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Hello <<First Name>>,

As we approach another weekend, please remember how special this one is. Mother's Day is Sunday! This year's celebration will feel a lot different than last year. Social distancing is a hard thing to endure at the best of times, but many of us will have to forego a warm embrace, or a kiss on the cheek in order to protect our loved ones. It will be hard, but strength and resolve is something that mothers display on a regular basis. In the face of this pandemic, mothers are working on the frontlines and helping restless children with homework. Some are baking up a storm! I want to thank them and encourage you to let them know, over and over again, how much you appreciate, love and respect the contributions they make to our families and our communities.

The latest unemployment figures were released today. Close to 2 million Canadians filed for Employment Insurance in April. It is discouraging news but we know the surest way of getting people back to work is to beat back this virus. In the meantime, we need to continue to provide direct support to individuals who are struggling to make it to the other side of this crisis. I'm pleased to learn that the Federal government is planning on extending the 80% wage subsidy past June. Although many are not supported by this program, we should be making every effort to keep people at work where their safety and security is respected.

The Government of Ontario is beginning efforts to slowly resume procedures and elective surgeries to begin the process of working through what has become a significant backlog in our healthcare system. Many people have had to forego procedures during the pandemic as the province prepared for COVID-19 to overwhelm the health care system. It's important to get back to the work of ensuring Ontarians are healthy and cared for, but we need to ensure it done in a manner that respects the safety of frontline staff, as well as patients. Read more about this issue HERE.

As we've seen in our long-term care homes, we need to ensure there are measures in place to protect our most vulnerable. It's also vital to keep our health care professionals safe by ensuring they have the PPE necessary to do their jobs. We learned today of a 5th PSW who has lost their life to this illness. My heart breaks for these families who are dealing with the loss of a loved one. While the Government suggests a review, we will continue to press for a full public inquiry into this tragedy. We owe the families suffering through this pain the truth and transparency that will come with an inquiry. When the time comes, we will also need to consider the role that for-profit delivery has played in the problem. For more on our position, please read the press release below.

As always, my office is here to help. Please call at 416-243-7984, or email us at fhassan-co@ndp.on.ca.

Take care, stay home, and wash your hands.

Best Regards,

Faisal Hassan
Member of Provincial Parliament
York South—Weston

Each level of government has useful information to support you during this crisis. For more information, visit the resources below:

Federal Government Resources: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html
Provincial Government Resources: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/
Municipal Government Resources: https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/

News Release

Long-term care public inquiry must include evaluation of the continuing role of for-profit homes

QUEEN'S PARK — NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says that Ontario deserves a broad and thorough public inquiry into long-term care, including why the system was in crisis before the pandemic hit; how the pandemic response left seniors homes so vulnerable; and an examination of the future of for-profit homes in Ontario.

“It’s heartbreaking to think of seniors left in understaffed, under-resourced nursing homes, with virtually no regulations in place to protect them, while COVID-19 swept through home after home. The staff who care for our most vulnerable have been run off their feet, and have been putting their lives at risk in facilities that don’t have enough personal protective equipment, and that may not have had proper isolation or infection control procedures in place.” Horwath said. “Tragically, residents and staff have lost their lives. We owe it to them, to their families and loved ones, to make major changes to this system, to protect every life from here on.”

Horwath said slow-to-arrive half-measures, loopholes and mixed messaging from the Ford government need to be examined by an independent public inquiry, as does the state of the system before the pandemic hit. She also wants different types of ownership in long-term care scrutinized, comparing outcomes for non-profit homes versus for-profit homes versus public, municipally-owned homes.

“I oppose profits being made by corporations in long-term care. Let’s lay all the facts on the table in a thorough and independent public inquiry,” said Horwath.

Data released Tuesday by the Ontario Health Coalition shows a significantly higher death rate due to COVID-19 in long-term care homes that are owned by for-profit corporations, compared to non-profit homes and public, municipal homes. The analysis showed that the rate of death was 9 per cent in for-profit homes, 5.25 per cent in non-profit homes and 3.62 per cent in publicly-owned, municipal homes.

“I envision a community-based non-profit and public seniors care system – one that doesn’t siphon away frontline funding to pad the pockets of multi-national corporations, but instead uses every penny to deliver the best care,” said Horwath. “This inquiry could be the start of putting Ontario on a new, better, safer and more dignified path.”

Privatization of long-term care increased dramatically in the 1990s under Premier Mike Harris. Harris is now the chair of the board for a massive long-term care for-profit corporation.

Community News:

The Luso Canadian Charitable Society works to support adults living with disabilities. Their work is especially important during the COVID-19 crises. Their #GivingTuesdayNow fundraiser has surpassed it's goals, but the need still exists. Please donate to support this important work HERE.

May 8th marks the 75th Anniversary of VE Day, the end of the Second World War in Europe. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 the City of Toronto has cancelled public celebrations. To commemorate this special event, the City of Toronto Archives has created an online photo exhibit "V-E Day and V-J Day: The End of World War II in Toronto, 1945". To view the archive of photos click HERE.

In partnership with Aecon, The Toronto Community Benefits Network launching the NexGen Builders Mentoring Program! They aim to connect mentors in the construction industry with black, Indigenous and newcomer communities, with priority for women and youth, who are in the process of preparing for work or who have been recently employed as apprentices or professionals in the construction industry. To find out more, visit https://www.nexgenbuilders.ca/

Copyright © 2020 Former Member of Provincial Parliament - York South-Weston, All rights reserved.

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