TAPE

Winter 2020

______WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: CANADIAN PASSPORTS IN THE COMMUNITY

ou must be a Canadian citizen to apply for a Canadian passport. Details are available on the Y Passport Canada website: goo.gl/mFdsRH

Frequently asked questions about passports: @michaelchongmp @MichaelChongMP @MichaelChongMP My passport has expired — can I renew my passport? • If your passport expired over 1 year ago, you have to FERGUS GEORGETOWN OTTAWA EMAIL | [email protected]

complete an application for a new passport.

______A - 190 St. David St. S. 16 Mountainview Rd. S. House of Commons WEBSITE | MICHAELCHONG.CA • If your passport expired less than 1 year ago, you can Fergus, ON Suite 205 Ottawa, ON Toll Free | 866.878.5556 use the renewal form as long as you still have the N1M 2L3 Georgetown, ON K1A 0A6 expired passport. 519.843.7344 L7G 4K1 613.992.4179 905.702.2597 How do I prove that I am a Canadian Citizen? • If you were born in Canada, your valid birth certificate is your proof of citizenship. If you have lost your birth Michael visited local artist Kathi Kuti Harding during the Elora In November, Michael was sworn in as the Member of certificate, the provincial government of your Fergus Studio Tour. The tour featured many local artists from Parliament for Wellington-Halton Hills for the 43rd Canadian province of birth can assist you with replacing it. around Centre Wellington. Photo credit: Kathi Kuti Harding Parliament. TABLE OF CONTENTS

• If you were born outside of Canada, your valid Contact Information and Message ...... 1 Citizenship Certificate or Citizenship Card is required. If you have lost your citizenship certificate and Guidelines for Submitting Petitions ...... 2

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______citizenship card you must first apply for proof of

What do you think should be the main priorities for the newly elected government? elected newly the for priorities main the be thinkshould you What do

2019 Federal Election Results ...... 3 citizenship. Congratulatory Certificates ...... 3 FOLD I need my passport urgently. What is the quickest way to get a new passport? Visiting Parliament ...... 3 • Go in person to the nearest full service passport office with all of your documents, where you may Services Provided by our Office ...... 4 need to pay additional service fees. The closest Youth Council Inquiry ...... 4

offices are Brampton (40 Gillingham Drive, Suite 401, Brampton, Ontario) and Kitchener (40 Weber Canadian Passports ...... 5 Street East, Mezzanine Level, Kitchener, Ontario). • If you are not in a hurry and in Canada, you can apply Your Comments...... 5 by mail or in person at any Passport Canada service In the Community ...... 6 location: www.cic.gc.ca/english/passport/map/ map.asp Michael at the 175th Anniversary of Acton Gala. The event Michael laying a wreath at the Glen Williams Remembrance took place the historic Acton Town Hall and was hosted by Day Ceremony. Photo courtesy of Ray Lavender Photography. Heritage Acton. Photo credit: George Henderson On the children's application, what does “proof of A MESSAGE FROM MICHAEL parentage” mean?

• As of October 1, 2012, applications for a child’s

Dear Constituents,

passport require a detailed proof of parentage document. The goal is to standardize applications for Once again, thank you for your support. Feel free to

all Canadian families. The proof of parentage Happy New Year! The 43rd Canadian Parliament has contact me if you have any questions or comments. ______

______document demonstrates the child-parent now begun. ______relationship and is designed to enhance the security of the children’s passports. I want to thank you for placing your trust in me as your Sincerely, • It can be either a detailed birth certificate issued by a representative for Wellington-Halton Hills. It is truly a Canadian, provincial or territorial vital statistics agency that indicates the name of the parent(s), or a great honour to represent this riding. court-issued adoption order indicating the name of the adoptive parent(s). A foreign birth certificate that As your Member of Parliament, I want to personally indicates the name of the parent(s) is also accepted assure you that regardless of where you stand politically,

as proof of parentage. I will always work hard to represent you and your needs in Ottawa.

You can contact our office if you have any further

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______questions. Michael stopped by Pharmasave Elora Apothecary to get his Michael attended a tulip planting ceremony at Christ the King

I am also here to help you. This newsletter highlights

______CUT

annual flu shot. Pictured with Michael is Bronwyn Tolmie, Catholic Secondary School in Georgetown. The school ______some of the services provided by my office and the Pharmacist/Owner. Photo credit: Bronwyn Tolmie received 75 tulips from the Netherlands for the upcoming .

75th anniversary of the country’s liberation (May 5th, 2020).

