Hello <<First Name>>,
Any person who has interacted with our long term care system in Ontario knows that the system has been crying for change for decades. For years, advocates have been sounding the alarm about substandard care and the need to foster an environment where seniors are treated with dignity. Prior governments pushed the system further and further towards privatization, and the result has been devastating. Privately run LTC facilities were cutting corners at the expense of seniors, leading to much of the devastation witnessed earlier in the pandemic. As a result, seniors, their family members, advocates and workers have demanded real, fundamental change. The government recently announced additional funding to support the sector, but it falls far short of what is required.
The aim is to hire more personal support workers and increase the standard of care, but this requires more than just funding. PSWs put their lives on the line during the pandemic and we must ensure that their work is valued and respected. Over 7,300 PSWs contracted COVID-19 in Ontario, and 13 lives were lost, including the life of York South—Weston community member, Leonard Rodrigues. I remain committed to an LTC system that honours these frontline heroes, starting with fair compensation. That's why I support an immediate and permanent $5 hourly pay increase for PSWs in Ontario. Too many workers are forced to string together part-time opportunities just to make ends meet. That's why I support recognizing PSWs as the vital professionals that they are and insist on full-time opportunities with benefits. With these measures in place, our province will be far more successful at hiring and retaining the 10,000 PSWs we need.
There is consensus that major change is needed. I have continued to support legislation that will deliver on a new 4-hour minimum standard of care for seniors in long term care and will uphold efforts to remove the profit motive from our LTC system. If we are to change the system for the better, PSWs need to be treated as valuable partners. Today's announcement from the government fell short on this front. Rather than cut PSW pay in the coming weeks as planned, the government should be moving swiftly on pay increases and improved working conditions for staff. This will benefit workers, but will also ensure we can retain the staff required to maintain a safe and nurturing environment for vulnerable loved ones. We must get this right once and for all, and I look forward to your support as we work towards this shared goal.
Optometrists Rally:
Hundreds of Optometrists rallied Wednesday afternoon at the legislature calling on the government to properly fund provincially insured eye services, including eye exams for children and seniors. The latest proposal from the government would only bring the covered cost up to $48, leaving optometrists out of pocket for $30 to $35 per service. This isn't fair to the Optometrists or the children and seniors who are in need of vision care. I am urging the government to return to the table and reach an agreement so that the people of York South—Weston can regain access to the vision care they need.
Flooding Support:
I was pleased to learn that the City of Toronto will be undertaking a study to determine the appropriateness of grants for victims of flooding in the Rockcliffe-Smythe community. I fully support this effort and would like to see it expanded to include communities in the north end of the ward that have also been let down by the city and past infrastructure investments aimed at mitigating community flooding. I also continue to press for resources at the provincial level that can mitigate flooding and the impacts of climate change on York South—Weston and beyond.
Autism Funding:
The waitlist for the Ontario Autism Program has ballooned to more than 40,000 children, up from 27,000 in March 2019. Thousands of families have to make tough financial decisions trying to afford expensive therapy for their children with autism and watching developmental potential slip away. I continue to call on the Premier to prioritize the Ontario Autism Program and finally provide children and their families with the support they need. These families have been waiting and struggling for too long and deserve to have a government prepared to invest the resources needed to provide for their loved ones.
Construction Noise:
Ever since the government decided to override the city's authority to limit construction activity in April 2020, residents living near residential and commercial construction sites have been complaining of bothersome construction noise morning and night. People are exhausted and distressed; many residents have been working from home during the pandemic, and have had no reprieve from the constant noise. I am urging the government to resume bylaws to restore the authority of municipalities to set their own construction noise bylaws. After more than 18 months, it’s time for Premier Ford to allow our construction noise bylaws to resume.
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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News Release
Long-term care and home care won't improve until PSWs get permanent raise, full-time jobs - Horwath
QUEEN'S PARK — Hamilton MPP Leader Andrea Horwath responded to today's announcement by the Ford government's Minister of Long-Term Care Rod Phillips:
"Throughout this pandemic, workers in long-term care have risked their lives and put in tireless hours caring for our most vulnerable seniors. Staff have been leaving the sector in droves, complaining of burnout, poor pay and unsafe working conditions.
Yet Premier Ford and Minister Phillips refuse to give PSWs the permanent pay raise they deserve and commit to ensuring their jobs are full-time.
In the coming weeks, their hourly pay will be cut again. PSWs will continue to leave the profession by the thousands.
PSWs deserve respect, and our loved ones deserve care from well-paid, well-trained caregivers. If I were premier today, I’d be hiring more than 10,000 PSWs, giving them a permanent $5-per-hour wage hike, and making sure they have stable, full-time jobs — not part-time gigs.”
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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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As early as Thursday October 7, 2021, crews will be preforming construction activities to widen the GO platform bridge. To facilitate this work safely Eglinton Avenue West will be closed between Weston Road and Black Creek Drive at night. Eastbound traffic will be detoured south on Weston Road. Westbound traffic will be detoured south on Black Creek Drive. Closures are expected to be in place between 8:00 pm and 6:00 am, for approximately two (2) nights.
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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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As early as Monday October 4, 2021, crews will be preforming median restoration works at Black Creek Drive and Eglinton Avenue West. To facilitate this work safely, eastbound, and westbound traffic on Eglinton Avenue West will be reduced to one thru lane in each direction. This work is expected to take place Monday - Friday between 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. for approximately five (5) weeks.
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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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As early as Monday October 4, 2021, crews will be preforming road restoration work along Todd Baylis Boulevard. Todd Baylis Boulevard will be reduced to a single lane for both directions of traffic south of the Storage Mart entrance. A traffic control personnel will be present to direct traffic. The north sidewalk on Todd Baylis Boulevard, between Black Creek Drive and the Storage Mart, will also be restricted to pedestrians. This work is expected to take place between 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for approximately two (2) weeks.
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The YES Youth Collaboration and Job Central programs are launching a new Digital Literacy Program, with the first group starting on Tuesday, October 12, 2021. Online groups will consist of 3 weeks of paid digital literacy and pre-employment skills training, followed by a 13 week paid employment placement. Clients who complete this full intervention will also be eligible for a completion bonus. To request an intake appointment, email derek_yearwood@yes.on.ca or fill out the form HERE.
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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 9, October 23, and November 6. For more information, email Sofija at sofija.theodorou@gmail.com.
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