Hello <<First Name>>,
Let me begin by wishing the dad's across York South—Weston a very Happy Father's Day this Sunday! I hope you enjoy the time with family. You've been hard at work checking in on loved ones, and keeping the youngsters entertained. Kick up your feet and enjoy the rest. You've earned it!
We are seeing a continuing trend of new cases coming down here in Ontario. While Toronto continues to deal with some struggles, I am hopeful that we are quickly approaching a stage 2 re-open, and will be able to enjoy some of the benefits that other jurisdictions in Ontario are enjoying today. We haven't reached the end quite yet, but the situation is improving, and this is good news. All Ontarians should feel proud of the work we've put in to get to this point.
As we begin to prepare for these next steps, we need to remain cautious, wash our hands and continue to practice social distancing. We also need to be prudent and prepared to deal with the further challenges that are still to come. Child care in Ontario is a prime example of this struggle. The Ontario government recently announced "plans" to re-open daycare in Ontario, but as so many of you have pointed out, there was very little detail in the plan, which left many of us with more questions. Also lacking was the necessary funding to ensure these centres can open with the necessary safety measures in place. We've heard your concerns. The NDP caucus has made a series of requests to the Minister of education, which you can read about in the press release below.
Seniors in our community have repeatedly expressed concerns that their voices are not being heard, and their struggles are being ignored. Unfortunately, this is a concern that predates COVID-19. The government must do more to advocate for seniors during this crisis, and into the future. They need a champion that will keep their concerns on the government's radar, and in the public eye. Our caucus is working on a plan, and I hope to have more to announce on that front shortly.
In closing, I'd like to invite you all to my Facebook live event tonight at 6pm. The topic of the discussion will be small business here in the community. I'll be joined by local business owners and the leader of one of our BIAs in a discussion on their struggles facing our business community. Please join us at https://www.facebook.com/FaisalHassanNDP/
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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News Release
NDP MPPs Lindo and Fife urge the Ford government to listen to parents before child care reopens
WATERLOO REGION — NDP MPPs Laura Mae Lindo (Kitchener Centre) and Catherine Fife (Waterloo) have sent an open letter to the Minister of Education urging him to listen to the concerns of parents and providers who are deeply concerned about the inadequate time child care providers have been given to prepare plans to keep kids safe.
“My office has been inundated with calls from anxious parents who need to know there is a plan that allows time, and support, for the child care centres to prepare and for the staff to be ready. As a parent to three young children, I know that parenting during a pandemic is already stressful as families have to juggle their responsibilities in a time of uncertainty,” said Lindo.
“The safety of our children must be the priority above anything else, but parents are telling me they do not have confidence in the plan put forward by the Ford government.”
In the letter, Lindo and Fife outline four immediate requests to the Minister to ensure that child care centres can re-open safely, and stay open:
- Provide new stabilization funding for childcare to cover parent fees for childcare spaces that must remain closed during the phased re-opening
- Confirm details of the announced support to cover extra operating costs for staff who will have lower ratios, be required to clean and prep more, monitor health and safety protocols, and increase communication with families. Confirm that this will be new money that will not come from existing funding for childcare providers
- Guarantee that no essential workers currently receiving emergency child care will lose child care provision when the emergency childcare program ends
- Work with federal counterparts to ensure childcare centres can continue to receive the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) during the phased re-opening
The letter
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Community News:
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.
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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 Acorn is hosting a tenants rights information session hosted by Toronto ACORN members next 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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More adjustments are happening in the Keele and Eglinton area. For details on the adjustments meeting made at this intersections, click HERE.
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Career talks, the online speaker series about careers in the constructions industry continues this week, on Tuesday at 6:00pm. To register for this or future events, please visit www.communitybenefits.ca/careertalks
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