By: Hon. Lena Metlege Diab, Member of Parliament
September is here! With students back to class and many families’ routines returning to normal, I hope you all enjoyed a relaxing summer. The past few months have kept me busy with lots of doorstep conversations, community events, and stakeholder meetings. Through it all, you’ve given me so much valuable feedback on your priorities and aspirations for our community. If we didn’t get a chance to speak over the summer, I encourage you to fill out the survey I included in my end-of-summer newsletter. It should be in your mailbox shortly, and I look forward to reading your responses ahead of the September 16th return of Parliament.
Recognizing the successes of Nova Scotians is deeply important to me. It’s why I always try to congratulate local community leaders, business owners, and changemakers with certificates and on social media, and part of why I’m so excited to present King Charles III Coronation Medals later this fall. If ever I can help make a milestone occasion even more special for a friend, family member, business owner, or community group, don’t hesitate to write to my office at lenametlege.diab@parl.gc.ca.
As the MP for Halifax West, I want to give a shout out to the amazing athletes at Maskwa Aquatic Club. Just weeks before the Club marks its half-century anniversary, their paddlers have done the unthinkable—winning the Canoe Kayak Canada Sprint Nationals championship for the second year in a row. This is proof that Nova Scotia paddlers can compete with the very best. In fact, Maskwa athletes (and Halifax West residents) Emilee Vaters and Matthew Brown are heading off to Hungary later this month to compete in the 2024 Olympic Hopes Regatta. Join me in wishing them the best of luck!
I say it as often as I can: There are countless rewarding careers available to our young people in the trades. With the significant housing shortage in Canada—and our government’s plan to build almost 3.9m homes by 2031— there’s never been a better time to pursue work in a construction trade. That’s why I’m thrilled that the NSCSC is opening up their interactive Trades Exhibition Hall (10 Ragged Lake Blvd) to the public on September 14 from 10am-2pm. At the Hall, young people will be able to network with industry professionals, see demonstrations of many different trades, and do hands-on activities. This is a unique learning opportunity for youth thinking about what to do after school, so don’t miss out!
Thank you for your continued support.
