A message from Tyrone Benskin

Dear neighbours,
If I had to name the one thing that has struck me the most
during my time as your federal representative, it is that the
communities that make up our riding of Jeanne-Le Ber are full
of energetic, caring people who dont wait for anyone when
developing ways to support their neighbours.
Whether giving parents additional tools to cope with raising a
child in todays world or helping struggling families, whether
stimulating and recognizing curiosity through science and
exploration of the world around us or the magic of creativity,
whether recognizing the power of academic excellence or
the pride of supporting and encouraging youth in crisis, our
community is flled with innovative, hard-working individuals
and organizations dedicated to supporting our children, our
youth and our families.
It is crucial that all levels of government work together in
support of community organizations and in making sure that
our children have all the support they need wherever they may
fnd themselves in their lives. Only by caring for, protecting,
encouraging, empowering, and listening to our youth can we
ensure a bright future for our community.
In this issue, you will fnd a guide listing some of these
organizations and how to reach them. I am immensely proud
of the work that the many organizations in Jeanne-Le Ber are
doing on a daily basis to help our young people grow into
strong, committed and caring citizens and I am humbled to be
a part of that work.
I encourage you all to think about what you could do today to
help build our community for tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Tyrone Benskin
Member of Parliament for Jeanne-Le Ber
In this issue
1
Canada Post: Jeanne-Le
Ber residents speak out
against service cuts
2
Resource guide
Parents, children, and
youth
3
Political update:
Rail safety
Unfair Elections Act
CBC
Health care
Social housing
4
Photo album
The planned service cuts to Can-
ada Post remain a crucial issue
for me, and Im working hard
both in the riding and in Ottawa
to represent your views.
Last December, Stephen Harp-
ers Conservatives decided to
end home mail delivery on the
pretext that the Crown corpora-
tion was running a deficit. How-
ever, Canada Post has turned a
profit in 16 of the last 17 years
excepting only the year of the
lockout in 2011.
Our riding is home to the Rue
Bridge postal sorting station,
which I visited on April 17. This
centre serves some 200,000 ad-
dresses in Montreal and employs
more than 300 people. The job
losses caused by these cuts will
be felt right here in our
neighbourhoods.
At the same time, our
riding has lost several
post offices and postal
counters in the last sev-
eral years. A post office
in Pointe-Saint-Charles
was closed in 2008, and
the Rue Saint-Jacques of-
fice was closed in 2013.
Today, a single post-
al counter serves all of
Saint-Henri, Little Burgundy,
and Griffintown.
Many of our ridings neighbour-
hoods are very densely built.
People in Jeanne-Le Ber want to
know: where will they find the
room to put the huge number of
community mailboxes that will
be needed, without badly affect-
ing our neighbourhoods urban
environment?
The Conservatives amateurish
handling of this issue is just unac-
ceptable. Stephen Harper is tak-
ing an axe to our postal system,
CONTD P. 4
Canada Post: Jeanne-Le Ber residents
speak out against service cuts
Parliamentary Bulletin Spring/Summer 2014
Tyrone Benskin
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT // JEANNE-LE BER
Riding ofce
2403, rue du Centre
Montral QC H3K 1J9
Charlevoix
Phone: 514.496.4885
Fax: 514.496.8097
Ottawa ofce
950 La Promenade
Building
House of Commons
Ottawa ON K1A 0A6
Phone: 613.995.6403
Fax: 613.995.6404
Mail to MPs does not
require a stamp
tyrone.benskin@parl.gc.ca
www.tyronebenskin.ca
Facebook : tyronebenskin
Twitter: @tbenskin
Cut out and post on your mailbox!
Collecting signatures against the Canada Post service cuts
on May 3.
And I support our
postal service.
tyronebenskin.ca
2 Tyrone Benskin, MP
Resource guide: Parents, children, and youth
Printed with vegetable inks on
100% post-consumer recycled paper.
Abbreviations:
CSP = Cte-Saint-Paul
LB = Little Burgundy
NI = Nuns Island
PSC = Pointe-Saint-Charles
SH = Saint-Henri
Vn = Verdun (mainland)
Please note that a House of Commons
regulation currently prevents us from
including URLs other than our own in
our publications. You can find links
to these organizations on our website:
www.tyronebenskin.ca .
