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Hello <<First Name>>,

The end of the 2021 legislative session has arrived with Queen's Park adjourning for the season. We're now into the 20th month of the pandemic, and sadly, over 10,000 Ontarians have lost their lives to COVID-19. The government could have used this session to improve the lives of people, but I still hear from many of you about the challenges facing your families and our community of York South—Weston. We're struggling with the rising costs of household essentials, auto insurance, and especially the cost of housing. Children are struggling, both academically and emotionally, as the government proceeds with cuts to education. People continue to wait for long-delayed surgeries and medical procedures, compounding the damage the pandemic has inflicted on our healthcare system. Families with loved ones in long-term care are still yearning for a system that values seniors above profit.

Instead, what we've seen from Premier Ford is a government willing to put its wealthy friends ahead of the needs of everyday people. He's chosen to support big box stores ahead of small businesses that have struggled for months. He continues to plow ahead with cuts to healthcare and education and has failed to deliver the resources that public health agencies need to combat the spread of COVID-19. His penny-pinching pandemic response is putting us further and further behind. The Liberal Party also failed to present a coherent vision, proving once again that their focus is on returning to power, rather than serving the people who they claim to represent. In contrast, I am proud of the accomplishments we were able to secure. We were proud to partner with the National Council of Canadian Muslims on an anti-Islamophobia bill and released a concrete minimum wage plan to respect workers with a wage that pays the bills.

There is still much work to be done, however. I look forward to continuing the fight for important measures such as the introduction of permanent paid sick days and making homes more affordable. We need to keep getting help for the small businesses that actually need it and hire thousands of healthcare workers for hospitals and long-term care homes. We also need to invest in smaller class sizes and finally sign an agreement to bring $10 per-day child care to Ontario. I am committed to these goals because I know how much they will serve the needs of York South—Weston. You deserve better and I look forward to hearing from you over the holiday season.

Consumer Protection Watchdog:
One of the recurring concerns I've heard from people over the course of this pandemic was the need to better protect consumers from unfair and predatory practices. We've seen issues with price gouging and businesses withholding services from paying customers. Depending on the situation, Ontario offers a patchwork of agencies and bodies tasked with protecting consumers, and too often, there is nowhere to go. That's why I am proud to co-sponsor a bill to create the Ontario Consumer Watchdog, an independent organization that would have the power to investigate and mandate compliance with consumer protection laws. It's beyond time to provide consumers with the protections they need to go up against corporations who take advantage of them.

Incarcerated Youth Education:
This week, in my role as NDP Youth Opportunities critic, I urged the Ford government to ensure young people in custody are given opportunities to pursue an education, following a Canadian Civil Liberties Association report that found many youths in detention are denied access to formal education. Ontario school boards are not obligated by law to provide education to youth in custody, leading to significant disparities in the quality and quantity of formal education among youth detention centres. You can read more about this issue in the press release HERE.

August as Emancipation Month:
I'm pleased that Bill 75, An Act to proclaim the month of August as Emancipation Month, has received Royal Assent. By proclaiming August as Emancipation Month, Ontario is following the UN General Assembly’s adoption of the period of 2015 to 2024 being the International Decade for People of African Descent to ensure people of African descent receive the recognition, justice, and access to opportunities they deserve.

MPP Faisal Hassan Youth 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

FAISAL IN THE COMMUNITY:

Honouring Harry Vandekemp

MPP Hassan's Question on Education for Youth in Incarceration

MPP Hassan Speaking to Bill 52: Stopping Illegal Handgun Smuggling Act

MPP Hassan Debating Bill 43: Build Ontario Act

News Release

NDP proposes consumer watchdog to protect consumers who are cheated

TORONTO – NDP MPPs Tom Rakocevic (Humber River – Black Creek), Terence Kernaghan (London North Centre), Doly Begum (Scarborough Southwest) and Faisal Hassan (York South-Weston) will table legislation Wednesday to improve consumer protection for Ontarians.

The bill would mandate the creation of the Ontario Consumer Watchdog, an independent organization that would oversee all consumer protection matters in Ontario.

“Right now, when consumers get ripped off, they often don’t know where to go to file a complaint,” Rakocevic said. “Depending on the nature of the complaint, there could be a number of different places where it must be submitted, and most often, the response consumers get, is, ‘get a lawyer,’ an option that is unaffordable for most.

“As a result, many consumers have found it more effective to bring their complaint to the media rather than the government that is supposed to protect them.”

In addition to being a one-stop shop to handle all consumer complaints, the Ontario Consumer Watchdog would have the power to investigate businesses or other entities to determine compliance with consumer protection laws or practices, either independently, or based upon a customer complaint.

