Please find below my monthly Coast to Capital submission to The Local Weekly for October 2020:

This challenging year has shown the resilience of Sunshine Coast residents: neighbours helping neighbours; local communities supporting our small businesses that sustain our communities; and front-line workers keeping residents healthy and safe.

The Speech from the Throne laid out the federal government’s plan to continue to support individuals, families, non-profits and businesses while we Build Back Better. Here are the highlights:

Protecting You from COVID-19

• Sunshine Coast residents can rest assured that, when a vaccine is available, it will be accessible and promptly distributed.
• Improved access to testing through a partnership with the provincial government is available through the Sunshine Coast Respiratory Assessment Clinic.

Helping You through the Pandemic

• The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, the Canada Emergency Business Account, the new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, and Employment Insurance have been extended, expanded and reformed to help Sunshine Coast small businesses and their workers navigate through the pandemic.
• We will create an affordable, inclusive and high-quality Canada-wide early learning and childcare system and accelerate the Women’s Entrepreneurship Strategy to avoid a “she-session” and address gender inequities in our society.

Building Back Better

• To support our community of seniors on the Sunshine Coast, we will increase Old Age Security once you turn 75, boost the Canada Pension Plan Survivor’s Benefit, and develop national standards for long-term care.
• We are accelerating internet connectivity on the Coast through the Universal Broadband Fund and the Canada Infrastructure Bank to further address the gaps we know exist here.
• We are moving forward with a Green Recovery that will create over a million jobs by investing in programs that protect the environment, grow the green economy and make us more resilient to future shocks.

Fighting for a Just Canada

• I am proud of the work being done locally by the Syiyaya Reconciliation Movement and fully support our commitment to accelerate the National Action Plan, as well as implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls for Action.
• There is no place for racism and hatred in our communities and we will continue the work of the Anti-Racism Strategy that began in 2019.

On a personal level, I’d like to recognize that an incredibly valued member of our team is retiring after five years of service. Many of you know Lucie McKiernan, our Sunshine Coast Constituency Assistant, who has been an empathetic listener, boundless source of wisdom, and an exceptional representative and tireless advocate for the Coast. She is someone I have come to admire greatly, and I wish her all the very best in retirement. Thank you Lucie for your extraordinary contributions to our community and service to our country.

Please reach out to us: 6367 Bruce Street, West Vancouver, V7W2G5 604-913-2660 [email protected]. Check our website for updates: www.patrickweiler.ca