Parents, babies and young children
Clinique communautaire de Pointe-
Saint-Charles
Child and family team: Medical
care, pregnancy monitoring, nutri-
tional support for pregnant wom-
en, prenatal courses, young parents
group, new fathers group, free vac-
cination
Nourri-Source: Breastfeeding pro-
motion, information, and support
meetings
500, avenue Ash (PSC)
514-937-9251
Dawson Community Centre
Parents-Tots program: Play and
educational activities for ages 0-5;
with socializing, Internet access, and
workshops for parents
5-12 program: Activities after school
and Saturdays, spring and summer
day camp
666, rue Woodland (Vn)
514-767-9967
parents-totscoordinator@centredawson.ca
5-12coordinator@centredawson.ca
Famijeunes
Mutual support for parents, family
activities, recreation for children up
to 12
3904, rue Notre-Dame Ouest (SH)
514-931-5115
famijeunes@videotron.ca
Familles en Action
Socializing between parents of chil-
dren 0-5 years, parent-baby activi-
ties, program for young parents,
summer and winter camps, toy lend-
ing, halte-garderie (daycare centre
for occasional use that can be re-
served up to two weeks in andvance
or even the same day)
1915, rue du Centre (PSC)
514-932-6373
famillesenaction@videotron.ca
Gender Creative Kids
Support group for parents of trans-
gender and gender-nonconforming
children, with adapted child care
during meetings. Second Monday of
each month except in summer.
At Famijeunes (see above)
3904, rue Notre-Dame Ouest (SH)
514-585-6706
info@enfantstransgenres.ca
Groupe familial le-des-Surs
Parent-child playtime and educa-
tional activities for ages 0-5; English-
immersion play group for ages 3-5
At Elgar Community Centre, 260, rue
Elgar (NI)
514-762-4201
info@gfids.com
LGBT Family Coalition
Social activities and workshops for
gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans
parents and their children
514-878-7600
info@familleshomoparentales.org
Maison des familles de Verdun
Workshops on parenting skills, par-
ent-child play groups, programming
for children 0-5, group kitchen, re-
spite, support and referrals, family
parties and outings
259, 1re Avenue (Vn)
514-762-3399
maison.familles.verdun@gmail.com
Pause parents-enfants de Verdun
Weekend respite for children 0-6 re-
ferred by a professional; parent-child
programming; family library and
storytime; for parents, listening, re-
ferrals, accompaniment, and recre-
ation services
4901, rue Wellington (Vn)
514-768-7773
ppe@bellnet.ca
Projet LInformel
Liaison project between schools, par-
ents, and community groups in PSC
to promote success: support, work-
shops, and French courses for par-
ents; extra-curricular activities for
schoolchildren
514-895-9251
Saint Columba House
Parent-child playtime for ages 2-3
and preschool program for ages 3-5,
both with workshops for parents
2365, rue Grand Trunk (PSC)
514-932-6202
info@saintcolumbahouse.org
Tyndale St-Georges Community
Centre Early childhood department
Child stimulation program/halte-
garderie, play group, and program-
ming for parents
870, square Richmond (LB)
514-931-6265
Youth centres and recreation
Club nergie
Arts program for children 6-14, dis-
cussion of social issues and chal-
lenges
At CDA, 2515, rue Delisle (LB)
514-596-4422
Dawson Community Centre
Teens program (age 13-17) and
Young Adults program (ages 18+):
Sports, outdoor activities, computer
room, leadership and training pro-
grams, workshops on social and
health issues according to partici-
pants interest
666, rue Woodland (Vn)
514-767-9967
teens-yacoordinator@centredawson.ca
Maison des jeunes Ado-Zone
Recreation, homework help, work-
shops for ages 11-18
1850, rue Grand Trunk (PSC)
514-937-9655
adozonepsc@videotron.ca
Maison des jeunes La Galerie
Recreation, prevention, and training
activities; dropout prevention; ages
12-18
3643, rue Notre-Dame Ouest (SH)
514 933-6404
lagalerie@bellnet.ca
Maison des jeunes lEscampette
Various recreational activities for
ages 12-17
525, rue Dominion, no. 100 (LB)
514-933-9943
maisondesjeuneslescampette@bellnet.ca
Maison des jeunes Point de Mire
Recreational activities chosen and
organized by and for youth, particu-
larly fishing trips; ages 12-17
3882, rue Wellington (Vn)
514-767-9301
pointmire@hotmail.com
Le repre des jeunes
Facilitated social space for ages 10-17
700, rue de Gasp, no. 1208 (NI)
514-769-4835
La StationCentre intergnrationnel
Cultural, sports, and community
programming to encourage contact
between youth age 12-17 and seniors
201, rue Berlioz (NI)
514-766-4301
Youth in Motion
