Salma Zahid
Salma Zahid
Member of Parliament for Scarborough Centre
Happy Canada Day! An update from your Member of Parliament
July 1, 2020

Happy Canada Day!

It's Canada Day in Scarborough! While we can't celebrate with the traditional parade this year, that doesn't mean we can't show our Canadian pride.

I'm proud to live in a diverse and caring community that people of so many different faiths and backgrounds call home. I'm proud of the opportunities that Canada has provided me to reach for my dreams, and for allowing my children to reach for their dreams as well. I'm proud of a country that recognizes we can and must do better to ensure that all our citizens can reach for their Canadian dream.

The pandemic is still with us so let's wave the flag but keep our distance -- and wear a mask when you can't. Because as Canadians, we all do our part. Enjoy today, and always be proud to call Canada home.

Happy Canada Day!

Salma

Canada Day Messages

Virtual Canada Day Celebrations

While we can't celebrate Canada Day together in person this year as we traditionally have, we can gather with friends and loved ones and take part in virtual celebrations. Here are some of the virtual celebratiosn happening this Canada Day.

National Celebrations

Local Celebrations

Increasing GIS earnings exemption for seniors

Effective July 2020, the following enhancements to the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) earnings exemption will come into effect:

The enhanced earnings exemption will become effective for the July 2020 to June 2021 payment period and will apply to income made in the 2019 calendar year or later. Upon receipt of your annual income (and/or your spouse's or common-law partner's income), Service Canada will automatically apply the new GIS earnings exemption. The maximum amount of earnings that can be exempted is $10,000.

Canada Student Service Grants launch

For students looking to save for post secondary but having trouble finding work due to COVID-19, our government has launched the Canada Student Service Grant (CSSG) program and the I Want to Help platform.

The CSSG program will run from June 25, 2020 until October 31, 2020 and will provide eligible post-secondary students and recent graduates the opportunity to serve their communities and receive a grant of between $1,000 and $5,000.

The I Want to Help platform will provide eligible post-secondary students and recent graduates access to volunteer service opportunities. Not-for-profit organizations will also be able to upload volunteer opportunities to this platform so that students can search and apply for opportunities in their communities.

Government programs open to local organizations

Our office can help you learn more about these government programs for local organizations, if your organization may qualify, and how to apply.

A mesage for the class of 2020

 

Online COVID-19 resources

Main office - Scarborough
2155 Lawrence Avenue East, Unit 5
Scarborough, Ontario
M1R 5G9

Telephone:
416-752-2358

Fax:
416-752-4624
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Hill Office
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6

Telephone:
613-992-6823

Fax:
613-943-1045
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