Hello <<First Name>>,
Much of the recent conversation surrounding COVID-19 has centred on the discussion to re-open schools in Ontario. This is surely an important topic and one that we will be discussing in our Facebook Live event this Thursday at 7:00pm. The state of our provinces childcare centres also continues to be an issue that we need to address before the economy can fully recover. The Provincial government recently announced that it will allocate $230 million in federal funds to childcare. While this investment is welcome, it doesn't go far enough to stabilize the industry and provide the level of staffing, supplies and space required to encourage a safe environment for families. At last count, only 40% of childcare spaces have re-opened, and many centres have had to raise fees substantially to get the doors open. We can do better and we're calling for the Provincial Government to match the Federal Government contribution to support a safe re-opening of childcare in Ontario. To read more about our efforts, please read the press release below.
Toronto Public Health on School Re-start:
Toronto Public Health has joined with parents and educators in expressing concerns about class sizes in the government's re-opening plan. Returning to the crowded classroom conditions we were experiencing prior to the pandemic is not a workable option. TDSB is working on a plan to shrink class sizes in communities hardest hit by COVID-19 which could provide some relief to schools in York South—Weston. I will be sure to pass along details of these efforts as they become available. In the meantime, this article explains the efforts in more context.
The importance of paid sick days:
Today we learned of a story that highlights the importance of paid sick days as a tool in combating COVID-19. Over 180 employees of industrial baker FGF Brands in Toronto contracted the virus during the height of the pandemic. Many of the employees are low wage and precariously employed, making the choice to stay home a difficult one financially. We will continue to advocate for more paid sick days to protect all workers across this province and to prevent communities from future outbreaks as we approach a possible second wave this fall. For more on this story, read 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, stay home, and wash your hands.
Best Regards,
Faisal Hassan
Member of Provincial Parliament
York South—Weston
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News Release
Ford should match federal funds for child care: NDP
SCARBOROUGH — Doly Begum, NDP Child Care critic, released the following statement in response to the provincial government announcing that federal funding, up to $230 million, will go towards restarting child care:
“The federal contribution to re-opening Ontario’s child care centres is simply not enough to support the thousands of centres across Ontario struggling to reopen safely. The Ford government must pitch in and, at a minimum, match the federal funding dollar-for-dollar, to bring that funding up to a level that helps centres hire more ECEs, get additional spaces in place and ensure cohorts are smaller and safer. Centres also need funding to stabilize after many lost significant revenue during the pandemic.
Ford's child care announcement failed to address the sector's desperate need for more space, more staff and smaller cohorts, to ensure children and staff are safe.
At last count, only about 40 per cent of child care centres were operational, and only at reduced capacity. That means parents — especially women — won't be able to go back to work. Families won’t recover, and Ontario will not have an economic recovery, until that problem is solved.”
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York West Active Living Centre is continuing to provide virtual programming to residents. For a program schedule, click HERE.
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Our friends at Supercoffee in Mount Dennis have announced that they will be matching donations to the FYI scholarship fund through August 14! All you need to do is donate and add “supercoffee” to the comment field in the payment area. Thank you to Supercoffee for this generous initiative! To donate, click HERE.
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Eva Batista is turning 1 and you can support her Birthday Fundraising Challenge for a chance at some great prizes. It's easy:
Step 1: Follow @forevastrong.sma
Step 2: Donate! Every $5 is an entry to win a prize from our raffle.
Bonus entry: Screenshot confirmation and Post on your story or feed and tag 5 friends to do the same!
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Black business owners face unique circumstances. In response, Cassels is offering grants aimed at supporting black-owned or operated small businesses. Cassels is now accepting applications from businesses in the Greater Toronto Area for the first year of the program. To apply or learn more, click HERE.
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The Toronto Community Benefits Network is highlighting opportunities in the different skilled trades, starting with opportunities with Carpenters Union Local 27. There are opportunities for local residents to earn up to $100,000 while learning a trade with benefits and a pension. For more information, or to apply, call or text 647-697-7924 or email at jobs@communitybenefits.ca.
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Exciting news for theatre fans! Shakespeare in Action is partnering with Theaturtle to present Alphonse in the Park in Little Avenue Memorial Park from August 20 - 23rd. Toronto's first professional outdoor theatre production of the COVID-19 era will start its tour in the heart of Weston. All safety protocols issued by the City of Toronto and Province of Ontario will be followed. For more details click HERE.
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The Luso Canadian Charitable Society does amazing work in support of adults living with physical and developmental disabilities. This year they are hosting the 2020 Luso Virtual Volta. Individuals or teams can participate and challenge each other virtually to walk, run or ride throughout the month of August. To register or donate, visit http://lusoccs.org/.
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