Multiple leisure activities, outings,
leadership programs, school sup-
port, access to computer, art, and
sports equipment
852, rue Saint-Martin (LB)
514-931-5510
Life problems and crisis support
Auberge communautaire du Sud-Ouest
For young people in difficulty, home-
less or at risk of homelessness
Administration: 4026, rue Wellington
(Vn), 514-768-4774
To access housing services: 514-768-
5223
direction@laubergecommunautaire.org
Clinique communautaire de Pointe-
Saint-Charles Youth team
Drop-in nursing service for ages 14-
24; sexual health; mental health;
support for disabled children and
their families; free vaccination for
ages 6-24; teenage pregnancy moni-
toring; free summer camp
500, avenue Ash (PSC)
514-937-9251
Travail de rueAction communau-
taire (TRAC)
Service for young people in difficulty
(ages 12 and up); support and refer-
rals, harm reduction
75, rue du Carr-Sir-George-tienne-
Cartier, no. 212 (SH)
514-939-2122
PSC street worker: 514-606-6708
SH street worker: 514-918-5532
Vn street workers: 514-942-3978,
514-916-6708
LB street worker: 514-942-0815
CSP street workers: 514-207-2180,
514-942-0217
Harm reduction: 514-798-1200, 1100
rue Hickson (Vn)
info@letrac.org
Emergency shelters:
Le bunker (ages 12-19): 514-524-0029
En marge (ages 12-17): 514-849-7117
(outside the riding)
Support lines:
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
Tel-Jeunes: 1-800-263-2266
Support by text message:
514-600-1002
School support, dropout preven-
tion, return to school, mentoring
LAncre des jeunes
Return to school Educational day
camp, homework help, art work-
shops, psychosocial support, recog-
nized academic classes, ages 9-20
3565, boulevard LaSalle (Vn)
514-769-1654
secretariat@ancredesjeunes.org
Clinique communautaire de Pointe-
Saint-Charles
School team: Individual and family
support for school issues and psycho-
social issues affecting school success
500, avenue Ash (PSC)
514-937-9251 (Referral from school
required)
Dawson Community Centre
Rogers Raising the Grade Program:
Homework help program
666, rue Woodland (Vn)
514-767-9967
teens-yacoordinator@centredawson.ca
DESTA, Black Youth Network
Continuing education, health care
and social support, and access to
employment for Anglophone young
adults 18-25 of all origins
1950, rue Saint-Antoine Ouest (LB)
514-932-7597
friendsofdesta@gmail.com
Pathways to Education
Helps students in difficulty and
dropouts to complete their high
school studies and reach post-sec-
ondary education, including finan-
cial aid (Serves specific geographical
areas: call to see if you are eligible)
PSC: 2325 rue du Centre, no. 206
(currently for Sec I only, will expand
in future)
514-789-1381
passeport@ymcaquebec.org
Vn: 601, 2e Avenue (for Sec IV)
514-761-7867 x 216
luc.mantha@toujoursensemble.org
Projet Charlemagne
Street school, project for dropouts,
French and math classes, return to
school
2532, rue du Centre (PSC)
514-419-0738
Saint Columba House Homework
help program
Homework help program for ele-
mentary and high school students
2365, rue Grand Trunk (PSC)
514-932-6202
info@saintcolumbahouse.org
Les Scientifines
Promotes girls participation in the
sciences in order to promote staying
in school
525, rue Dominion, bureau 200 (LB)
514-938-3576
scientifines@qc.aira.com
Toujours Ensemble
School support, recreational pro-
grams, food support (See also Path-
ways to Education above)
Centre Carolyn Hayes Renaud: 4926,
rue de Verdun (Vn)
Centre de persvrance scolaire
Marcelle et Jean Coutu: 601, 2e Av-
enue (Vn)
514-761-7867
info@toujoursensemble.org
Tyndale St-Georges Community
Centre Children, Youth, and Fam-
ily Department
Social and academic support, after-
school program, high school perse-
verance program, sports, leadership
activities, summer camp
870, square Richmond (LB)
514-931-6265
Employment services
Carrefour jeunesse-emploi du Sud-
Ouest
3181, rue Saint-Jacques, no. 100 (SH)
514-934-2242
info@cjeso-mtl.org
Formetal, entreprise dinsertion
Promotes young peoples access to
employment by training them in the
metal working field
2175, rue Saint-Patrick, no. 301 (PSC)
514 939-2510
Services dintgration profession-
nelle/Carrefour jeunesse-emploi de
Verdun
4005, rue Wellington (Vn)
514-767-9971
courrier@sipcje.org
We want to hear from you
3 Jeanne-Le Ber
I would like to receive electronic updates
E-mail: ___________________________________________________
With the youngest average age of any caucus
in Canadian history, NDP MPs benet from the
perspective of many different age groups.
