Hello <<First Name>>,
We are now in the midst of the second wave of COVID-19. The virus has never left us. It has been lingering for some time, and as the summer comes to a close, it has returned with vigour. Public health officials are stressing the urgency of the situation, and reminding community members of the steps they can take to protect themselves and their families. Stay home if you can, and avoid congregate settings. Keep a safe social distance of 2 metres, and wear a mask to protect others. As always, handwashing is also key to keeping you safe, and keeping your social circle small will help prevent the spread of the virus. Over the past few months, I've watched our community do the collective work of combatting COVID-19. We'll all be asked to do our part once again, and I know I can count on the communities support.
My role in the coming weeks will be to advocate for a plan to combat the second wave this fall. As the community does the work to keep each other safe, the government should be fortifying communities with the resources they need. The government's plan to re-open schools has fallen short in many respects, and now serious questions are being asked about their second wave strategy. CBC news obtained leaked government documents outlining government plans to divert millions into private medical clinics. Hospitals need funding and support, not shifting precious public dollars into for-profit corporations.
Our focus should be on issues that you've indicated matter to you. We should be hiring thousands of long-term care staff and putting much stronger infection controls in place. Class sizes should be capped at 15, and school bus capacities should be capped as well. We need more local testing capacity and we need to put more PPE in the hands of every frontline worker. There is a path to safeguarding congregate care settings, and working through diagnostic and surgical backlogs, but it requires a government willing to make the investment.
As I have for the past several months, I pledge to stand with the community, and fight for the supports that matters to you. Please be sure to share your feedback, concerns and ideas as we navigate this path together.
Update on local COVID-19 testing:
I'm pleased to announce another pop-up COVID-19 testing facility coming to our community tomorrow. No appointment is necessary, and there is no cost. Visit Community Place HUB at 1765 Weston Road from 2:00pm to 6:00pm to get tested. Also a reminder that our permanent testing facility will be open this Monday at the former Humber River Hospital site at 200 Church Street starting at 10am
Education Development Charges:
A new report from the Broadbent Institute and advocacy groups Progress Toronto and Fix Our Schools said the province should allow the TDSB to collect Education Development charges from new developments to make necessary changes that ensure things like social distancing and fresh air in schools. Infrastructure and ventilation in our schools are in desperate need of investment. Many other jurisdictions require developers to pay their fair share to build and renovate schools. A motion on this measure will be coming to the legislature next week, and will be proud to give it my support.
Pharmacare:
Yesterday, the Federal Government indicated a commitment to a national, universal Pharmacare plan. While this is a welcome development, this government has not shown a willingness to work with Federal partners to bring this program to fruition. I will be urging the government to work in partnership with Federal government to develop a program that would benefit many in our community. Pharmacare has been a key missing piece in our healthcare system and is needed in this very difficult time.
Tour of York South—Weston:
I'm thrilled to announce that Andrea Horwath will be in our community tomorrow, beginning with a press conference in the morning launching Save Main Street: A Plan for Jobs and Financial Security for Working People. It's a plan to help people and small businesses weather the second wave of economic challenges. Following the event, Andrea and I will visit local businesses and stakeholders in the community. I'm looking forward to highlighting some of our communities gems, and sharing some of the struggles affecting people in the community.
New local Business Improvement Area:
I would like to offer my congratulations to the L.I.K.E (Lawrence, Ingram, Keele Establishment) Business Improvement area on their formation, and their first AGM! Our community is filled with so many inspiring and talented local business leaders. They join other local BIA's such as Mount Dennis BIA, Weston BIA, Eglinton Hill BIA and the newly formed Rogers Road BIA. I look forward to their work and supporting the vibrant and growing business community in the L.I.K.E district.
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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FAISAL IN THE COMMUNITY: Congratulations to the newly formed L.I.K.E (Lawrence, Ingram, Keele Establishment) BIA on the first Annual General meeting.