Name: Name: Address: Telephone: Email: HEAR FROM YOU! FROM HEAR MICHAEL WANTS TO TO WANTS MICHAEL Photo credit: Kevin DaSilva GUIDELINES FOR SUBMITTING PETITIONS 2019 FEDERAL ELECTION RESULTS SERVICES PROVIDED BY OUR OFFICE

efore a petition can be presented by a Member of Subject-Matter Indicated on Every Sheet he 43rd Canadian federal election took place on NDP - 24 ur consistency offices in Fergus and Georgetown provide Parliament to the House of Commons, it is examined If a petition is composed of more than one sheet of October 21, 2019. Canadians across 338 different Green - 3 assistance with a variety of federal programs and to confirm that it meets certain requirements signatures and addresses, the subject-matter of the petition ridings had the opportunity to elect their Independent - 1 O agencies, including: T B representatives in Ottawa. At the end of the 42nd established by the rules and practices of the House must be indicated on every sheet. (described below). It is important that your petition meet Parliament, the Liberals held a Majority government with The voter turnout rate in Wellington-Halton Hills was 70.8% • Canada Pension Plan (CPP) 177 seats. (70,039 out of 98,901 eligible voters voted). This was • Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) these requirements to be accepted by the House. Following CONTENT these guidelines will ensure that your petition will be eligible above the national voter turnout rate of 65.9%. The popular • Employment Insurance (EI) A Liberal was the outcome of the 2019 vote results for Wellington Halton- Hills were as follows: • Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) to be presented to the House. Matters Within Federal Jurisdiction election. In order for a political party to hold a majority • Immigration and Citizenship A petition must concern a subject within the authority of the Old Age Security (OAS) FORM government, they need to have 170+ seats. The post- Conservative - 47.4% • Parliament of Canada, the House of Commons or the election seat results were as follows: Liberal - 28.4% • Passport Applications Addressee . A petition must not concern a purely Green - 12.7% • Certificates of recognition or achievement for special provincial or municipal matter or any matter that should be A petition must be addressed to one of the following: Liberal - 157 NDP - 9.3% occasions brought before a court of law or a tribunal. Conservative - 121 PPC - 2.2% • The House of Commons Bloc Québécois - 32 Our regular office hours are 9:00am—12:00pm and 1:00—4:30pm, • The House of Commons in Parliament assembled Requesting Expenditure of Public Funds Monday—Friday. • The Government of Canada A petition may include a request for the expenditure of public • A Minister of the Crown funds. If you are a resident of Halton Hills looking to visit the Georgetown • A Member of the House of Commons CONGRATULATORY CERTIFICATES Office, please call ahead to book an appointment at

Signatures and Addresses (905)-702-2597. Text A petition must contain a minimum of 25 valid signatures s the Member of Parliament for Wellington-Halton Congratulatory Certificates from the Governor General of A petition must contain a request, sometimes also referred to with addresses. A petition should contain signatures of Hills, Michael appreciates the opportunity to Canada & Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II You can always call us toll free at: 1-866-878-5556 or email us at as a prayer, for the addressee to take some action (or refrain residents of Canada only. A person who is not a resident in A recognize special personal milestones such as You may also request a congratulatory message from the [email protected] from taking some action) to remedy a grievance. A petition Canada cannot petition to the House of Commons of Canada. anniversaries and birthdays with a special commemorative Governor General or the Queen. The Governor General may also include a more detailed description of the A petition signed exclusively by non-resident persons is not certificate. recognizes wedding anniversaries of 50 years and up (at 5- We are here to help!

grievance and/or a statement of opinion. However, a acceptable. There is no minimum age requirement for year intervals thereafter) and birthdays at 90 years and up ender ender Photography. statement of grievance or opinion alone cannot be received anyone signing a petition. Each petitioner must sign, not Constituents of Wellington-Halton Hills may request a (at 5-year intervals thereafter). 2019 The RemembranceDay Ceremony in Georgetown. courtesy Photo Ray of Lav- as a petition. The request should be clear and to the point. print, his or her own name directly on the petition and must certificate by filling out the form on our website at: The petition must not demand or insist that the addressee do not sign for anyone else. If a petitioner cannot sign because michaelchong.ca/action/certificates/ Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II sends messages to something. The petition may include a return address. of illness or a disability, this must be noted on the petition Canadians who are 100 years of age or older (in 1-year

and the note signed by a witness. A petition must contain Congratulatory Certificates from the Prime Minister intervals thereafter) and couples who have been married for

