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Hello <<First Name>>,

This Wednesday, the province will move into Stage 2 of the Ontario's re-opening, easing restrictions on a number of businesses that have struggled under lockdown measures for months. The efforts of Ontarians have achieved success in keeping case counts low, easing the burden on hospitals while achieving record-breaking vaccination rates. Services industries like restaurants and personal care industries such as salons have really been dealt a blow. Bills and debt have piled up as business owners do their best to keep their heads above water. While re-opening will provide some relief, the road to recovery will be long, and these businesses deserve support. They shouldn't be expected to go it alone.

I was happy to join MPP Andrea Horwath this morning for an announcement calling for a "Safe Re-opening Grant" for personal care and service industries. This would provide support to affected businesses to help them financially, and empower them to make investments needed to stay open. After being closed for so long, we should be making every effort to ensure this is the last time these hard-hit businesses are ever asked to "re-open" again. It's good for public health and supports the very businesses that serve as the backbone of our community. This was just one piece of a series of policy solutions that would be hugely beneficial to local businesses.

In addition to re-opening supports, we're calling on the government to provide an additional round of Small Business Support Grants that are more inclusive and leave fewer businesses owners on the outside looking in. We've also proposed a "Travel Ontario Tax Credit" that will provide families with a $1,000 tax credit to visit qualifying tourism businesses in Ontario, including qualifying purchases at restaurants, hotels, outfitters and attractions. We're also calling on the government to provide accessible and forgivable business loans to bridge the gap and allow local entrepreneurs to reach the other side of this pandemic intact. Premier Ford walked us into a third wave by cutting corners and withholding the support that individuals and business owners needed to get by. It was a mistake that small business owners cannot afford to see repeated, and an approach that I will oppose in favour of real support and investment.


Somali Heritage Week Virtual Celebration:
This week we are celebrating Ontario's first Somali Heritage Week, honouring the arts, culture and food of Somalis! I was honoured to table and gain support for the private member's bill making this week possible. I also had an opportunity to launch this important week with a virtual town hall celebrating all this rich culture has to offer. I was joined by artists and community leaders for this informative discussion which you can watch HERE.

2nd Stage Re-Opening:
On Wednesday, Ontario moves into the 2nd stage of re-opening. The resulting changes in restrictions include:
  • Outdoor social gatherings and organized public events for up to 25 people
  • Indoor social gatherings and organized public events for up to 5 people
  • Outdoor dining for up to 6 people per table
  • Essential and other select retail permitted at 50% capacity
  • Non-essential retail capacity at 25%
  • Stores in shopping malls open, with restrictions
  • Larger indoor religious services, rites, or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services at 25% capacity
For more information and further details, visit the government's roadmap site HERE

Indigenous Reconciliation:
This year, Canada Day celebrations come at an especially difficult time for Indigenous people as they face re-traumatization from the recent discoveries of children buried at former residential schools sites. For Ontarians, we must recognize our responsibility to  respect Indigenous Peoples' histories, cultures, contributions and the impacts of colonialism on their communities. 
Indigenous-led and survivor-centred efforts to find and bring home all the children that were taken from their families is urgent, and a responsibility shared by all of us who call Ontario home.


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
 
FAISAL IN THE COMMUNITY:
MPP Hassan visiting with residents at 15 King as they received their second vaccine dose.
MPP Hassan hosting the Somali Heritage Week virtual celebration.
Residents receiving their second dose at Beech Hall Co-op organized by MPP Hassan and supported by Humber River Hospital.
News Release

Horwath calls for supports for restaurants, personal support businesses

 

SCARBOROUGH — With salons back to business Wednesday and restaurants ramping up, MPP Andrea Horwath is calling for A Safe Reopening Grant for personal care and service industries.

“There are big bills coming due for businesses like restaurants and salons that have face-to-face, extended contact, which means more health precautions and less capacity at first,” said Horwath. “We cannot risk another wave. We cannot risk people’s jobs and livelihoods again. And the government should not be forcing these businesses to go it alone. With a Safe Reopening Fund, there’s more hope – a better chance that this reopening will finally be the last for the local businesses we love.”

Horwath said the Safe Reopening Grant would help with costs like PPE, plexiglass barriers, and staff required for health screening and contract tracing, along with helping keep staff on the payroll while businesses are not allowed to operate at full capacity. The Reopen Stay Open plan also includes a $1,000 tourism tax credit which could be used for restaurant dining.

Horwath made the announcement in Scarborough Monday with MPP Faisal Hassan (York South—Weston) and Scarborough-Rouge Park candidate Felicia Samuel. Hassan and Samuel added that Horwath and the Save Main Street plan also includes a fund for businesses that face historic barriers, like businesses owned by Black, Indigenous and racialized people.

“Our neighbourhoods have been built up by restaurants, salons and spas owned by people of colour, and we're fighting to make sure they have the tools to get through the pandemic,” said Hassan.

“The Premier walked us right into a brutal third wave, causing the longest shutdowns in Canada — then he didn’t want to spend the money to help local businesses get through it,” said Samuel. “This plan comes from listening to local business owners, and experts from organizations like the Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce. It’s the right thing to do to get jobs and the economy on track.”

BackgroundReopen Stay Open plan includes...

A vastly improved third round of Ontario Small Business Support Grant payments
Unlike Premier Ford’s earlier choices, this time, the government must not leave any business behind – providing a new payment to bridge to reopening every small or medium-sized local business that’s experienced revenue decline in the third wave, compared to pre-pandemic.

A $1,000 tourism and local restaurant tax credit
The Travel Ontario Tax Credit bill from MPP Wayne Gates (Niagara Falls) gives families a $1,000 tax credit to visit qualifying tourism businesses in Ontario, including qualifying purchases at restaurants, to hotels, outfitters and attractions.

Targeted re-opening support for personal care and service-based businesses
Especially impacted by necessary public health measures, personal care businesses like salons and service-industry businesses like restaurants need access to a Safe Reopening Grant in order to open, and stay open.

Access to forgivable loans
Businesses may need access to capital to re-open and drive economic recovery.

Community News: 
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.
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.
SummerUp is an invitation to Black youth across Ontario to come together to learn, collaborate, discover, aspire, and set a foundation for personal success. SummerUp gives you opportunities to improve your academic performance in an enjoyable way. Act quickly to select programs that appeal to you by visiting https://llileaders.com/summerup/

The Afro-Caribbean Farmer's Market launches this weekend! Be sure to set aside some time to visit them this Sunday at 11AM at 1531 Eglinton Avenue West. For more information on the market, such as a list of vendors, visit https://afrocaribbeanfarmersmarket.com
The Ontario Association of Architects has asked all MPPs to nominate a building to be celebrated at the annual Queen’s Park Picks event. Help MPP Hassan decide! Select your favourite building in York-South Weston and email us with the name (or address) of the building and why you love it. The deadline to submit a building is June 30, 2021.

GreenForceTO is a pilot project creating jobs in landscaping while building employment skills in green career paths. This paid training opportunity is available to community members through RAINscapeTO and Building Up in partnership with the City of Toronto. For more information, visit www.toronto.ca/greenforceTO, or contact rene@torontogreen.ca.

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.
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. 
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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Copyright © 2021 Former Member of Provincial Parliament - York South-Weston, All rights reserved.


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