A message from our Delta MP - Hon. Carla Qualtrough

The holidays are here and with them a time of renewed hope and optimism. As the Member of Parliament for Delta, I have seen kindness, generosity and support for one another like never before during this pandemic. As we look to 2021, we know that better days are coming.

There are no greater heroes in this pandemic than our frontline healthcare workers and other essential workers. You have kept our community safe, fed our families, and supported our most vulnerable citizens. We are forever grateful.

Our federal emergency response measures have supported families, small businesses, young people, persons with disabilities and seniors. In fact, 8 of every 10 dollars spent in Canada to fight COVID-19 and support Canadians have been spent by the federal government. These are the programs you relied on to get through this crisis: to help you put food on the table, afford your rent, save your small business, or keep your job.   

We have also been working hard on the public health response. To date, we have secured billions of pieces of personal protective equipment and tens of millions of rapid test kits. We have signed deals for hundreds of millions of doses of the seven leading vaccine candidates, with Canada now having the most diverse vaccine portfolio of any country. Health Canada has approved the first vaccine, which has arrived in Canada. Canadians are being vaccinated.   

While this is great news, we must continue to follow public health guidance, by wearing masks, washing our hands, and sticking to our households. We do this to thank our frontline workers and protect our seniors. 

Our support will continue. A few weeks ago Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland outlined our priorities moving forward in the Fall Economic Statement. These include helping families with young children by temporarily boosting the Canada Child Benefit up to $ 1,200 in 2021 per child under six. For young Canadians, we are eliminating interest on Canada Student Loans for a year. For small businesses and workers, we are increasing the rate of the wage subsidy. To help provinces and territories protect residents in long-term care and support infection prevention and control, we are investing up to $ 1 billion for a Safe Long-term Care Fund. We are also investing in climate action and in support of hard-hit industries like tourism.

Although we are in for a challenging winter, there is an end to this crisis in sight. Know that my team and I are here to support you in any way we can.

Happy holidays! Please stay safe.

-Carla Qualtrough