Written, Typewritten or Printed on Paper of Usual Size original signatures written directly on the document and not The Prime Minister recognizes anniversaries from 25 years 60 years and up (at 5-year intervals thereafter). For pasted, taped, photocopied or otherwise transferred to it. The text of a petition must be handwritten, typed, printed or and up (at 5-year intervals thereafter) and birthdays from 65 messages from the Queen, proof of birth date or anniversary photocopied on sheets of paper of usual size, i.e. measuring Some signatures and addresses must appear on the first years and up (at 5-year intervals thereafter and 1-year is required in the form of a copy of birth certificate or NO

sheet with the text of the petition. Signatures and addresses POSTAGE

21.5 cm x 28 cm (8 .5 x 11 inches) or 21.5 cm x 35.5 cm intervals thereafter for birthdays over 100 years). marriage certificate. REQUIRED (8.5 x 14 inches). A petition submitted on paper of irregular may appear on the reverse of the petition. size, or on any other material, is not acceptable. To apply for greetings from the Details and application information can be obtained at: The address may either be the petitioner’s full home visit the PM’s website at: pm.gc.ca/en/connect/greetings gg.ca/en/contact-us/birthday-anniversary-greetings Language address, or the city and province, or the province and postal CALLING ALL INTERESTED YOUTH! A petition must be respectful, use temperate language, and code. As with the signature, the address must be written not contain improper, disrespectful or unparliamentary directly on the document and not pasted, taped, photocopied

Our office is looking for Youth councils are non-partisan language. In particular, there should be no disrespect shown or otherwise transferred to it. The inclusion of other contact information (such as telephone numbers or email addresses) interested youth in Wellington- and typically run for one school to the Sovereign or charge made against the character or VISITING PARLIAMENT Halton Hills to send us an year (September to June), with conduct of Parliament, the courts, or any other duly is permitted but not required. A Member of the House of

email, Facebook, Instagram or new councils forming every constituted authority. A petition must be written in one or Commons may sign a petition but should ask another Member to present that petition. The signatures of Members f you are planning on visiting Ottawa, Parliament Hill is Twitter message, or letter year. Our youth council will both official languages. expressing if they support the likely meet once during each inscribed on a petition are not counted towards the required a must see destination. Centre Block is where Parliament normally convenes, however it will be closed idea of setting up a local Youth school semester. Erasures or Alterations 25 signatures and addresses. I for over a decade as it is undertaking needed structural Council. The text of a petition must not be altered either by erasing or Please contact our office so we Draft Petitions renovations. You are still able to visit the grounds, but you crossing out words or by adding words or commentary. Any If there is enough interest, we can gauge if there is enough Members of the public who wish to petition the House of won’t be able to go inside Centre Block until the alteration will make the petition unacceptable. will set up a formal application interest in the riding. Commons on a matter of public interest are advised to first renovations are complete. location. Hours vary depending on the day and time of your process for those wishing to submit a draft petition (without signatures) to a Member of visit. Guided tours are not available at either location when Attachments, Appendices or Extraneous Material apply to be part of our council Online Contact Information: Parliament. The Member will be able to indicate whether it is With Centre Block being closed, Parliament has moved to the House or Senate is in session. You can always attend a A petition must be free of any other matter attached or for the following school year. correctly worded and if they would agree to present it. two separate locations: West Block (located at Parliament session free of charge. It is also highly recommended you appended to or written or printed on the petition, whether in Hill) and Ottawa’s old central train station located at 2 reserve your seats ahead of time in either chamber when Email: the form of additional documents, maps, pictures, logos, Rideau Street. The House of Commons is located at West Parliament is in session. The council will be modelled [email protected]

E-PETITIONS

MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT HOUSE OF COMMONS ONOTTAWA K1A 0A6 news articles, explanatory or supporting statements, or Block and the is located at 2 Rideau after other local MP youth MICHAEL CHONG For information on how to create E-petitions, please requests for support. A petition printed on the reverse of a Street — now known as the Senate of Canada Building. For more information about visiting the Parliament of councils, whereby youth Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter: visit: petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Home/Index document, such as a Member’s newsletter, is not Canada go to https://lop.parl.ca/sites/Visit/default/en_CA between the ages of 15-24 @michaelchongmp acceptable. Admission for both locations is free, however it is highly or call toll-free at 1-866-599-4999. have the opportunity to meet If you have any questions about submitting petitions, please recommended that you reserve tickets ahead of time as a with their MP to discuss issues Website: don’t hesitate to contact our office. limited number of same day tickets are available at each that are important to them. michaelchong.ca/contact/