Hello <<First Name>>,
I want to begin by thanking the local business leaders and residents that took part in our Facebook Live conversation on small business. We heard about the impacts of COVID-19, and the struggles facing businesses right across our community. If you are interested in the discussion you can watch the event HERE.
Last week, the government held a press conference to announce its plans concerning the re-start of the school year in September. Unfortunately, this announcement left many in our community with even more questions. The announcement laid out a framework requiring local school boards provide 3 scenarios for re-opening. A "regular" re-opening scenario would have students in school. An "at-home learning" scenario would be similar to what we are seeing today with online instruction. The third scenario would involve a blended delivery format that would combine at home and regular in-class learning. This last scenario would have students placed in cohorts of 15, and would involve an alternating daily or weekly schedule.
The decision on which scenario to use will be made with the input of the local health units. I recognize there is very little detail in this announcement. We had hoped that the government would have undergone rigorous consultations with parents, teachers, and other vital stakeholders. Instead, they will ask school boards to do the heavy lifting. This does provide the opportunity to hear your thoughts and concerns on this matter, so please reach out to our office with your feedback.
Today, the province has announced that Toronto and Peel region can now enter into Stage 2 re-opening as of this Wednesday. This will allow for the re-opening of businesses like hairstylists, shopping malls, and restaurant patios, among others. For a full list of affected businesses and services, click HERE. Your hard work and dedication to flattening the curve has got us to this point. Thank you for all that you've sacrificed to keep our community safe.
Our efforts to stamp out this virus will continue in the coming weeks. We all recognize vigorous hand washing, social distancing and mask-wearing as the new normal, but there will soon be an additional tool available to fight back against the spread. The Federal government announced that a national contact tracing app will be available in early July. This app be available on your phone, and will use Bluetooth technology to identify if you may have been in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. The app will NOT track your location, and while it is not mandatory, the tool is far more effective the more people use it. This article does well to explain how it all works.
I want to recognize the many small business owners who continue to struggle with the lack of support from the Ford government. Not only are landlords refusing cooperation on rent supports, but we are hearing from too many businesses not covered by the government's recent commercial eviction ban. We will continue to press the government to ensure you don't fall through the cracks.
I would like to invite everyone to participate in an upcoming public event celebrating Pride Month this Thursday! The Pride Cabaret will feature artists and entertainers from across our province and highlight the amazing contributions of our province's 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Details can be found in the graphic 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
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Each level of government has useful information to support you during this crisis. For more information, visit the resources below:
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As the case number decline, the need for testing doesn't go away. In order to maintain control of the virus, testing (in combination with contact tracing) will be vital to containing the spread. Recently, I wrote the Premier concerning the lack of testing in our community. Read the letter HERE.
Municipalities across Ontario are suffering right now, and as a result, some drastic cuts to city services are now on the table for Toronto. The mayor has made it clear that the city needs help now. The Toronto NDP caucus has written a letter expressing our concerns and urging the government to provide financial operating assistance
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News Release
NDP releases commitments to end police violence, overhaul mental health crisis response, and invest in Black, Indigenous and racialized communities
QUEEN’S PARK — The Ontario NDP has laid out its commitments for overhauling policing and police oversight, tackling systemic racism, and making mental health crisis response safer, especially for Black, Indigenous and racialized people.
“Regis Korchinski-Paquet, Rodney Levi, Chantel Moore, Stewart Kevin Andrews, Jason Collins, Eishia Hudson, Caleb Tubila Njoko, D’Andre Campbell and Ejaz Choudry. These people were loved, and should be here today,” said NDP Anti-Racism critic Laura Mae Lindo.
“These folks were all Black, Indigenous or people of colour, and most of them lived with mental health challenges and were in crisis when police arrived. Calling for help or experiencing a mental health crisis should not be a death sentence. Being Black, Indigenous or racialized should not make you more likely to die during an interaction with police. But we’re not going to change that reality until we have the political will to seize this moment, and tackle systemic racism in policing.”
End Police Violence. Invest in Black, Indigenous and Racialized People’s Lives: An Ontario NDP Commitment to Action includes a plan to:
- Overhaul police oversight, including compelling police to participate in investigations into police actions, and allowing unpaid suspensions
- Demilitarize police forces by diverting spending on military-grade hardware, including tear gas and assault rifles, into community services. Tear gas has been banned in war zones by the Chemical Weapons Convention since 1997.
- End carding and destroy data collected through this unconstitutional practice.
- Transfer responsibility to, and investing in, alternative first responders to respond to mental health, addictions, homelessness and school discipline issues
- Give elected representatives the support and power to determine how policing budgets are spent
- Invest heavily in programs and supports that address the social and economic factors that influence people’s health
Link to policy paper: https://www.ontariondp.ca/end-police-violence
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Community News:
Effective July 2, masks or face coverings are mandatory when travelling on the TTC, with the exception of:
- Children under two years of age.
- Persons with an underlying medical condition which inhibits the ability to wear a mask or face covering.
For more information on the plan, read HERE.
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The Syme 55+ Seniors' Centre, in partnership with Syme Woolner Neighbourhood and Family Centre and the Daily Bread Food Bank, have come together to open a new food bank in the York South—Weston community.
Date: Each Wednesday, starting July 8th, 2020
Time: 2:00pm-4:00pm
Address: 33 Pritchard Ave Toronto ON M6N 1T4
For more information, contact:
Phone: 416-766-0388
Email: syme55@syme55.com
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Toronto Acorn is hosting a tenants rights information session hosted by Toronto ACORN members this Tuesday, June 23 at 6pm. Learn about rights/protections related to rent, evictions and maintenance/repairs, and rights in regards to air conditioners. Details of the event can be found on Facebook HERE.
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York West Active Living Centre is continuing to provide virtual programming to residents. For a program schedule, click HERE.
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On June 30 at 2pm EST, FoodShare will be hosting a panel titled "Black Women on Black Food Sovereignty" on Zoom! Learn more about ways in which colonialism, anti-Black racism, capitalism, white supremacy, and patriarchy are among the organizing principles embedded in the food system.
Tickets are now available for purchase on Eventbrite HERE.
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Toronto unites online this year for Canada Day. On July 1, join morning, afternoon and evening livestream programs showcasing Toronto’s brightest talent. For more info, click HERE.
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