The Government of Canada is committed to supporting the people of Lac-Mégantic and the surrounding area, and to keeping them informed of developments regarding the Lac-Mégantic rail bypass.

Today, Mike Kelloway, Member of Parliament for Cape Breton–Canso, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; the Honourable Iain Rankin, Premier of Nova Scotia; the Honourable Lloyd Hines, Minister of Transportation and Active Transportation on behalf of the Honourable Chuck Porter, Minister of Energy and Mines, and Her Worship Brenda Chisholm-Beaton, Mayor of Port Hawkesbury, announced funding to create a network of safe and user-friendly active transportation routes around the town.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) update to be given by the Ministers and Government of Canada officials at June 18, 2021 news conference.

The Honourable David Lametti, P.C., Q.C., Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, P.C., Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, will speak to the media regarding the passing in the Senate of Bill C-15, An Act Respecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

As a founding nation of NATO, Canada remains a dedicated member of the Alliance and partner in the defence of the North Atlantic region. In a rapidly evolving global security environment, multilateral cooperation within NATO and with external partners is essential in keeping the transatlantic community safe, free, and prosperous, while helping to ensure global peace and stability.

Today, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, received the report of the Joint Review Panel that conducted the environmental assessment of the proposed Grassy Mountain Coal Project, located in southwest Alberta.

Funding through the Investing in Canada plan will support 10 fire hall infrastructure projects in British Columbia. The Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia are investing over $8.8 million in these projects through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program’s new COVID-19 Community Resilience stream. Canada is contributing over $7.1 million, and B.C. is contributing almost 1.7 million Under the COVID-19 Resilience Stream, the federal cost share for public infrastructure projects is 80 per cent in the provinces, and 100 per cent in the territories and for projects intended for Indigenous communities.

Statement by the Deputy Prime Minister on the final report from the Canada-British Columbia Expert Panel on the Future of Housing Supply and Affordability

On May 19, 2021, in Surrey Provincial Court, the Honourable Judge Satinder Sidhu found recreational crab harvester Laird Goddyn guilty of violations of Canada’s Fisheries Act. Justice Sidhu fined Mr. Goddyn $7,500 and banned him from holding tidal and non-tidal fishing licences for a period of 5 years. Mr. Goddyn’s fishing vessel, which was seized as evidence, was ordered returned to Mr. Goddyn, subject to a $4,638.48 storage fee.

Today, Ken Hardie, Member of Parliament for Fleetwood—Port Kells, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Mike Farnworth, British Columbia’s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, announced funding to upgrade ten fire halls across the province. They were also accompanied by Ron Richert, Fire Chief for the City of Quesnel.

Lieutenant-General Wayne Eyre, Acting Chief of the Defence Staff, has announced additions to the list of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) General and Flag Officer senior appointments and promotions for 2021.

As Canada works to finish the fight against COVID-19, a full economic recovery will require the participation of all Canadians, including women, Indigenous peoples and racialized communities.

The Minister of Indigenous Services, the Honourable Marc Miller, on behalf of Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, will announce funding in support of numerous Indigenous community projects to strengthen their food security and agricultural economic development. Joining him will be some of the recipient Indigenous partners.

Through Strong, Secure, Engaged, the Government of Canada is modernizing its military equipment to support the Canadian Armed Forces and keep Canadians safe.

Today, Canada convened the International Donors’ Conference in Solidarity with Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants in collaboration with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the International Organization for Migration. The conference increased the international visibility of the second-largest displacement crisis in the world and mobilized additional resources to support the response.

Farmers and agri-businesses in British Columbia and across Canada are leaders in climate-smart agriculture, finding new ways to make their operations more sustainable. To help them continue towards a low-carbon economy, the Government of Canada is supporting the research, innovation and adoption of clean technologies, with a focus on those that advance the bioeconomy.

Atlantic Canada’s tourism industry is vital to the region’s economy and supports thousands of local jobs and businesses. That is why the Government of Canada is investing to help the Valley Regional Enterprise Network (REN) improve and expand local tourism experiences in the Annapolis Valley and identify new opportunities for tourism development.

Public Services and Procurement Canada is restoring and modernizing the Centre Block, Canada’s main Parliament Building, so that it meets the needs of a 21st-century Parliament and is accessible to Canadians and visitors for generations to come.

Members of the media are invited to attend an important infrastructure event with the Honourable Mark Holland, Member of Parliament for Ajax, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; Rod Phillips, Member of Provincial Parliament for Ajax, on behalf of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure; and His Worship Shaun Collier, Mayor of the Town of Ajax.

On June 17, 2021, Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, issued the following statement on COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected the lives of persons with disabilities in Canada and around the world. It has also shed a light on the long-standing inequities that negatively affect their health, financial security and social well-being This week, countries from around the world gathered virtually at the Conference of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, led Canada’s delegation and shared plans to build back better and further the inclusion of persons with disabilities in recovery efforts.

Members of the media are invited to attend an important green infrastructure announcement for Nova Scotia with the Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Member of Parliament for South Shore—St. Margarets, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; the Honourable Suzanne Lohnes-Croft, Member of Legislative Assembly for Lunenburg; Her Worship Carolyn Bolivar-Getson, Mayor of the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg; and His Worship David Mitchell, Mayor of the Town of Bridgewater.

Today, Vice-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie assumed leadership of the Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC) from Acting Commander Major-General Bill Seymour.

Today, Irek Kusmierczyk, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion and Member of Parliament for Windsor─Tecumseh, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; Rick Nicholls, Member of Provincial Parliament for Chatham-Kent-Leamington, on behalf of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure; and Amanda Gellman, President of the Windsor Centre for Film, Digital Media and the Creative Arts, announced funding for a new Media Arts Centre in Windsor.

The Government of Canada is deeply concerned about the increase in use of methamphetamine and the risks it poses to the health and safety of communities and Canadians. To improve access to and the quality of care for people struggling with methamphetamine use, the federal government is providing $6,665,392 for 13 projects across Canada.