Welcome to the Royal City Roundup, my bi-weekly community newsletter that connects constituents with my work in Parliament and Guelph. Thanks for being here!

C-39: Building Canada Strong Act

I’ll be speaking in the House tonight on Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act. I believe the bill will improve predictability for business and make local and national supply chains more resilient. For a city with a major export orientation, this is important. The bill strengthens protection for workers in federally regulated industries by helping parties address issues earlier, reach negotiated agreements and resolving disputes while fully protecting the right to strike.  While the bill also streamlines approval processes, it still upholds rigorous environmental standards and respects Indigenous rights.

Protecting Canada’s Oceans

Did you hear? The federal government is investing $1.2 billion to strengthen marine safety, protect marine ecosystems, and support Indigenous-led conservation efforts. The funding will help improve Coast Guard services, emergency response capabilities, fisheries enforcement, and protections for marine life across Canada’s coasts and waterways.

Industry and Technology Committee

At the Industry and Technology Committee, we completed our clause-by-clause study of Bill C-268, legislation to improve cellular coverage across Canada. Access to reliable cell service is important for public safety, businesses, and families, particularly in rural and remote communities.

Auto Caucus

As Chair of the auto caucus, I welcomed Industry Minister Mélanie Joly and Minister Dominic Leblanc to our first fall meeting for an updated overview and discussion of the auto sector. I also met with Brian Kingston, CEO of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturer’s Association. As you know, the health of – and advocating for – the auto sector and of advanced manufacturing is a major focus of my work.

Supporting New Farmers

I met with Young Agrarians and the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario to discuss the barriers facing new and first-generation farmers. We talked about access to land, financing, training, and other supports needed to help the next generation of farmers succeed and how we can ensure their perspective is included in the next agricultural framework for Canada.

Addressing Organized Retail Crime

To learn more about how to tackle organized retail crime, I joined Home Depot associates, Guelph police, and industry representatives to discuss the impact of organized retail crime on workers, businesses, and communities. Hearing directly from them reinforces why measures in Bill C-14: Bail and Sentencing Reform Act are so important to strengthen public safety and to tackle repeat offending. There is progress but more can be done. During the visit, I was also pleased to present Homer Awards to two outstanding Guelph associates for their contributions to the workplace and the community!

Women United Civic Engagement Breakfast

Ontario’s municipal election is on Oct. 26 so the United Way Women’s United group held a great breakfast to talk about civic engagement during and between elections. Andrea Bidgood, Guelph’s Bike Mayor, did a fabulous job talking about her advocacy work and why it matters. I happily put my municipal hat back on to talk about how to engage during elections and how to stay engaged with municipal issues throughout the year.

Supporting Seniors Aging at Home

I love learning about local innovation. The team at Paige showed me how their technology supports seniors and caregivers through innovative technology. We talked about how to reduce social isolation, support caregivers, and help more seniors age at home.

Apply for my Youth Council!

My office is now accepting applications for the Guelph Federal Youth Council. If you’re between the ages of 17 and 24 and interested in civic engagement, public service, and making your voice heard, I encourage you to apply. Please share if you know someone who may be interested. There’s usually pizza!

More Youth Opportunities!

NEW: Forum for Young Canadians Applications Open: Applications are now open for the 2027 Forum for Young Canadians National Summit, giving youth ages 15 to 18 the opportunity to visit Ottawa, learn about Canada’s democratic institutions, and gain first-hand experience with the parliamentary process. Click here to apply!

NEW: Applications for the House of Commons Page Program are open! If you’re interested in politics, public service, or gaining hands-on experience in Canada’s democracy,  click here for more information on how to apply.

Youth Digital Gateway Federal opportunities, resources, programs and services

Job Seekers: This job-search engine from the Workforce Planning Board consolidates all the usual job sites for a much broader search. If you or someone you know is looking for work, check it out.