Dear Neighbour, 

Last weekend, my colleagues and I were in the Legislature fighting against the government’s use of the notwithstanding clause. I was there to represent our community and speak against the Premier’s extraordinary use of the notwithstanding clause overriding charter rights for the first time in Ontario’s history. 

As you may have heard, the Ontario Superior Court found the government’s election finance legislation was unconstitutional and struck it down. Rather than amend the laws, the government decided to use notwithstanding clause. There has been independent analysis on the dangerous precedent it sets, the blatant act of a power grab and the impact it has on the rights and freedoms of the people of Ontario to be critical of their government. 

My focus has been on two key points: 

First, among the multiple crises Ontario is facing, emergency sessions could be focused on more urgent priorities that help save lives, keep people safe and help everyone get through the pandemic. Please see my statement in the House here.

Second, and I want to be very clear on this — there should be limits on third-party advertising during elections. Other provinces and territories have managed to introduce reasonable rules for election advertising without trampling our constitutionally-protected rights on free speech. Ontario can do the same, without bypassing the courts. 

The government also tried to argue that their use of the notwithstanding clause was a way to get big money out of politics. However, they always fail to mention that the same bill increased the donation limit to ~$10K per person during the election. Ten thousand dollars is big money—most people don’t have that much in savings.

My colleagues and I used every legislative tool we have as opposition members to extend debate and delay the passing of the notwithstanding clause bill. We turned the debate into the issues that actually matter to people in our community like the homelessness and eviction crisis, paid sick days, supporting small businesses, action on racism and more. I’ll keep fighting to safeguard our elections and push the government to get to work on the pressing issues of the day. 

Finally, you can find updates about vaccine second doses, pop-up clinics, and more below.

Warmly,

The government announced the following changes to second dose eligibility:

• As of Monday, June 21, 2021 at 8:00 a.m., all Ontarians who received their first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine on or before May 9, 2021 will be eligible to book or rebook their second dose appointment at a shortened interval. Previously, this was just for Delta hot spot PHUs. 

• As of Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at 8:00 a.m., individuals who received their first dose of an mRNA vaccine on or before May 30, 2021 and who live in the catchment area of one of the 10 public health units identified as Delta hot spots (Durham, Halton, Hamilton, Peel, Porcupine, Simcoe-Muskoka, Toronto, Waterloo, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph, and York public health units) will be eligible to book or rebook their second dose appointment at a shortened interval.

• Starting the week of June 28, 2021 (days / sequence to be confirmed) all Ontarians aged 18 and over who have received their first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine will be eligible to book their second dose appointment. The appointment will be scheduled at least 28 days after the first dose, per the recommended interval.

There are several pop-up clinics for first doses this weekend.

West End YMCA • 931 College St
Saturday, June 19 / 11am-3pm
Priority: Youth aged 12-29

George Harvey CI • 1700 Keele St
Saturday, June 19 / 1-9pm
Priority: All Toronto residents aged 12+

CW Jeffreys CI • 340 Sentinel Rd
June 19 & 20 / 10am-6pm
June 21-24 / 12-8pm
Priority: All Toronto residents aged 12+

St. Jerome CS • 111 Sharpecroft Blvd
June 19 & 20 / 10am-6pm
Priority: All Toronto residents aged 12+

Afghan Canadian Islamic Community • 22 Hobson Ave
Saturday, June 19 / 8am-8pm
Priority: All Toronto residents aged 12+

Thorncliffe Park Community Hub • 45 Overlea Blvd (Entrance 6)
Saturday, June 19 / 8am-8pm
Priority: All Toronto residents aged 12+

Dentonia Park • 80 Thyra Ave
Sunday, June 20 / 8am-8pm
Priority: All Toronto residents aged 12+

Davenport Perth Neighbourhood & Community Health Centre • 1900 Davenport Rd
CLÍNICA DE VACCUNACIÓN (PFIZER) / Vaccine Clinic targeting Spanish-speaking Communities
Sábado 19 de junio / Saturday June 19
10am a 6pm / 10am to 6pm
12+ / a partir de los 12 años a más
Prioridad para las primeras dosas / First Dose Priority