Ron McKinnon, Member of Parliament for Coquitlam

Today is Pink Shirt Day Today and everyday, it is incumbent upon us all to take a stand against harassment and discrimination of all forms, whether it be in schools, workplaces or online. We wear pink to say no to bullying and reaffirm our commitment to building safer and kinder communities for everyone. ... #ChooseKindness #lifteachotherup

Great to participate in today's roundtable discussion on supporting women in the skilled trades with the Hon. FilomenaTassi, Minister of Labour. We talked about encouraging women to join the skilled trades and how we can better support these workers and break down existing barriers to equality. Thank you to IBEW Canada, BC Federation of Labour and all those who contributed to this important conversation. By engaging in critical discussions and working together, you are all affecting positive change in our communities.

Proud to be decorating my constituency office in blue as part of BC Girl Guides’ Guiding Lights Across BC initiative to celebrate the empowerment of young women and girls in our community. Every year on February 22, Girl Guides celebrate World Thinking Day, a day of international friendship. Today, in particular provides an opportunity to amplify the issues that affect young women and girls and celebrate the founding of Girl Guides. Thank you Girl Guides for the important work you do in our community, not just on this day, but everyday!

You can now file your 2020 return online or by mail to get your benefits on time, between Feb. 22 - April 30.

#TeamMcKinnon was busy making calling this weekend to check in with #CoquitlamPortCoquitlam friends and neighbours for our #LPCVirtual Weekend of Action! Another great opportunity to connect with our community and see how everyone is faring during these challenging times. Thank you to our amazing #CoPoCo volunteers for helping to reach out to our neighbours and listen to your priorities.

Applications for the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS)are now open! The CERS provides easy-to-access rent and mortgage interest support directly to tenants and property owners until June 2021 for eligible businesses affected by the pandemic. Eligible businesses can now apply directly for the first subsidy period, September 27 to October 24, 2020. Applications for the second CERS period (October 25 to November 21, 2020) will open on November 30.... Applications for the first period will start being processed on November 30, 2020. Successful applicants registered for direct deposit should expect to begin receiving payments beginning on December 4, 2020. Helpful Resources To calculate your subsidy using the CERS online calculator: https://www.canada.ca///cers-calculate-subsidy-amount.html. For information about applying through the CRA's My Business Account or Represent a Client portals: https://www.canada.ca//emergency-rent-/cers-how-apply.html For general information about the CERS: https://www.canada.ca//services/subsidy/emergency-rent-sub

Today is #NationalHousingDay Affordable and stable housing is a top issue for Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam residents, and indeed Canadians at large. That's why we implemented the National Housing Strategy (NHS). This comprehensive, 10-year federal housing program invests $55+ to build resilient communities and help Canadians across the country find a place to call home.... We also recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing housing challenges. As part of the NHS, our government recently announced the new Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI), which invests $1 billion to create up to 3,000 new permanent, affordable housing units across the country. No one should be without a place to call home. Rest assured, we are working to address our goal of eliminating chronic homelessness and helping more Canadians access safe and affordable housing.

It was great to have MP Adam Vaughan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development join Share Family and Community Services, members of the Tri-Cities Homelessness and Housing Task Group and myself for a conversation on housing, affordability and childcare. Together, we discussed the new Rapid Housing Initiative, which invests $1 billion to create up to 3,000 new permanent, affordable housing units across the country. Thank you to SHARE and the Tri-Cities Homelessness Task Group for the important work you do to support individuals, children, families in our Tri-City community. And thanks to Adam for joining us virtually and for your forceful advocacy on affordable housing.

Today our Government delivered on its commitment to legislate Canada's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 by tabling the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act in the House of Commons. The Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act will: Bind our Government and future generations to a process to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Set rolling five-year emissions-reduction targets ... Establish the Net-Zero Advisory Body to provide independent advice on the best pathway to reach its targets. Enshrine greater accountability and public transparency into Canada's plan for meeting net-zero emissions by 2050. More! Net-zero emissions will mean growing Canada's green economy, creating jobs, and leaving a cleaner future for our kids and grandkids.

On #NationalChildDay, we celebrate all children and young people across Canada. As your Member of Parliament, I am committed to working hard to ensure that families in our community have the resources they need, from spending more time with their kids to making life more affordable. Thanks to the Canada Child Benefit, 9/10 families have more money in their pockets for things like groceries, new clothes, recreational activities, and whatever else life throws your way!... We have also invested in Child Care Funding as part of our COVID recovery efforts, supporting over 35,000 First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children through the pandemic. This year has posed many new challenges to families in our community. But through it all, we recognize and thank every one of our kids who have pulled their weight to keep our communities safe. Happy National Child Day!

We’ll continue to do whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, to keep you safe from COVID-19. But we need you to do your part, too. Watch our Tuesday update ...for the latest on our response to the pandemic, how you can help, and more: On fera tout ce qu’on peut, pour aussi longtemps qu’il le faudra, afin de vous protéger contre la COVID-19. Mais vous devez aussi faire votre part. Regardez notre mise à jour pour connaître nos dernières mesures, savoir comment nous aider et plus : See more

To keep ourselves, our families and community safe from the virus, we must all: Wear masks with either two or three layers Wash our hands regularly Stay at least two metres apart from others... We all have an important part to play in keeping each other safe. Rest assured, we will continue to be there to protect the health and safety of all Canadians and support them through these challenging times.

We've just seen the latest projections from Dr. Tam and Dr. Njoo. The situation is serious. Tune in to my Friday update for the latest COVID-19 developments: ... On vient de voir les dernières projections de la Dre Tam et du Dr Njoo. La situation est grave. Regardez ma mise à jour du vendredi pour connaître les derniers développements concernant la COVID-19 : See more