Published: Sunday 1 June 2025
Standing Up for Our Community — and for Canada
by Yasir Naqvi MP, Ottawa Centre
I want to begin by saying thank you!
Being re-elected as the Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre is a profound honour — and a responsibility I carry with deep humility. I am truly grateful to everyone who showed up, spoke out, and helped shape the future of our community. Whether I had the privilege of earning your vote or not, I will keep working every day to serve all of Ottawa Centre — with integrity, respect, and a deep commitment to delivering results.
During the campaign, I knocked on thousands of doors and spoke with residents in every neighbourhood. Again and again, I heard a clear call for practical leadership — leadership that invests in people and builds a future where everyone can thrive.
That’s the approach I committed to, and as your MP, I am ready to keep delivering on priorities that reflect our shared values: better healthcare, more affordable housing, and a revitalized downtown. These aren’t just policies — they are building blocks for a stronger, more inclusive community.
Healthcare that’s stronger, more accessible, and putting people first
As the former Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, I have seen how critical it is to protect our public healthcare system.
One of my key commitments was to expand access to dental care — and that work is already underway. As of May 1, applications for the Canadian Dental Care Plan are open to Canadians aged 55 to 64. On May 15, eligibility expands to those aged 18 to 34, and on May 29 to those aged 35 to 54. For families earning under $90,000, this means access to services like cleanings, fillings, and X-rays — without having to choose between their health and their bills.
I also pledged to champion a seniors’ health and housing hub at Confederation Heights — a new model to help older adults age with dignity, supported by care close to home.
I’ll keep working to remove barriers that prevent internationally trained health professionals from contributing their skills. They bring expertise and a deep commitment to care — and deserve a better path to serve in Canada.
Housing that’s affordable, inclusive, and community-focused
Housing remains one of the most important issues in Ottawa. I believe public land should be used for public good — and that includes converting underused federal buildings like the Jackson Building into housing for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities.
I have also pledged to push for more affordable housing at federal sites like LeBreton Flats, Tunney’s Pasture, and Confederation Heights — ensuring at least 30% of new homes are set aside for community, affordable housing. We need neighbourhoods where people of all backgrounds, incomes, and ages can live and thrive.
Revitalizing our downtown and reimagining public spaces
Ottawa deserves a downtown that reflects its creativity, diversity, and energy. I am committed to making that happen.
That includes transforming places like Dows Lake, the Arboretum, and the Experimental Farm into year-round community destinations with better trails, small business support, and family-friendly spaces.
It also means investing in safer, more accessible bike paths and active transportation routes — so they work for everyone, in every season.
And it means bringing the Ottawa Senators to LeBreton Flats — as part of a dynamic new hub that includes affordable housing, French-language education, Indigenous culture, and a thriving local economy.
This is an extraordinary moment — and we must come together
Canada is at a crossroads. We are seeing growing pressure to adopt American-style politics — from efforts to privatize healthcare and cut affordable housing, to proposals that weaken institutions our communities depend on. Some would have us believe the path forward lies in fear, division, and turning away from what makes this country strong.
But that’s not the vision I believe in — and it’s not the vision shared by the people of Ottawa Centre.
I believe in a Canada that protects what we have built and moves forward with compassion, purpose, and pride in who we are. A country that is proudly independent, with firm foundation in rule of law and human rights.
That’s why I remain committed to working with all of you — residents, community groups, businesses, and local leaders — to build a more inclusive, resilient, and united Ottawa Centre.
Together, we will stand up for Canada!
Thank you again for your trust and support. I am ready to get back to work — and to keep delivering for our community.
Yasir Naqvi
MP, Ottawa Centre
Député, Ottawa-Centre