In your opinion, does this mean that the NDP
is more able to represent and defend young
Canadians priorities?
o Much more able o More able
o No more nor less o Needs improvement
Comments:
Our riding has suffered two train derailments in recent months:
one in Saint-Henri on February 23 and one in Pointe-Saint-
Charles on May 3. In the first incident, thousands of litres of fuel
were spilled a few metres from homes and an elementary school.
In the second, there was no damage, but the ethanol the train
was carrying could have caused a disaster.
Worse, the public was not informed of the Pointe-Saint-Charles
derailment until several days later. Clearly, public relations were
more important than public safety.
Rail companies are still refusing to inform municipalities of
the dangerous goods they plan to transport through their terri-
tory. Some companies have agreed to let them know... but only a
month after the trains go through!
I am continuing to work to make the Conservative government
and rail companies take our neighbourhoods safety seriously. I
am working together with municipal elected officials and com-
munity groups on this file.
In particular, on March 30 I took part in a meeting organized by
the Nous et les Trains/Trains and Us Committee (NTU) on train
noise, which in itself is a health hazard. And my office supported
community groups work by mailing out a survey allowing resi-
dents to report noise incidents to us and give us a clearer idea of
the scope of the problem. You can find the survey on our website
, while NTUs offers a version you can fill out online.
Updates on the issues
Rail safety
Our public broadcaster is facing a new round of budget cuts.
This latest $130-milllion cutwith hundreds of layoffs com-
ingthreatens the CBCs ability to fulfill its mission across the
country.
These cuts are only the latest threat to the CBCs survival and
independence. In 2012, the Conservatives cut $115 million from
the CBC over three years. Those draconian cuts have left the net-
work more vulnerable than ever.
New Democrats have a better plan. Only stable, multi-year fund-
ing can protect the CBC from the turbulence of the advertising
marketwhile maintaining its editorial freedom from Ottawa.
Thats the stable foundation the CBC needs to tackle new chal-
lenges, implement new technologies, and continue telling our
stories in groundbreaking ways.
Standing up for the CBC
On April 1, the Conservative government allowed the health
care accord between the federal and provincial governments to
expire.
Rather than negotiate new accords, Stephen Harper would rath-
er download $36 billion in health costs onto the provinces and
weaken the health services that Canadians have benefited from
for generations. The results: longer wait times, reduced first-line
services, and more difficult access to home care and long-term
care.
Canadians deserve better. The NDP has a plan to work with the
provinces and territories to reinforce our public medicare sys-
tem:
Investing in better access to doctors and other health profes-
sionals
Making prescription drugs more affordable
Preventing health problems by improving access to a decent
income, healthy food, and social housing
Improving health care for Aboriginal peoples and other
groups whose health care is a federal responsibility
Canadians keep telling us that health care is a top priority. Isnt
it time we had a government in Ottawa that made health care a
priority too?
Health care
The NDP has done everything to block Bill C-23, the Conser-
vatives Unfair Elections Act, a collection of anti-democratic
measures aiming to give an advantage to the Conservative Party
through voter suppression.
Thanks to the NDPs constant opposition, and to an overwhelm-
ing response from civil society, experts (including Elections Can-
adas), academics, and the media, the government was forced to
make major concessions.
For example, it had to restore the right of voters without proof
of address to have their address attested to; Elections Canadas
right to raise awareness of voting in school campaigns; and cam-
paign spending limits on fundraising activities.
However, huge problems with this bill remain. Investigators will
not have the tools they need to prevent fraud; voters will lose the
option of using the Voter Identification Card as proof of address;
the independence of Elections Canada is weakened; and the
Chief Electoral Officers authority to encourage voter participa-
tion is eroded.
Conservatives used their majority to ram this bill through, ignor-
ing Canadians clear voice. The NDP will not stop making your
voices heard in Parliament, and an NDP government in 2015 will
cancel these damaging changes and undertake real electoral re-
form in Canadians own image.
Unfair Elections Act
Housing is a major determinant of the health and well-being of
Canadian households. Accordingly, since the 1970s, the federal
government has funded social housing through operating agree-
ments offered by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corpora-
tion (CMHC). These agreements were signed for terms of 35 to 50
years with social housing providers (co-ops, non-profits, housing
projects) to ensure that rental costs remained affordable.
