Hello <<First Name>>,
In recent weeks, the warm temperature and improving public health situation has allowed me more opportunities to meet with residents at the door. There is nothing I appreciate more than an opportunity to speak directly with constituents and hear their concerns first-hand. As I've gone around the community, the persistent theme I hear is one of neglect. Residents are disappointed by the lack of attention paid by this government, and those before it, to the needs of York South—Weston. Residents have the solutions, and governments have the resources, but what has been lacking is the type of advocacy this community deserves.
One clear example of this is local concerns around transportation infrastructure and its impacts on local homes. Communities along the 401 in the North, and further south along the 400 & Black Creek corridor have been raising concerns about the conditions in their neighbourhood for years. I've heard stories of residents being kept up by excessive noise as vehicles exit the highway. They've dealt with accidents involving vehicles breaching their property, and are frustrated by relentless speeding through local streets. They've become disheartened, not just because the problem persists, but because they feel they are being ignored. These problems directly affect community safety and quality of life and must not be ignored any longer.
This afternoon, I sent a letter to the Minister of Transportation expressing the desires of the community (see below). We need investments in safety barriers and noise walls to lessen the impact of noise pollution. We need improved infrastructure to maintain pedestrian safety and mitigate speeding in our neighbourhoods. We need to ensure transportation infrastructure investments take the interests of community members seriously and stop treating impacted communities as afterthoughts. These are real concerns and they demand action. I look forward to advocating on this issue and raising the communities voices at the legislature next week. The Ministry cannot ignore these concerns any longer and I am prepared to work with them in any capacity to finally address these longstanding issues in the community.
Small Business Support:
Once again, the government has chosen to favour large corporate interests at the expense of small businesses in our community. The government's decision to keep restrictions in place for local restaurants while large indoor venues were made exempt left many in the industry scratching their heads. It's time the government give small businesses a break. Businesses like those in the Keelesdale community have struggled with the Eglinton Crosstown construction and need direct support, and more than the low-impact investments they've received up to now. I continue to advocate on this front, and for more supports for people like a third round of the Small Business Support Grant.
$10 a day Childcare:
The government continues to delay efforts towards achieving a $10 per day childcare agreement with the Federal government. Parents in our community have struggled with a lack of access to decent affordable childcare in our community and addressing this issue is a priority for York South—Weston. I will continue to pressure the government to get a deal done and end Ontario's long record of disappointment and high costs in childcare.
Long Term Care "Time to Care" Act:
I was pleased to learn that my colleague, MPP Teresa Armstrong of London—Fanshawe reintroduces the "Time to Care Act". This act would legislate four hours of hands-on care per day for residents in long term care. The bill has passed second reading with all-party support. I am urging the government to move the bill forward without delay and pass the bill immediately.
Youth Advisory Council:
Applications for the 2nd annual MPP Faisal Hassan Youth Council for York South—Weston are now open! Faisal Hassan MPP Youth Council for York South—Weston provides an exciting opportunity for young people to highlight ways our community can be better, and identify ways we can support young people across this province. If you are a young person between the ages of 16 and 24 and are interested in making an impact in your community, fill in an application form HERE.
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 joining Toronto ACORN and local tenants demanding action on tenant's rights to healthy homes.
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MPP Hassan's letter to the Minister of Transportation regarding the quality of life and safety of residents along the 401.
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News Release
Armstrong reintroduces Time to Care Act and urges Ford to make it law
QUEEN’S PARK - Almost a year since it passed Second Reading with all-party support, MPP Teresa Armstrong reintroduced her bill, the Time to Care Act, which would legislate four hours of hands-on care per day for residents in long-term care homes.
“In the last 19 months, we’ve lost over 3,800 loved ones who either lived or worked in long-term care. Many of those were preventable deaths caused, in part, by understaffing and low standards for quality of care,” Armstrong said. “Like so many across Ontario, I am struggling to understand why the Premier would not immediately enshrine the four hour standard of care through legislation and save families the anguish of having their loved ones neglected in long-term care.”
Last year, the government announced their plan to deliver four hours of care for every resident by 2025. The plan, however, stopped short of legislating the minimum standard. Further, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, homes with a higher ratio of staff to residents were less likely to experience a COVID-19 outbreak.
