Hello <<First Name>>,
The Ontario Government announced today that the majority of the province, including Toronto, will remain in lockdown until at least February 22, as restrictions and stay-at-home orders are lifted in Eastern Ontario. New case counts are trending in a positive direction, but the risk of new, more contagious variants of COVID-19 continues to linger, as do concerns that they may become dominant. We've already seen too much pain and hardship during this pandemic already. Re-opening without providing people with the resources they need to keep their communities and families safe is a recipe for failure.
Unfortunately, we've watched the Premier make the same mistakes, again and again. He failed to invest in long-term care, and we've seen the devastating impacts during the second wave. He ignored calls from parents, educators, staff and public health experts to invest in school safety, only to have them close down again. To this day, he continues to resist calls to provide paid sick days and family leave days, despite encouragement from medical experts and municipalities across Ontario. He keeps choosing money over public health and letting down the people of York South—Weston in the process.
You've worked so hard to contain the spread of the virus. As a hotspot community, you've made sacrifices to keep everyone safe, and I appreciate everything you've done. You deserve help to get through this difficult time, and the Premier isn't interested in investing in those priorities. I worry this will doom us to repeat a cycle of sickness and lockdowns, but look forward to an opportunity to hold the government accountable for these choices with the return of the legislature.
Black History Month Profile:
All this month, we celebrate leaders, innovators, artists and stories of Canada's rich black history. Elijah McCoy (born 1884) was a Canadian born inventor and engineer, and a son to African-American parents who escaped Kentucky via the Underground Railroad. His family settled in Colchester, Ontario where Mr. McCoy studied in a segregated all-black school in Colchester Township. At 15, he travelled to Scotland to study, returning as a mechanical engineer. Elijah McCoy went on to be one of the most prolific inventors of his time, inventing an automatic lubricator that revolutionized the steam-engine industry, among others.
BIA Survey:
Are you a business experiencing increases in insurance premiums? If so, the Toronto Association of BIAs wants to hear from you! Many businesses are continuing to experience unsustainable increases to their insurance premiums. Some are being told by insurance providers that existing coverage will not be renewed. Take their 5-minute confidential survey HERE.
Make March Break Safe:
I join parents and educators who are calling for March Break to go forward as planned. Parents, students and teachers all need a break, and time for mental and emotional health is needed. It also provides an opportunity to invest in making classrooms safer and ensuring schools can guard against broader community spread. The government still does not have a plan for comprehensive in-school COVID-19 testing, and this needs to change. We also need investments in things like improved ventilation, touch-free faucets, and paid sick days so parents can afford to keep children home if they are feeling ill.
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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News Release
Calls for March Break to go ahead – but the Premier must make it safe
QUEEN’S PARK — MPP Andrea Horwath is calling for March Break to go ahead as planned, saying it’s critical that Ontario finds a way to give families and educators a safe break.
“Students, parents, teachers and education workers are exhausted, they’re burning out, and they desperately need a break,” said Horwath. “At school it’s constant vigilance and lots of anxiety. At home it’s hours upon hours of screen time. Parents are doing the superhuman juggling act of working while helping kids learn. "We have to find a way to give everyone a Spring Break that’s safe. This isn’t only about learning goals – it’s about mental and emotional health, too.”
Horwath said action and investments in safe schools are necessary to make March Break — and the return to school after a week off — much safer, including:
- A comprehensive in-school COVID-19 testing program
- Class sizes capped at 15
- Paid sick days and family-care days so parents can afford to keep children at home if they may have the virus
- Better ventilation and investments in things like touch-free faucets
MPP Marit Stiles urged Premier Ford not to repeat his mistakes around holidays. “Doug Ford owes families and educators certainty, clear messaging, and action,” said Stiles. “Before last Spring Break he told people to travel – and the virus ran rampant in Ontario as a result. This winter he delayed the lockdown until after holiday shopping and sent mixed messages around holiday gatherings — and, again, the virus ran rampant in Ontario as a result.
“This time, educators and families are looking for certainty that this break is going ahead, as well as clear messages, and investments in schools to stop the spread. Don’t make the same mistakes again, Premier Ford.”