The Consumer Watchdog would be able to release public reports similar to the Auditor General or the Ombudsman of Ontario, and to level fines or other penalties against businesses that have been found to have not acted in accordance with consumer protection legislation.

“When consumers go up against multi-million-dollar corporations, they often feel the odds are stacked against them, and that no one is there to protect them,” Rakocevic said.

“The government should pass our bill to establish an Ontario Consumer Watchdog, giving Ontarians a protected place to go when they’re cheated by businesses individuals, or organizations, one that has teeth to take action beyond empty words.”

Quotes

Barbara Captijn, Consumer Rights Advocate:

“The Ontario Consumer Watchdog Act is a light for consumers in the current feeble state of consumer protection in Ontario. The patchwork of legislation, regulations, and legal grey areas in the current landscape is difficult for consumers to navigate.

This bill addresses a much-needed area for modernization, and can help fix injustices and imbalances in the current system, and could help improve the lives of everyday Ontarians.”

Dr. Karen Somerville, President, Canadians for Properly Built Homes:

“Canadians for Properly Built Homes is very pleased to support this legislation for an independent Ontario Consumer Watchdog. Consumer protection related to homes in Ontario has declined to near-non-existence over the last 20 years.

Ontario’s citizens need and deserve better. The purchase of a home is the largest purchase most consumers make, and the current situation in Ontario for both newly built homes as well as resale homes is clearly unacceptable from a consumer protection perspective.”

Community News:

Kitchen24 are looking for volunteers to help with meal packaging, prepping and everything else needed to provide 15,000 holiday meals to the community at this busy time of year. Any help would be gladly appreciated, with a focus on December 13, 14 and 15. If interested, or know someone who’s interested, email: giveback@kitchen24.ca.

The Mom Market Collective was founded to allow entrepreneurs in the community to have an outlet to grow and promote their businesses. Join them on Saturday, December 18th from 10AM to 5PM for the Toronto West Market, located at the Stockyards Pier 1 (upper level). Swag bags, hot chocolate station and a grand prize draw will all be part of the event.

The UrbanArts Winter Expo 2021 is taking place this Friday, December 10 at Artscape Weston Common from 6:00PM to 8:00PM. Proof of vaccination is required. To register for this free event, click HERE.

Frontlines Holiday Extravaganza is just around the corner! Join us on December 11th from 4PM to 9PM to support this amazing organization. The event will take place at 1800 Weston road and will include live music, prizes and appetizers. To purchase your tax-deductible ticket, visit HERE.

Come Support York South—Weston's young entrepeneurs at the grand opening of "Front & Centre". The youth pop-up store is taking place with the support fo Frontlines and Castlepoint Numa on December 11 from 10 AM to 1 PM. The shop will be located at 1830 Weston Road. For more information, call 416-244-7017 or email Frontlines at info@frontlines.to.

The Coat Rack Shack provides free, lightly used coats for kids and young adults in here in York South—Weston. This initiative is presented by Frontlines, with the support of Castlepoint Numa. To register, visit www.frontlines.to and click "Register". Coats must be picked up prior to December 11th at 1800 Weston Road, or at 1830 Weston Road between 10AM and 1PM on December 11th. Thank you to our friends at Frontlines and Castlepoint Numa for this wonderful initiative.

Meet Me At The Crossroads are currently accepting donations for children and youth. Acceptable items include clothing, winter accessories, toys or books. All donations will go back into the community. Contact admin@meetmeatthecrossroads.org for more information.

The Freemasons attending local masonic lodges in the Toronto Humber Valley (THV) District of Toronto are organizing their 4th Annual Community Toy Drive for 2021. Toys purchased are donated to local organizations and their efforts served over 500 children last year. Endorsed by the Weston Village BIA, you can donate by E-Transfer to THVtoydrive@gmail.com

The Mount Dennis TTC Division's Annual Coat Drive is back and they are aiming to provide at least 250 new coats to the community. Cash and new coat donations are being collected at Supercoffee (1148 Weston Road), Toronto Police 12 Division (200 Trethewey Drive), and the Learning Enrichment Foundation (116 Industry Street). For more information, email mark.reed@ttc.ca

The For Youth Initiative is looking for black youth between 13-17 to participate in their Black Youth Leadership Program. Participants can earn a $50 e-gift card for taking part in the 3-day online leadership program. Limited spots are available. To register, click HERE.

Shakespeare In Action is presenting "The Snow Queen" at Artscape Weston Common December 11th and 12th. Act NOW! participants (ages 7-11) have been hard at work for 8 weeks to hone their creativity and strengthen their skills preparing this wonderful story to share with the community. All safety protocols issued by the Province of Ontario and the City of Toronto will be in place. You can Pre-register for this event HERE.

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

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