Holiday Greetings!

I always look forward to this time of year. In normal times, we would be having joyous celebrations and family gatherings. Laughter and cheer would seem to echo across York South—Weston. In this respect, this holiday season will be very different. We will be making sacrifices to protect loved ones, and keeping our community and frontline healthcare workers safe. Although these circumstances aren't ideal, I do hope you find some time to connect virtually with loved ones this holiday season.

In other ways, this season will feel very familiar. The spirit of giving continues as individuals and local organizations work in support of those less fortunate across our community. The same hopeful anticipation for the new year will be felt as well, and we will all have the opportunity to reflect on the year that was.

As I look back, I'm struck by the stories of loss and tragedy that filled much of this year. But I'm also thankful for the sacrifice you have made as a community to keep us all safe. I'm thankful to the frontline healthcare workers who worked tirelessly to care for the sick. I'm thankful to the parents and teachers who have twisted themselves into pretzels to keep young minds engaged. I'm thankful for every constituent who reached out with ideas, feedback and offers of support during the pandemic.

There is much work to be done to ensure a just recovery, but we've shown before that we can accomplish great things through collective effort. I look forward to proving it again in 2021 with your support.

All the best to you this holiday season. Warmest wishes and good health to you and your family in the New Year!

York South—Weston MPP urges Ford to help small businesses

York South—Weston — MPP Faisal Hassan made the following statement in support of struggling small businesses in his riding:

“Small businesses in York South—Weston are the foundation of our community. From the florist shops and bakeries to the clothing stores and cafes, they contribute to the fabric of a community.

Many of these business owners have reached out to me to share their deep concerns about the current lockdown, afraid they may not be able to keep their business alive. They've expressed frustration that the Ford government is allowing big box stores to remain open in the lead-up to Christmas, while they face continued financial hardship, the need to lay off more employees and the risk of going under.

We have been calling for meaningful, direct financial support for small businesses and a ban on both commercial and residential evictions until the pandemic is over.

The Premier is holding back $12 billion in unspent COVID-19 money. Now he’s doling out favours to the CEOs of big-box stores while shutting down the local, family-run businesses struggling to stay afloat. This new lockdown we're entering is a product of Ford’s decision to avoid and delay public health protections, and it’s threatening to put many small businesses over the edge.

I am calling on the government to immediately invest in direct support for small business, and help with costs like rent and payroll, along with paid sick days for every Ontario worker."

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Laura Alderson, co-ordinator of the Mount Dennis BIA:

"We frankly don't understand why small business retailers can't be open on an appointment-only basis - the lockdown has given unfair advantage to big box retailers. Small business retailers are the ones keeping our Main streets vibrant...as the main street goes, so goes the community."