Hello <<First Name>>,
This past weekend, I was thrilled to join hundreds of colleagues and friends for the Ontario NDP policy convention. For it to take place during the month of February, when we celebrate Black History Month, was quite appropriate. We've become accustomed to celebrating historical black trailblazers such as Lincoln Alexander, who served as the first Black Member of Parliament and the first Black Cabinet Minister. Or Zanana Akande, who was the first black woman in Canada to serve as Cabinet Minister as a member of the Ontario Legislative Assembly. The long history of contributions of black Canadians is truly worthy of celebration, and not just in the month of February. I appreciate these pioneers not only for what they've accomplished but for the doors that they've opened for other black leaders and innovators to thrive.
I'm proud that our party was able to elect a diverse group of MPPs from right across our province in the last election. It allowed us to form the first Black Caucus in Ontario's history. A caucus that I am proud to serve as a member of. This weekend, our party continued to break ground by electing our first black party president, Janelle Brady, to lead us into the next election and beyond. Janelle is an anti-racist educator, activist, and researcher. She has been at the forefront of social justice movements in Ontario as a community organizer and has worked tirelessly to advocate in support of the voiceless in our province. She has been served as Vice President of the party and led the charge on several equity initiatives that have strengthened our party's ability to represent all Ontarians. I was proud to support her candidacy and look forward to her successful leadership.
Black History Month is about more than honouring the past. It is about acknowledging the contributions of today's black leaders and fostering a future that opens more doors for black excellence in the future. This Thursday, I will be hosting a virtual celebration of Black History Month, where I will invite local leaders to participate in a conversation centring on our community of York South—Weston. I will be joined by Juno Award nominee Adam Solomon, Frontlines Executive Director Stachen Frederick, children's author Ayana Francis, Canadian Union of Postal Workers Secretary and Treasurer Abdi Hagi-Yusuf and members of the Black Farmers Collective. I hope you can join us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube on Thursday, February 10th from 6:30PM to 7:30PM as we recognize Black History Month and celebrate the leaders in our community.
On Sunday, Over 85 per cent of delegates to the Ontario NDP convention gave an enthusiastic thumbs up to my leader, Andrea Horwath and her leadership. Earlier in the day, Horwath delivered a jubilant speech to more than 1,100 delegates highlighting NDP solutions including a $20 minimum wage and $10-per-day child care, paid sick days, a comprehensive platform to make homes more affordable, a plan to build a fully public and community-based home care and long-term care system and Ontario’s strongest-ever climate plan.
Endorsement of Ontario Federation of Labour:
Speaking at the Ontario NDP convention Saturday, Ontario Federation of Labour President Patty Coates enthusiastically endorsed Andrea Horwath for premier on behalf of Ontario’s largest labour organization. Coates and the Ontario Federation of Labour represent over one million Ontario workers from more than 1,500 unions and affiliated locals. The OFL voted at their annual convention in November 2021 to go all-in on Horwath and the NDP. Watch Patty Coates’ address to the 2022 Ontario NDP convention HERE or in the video below.
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 congratulating Chicken Kitchen on their opening.
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A message from Patty Coates, President of the Ontario Federation of Labour
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News Release
York Memorial rebuild announcement tribute to community advocates: NDP MPP
YORK SOUTH—WESTON — The NDP MPP for York South—Weston Faisal Hassan released the following statement in response to a government announcement committing to help reconstruct York Memorial Collegiate:
"A huge thanks to the York South Weston community for its years of advocacy pushing for government to invest in rebuilding the historic York Memorial Collegiate Institute. It is your efforts, as well as those of the Toronto District School Board, that has resulted in the announced rebuild of this beautiful structure, built in 1929 as a tribute to fallen soldiers.
York Memorial has served our community for generations, and the impacts of its loss in 2019 has been felt by my community — in particular the hundreds of students who have been displaced because of the fire that destroyed it.
The Ford government must commit urgent funding to ensure the rebuild begins immediately — this announcement should have come three years ago, not four months before a provincial election. It is imperative that the government follow through on this commitment."