However, these agreements are now starting to expire. By 2030,
$1.7 billion will be effectively cut, representing 85% of the federal
housing budget. One in three of Canadas social housing units,
200,000 units across the country, is at risk of being lost. Regard-
less, the Conservative government is refusing to commit to re-
newing the funding associated with these agreements.
Failing to renew these agreements could have severe impacts on
low-income households. In some cases, rent could increase by
$200 to $300 a month or even more. This situation will worsen
the precarious situation in which many people already live.
This is why the NDP has tabled Motion M-450, calling on the
government to maintain and expand investment in social hous-
ing and renew the operating agreements. The Conservative gov-
ernment has a duty to ensure that Canadians have a place to live.
A roof is a right!
Social housing
CUT HERE
At your service
My team is here to help you with any concerns
you may have regarding federal services, such as
immigration, employment insurance, and federal
pensions (CPP, OAS, and GRS).
I am here to make sure your voice is heard in
Parliament. Do not hesitate to write, telephone, or
e-mail to let me know your opinions about the issues
that affect our community.
1 Clean-up day with Canal Bleu
in Saint-Henri. 2 At the vernis-
sage of the paintings contrib-
uted to my 2014 community calendar by Verduns Artistes ralistes des Ter-
rasses (Groupe A.R.T.) collective. 3 The interns and staff of Plateau Angers
celebrated 10 years of supporting work experience for people living with
intellectual disabilities. 4 Remembrance Day with Legion 127 in Pointe-
Saint-Charles. 5 Meeting on train noise with Nous et les Trains/Trains and
Us, along with NDP Transport Critic Hoang Mai MP (BrossardLa Prairie)
and city councillor Craig Sauv. 6 Christmas party at Saint Columba House.
7 The NDP caucus proudly wore rainbows as a symbol of solidarity with
the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans community of Russia during the Sochi
Olympics.
2
4 5
Photo album
1
3
with no consideration for people
with limited mobility, seniors,
and small businesses. Whats
worse, hes doing it without any
meaningful consultation.
A responsible government, on
the other hand, would diversify
Canada Posts mandate instead
of raising prices and cutting pub-
lic services.
With these absurd changes, Can-
ada will be the only G7 country
without home mail delivery. We
deserve better!
The Conservatives think they can
dismantle Canada Post without
the public reacting. But theyre
wrong. More than 1,300 of you
have mailed in response cou-
pons to speak out against the
Harper governments ideological
cuts.
On our national day of action
on May 3, numerous volunteers
turned out to collect hundreds of
signatures. Even if this govern-
ment keeps trying to ignore Ca-
nadians voices in the House of
Commons, well show them that
Canadians wont give up their
postal service without a fight.
Jeanne-Le Ber residents are com-
ing together to speak out against
these cuts. Im going to keep
making sure your voice is heard
in the House of Commons. To-
gether, well show the govern-
ment that they dont have any
business imposing these cuts on
our communities.
Canada Post (contd)
6
In the House
Unfortunately, this past weekend, there was a derailment in Saint-
Henri, which caused a diesel fuel spill.... I have contacted CN, with
little or no response. In the House, we have called upon the Minister
of Transport to take action, with little or no response. When will the
government and the Canadian rail industry take Canadians safety
seriously? February 24, 2014
People talk to me about how they are struggling to make ends meet and
about the need to make life more affordable. They have pointed out the
importance of social housing, and I received several hundred responses
about maintaining door-to-door mail delivery. The government talks
about its mandate and having consulted with Canadians, but who are
the Canadians that the government is consulting with?
March 28, 2014
Women and children are being targeted as strategic targets in conflict
areas... We need to be able to act pre-emptively to protect those
who would be targeted by men who give themselves names such as
Boko Haram, and educating young girls to become leaders in their
communities is part of that response.
May 12, 2014
Our veterans deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, regardless
of when they served our country. The government must support long-
term health care for modern-day veterans, as it has for those who
served before 1953. This should be an inherent understanding and
obligation on the part of any democratic government.
May 16, 2014
All my speeches and comments in the House of Commons are available
in full on my website, www.tyronebenskin.ca ; click on Tyrone in the
House.
7
no stamp
required
x
NAME
ADDRESS, APARTMENT NO.
CITY, PROVINCE, POSTAL CODE
PHONE NUMBER
Tyrone Benskin
MP Jeanne-Le Ber
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6