Ontario's Cost of Living Crisis

Hello <<First Name>>,

Prices are soaring in Ontario, and inflation is on the rise. I hear from many community members who are distressed by the current situation and the increasing instability that is being caused by global events. It's costing more and more to fill the gas tank, and here in York South—Weston, we are paying some of the highest auto insurance rates in the province, due in part to postal code discrimination. The costs of household goods and essentials like groceries are also increasing, forcing some to rely on supplementary support through community organizations like local food banks. Simply keeping a roof over our heads is becoming increasingly difficult due to skyrocketing housing costs. More needs to be done to address this crisis of affordability and ensure that people get the support they need.

To this point, the government's approach has been to look the other way and hope the problem of increasing prices solves itself. We cannot afford a wait and see approach, and I am encouraging the government to take urgent action so that families can afford a decent quality of life. We recently reintroduced a bill that would bring in gas price regulations to keep the price at the pump fair and combat price gouging at the pumps. We are fighting to undo postal code discrimination and bring fair rates to drivers in our community. We need to increase the minimum wage to $20 an hour and institute a housing plan that will finally tackle housing costs that are rising out of control. And finally, we need to end the delays and excuses, and bring quality, affordable childcare to Ontario families now!

We know precisely who this problem is impacting, and the government must do more to get help to people who need it the most. Seniors, individuals living with disabilities and others on fixed assistance are seeing a larger portion of the budget evaporate with higher costs. Families struggling with the highest childcare costs in the country for years are still waiting for relief, and the working class is worried that their incomes cannot keep up with rising prices. Just about everyone has an example of a business using the crisis to take advantage of a customer, which makes our work to legislate an Ontario Consumer Watchdog an important piece of the puzzle as well. This week I am urging the government to support Bill 77 which I am co-sponsoring with my colleagues MPP Tom Rakocevic, MPP Doly Begum and MPP Terrence Kernaghan. The government can decide to bury their head in the sand and pretend it doesn't exist, but there are steps we can take to provide relief for people who need support now.

On Tuesday, the Ontario NDP reintroduced a bill to ban residential evictions in Ontario until the pandemic is truly over. In February 2021, the Ford government was urged to pass the NDP’s No COVID Evictions Act. The Ford Conservatives failed to pass the bill, which was sent back to first reading when the legislature was dissolved last winter. This legislation, which Doug Ford could and should have passed well over a year ago, is to protect people and reduce the spread of COVID-19 by blocking the issuing and enforcement of eviction orders until the Chief Medical Officer of Health makes a written declaration that the COVID-19 pandemic is over.

Bangladeshi and Irish Heritage Month:

March is Bangladeshi Heritage Month in Ontario and Irish Heritage Month across Canada. Our community is diverse and home to many wonderful cultures. If you are from the Bangladeshi or Irish community, I hope you find some time to celebrate your culture and traditions with families and friends. If you are not from one of these communities, this is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the rich history and traditions of other cultures that make up York South—Weston.

Ford government must review cases of small businesses left behind by grant program: NDP MPP

York South—Weston — MPP Faisal Hassan urged Doug Ford to review cases of small business owners who feel they have been overlooked by the government's small business support grant program.

“Small businesses have suffered greatly as a result of the pandemic,” Hassan said. “Many have closed their doors for good. Many still open are struggling under mounting debt, increasingly frustrated with the Ford government’s failure to address issues with its grant program.”

Hassan said business owners like Hao Nhat Chau of Shell’s Nails and Spa kept meticulous records of its interactions with the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, only to see its applications delayed and ignored.

“The Auditor General identified multiple issues with the Ford government’s small business grant program, including that the government awarded $210 million to ineligible recipients,” Hassan said.

“How is it that Hao Nhat Chau, who did everything right, couldn’t even get a resolution to her application? I am calling on the government to review her case to determine what went wrong — along with any other cases who want to appeal.

The Ford government shut down appeals for the small business assistance grant program without notice.

“Doug Ford cannot continue to turn its back on small businesses with legitimate grievances and unanswered questions and commit to reviewing businesses’ outstanding concerns with the previous round of small business support grants,” said Hassan.