Still Waiting for Child Care

Parents of young families in Ontario were once again disappointed by the news of an agreement between the Government of Canada and another jurisdiction to provide decent affordable childcare to their residents. The government of Nunavut has agreed on a deal with the Federal government, leaving Ontario as the only province or territory in all of Canada not to come to an arrangement. While this is good news for our neighbours to the north, advocates are correct to wonder when the Premier will take this issue seriously. For decades, Ontario residents have struggled with the highest childcare fees in the country. With some fees approaching or exceeding $2000 a month, families are dealing with the weight of a second mortgage or rent-sized expense in their household budget. For 25 years, Quebec's program has made life more affordable for families and enriched their children through the talented and caring service of early childhood educators. We deserve the same.

It's difficult to understand the government's unwillingness to make a deal. At this point, they have had months to come to an agreement, and provide some relief for household budgets. We could be starting the process of expanding access, hiring and training ECEs and lowering rates. Instead, this government has decided to disregard parents with children in daycare, and ignore the real concerns of educators and staff who we have trusted with caring for our treasured little ones. Parents have been asking for take-home rapid antigen tests, and access to PCR testing. Staff needs those resources as well as N95 masks to keep themselves and their families safe. In too many corners of our community, grandparents and elders taking a larger role in supporting family through this crisis, and as the pandemic rages, they worry every cough and sniffle could be the sign of COVID-19.

It is not OK for the government to continue to kick this issue further down the road. There are few things that will be as important to our economic recovery as the quality, affordable childcare that is being denied. Prices of everyday essentials continue to climb and household budgets are being squeezed. Parents are looking for an opportunity to re-enter the workforce, and support their families. This government's continued failure to come to an agreement when Ontario has the highest fees in the country shows a lack of respect. It's time we acknowledge the importance of childcare, the value of early childhood educators, and make a deal now. No more excuses and delays. Parents in this province have gone through enough and they deserve to know that help is on its way.

NDP MPPs respond to Eglinton Crosstown advisory committee

TORONTO — NDP MPP Jill Andrew (Toronto—St Paul’s) and MPP Faisal Hassan (York South—Weston) released the following statement in response to news that Metrolinx and the City of Toronto will establish a joint committee to address the needs of local businesses impacted by construction on the Eglinton Crosstown LRT as the project continues:

“For years, businesses and residents along Eglinton West and in the Midtown area have been tremendously impacted by ongoing construction and delays to the Eglinton Crosstown LRT. Many local businesses have been doubly hit—and a number forced to shutter altogether—by ongoing construction, flooding, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The transit improvements that the Crosstown LRT will bring to our communities and city are very much welcomed. But the reality of prolonged disruption to businesses along the Eglinton Corridor means business owners need direct financial support to pay their staff and keep their doors open.

The formation of a joint advisory committee with Metrolinx, the City, the Toronto Association of BIAs and the Eglinton BIA Alliance is a key step towards ensuring that the needs of local businesses are met, and that funding from the province is allocated appropriately.

We urge Metrolinx to be accountable to the public when it comes to tracking and reporting where the remaining $1 million from the province will be spent. Further, we renew our calls for transparency regarding where the previous $2 million from the province was spent. Given the immense disruption to businesses with a project that’s taking far longer than it was supposed to, window washing, cleaning and supports for marketing are only a miniscule part of what is needed to save businesses and save these communities.

As both of us have raised multiple times in the legislature, affected businesses on Eglinton West and Midtown need and deserve direct and targeted financial support from the Ford government. In December, Andrew re-tabled her motion for the government to immediately implement a “Little Jamaica” Small Business and Community Economic Health and Wellness Strategy, to include:

Needs-based financial compensation for Eglinton West and Midtown businesses impacted by COVID-19, flooding, and LRT construction

Mandated transparent and timely communications between Metrolinx, the Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction and “Little Jamaica” small business and local community members

Commercial and residential rent relief with a moratorium on evictions for the duration of the pandemic

Heritage designation of Little Jamaica accompanied by an arts and culture plan

The construction of real affordable housing in the community, prioritizing inclusionary zoning in all new builds

Further, the necessary establishment of a joint advisory group should include political representation at the provincial level, inclusive of all impacted geographic areas. Having spent years working with local businesses, community members and BIAs on this very issue, we believe that we should be at the table working with Metrolinx, the City and the BIAs as the Eglinton Crosstown LRT project moves forward.”