Newsletter - June 3, 2026
Dear friends and neighbours,
As we welcome June, I want to recognize both Pride Season and National Indigenous History Month.
Pride Season is a time to celebrate the diversity, resilience, and contributions of 2SLGBTQI+ communities across Canada. It is also a time to reflect on the progress made and the work ahead to help everyone live openly, safely, and authentically.
June is National Indigenous History Month, a time to honour the histories, cultures, languages, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. Indigenous Peoples have shaped this land since time immemorial. This month is a chance to learn, reflect, and recommit to reconciliation through understanding, respect, and partnership.
As we celebrate the strength and diversity of our country, we also continue our work to make life more affordable for Canadians. The Government of Canada recently announced that eligible Canadians will receive a one-time Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit top-up payment on June 5. This payment serves as a bridge to the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, which will officially replace the GST/HST credit in July.
More than 12 million Canadians are expected to benefit from this support. A family of four could receive up to $1,890 in total support during 2026, while a single individual could receive up to $950. If you filed your 2024 income tax return and were eligible for the GST/HST credit earlier this year, you should automatically receive the June 5th payment. The payment may still appear in your account as the GST/HST credit.
Measures like this help families, seniors, students, and workers manage the rising cost of everyday essentials while providing greater financial stability. I know that programs like the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit will provide meaningful support in Oakville where it is needed most.
Supporting Canadians also means ensuring that seniors remain connected and engaged in their communities.
Here in Oakville East, seniors make invaluable contributions as volunteers, mentors, caregivers, and community leaders. Through the New Horizons for Seniors Program, community organizations across Canada are receiving support for projects that reduce isolation, encourage participation, and strengthen social connections for older adults. These investments help ensure seniors remain actively, connected to the people and services that matter most.
Alongside these affordability and community initiatives, our government continues to focus on increasing housing supply and making homeownership more attainable for families in Oakville East, across Ontario, and throughout Canada.
Since June 1st, applications opened for Ontario municipalities to participate in the new Development Charge Reduction Program, a joint federal-provincial initiative designed to support the construction of more homes across the province. Municipal applications will remain open until June 19, 2026.
The program will help municipalities reduce upfront costs associated with new housing construction projects. By lowering these costs, we can help accelerate housing initiatives and bring more homes to market. Of Ontario's 444 municipalities, more than 200 currently levy development charges, and this initiative aims to remove barriers that can delay or prevent new housing projects.
This work complements the enhanced HST rebate for new homes, which can save eligible homebuyers up to $130,000 on the purchase of a new home. Together, these measures are intended to lower barriers to homeownership, increase housing supply, and help more Canadians achieve the dream of owning a home.
Whether it is helping families afford everyday essentials, supporting seniors, increasing housing supply, celebrating diversity, or advancing reconciliation, these efforts reflect a commitment to building stronger and more inclusive communities nationwide.
Sincerely yours,
Hon. Anita Anand,
Member of Parliament, Oakville East
Get a Canada Day Lawn Sign!
Our Constituency office provides free Canada Day lawn signs to celebrate Canada Day. Please complete this form let us know if you would like to pick up a Canada Day sign from our office.
Wai Nui Canoe Club Visit
Delighted to visit the Wai Nui Canoe Club during their 2026 open house this past weekend to celebrate the Canada Summer Jobs program and Wendy Perkins, a true pioneer, here in Oakville.
It is always a pleasure to connect with the club and one of the finest communities here.
Bronte Legion D-Day Memorial
Honoured to join veterans, members of the Canadian Armed Forces, first responders, cadets, and community members at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 486 in Oakville this past weekend to commemorate the Canadians who landed on Juno Beach on June 6, 1944. We remember their courage, honour their sacrifice, and pay tribute to all those who have served our country. Lest we forget.
The Opening of Sixteen Mile Creek Sport Complex
Wonderful to join our Oakville East community and the Town of Oakville for the opening of the expanded Sixteen Mile Sports Complex. This incredible facility features a new library, indoor track, swimming pool, pickleball courts, and badminton courts, creating even more opportunities for residents of all ages to stay active, connect, and learn. Congratulations to everyone involved in bringing this important project to life.
NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
Recently I attended the NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Sweden. Canada is united with our allies, and stronger together.
Visit to Canadian Troops in Latvia
It was great to be back in Latvia with our Canadian troops deployed under Operation REASSURANCE. Their dedication reflects Canada’s steadfast commitment to NATO’s collective defence, support for Ukraine, and the broader effort to strengthen security and stability along NATO’s eastern flank.
Canada Summer Jobs
Applications for Canada Summer Jobs are now open. Visit the Job Bank to explore opportunities in Oakville East and across Canada and find a role that is right for you this summer.