When Member of Parliament Lloyd Longfield was first elected to represent Guelph in 2015, he declared that poverty reduction is one of his top priorities.
As Longfield sees it, poverty can impact housing, mental health, and food security, “If you solve the problems for the most vulnerable people, you also by default create better circumstances for others, especially those who may not be facing poverty, but who are at the lower end of the income scale.”
Investments in housing
Longfield has consistently advocated for investments that would build more housing. The Housing Accelerator Fund was created in partnership with the City of Guelph to meet the goal of creating 18,000 new housing units. Longfield says, “We are working behind the scenes to see how we can support the efforts to create more housing solutions.”
In the first six months of 2023, the federal government announced significant investments in various housing projects in Guelph, including $6.4 million to the Grace Gardens project that will create 32, new permanent affordable homes at the former Parkview Motel. There have been investments in Wyndham House and Michael House which offers housing programs and support services to youth. The St. Joseph’s Health Centre received $38.9 million in federal funding to help build 115 new seniors housing units in the Silver Maples project.
Investments in young families
The federal government is committed to supporting young families with the Canada Child Benefit and Early Learning and Childcare funding which is working toward $10 a day childcare.
So far in Guelph, the cost of childcare has been reduced by 50%. Longfield says, “What that does is free up money to pay rent, mortgages or children’s expenses, as we know it has become more difficult for families to get a handle on inflation.”
Investments in mental health
The federal government has recently invested over $2.9 million to support mental health and addiction programs in Guelph. The government recognizes that the overdose crisis continues to take a tragic toll on individuals and communities across the country.
This funding will help support five innovative community-led projects that will bolster outreach services to improve and save the lives of those dealing with mental health and addiction challenges.
Environmental Protection
Longfield, who is a member of the parliamentary environment committee is proud of the fact that Canada’s Environmental Protection Act recently received royal asset. The legislation will offer a framework to strengthen greenbelt protections as well. The Supreme Court ruling is expected soon on the federal government’s jurisdiction in environmental assessments.
Longfield says, “The impact assessment is something that can be triggered to ensure that people have access to a healthy environment. If greenbelt development is threatening a healthy environment, then it’s within the jurisdiction of the federal government do an assessment on that.” The Environmental Protection Act will also protect Indigenous consultation and Indigenous land rights.
Meanwhile, the government is making it easier for EV drivers to get where they need to go with confidence. At least 87 EV chargers will be installed in Guelph and will be available for use by December. Ottawa is making clean technology and manufacturing a priority, bringing Canada to the forefront of the global clean economy.
Poverty reduction, climate change, and strengthening the economy are among Longfield’s top priorities. He says, “Since being elected my focus has been to look at social, environmental, and economic progress. The announcement of the battery plant in St. Thomas and the expansion into electric vehicles in Woodstock are just two examples that are positively impacting the automotive supply chain in Guelph.” Jobs are being created around electric vehicle manufacturing. Longfield adds, “We’ve had great progress in the social, environmental, and economic areas that we’ve been working on.”
Nearly $500 million in federal funds
Lloyd Longfield has been tracking the federal funds that have been invested in Guelph since 2018. They include,
- $140 million to the University of Guelph
- $200 million to not-for-profits and charities
- $150 million to local businesses
The nearly $500 million in federal funding are investments made directly into programs, services, infrastructure, and businesses in Guelph. It does not include national programs such as the wage subsidies or emergency relief related to the pandemic or increases to Old Age Security benefits.
Lloyd Longfield certainly understands the fears and frustrations that many people are feeling about the future. He acknowledges the challenges and suggests those challenges need to be worked on together. “The federal government is identifying the challenges and continuing to work on the solutions, and I can assure you, we are not finished yet.”
For more information on MP Lloyd Longfield’s work on behalf of his constituents in Guelph visit: www.mplongfield.ca or contact (519) 837-8276, email [email protected].