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Community Innovative Alliances are hiring for two positions. Read about the role of Assistant Project Coordinator HERE and Survey Designer Market Researcher HERE. For more information or to submit you resume email info@cialliances.com
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Last Summer, Nia Centre for the Arts launched the creative writing program Black Pen, a series of weekly learning, creation, and sharing sessions facilitated by Whitney French. 6 selected writers had the opportunity to deeply and authentically explore their literary voices and create their own written piece. On February 10th at 6pm, they will celebrate and launch their new chapbook ‘Griot: Six Writers Sojourn into the Dark’. Following the launch, you will have the opportunity to hear from the artists as they share their experiences and learnings, followed by a live reading of their work. To Register for this event, click HERE.
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Do you enjoy Spoken Word? Do you have a story about COVID-19 to share with your community? Are you between the ages of 15-25? If so, this is the program for you. Speaking Up is back. Participating youth will be paid $300 for their attendance and for delivering their spoken word pieces. To register for this program, click HERE.
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Do you want to have a child-free date night this Valentine's Day? Look no further, as Shakespeare in Action hosts an evening of movies, snacks, pizza and games at Artscape Weston Common for kids ages 6-12. Register HERE.
Valentine's Day (Feb 14th 2022)
Time : 5:30pm - 9:30pm
Cost : $60 for 1 child or $110 for 2 children ($40 for each additional child after that)
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UrbanArts is offering free expressive approach for participants to share their thoughts/feelings towards the latest corona virus related events through different visual arts styles. Each week a new artist will be featured to help participants create original artwork. Vax Art starts Friday Feb. 11 and runs every Monday and Friday, 4 - 5pm via Zoom until March 14. Click HERE to have a zoom link sent to you.
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The Neighbourhood Climate Action Champion for York South—Weston is preparing for another season of work. If you are in the Brookhaven-Amesbury community and want to contribute to the fight against climate change, Wendy wants to hear from you. Work is in the planning stages. For more information reach out to Wendy G at wendy.g@sympatico.ca
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Youth Employment Services latest Job Central group starts on February 14, 2022. For anyone interested in participating, staff are available from January 30th – February 11th. Individuals participate in 3 weeks of paid, online Employment Skills Training, followed by a 10-week paid work placement. 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 or to register, email yasmina_aldohan@yes.on.ca or 416-656-8900 ext. 100.
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Applications for the Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto has opened it's diversity scholarship for 2022. To be eligible for a Diversity Scholarship, applicants must:
- live in a CHFT member co-op
- plan to attend a recognized, publicly funded, Canadian, post-secondary education institution – community college, university or approved apprenticeship-training program – on a full-time basis in the 2022/2023 academic year
- have used their knowledge and understanding of diversity to make a positive contribution to their school and/or local community
- have demonstrated a financial need.
Applications close on February 16th. To apply, click HERE.
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Kindergarten registration is now open for families who would like to enroll their children in the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) for next September. For more information visit their website HERE or to start the registrations process at https://soar.tcdsb.org/ |
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Join Syme 55+ for their 4-day Virtual Senior Active Living Fair running February 14th to 18th. Day one begins at 12:00PM and Days two to four begin at 1:00PM. For more information call 416-766-0388 or email syme55@syme55.com
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The City of Toronto provides free sidewalk snow clearing for eligible seniors and residents living with disablities. To learn more about the program, click HERE, and click HERE [PDF] to get access to the application form through the city's website.
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Did you know there is a helpline in Ontario that provides information and referrals to social services, community programs, and government supports? Simply dial 2-1-1 to connect with a Community Navigator who will talk to you about your situation and help you find the programs or services that are right for you.This service is free and confidential. Calls are answered 24/7 in 150+ languages.
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On February 10, 2022, the fourth annual I Heart Neighbourhood (Virtual) Charity Auction will see community members celebrate and support the importance of strong, vibrant, and compassionate neighbourhoods. UrbanArts is one of 5 charitable organizations that have joined forces to organize this unique, collaborative event. Items, services, or experiences donated for the auction will help UrbanArts raise important funds for programs and donors will be promoted widely during the 2-week silent auction and live event with DJ and entertainment. Fill out the donation form HERE or purchase tickets HERE.
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