Hello <<First Name>>,
This week marks the third anniversary of my victory in the 2018 Election. It has been a long and difficult three years, but I cannot thank you enough for entrusting me with the responsibility of serving this community that I call home. We have been through a tremendous ordeal together. I could never have expected that we would be dealing with a world-altering, global pandemic. I ran because our community has struggled with years of neglect, and was looking forward to tackling those issues head-on. Sadly COVID-19 resulted in a shift in focus and further highlighted the need to address the issues that have plagued our community for years.
I'm proud of what we've been able to accomplish these last three years together. We've worked hard to bring vaccine resources to our community, as well as a permanent testing facility. We've fought against government plans to make drastic cuts to vital investments like healthcare and education. We've insisted on a renewed focus on community hotspots like ours, and ensured that our community was treated as a priority, not an afterthought. We've fought hard for paid sick days and direct government support to struggling small businesses. There is still a great deal of work to do on a whole host of priorities, but it's been humbling and reassuring to find so many community members offer their support.
The recovery from this pandemic will require the collective effort of our community and will be just as challenging as the last year and a half. The road ahead will not be easy, but I draw inspiration from the frontline heroes who have worked so hard to keep our community safe. I'm reminded of the sacrifice of community members like Leonard Rodrigues, a Personal Support Worker whose life was taken by COVID-19 after working decades to care for our community's most vulnerable. We owe it to Leonard, and all the families who have lost loved ones, to honour them with an equitable, post-pandemic recovery that puts people first. This includes finally eliminating profit from our Long Term Care system, investing in childcare, and dismantling the barriers facing racialized and indigenous communities. I look forward to your support and ideas as we work together on these shared priorities.
Stage 1 Re-open:
Today, the province has announced that the Stage 1 re-opening will begin this Friday, June 11. Thanks to lowering case counts, and more individuals rolling up their sleeves for vaccination, we were able to reach this benchmark 3 days early. The new restrictions will allow:
- Larger outdoor gatherings (up to 10 people)
- Outdoor dining (Up to 4 per table)
- Increased retail capacity (25% for essential, 15% for non-essential
For more information on the upcoming changes, you can view the roadmap below or visit HERE for further details.
Second Dose Update:
As of today, individuals turning ages 70 and over in 2021, as well as individuals who received their first dose of an mRNA vaccine on or before April 18, 2021, will be eligible for an accelerated appointment to receive their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at a mass immunization clinic through the provincial booking system and call centre at 1-833-943-3900. Individuals preferring to get their second dose through a pharmacy or primary care provider will also be provided with that option at the time of booking.
UP Express:
Thank you to all the community members who have come forward with messages of support for Bill 303, the Clean Trains Now Act. I'm thrilled to support this bill and finally establish a concrete path towards electrification after years of broken promises from previous governments. The bill will establish a committee to make recommendations on the timeline and funding estimates required to achieve the goal of electrification and full fare integration.
Jobs for Youth:
The summer season is an important time for students right across York South—Weston. Summer employment provides opportunities for students to earn money to support themselves, their families, and the costs of education. With COVID-19, many of those employment opportunities are unavailable, placing a devastating financial burden on young people right across this province. This has become a focus of my work supporting youth opportunities, and I have take steps to identify these concerns with the government. By providing financial support to key employers like the CNE, we can ensure more opportunities for youth to thrive today, and in the post-pandemic recovery.
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, wear your mask, and wash your hands.
Best Regards,
Faisal Hassan
Member of Provincial Parliament
York South—Weston
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MPP Hassan chatting with residents at Saturday's launch of the Weston Farmer's Market at Artscape Weston Common.
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MPP Hassan's Statement for Italian Heritage Month.
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MPP Faisal Hassan Speaking in Support of Bill 230 to recognize ""Frontline and Essential Worker Week" in Ontario.
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MPP Hassan's letter to TDSB Chair Alexander Brown concerning the pupil accommodation review for York Memorial CI and George Harvey CI.
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News Release
MPPs introduce bill to electrify, integrate, and increase service capacity of UP Express
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QUEEN’S PARK — MPPs Faisal Hassan (York South—Weston), Bhutila Karpoche (Parkdale-High Park), Tom Rakocevic (Humber River-Black Creek), and Marit Stiles (Davenport), introduced a bill Tuesday that aims to electrify and improve access to the Union Pearson Express (UP Express).
“Residents in Parkdale-High Park and across Toronto have long had diesel trains running through our neighbourhoods,” said Karpoche. “The impacts of diesel fumes on our health and on the environment are harmful; that’s why we need clean trains, now.”
If passed, the Clean Trains Now Act would establish a committee to review the UP Express transportation system between downtown Toronto and Pearson Airport and make recommendations with regards to a plan, timeline and funding estimates to achieve certain goals including the electrification of the UP Express line, full fare integration so that passengers on the UP Express can travel seamlessly across all public transit routes in Toronto, and an increase in service capacity.
"I applaud the advocacy of the Clean Train Coalition, which has its roots in York South—Weston," Hassan said. "The previous government campaigned on electrification of the UPX and didn’t deliver. The diesel trains running through our community is the previous government's legacy and this governemnt's shame in not making it right. We need full fare integration and public consultation so that we can repair the damage of these governments."
Electrification would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce noise levels near above-ground rail lines while reducing the negative health impacts of diesel exhaust, which is considered a carcinogen.
