Ken McDonald

ICYMI Avalon, Bill C-14 received Royal Assent on May 6, 2021. This Bill implements key measures from the Fall Economic Statement, including the additional supports for Canadian families with young children. ... Families already entitled to the Canada Child Benefit will receive up to an additional $1,200 in 2021 for each child under the age of six this year, beginning on May 28th. This is a retroactive payment for both January and April and can be up to $600. These additional payments will directly benefit about 1.6 million families and more than two million children. Ahmed Hussen

Congrats to #NL’s TriNav Marine Brokerage, winner of the @ACOACanada Hull Design Efficiency Challenge! Their hull design will use less fuel & reduce emissions i...n the fishery. That’s the kind of innovation Canada needs to reach #NetZero. bit.ly/3eDpLnp ... Félicitations à TriNav Marine Brokerage, de #TerreNeuve, qui a lauréat du prix du Défi de l’efficacité de la conception des coques de l'Agence de promotion économique du Canada atlantique! Leur conception de coque consommera moins de carburant et réduira les émissions dans le secteur de la pêche. C'est le genre d'innovation dont le Canada a besoin pour atteindre #nettezéro. bit.ly/2Qgi8tM

Hey avalon, May 10-16th is National Nursing Week, an annual celebration which takes place from the Monday to the Sunday of the same week as Florence Nightingale's birthday, May 12th. This year's theme is #WeAnswerTheCall and was developed by CNA to showcase the many roles that nurses play in a patient's health-care journey. ... Throughout my lifetime I have been under the care of some amazing nurses, but how I know nurses are incredible people is because I share my life with one of the best ones every day. #NationalNursesWeek2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a tremendous impact on all Canadians, but especially young Canadians. That’s why the Government of Canada continues to make historic investments to ensure that youth have the supports and opportunities they need to build long and successful careers. Whether it's to gain work experience or save money for school, we know how important summer jobs are to young Canadians. Here in Avalon, over 628 job opportunities are available for youth as of today.... If you're a youth looking for a summer job, or if you know someone who is, you can search and apply for those jobs available in Avalon through the Job Bank by following this link: https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/youth and/or by using the mobile app at: https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/mobileapp Please share!

Please join me in wishing Mr. Clem O’Keefe a very Happy 99th Birthday today! Clem is one of those people who always has a smile for everyone he meets and is one of Placentia’s most well-loved seniors! Happy Birthday Clem, I hope you have a great day surrounded by those you love, and those who love you!

To all the moms in Avalon, Happy Mother’s Day.

Many in our community have heard the story of the Mercer family and their two beautiful children; Alex and Riley. Please join me, my team and our entire community in supporting the annual memorial food drive in their memory.

Just wanted to take a minute here today to share with you some good news about a very special businessperson in my riding of Avalon! I’m sure you will agree, Autism certainly does not define 21-year-old Emily Steele of Harbour Grace, NL. She has proven that people with disabilities can, and will flourish when they have the support they need. They just need people like her mom, Lisa, and the community she lives in, to believe in her. Emily is the proud owner and operator of @e...milyssweettweats, a home-based business which produces lovely bird feeders which come in all shapes and sizes. No feeder is the same each one is unique and handmade by Emily. Check out her business here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=823260491604779 Her mom tells me Emily’s long-term goal is to not only to live independently, but to one day provide valuable work experience for another adult like her and I have every confidence that she will make that happen! Further to her entrepreneurial spirit, Emily also donated some of her "Tweats" to the fine folks at Carbonear Hospital and the RCMP station in Harbour Grace. If you want to check out her bird feeders you can also find them at Best Kind General Store in Harbour Grace. Way to go Emily! @CarlaQualtroughDelta @coalitionofpersonswithdisabilities

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on young Canadians who are trying to find work. Employers in Avalon and across the country are also facing challenges when recruiting and hiring workers while adapting to the realities of the pandemic. That’s why the Government of Canada continues to take action to provide good job opportunities for youth and to support employers across Canada. ... If you want to see how the Canada Summer Jobs program can make a significant impact on the local economy, click on this link which will lead you to a fantastic project compiled by a CSJ student in my own riding! http://www.placentiachamber.ca//support-local-campaign-20/ Carla Qualtrough Justin Trudeau Placentia Chamber of Commerce, Placentia NL

Today is Bell Let's Talk Day. This year, more than ever it's important to take care of your mental health. If you or someone you love is struggling there are places to get the help and support you need. ... One of those places is the Mental Health Commission of Canada. https://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/English/covid19 #BellLetsTalk

There's no doubt, 2020 has been a very long and difficult year for many Canadians we've definitely felt it here in Avalon. Like always, we've pulled together and in doing so, things are finally starting to look up. We are not out of this crisis yet, but we know that as we look towards the new year, this pandemic will draw to a close. We will get through this, together, by continuing to do what we know will keep each other safe: washing our hands, keeping 2 metres apart, dow...nloading COVID alert, staying home as much as possible, listening to our local public health authorities, and accessing vaccine resources as they continue to become available. This time of year is a time to think about the future, but also to reflect on the year we’ve had. Our government has been working around the clock and using every tool in our toolbox to keep people safe and get Canada through this storm. Here are just a few things we’ve done together this year: We took, and will continue to take, action to support all Canadians through the pandemic, including with: the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, to help employers keep their employees on the payroll and the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, to support Canadians who lost their jobs or income because of COVID-19. We acted quickly to keep Canadians safe by procuring more personal protective equipment, supporting Provinces and Territories, investing in science and research, and securing a diverse vaccine portfolio. We cut taxes for the middle class and the people working hard to join it. We banned the harmful practice of conversion therapy in Canada. We reduced cell phone bills by 25% by 2022. We banned dangerous assault rifles to keep Canadians safe. We introduced our strengthened climate plan, giving us a clear path to net-zero emissions by 2050. We ratified the new NAFTA, and protected thousands of Canadian jobs. Since the start of the pandemic, front-line workers across the country have been working tirelessly around the clock to protect the health and well-being of all Canadians. From health care workers to grocery store workers, they have gone above and beyond to ensure our health and safety throughout this pandemic. Just as they have been there for us, we will continue to be there for them. Our number one priority has been and will always be to do whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, to support Canadians through this crisis. I am confident 2021 will be a better year for all of us! Happy New Year Avalon!

Hey Avalon, If you, or someone you know has a business that has been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic they may be eligible for funding through the Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program, or HASCAP for short. ... This new program supports Canada’s hardest hit businesses with low-interest loans of up to $1 million! Applications open Feb 1st. To apply: please contact your primary financial institution.

It’s the season to give so that’s what I did this evening and I’m so happy to be able to do it. Justin Trudeau

As always, my office will be offering constituents with simple tax returns in the Avalon riding help filing their 2020 returns. More details on specific date and time will be posted soon, but in the meantime if you have time and skills to help out with a volunteer tax clinic in your area please check out the link below from our friends at the Canada Revenue Agency

This sunset over Conception Bay this evening was spectacular and brings me hope for all wonderful things on the horizon for Avalon in 2021!

Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, and safe new year.

Always a joy to be up in this end of Avalon!

Today’s Christmas Postcard submission comes from Abigail Loveless, 10 years-old, grade 6, Elizabeth Park Elementary. Way to go Abigail!!