“The Premier must urgently pass my bill and finally help long-term care residents get the hands-on care they need. Else he must explain to thousands of families why he doesn’t believe legislating better care for our loved ones is a priority,” said Armstrong.
In addition to reintroducing the bill, MPP Armstrong wrote to Minister Rod Philips urging him to pass the bill.
Attachment [PDF]: Letter to Minister Phillips
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The latest Youth Employment Services (YES) Job Central groups starts on October 25! Program staff are available during the week of October 18 – 22, 2021 for all potential intakes. Individuals participate in 3 weeks of paid, online Employment Skills Training, followed by a 10-week paid work placement. Persons on Employment Insurance are eligible to participate. To qualify participants must be:
• Between 15 and 30 years of age (inclusive)
• Out of school
• Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or people with Convention Refugee status
• Able to commit to a 13-week full-time program
• With a laptop/tablet and internet access
For more information, contact Lisa at lisa_schoonderbeek@yes.on.ca or 416-656-8900 ext. 100
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The Black Creek Alliance and Lost Rivers Toronto will be hosting a community nature walk on Sunday, October 17 from 1:00PM to 3:00PM. Learn about the history of Black Creek & Lavender Creek as they search for other buried streams right here in our neighbourhood. Refreshments & snacks will be served at 1:30 with the walk starting promptly at 2:00PM. Join them at Westlake Memorial Park at 86 Jasper Avenue for this free, family-friendly event.
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The Weston Harvest - a day of food, music and storytelling will be taking place on Saturday, October 16th between 1:30PM - 4:30PM at 1844 Weston Road. Shakespeare in Action will partner with Castlepoint Numa to host a day for community members of all ages to gather outdoors and experience professional music and storytellers who will share stories around themes of harvest, food, and abundance. For more information please email foh@shakespeareinaction.org.
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Please be advised that a borehole drilling program will be commencing within the Rockcliffe-Smythe neighbourhood in support of the Rockcliffe Riverine Flood Mitigation Municipal Class Environmental Assessment project. Drilling will commence between approximately October 18th to November 12th, inclusive, and take approximately 1 week to complete. A drill rig will be used to drill boreholes within the road allowance on Scarlett Road near Black Creek (between Clairton Crescent and Black Creek Trail). Residents and businesses can expect noise and temporary lane closures in some areas. Work will be completed between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., in accordance with the noise by-law.
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The City of Toronto is seeking local neighbourhood leaders to engage with community residents on environmental issues and inspire climate action. Neighbourhood Climate Action Champions will inspire, motivate, and encourage other residents to undertake community-focused actions to support the City’s TransformTO climate action strategy and reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 or sooner. For more information or to apply, visit HERE.
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Humber River Pals will be hosting another cleanup of Weston Lions Park on Sunday, October 24th at 10AM. Participants are encouraged to wear a Halloween costume made of recycled materials. A prize will be awarded to the person with the best costume. For more information, email humber.river.pals@gmail.com or visit them on social media @humberriverpals
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As early as October 11, 2021, crews will be preforming storm and sanitary sewer installations along Hollis Street. To facilitate this work, Hollis Street will be closed to all vehicular traffic, including resident vehicles,
for approximately three (3) months. Access to parking lots from Hollis Street will also be closed. Property access will be maintained via sidewalks. Alternative parking arrangements will be provided to affected residents and arrangements will be coordinated by Crosslinx Transit Solutions. If you have not been contacted by a member of the Crosslinx team, please contact the West Crosstown Community Office at crosstown@metrolinx.com or (416)-782-8118 for information.
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The Get Job Ready (GJR) program is a paid employment program administered by the International Development and Relief Foundation. It is designed to coach youth ages 17-29, on how to navigate the job market and aim to support youth in obtaining their "dream jobs". Over a period of 4 workshops, youth participants will gain the following skills:
1) Resume & Cover Letters
2) Public Speaking and Networking
3) Digital Identity and LinkedIn
4) Financial Literacy
Sign up today at www.IDRF.ca/GetJobReady
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Local Climate Action Champion Sofija Theodorou will be hosting knowledge-sharing bike tours every other week at Weston Lions Park starting this Saturday. The group will be meeting at 11AM and wrapping up at 3PM. Upcoming bike rides are October 23, and November 6. For more information, email Sofija at sofija.theodorou@gmail.com.
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