“This bill presents an opportunity for the government to finally address the problems surrounding the UP Express and make the necessary improvements communities have long advocated for, so that the system is cleaner, more accessible and affordable,” said Rakocevic.
“We are calling for the electrification of the UP Express so that high-quality, clean and green transportation is accessible to residents across the GTA,” Stiles said. “Davenport is a community defined by trains. It’s important that we consult on making the transit system cleaner, more affordable and more convenient, with full fare integration.”
The bill would require the minister to table the committee’s report in the Legislative Assembly and inform the Assembly of the government’s response.
The Clean Trains Now Act has been endorsed by: TTC Riders. Environmental Defence, Green 13, Parkdale High Park for Climate Action, Safe Rail Communities and the Junction Residents Association.
Quotes
TTC Riders:
“Paying more to ride faster modes of transit creates an unfair two-tier system. Increasing service and integrating the Union Pearson Express with the TTC for one flat fare will make rapid public transit more accessible to people living in Weston and northwest Toronto.”
Environmental Defence:
“Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Ontario - and it's a sector where these polluting emissions continue to rise at a time when we need them to fall. To reverse this trend we need to clean up our transportation network through electrifying passenger vehicles and all public transit busses and trains including the UP Express line. We also need to make public transit more accessible for everyone. This bill would do both of those things."
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Unison Health & Community Services is offering support and resources for individuals dealing with a positive COVID-19 test result. For help with food, isolation space or other supports, call 416-787-1661 ext. 3300 between Monday and Friday from 9am to 5pm.
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Not sure how to book your vaccine appointment? 55 years of age or older living in Toronto? York West Active Living Centre can help to book your appointment. Call 416-245-4395 x226. Spanish speakers can dial extensions 222, and Italian speakers can call extension 233 for service in their native language.
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Community Place Hub at 1765 Weston Road continues to provide 1st dose vaccination opportunities to community members. You can book an appointment at www.wpcovidclinic.org and find more information about eligibility HERE or by calling 416-323-1429.
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Crews will be performing curb and sidewalk restoration on Eglinton Ave W at the intersections of Weston Rd and Black Creek Drive until August 21. To facilitate this work, crews will occupy one lane on Eglinton Ave on the northwest corner of the Black Creek Dr intersection. Crews will also occupy two lanes on Eglinton Avenue as well as two lanes on Weston Road on the northeast corner of the Weston Rd intersection. Work will begin as early as 7:00am and last until approximately 5:00pm, Monday – Friday.
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Congratulations to Mary Louise Ashbourne on being this year’s recipient of the Etobicoke Historical Society’s 2021 Jean Hibbert Award. Mary Louise’s passion for heritage, and especially old maps, has its roots in Weston where she was born, married and raised seven children with her husband Howard. Over many years Mary Louise has put her passion for Weston and heritage into action. Congratulations!
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AfroCaribbean Farmers’ Market (ACFM) “Callaloo Cash” program is a healthy eating initiative that supports the farmers’ market and strengthens food security throughout our community. The cash holder presents the currency to our participating farmers, and is able to utilise the Callaloo Cash alongside legal tender to help subsidise the shopping experience. Any organisation or private supporter, can simply donate $50, $100 or $200 to the ACFM Trust Fund. For more information, contact afrocaribbeanfm@gmail.com.
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The Toronto Black Farmers Collective has launched a new website highlighting their valuable work in the community. Take some time and learn more about their work HERE!
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Weston Mount Dennis resident Ayana Francis has written a children's book that will be released for pre-order on Canada Day. Follow along with Caden and Idris as they explore the Caribbean through their ABCs! They’ll take you on imaginary adventures- from building pink sand castles in the Bahamas, hiking Jamaica’s Dunn’s River Falls, to falling in love with the rhythm of Trinidad and Tobago’s steel pan.
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The 2021 Luso Virtual Volta will take place from June 10 to July 18, 2021. Volta is an individual or team challenge to walk, run, cycle or ride to raise awareness and funds for persons living with physical and/or developmental disabilities. For more details, please visit the 2021 Luso Virtual Volta fundraising website or contact info@lusoccs.org or 905-858-8197.
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Youth Employment Services Job Central groups start on June 21, 2021! Individuals participate in 3 weeks of paid, online Employment Skills Training, followed by a 10-week paid work placement. To qualify participants must be between 15 and 30 years of age, out of school, Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or people with Convention Refugee status. You must have access to a laptop/tablet and internet access. For more info, visit HERE.
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Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) has commenced a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) to determine a preferred riverine flood mitigation strategy for the Rockcliffe-Smythe area. The first of two Public Information Centre’s (PIC) for the Rockcliffe Riverine Flood Mitigation Municipal Class Environmental Assessment will be held virtually on June 16th, 2021. To register for the event, visit the registration page HERE.
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Metrolinx is hosting a virtual open house to inform residents about the elevated guideway and next steps for the Eglinton Crosstown project. The open house takes place Tuesday, June 8th at 6:30PM and registration is required. To take part in the open house, register HERE.
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Metrolinx crews will clear and remove some of the trees and vegetation located within the Kitchener rail corridor between Eglinton Avenue and Rogers Road. From May 31 to July 23, crews will work across this stretch for approximately eight weeks. Native trees removed as part of this work will be replaced within the City of Toronto through a compensation program based on the Metrolinx Vegetation Guideline.
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