Hello <<First Name>>,
The public health situation around COVID-19 continues to worsen in our Province. New case counts are approaching a 7-day average of 1500 per day, with over 500 new cases reported today in Toronto alone. Early in the second wave, new cases were found to be more prevalent with younger adults under the age of 40. Unfortunately, as many public health experts have predicted, the rate of infection is increasing among the broader population and is now beginning to affect more vulnerable individuals. The virus is still very much with us.
We are now seeing a steady uptick in hospitalizations and an increase in individuals on ventilators and in intensive care. The Ontario Hospital Association has expressed concerns about the current rate of infections and its impacts on the system. Hospitals are quickly approaching capacity and elective surgeries are at risk of cancellation once again. Sadly, we have already seen instances of COVID-19 hitting long-term care homes again, reminding us of the risk to our elders. At the current rate of infection, our cherished frontline heroes will once again be forced to risk their wellbeing in an effort to beat back the virus.
We all want to be rid of this virus. We all wish to return to a time where the looming threat to our health and the economy is gone, but we cannot get there by ignoring and silencing the voices of medical experts. Last week we learned that the Ontario government ignored the advice of public health experts in preparing their re-opening framework, even after weeks of telling Ontarians that they were consulted. Today we learned that everyone participating in the provincial table that provides public health advice to senior government officials have been made to sign non-disclosure agreements. As a result, officials such as Toronto Chief Medical Officer Dr. Eileen De Villa have been silenced, and can no longer speak to the advice they are providing to the government.
Ontarians and the people of York South—Weston deserve a government that allows for transparency in public health. If the trusted expertise of public health advisors is in opposition to the government, then we deserve to know that. Our successes in combating this pandemic can be attributed to informed individuals making the right choices to keep themselves and their community safe. Burying public health advice and keeping regular people in the dark will not help that cause. It can lead to increasing cases, stricter lockdowns, and further economic harm. As your representative, this is precisely what I aim to avoid, and I will keep working to protect the health and wellbeing of this community.
Bill 229 - Conservation Authorities:
There is growing frustration in many parts of the province with the government's proposed changes to Conservation Authorities in the province. As part of the governments sweeping budget bill, Bill 229 will weaken conservation authorities by limiting their role in the development approval process, among other measures. This government has shown a lack of willingness to support communities invested in protecting the local environment. I will continue to stand with residents and oppose this Bill.
Bill 218 - Insurance Liability LTC and Municipalities:
There are several aspects of Bill 218 that I have concerns with. This government has made a choice to protect private long term care homes from liability rather than allow families the opportunity to seek justice. Bill 218 will make it significantly harder for families to hold negligent homes responsible for deaths related to COVID-19. Many groups, including the Ontario Health Coalition, have expressed opposition to this bill. I support them and stand with the families demanding accountability.
Once again, this government has chosen to interfere with municipalities and their abilities to self-govern. Bill 218 eliminates Toronto's ability to used ranked ballots in the 2022 election after city council voted in favour of the change. Time after time, this government has taken an adversarial approach with the City of Toronto. Municipalities will be at the center of the COVID-19 recovery, and we need to be prepared to act as a partner rather than an opponent. City's like Toronto are entitled to an opportunity to chart their own path on issues of electoral reform.
Bill 205 - Renovictions:
I was proud to rise in the house in support of bill 205 calling for protections against illegal evictions. This government has made tenant protections and the tenant crisis worse. I was happy to support measures to put a stop to "renovictions" and hold unfair landlords accountable for illegal evictions. Tenants are struggling through a housing crisis in the middle of a pandemic. Rather than support them, the government is arming landlords with the tools for eviction. I look forward to supporting more bills like 205 and showing tenants the decency they deserve.
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
|
|
|
|
Take a ride from the EMSF to Keelesdale Station on Crosstown's latest Youtube video.
|
|
News Release
Premier urged to crack down on illegal evictions
QUEEN’S PARK — MPP Jessica Bell’s (University—Rosedale) private member’s bill, Protecting Renters from Illegal Evictions Act, went to second reading in the Ontario legislature Monday. The bill cracks down on landlords who use renovations — otherwise known as renovictions — or falsely claim a relative is moving in as a guise to evict tenants and hike rent prices.
If passed, Bell’s bill would give more rights to tenants facing evictions when they’ve done nothing wrong. The bill would raise fines for landlords who illegally evict tenants, increase government enforcement of the eviction laws, and grant tenants more compensation if evicted in bad faith.
“Toronto has an affordable housing crisis and landlords are increasingly using renoviction tactics to kick existing tenants out and charge new tenants a much higher rent,” said Bell. “Bad faith evictions like these are throwing renters into a housing market ripe with low vacancy rates and skyrocketing rents,” said Bell.
Data from the Landlord and Tenant Board shows that between 2015 and 2019, landlords’ requests for eviction hearings where the tenant has done nothing wrong have risen by 77 per cent.
Lynn Gordon, a single mother, recently faced a no-fault eviction from her apartment on Walmer Road. “It was extremely challenging to find a new affordable apartment that allowed my son to be able to attend his local school. High rent prices forced us to take a much smaller, more expensive unit,” said Gordon. “My new unit does not have enough bedrooms, so I am sleeping in the living room. As a teacher working during the pandemic, these close quarters have been particularly challenging,” said Gordon.
Last week, Homes You Can Afford was released. The plan will eliminate Vacancy Decontrol, the deregulation that allows landlords to hike the rent as much as they want between tenants. Ending Vacancy Decontrol will effectively end renovictions. This government cancelled protection against Vacancy Decontrol and the previous governments failed to put an end to it, choosing landlord profits over tenant affordability.
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
York West Active Living Centre is having a Festive Special Lunch Fundraiser on Dec. 2! $20 tickets are on sale until Nov. 13 and can be purchased by calling 416-245-4395 Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. The Zoom virtual holiday lunch will start at 12:30 and will be delivered on Dec. 1 in the catchment area.
|
|
|
|
Crews at the Rail Corridor continue west Rail Corridor development, including utility installations. Beginning on Monday November 9 for approximately one week, crews will begin excavation activities for platform footings and foundation wall construction, south of Eglinton Ave West. Increased truck traffic can be expected at the entrance to the Corridor via Barr Ave. The working hours remain from as early as 7:00am until as early as 5:00pm.
|
|
|
The Mount Dennis Library is announcing the opening of a Youth Hub. Starting November 9th, students aged 13-19 can take advantage of a safe and welcoming space as well as laptops, with the support of library staff. The hubs are open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30pm to 7:00pm, and Wednesday and Friday from 3:30pm to 5:30pm. For more information call 416-394-1008.
|
|
|
|
Aura Freedom International is hosting an info session on Peer Prevention Project November 19th from 2:00pm-3:00pm. Learn about their ground-breaking human trafficking and gender-based violence prevention program that has been endorsed and featured by the City of Toronto. Register using this Eventbrite link for Zoom login information.
|
|
|
|
The City of Toronto wants to develop alternative options and ways of responding to crisis calls that do not involve police and are grounded in community needs. To do this, the City needs to understand the public's priorities for what a community-based crisis response could look like. Please share your thoughts by participating in their survey HERE.
|
|
|
Our friends at Community Place Hub have a great deal on beautiful, reusable handmade masks. For only $5 ($2.50 for children), pick from a variety of styles and sizes. Swing by the hub to get a look at their offerings at 1765 Weston Road between 11:00am to 4:00pm.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
