgeon Falls for eligible individuals or visit the United Way’s website https://uwcneo.com/our-work/partnerships-programs-initiatives/community-volunteer-income-tax-program or the Sudbury Community Service Centre website  Home Page (sudburycommunityservicecentre.ca) for more clinic dates and locations.

Press Releases and funding opportunities

• Unsheltered Homeless in Sudbury get a boost from Federal Government
• Over 1000 electric vehicles on the road in Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury
• Pre-budget 2024 consultations are underway
• 2024 Federal benefits and payments calendar
• Nickel Belt residents received their first pollution pricing rebate of the year
• Federal Government continues to support Northern Ontario’s strong mining sector
• Drop-in Resource Centre Hours Extended (Federal Funding Top-up)
• Député Serré annonce 40 bourses en enseignement d’une valeur allant jusqu'à 30 000 $ chacune (French only)

Community Engagement

• MP Serré stood in the House of Commons to give a declaration on the upcoming tax season and to provide valuable information to constituents, see video here:  https://fb.watch/pY_RGQhWQN/  
• MP Serré opened the Association for Mineral Exploration (AME) Conference on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
• MP Serré met with various stakeholders, prospectors, Indigenous groups, governments, and individuals from the mining service and supply sector at the AME conference including several Northern Ontario representatives
• MP Serré attended the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce event where Jeremy Tessier, Specialist, Client Relations, with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation gave a presentation on the program and project supports available for applicants such as non-profit groups, private developers, municipalities, Indigenous groups, and more
• MP Serré met with Natural Resources Canada, Deputy Minister, Michael Vandergrift and Susanna Laaksonen-Craig, Provincial Deputy Minister, Ministry of Mines concerning priorities and mining projects in Northern Ontario
• MP Serré met with Serge Miville, President and Vice-chancellor of the University of Sudbury on various topics
• MP Serré met with Al Douglas, President Climate Risk Institute, concerning various environmental projects in Nickel Belt- Greater Sudbury
• MP Serré met with Cambrian College President Kristine Morrissey and Shawn Poland Vice-President of college advancement to discuss new regulatory changes facing international students
• MP Serré met with Douglas Morrison and Chamirai Nyabeze from CEMI (Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation), concerning various mining topics
• MP Serré attended the National Liberal Caucus winter retreat to discuss top of mind priorities and find solutions to keep delivering for the people of Nickel Belt
• MP Serré met with Daniel Giroux et Marc Despatie of Collège Boréal to discuss official languages and the new regulatory changes facing international students
• MP Serré continues to perform his parliamentary duties and parliamentary secretary duties for both his Official Languages role and his Energy and Natural Resources role
• MP Serré continues to meet with staff in his constituency office, residents, stakeholders, municipal leaders, Indigenous communities, non-profit organizations, local entrepreneurs and more, to take the pulse of the priorities of the region.
• MP Serré continues his role as president of the Canadian section of ParlAmericas- which includes meetings with Ambassadors from Latin American countries and the Caribbean to exchange ideas on democratic processes and best practices in multiple sectors including mining

Passport Information

Here’s what you need to know about passports and travelling abroad.

How to apply for an adult passport in Canada
Global affairs Canada - Information by country and territory

• You can call our office at 1-800-267-4829 to book an appointment to have your passport reviewed in Val Caron or Sturgeon Falls.
• Reviewed passports are sent out for processing once a week on Thursdays.
• The average processing time to receive your passport is approximately 5-6 weeks.
• We encourage constituents to apply for their passport  their scheduled trip in case of any delays.
• Alternatively, constituents can visit Service Canada 19 Lisgar Street, in Greater Sudbury for 10 day (+shipping) expedited service. Please note we have received feedback of long wait times for in person services at this location.
• You can also visit the Sturgeon Falls Service Canada Office 225 Holditch Street in the Jean-Jacques Blais Building for regular processing – open Tuesdays 10am to 3pm. (Closed between 12-12:30)

Income tax season additional information

• Ways to do your taxes - Personal income tax - Canada.ca