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News Release
People need second-wave action: Horwath
QUEEN’S PARK — Andrea Horwath said Tuesday that Ontario is in desperate need of action to help Ontario cope with the second wave of COVID-19 infections.
“Yet again today, the Premier didn’t announce any changes to make people safer,” said Horwath. “For people with loved ones in long-term care, for everyone waiting hours in lines for a COVID-19 test, and for parents whose child is stuffed in a class of 30 kids, Doug Ford is telling them that there are no changes coming to help them.”
Ontario’s daily case count rose to 478 cases Tuesday. 141 cases have been reported so far in Ontario’s schools, and 29 long-term care homes are now experiencing outbreaks.
“There’s so much more that could be done to make people better off right now,” said Horwath. “If I were premier today, we would be hiring thousands of long-term care staff and putting much stronger infection controls in place, lowering class sizes to no more than 15 and capping school bus capacity, opening more public health testing sites, and putting more PPE in the hands of every frontline worker. We’d be making people safer in congregate care, bolstering hospital capacity and devising a system to keep scheduled surgeries going if infections continue to grow. And we’d be giving workers the financial stability they’re going to need to get through the second wave.”
What Premier Ford did announce Tuesday was a vague promotion of flu vaccinations. Ford completely ignored concerns raised by pediatricians Monday that regular flu vaccination clinics in doctor’s offices won’t happen this fall because of physical distancing, and didn’t offer alternative plans to get millions of people vaccinated.
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Unison Health and Community Services and The Mood Disorders Association of Ontario/Toronto will be hosting a virtual Wellness Recovery Action Plan (W.R.A.P.) Program. This recovery program is facilitated by peers, for peers. In this hands-on workshop, people with lived experience of mental health challenges will work together to design their own Wellness Recovery Action Plans in practical, day-to-day terms—to help them get well and stay well. An Information Session will take place on Tuesday, October 06, 2020, from 2:00-3:00 pm via zoom. To register, call 416 645 7575 Ext. 2050.
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West Park Health Care Centre will be hosting a Virtual Community Town Hall on Wednesday, September 30 to provide an update on construction. If you would like to participate, please register by email to
campusdevelopment@westpark.org or call 416.243.3600 ext. 2111
*ZOOM video/teleconference details will be provided after registration
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The SOCAN Foundation is accepting applications for the SiriusXM Black Canadian Music Awards, open to musicians of all genres. The award celebrates extraordinary Black Canadian music creators and will grant up to five awards of $5000 to finalists. Applications will be accepted until October 15, 2020. For more information, visit https://www.socanfoundation.ca/awards/, or click HERE to apply.
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Join Black Creek Community Health Centre for their Anuual General Meeting. All are welcome! Keynote speaker Dr. Upton Allen from the Hospital for Sick Children will be in attendance to speak about COVID-19: Things you need to know to keep safe at school, work and at home. For login details, call 416-249-1252, or email info@bcchc.com
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The Youth Job Connection (YJC) program serves youth aged 15-29 experiencing multiple barriers to
employment. Eligible participants will be entitled to paid training and job placements. To learn more, visit www.costi.org or email employ@costi.org
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The Syme 55+ Seniors' Centre continues to serve the community with a weekly food bank in partnership with Syme Woolner Neighbourhood and Family Centre and the Daily Bread Food Bank.
Join them every Wednesday from 2:00pm-4:00pm at 33 Pritchard Avenue. For more information, phone 416-766-0388 or email syme55@syme55.com
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Fall program registration for the York West Active Living Centre is open. Modified in-person programming returns with safety protocols in place and virtual programming continues as well. For a program schedule, click HERE.
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TTC customers can have their say on service options for the new RapidTO bus-only corridors along Jane Street. The TTC has developed concepts for bus routes and wants to hear from those who use the routes on a regular basis. Visit www.ttc.ca/rapidto to fill out a survey and for more information.
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