Bardish Chagger

Today feels like a good reminder that caring for the planet doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing, it’s really about the small, everyday choices that add up over time.

This past Sunday, the Make Everyday Earth Day event was hosted by retired dentist turned sustainable environment advocate, Dr. Susan Fulop, and the Stanley Park Community Association.

From Waterloo Region Master Gardeners/Kitchener Master Gardeners to SPROUT, and Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) to Beach Relief, each local group present was sharing practical ways to live life in a more environmentally sustainable way.

Taking care of the planet can feel big, but it often starts small—one habit, one choice, one day at a time.

Happy Earth Day 🌍💚

Attention youth Job seekers!

Looking for a meaningful way to spend your summer in Waterloo Region? 1,772 local Canada Summer Jobs were posted on https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/youth today and include employment opportunities from the service industry to the not-for-profit sector to working for a local small business.

helps young people gain valuable work experience, build skills, and make a positive impact in our community. 464 organizations and business are currently hiring. Whether its paid experience as a camp leader or in graphic design, administration, finance, front of house, and more, the benefits to CSJ recipients and employers are impressive. If you're exploring career paths or looking to grow your resume, this is your chance to make the most of your summer.

Our Charter isn’t just history — it’s living protection. It enshrines the rights and freedoms of all Canadians 🇨🇦

April 17 marks the anniversary of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. On this day in 1982 our Constitution came home and established the highest law in Canada.

Freedom of expression. Equality under the law. The right to be heard, to believe, to live without discrimination. These aren’t abstract ideals, they shape everyday life in Canada.

The Charter reminds us: rights matter most when they’re tested. Together we have the responsibility to protect them and never take them for granted. I have confidence our independent judicial system will always uphold our hard fought rights and freedoms when challenged.

Happy Charter Day!

April is Autism Acceptance Month, a time to move beyond awareness and celebrate understanding, inclusion, and neurodivergent voices.

Meet Tanner Bergsma who is a powerful example of resilience. After facing several challenges, he persevered. Tanner’s autism diagnosis helped him access the right supports and strategies to move forward. This WLU student, and Waterloo local is representing Canada at the UN ECOSOC Youth Forum and developing his own web app. All this in addition to the many other contributions he makes to our community, country, and the world.

Tanner thanks for all you do and for being you. 💙

On the sixth day of the fourth month, around this time, I entered the world.

In 2026, I'm now newly 46 and witnessing - via CBC News- Astronaut Jeremy Hansen, a Canadian from southwestern Ontario alongside the Artemis II Moon Mission crew breaking the record for furthest travels by humans from Earth. 🚀🇨🇦

⏳ Fraud Prevention Month is almost over but protecting yourself never goes out of season.

Before March wraps up, take a moment to:
🔐 Update your passwords
📱 Turn on multi-factor authentication
👀 Stay alert for suspicious messages
💳 Monitor your accounts regularly

Fraudsters don’t take a break, and neither should your vigilance.

Let’s finish the month strong and stay one step ahead. 💪Remember fraud and cybercrimes can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. Whether you are a victim or a witness, we all have the responsibility to spot, stop, and report. reportcyberandfraud.canada.ca

Saviez-vous que mars, c’est le Mois de la Francophonie? Et que le 25 septembre 2025 a marqué le 50e anniversaire du drapeau franco-ontarien?

Francophones, francophiles, « francocurieux » : peu importe d’où vous venez, la langue française vous rassemble. Au Canada, nous avons la chance d’avoir deux langues officielles, dont le français, qui fait partie intégrante de notre identité et de notre patrimoine.

C’est l’occasion de célébrer la richesse et la diversité de nos cultures, de nos accents ainsi que des histoires qui font vibrer le français partout dans le monde. 🌍✨

Que vous viviez en français, que vous aimiez cette langue ou que vous soyez simplement curieux de le découvrir, il y a une place pour chacun dans notre grande communauté.

Célébrons tous ensemble le Mois de la Francophonie!

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Did you know that March is the Month of La Francophonie? And that September 25, 2025, marked the 50th anniversary of the Franco-Ontarian flag?

Whether you’re francophone, a francophile or just “franco-curious,” one thing’s for sure: the French language brings us all together. In Canada, we’re lucky to have two official languages, including French, which is a key part of our identity and our heritage.

This is a time to celebrate the richness and diversity of our cultures, our accents, and the stories that make French come alive all around the world. 🌍✨

Whether you live in French, love the language or are just curious to give it a try, there’s a place for everyone in our big, vibrant community.

Together let’s all celebrate Month of La Francophonie!

Visited Bandology, a music camp, last week at the Wilfrid Laurier University School of Music. It was an inspiring experience, and I got to build some skills on the buckets! 🥁

I was reminded that music should be for everyone so I wanted to share two upcoming events. The The Waterloo Concert Band is presenting Tutti: All Together Now on Sunday April 12, 2026, at 2pm at Knox Presbyterian Church in Waterloo. It’s a welcoming all-abilities and ages concert designed so more people can comfortably enjoy live music in a relaxed and inclusive environment.

Additionally, THEMUSEUM is hosting Kidchella on Saturday April 18, 2026, their 2nd Annual Family Music Festival featuring Eric Traplin, and more.

Together in tune, no matter the ability 🎵

Yesterday, David Suzuki, turned 90 years old.

Today, on Parliament Hill, we celebrated him and his legacy of curiosity, courage, and environmental stewardship which continues to inspire generations to care more deeply about nature, science, and our shared future.

Thank you Dr. David Suzuki and Happy Birthday!

This month marks five years since the House of Commons unanimously adopted James Maloney, MP for Etobicoke–Lakeshore and President of the Canada–Ireland Interparliamentary Group’s, motion to declare March as Irish Heritage Month in Canada.

Today, millions of Canadians proudly trace their roots to Ireland. Irish heritage lives on throughout Canada, in family histories, neighbourhoods, festivals, and the enduring spirit of connection and perseverance.

Whether you’re taking part in local festivities like IRL Festival or participating in , Irish Heritage Month is a chance to honour a legacy that continues to enrich our communities and country, and to appreciate the wonderful volunteers and supporters who take the time and effort to share the rich history, culture, and contributions of Irish Canadians with .

Wishing everyone a safe and joyful Irish Heritage Month. Sláinte! 🇮🇪☘️🇨🇦

Yesterday, Parliamentarians, High Commissioners, and team members gathered in celebration of , hosted by Alexandra Mendès, Chair of the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Secretariat

As part of the festivities, Catherine Fife was highlighted as the first Canadian to be elected Chair of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians, just in October 2025.

For Canada, Commonwealth Day is a reminder of our place in a global community committed to democracy, diversity, and opportunity. From our parliamentary traditions to the many cultural ties that link us with fellow member nations, the Commonwealth continues to shape our story.

Today we celebrate the strength, resilience, and achievements of women everywhere. 💜

It’s also a time to recognize the importance of advancing women’s health and wellbeing to ensure that women’s unique health needs are better understood, prioritized, and supported.

More than 200 advocates, researchers, clinicians, innovators, business leaders, and community organizations from across Canada gathered on Parliament Hill for a national advocacy and policy engagement focused on advancing a framework for women's health in Canada. Leaders included Waterloo Region’s Rachel Bartholomew, Founder of HyIvy Health and Femtech Canada, and Ellyn Winters, co-creator of AskEllyn.

Happy International Women’s Day to the women who lead, inspire, support, and create change every day. Your voices, ideas, and courage make our communities stronger and our future brighter.

Let’s keep uplifting one another and working toward a more equitable world, together.