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The Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto is accepting applications for its 2021 Diversity Scholarship Program. If you live in a member co-op and would like to apply, details and the application can be found HERE. Deadline for applications is February 17th at 4pm.
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As early as Monday, Feb. 8, crews will be installing underground conduits crossing Eglinton Ave W at Keelesdale Rd for permanent street lighting and traffic signals. Work will take place in two phases, with three stages per phase. Each phase is expected to take approximately seven days to complete. Work will take place within regular working hours, from as early as 7:00am – 11:00pm. When crews are not working, they will install steel-plates over the area and all lanes will reopen.
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Red Cross Mobile Food Bank deliver food hampers to seniors and individuals with disabilities that make it difficult for them to access community food banks. Register over the phone to be added to the Red Cross's regular delivery schedule at 416-236-3180.
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People of African descent have been a part of shaping Canada’s heritage and identity for centuries. The role of people of African descent in Canada has not always been viewed as a key feature in Canada’s historic landscape. Black History Month is the perfect time to learn about The International Decade for People of African Descent. Events will be hosted throughout the month of February. To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/idpadregistration
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To assist in the collection of the census, Statistics Canada is hiring approximately 32,000 people across the country (9000+ in Ontario). Census jobs are short-term positions, between March and July 2021, collecting census data from residents in the community. If you know of anyone who may be interested in census jobs, please spread the word. Candidates can apply online at www.census.gc.ca/jobs
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Aangen is a non-profit social enterprise inviting local stakeholders to learn more about All Dried Up. All Dried Up is a dehydrated meal product developed to support seniors nutrition and ensure adults with physical or cognitive barriers are able to access healthy, nourishing meals that are safe to prepare and easy to serve. Register for their upcoming information session HERE.
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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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Join Frontlines for "Rich History, Bright Futures", a virtual fundraising event taking place Friday, February 26th at 6:00pm. Enjoy guest speakers, performances and more. Prices range from $25 to $75. For more information or to register, click HERE.
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Are you out of school and work and looking for full-time employment, then the Job Central program might be right for you. Their pre-employment program currently provides 3 weeks of paid virtual workshops followed by a 10 week paid work placement. For more information visit www.yes.on.ca, or register HERE.
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We all need to continue to take care of our physical and mental wellbeing during these difficult times. Call to register for Unison Health and Community Services' fantastic virtual programming taking place over Zoom. Mind Body and (chair) Yoga, Laughter Yoga, and Mind Body and Soca are available from now until the end of March. For more questions, or to register, call 416-645-7575 EXT 2224.
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Metrolinx will be performing investigative drilling work between Scarlett Road and east of Weston Road between February and April of 2021. Metrolinx will be using small drill rigs to gather information and evaluate underground conditions. Using this information, they can begin to determine the construction approach for this project. For more information, email Crosstown@metrolinx.com or call 416-202-8001.
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Supercoffee is participating in Virtual Seedy Saturday. A Toronto wide gardening event. Local gardners are encouraged to donate pre-packaged seeds. Requests for seeds can be sent HERE. They will be facilitating contactless seeded drop-off and pick-up. Pick-up is scheduled for February 28th from 2-4pm.
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Are you feeling depressed? Lonely? Isolated? Want to speak with a peer support worker? The Warm Line is a service that is available for individuals who have a mental health issue and need support. Between 12pm - 8pm call 416-323-3721. Between 8pm - Midnight: 416-960-WARM (9276). You can also find support online HERE, or by texting 647-557-5882
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Shakespeare in Actions has exciting virtual programming available for local youth. Kids Zoom Puppetry Play is an 8-week online course for youth ages 8-12. To sign up, click HERE. For teens interested in learning improvisation, "Improv for Teens" will be running from February 2nd to March 9th. You can register for that program HERE. In an effort to reduce barriers to access for this program ticket prices will follow Pay What You Can Afford model. Each program is run by highly trained and experienced performers. For more information visit, www.shakespeareinaction.org.
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York West Active Living Centre has a variety of virtual programs available for Winter 2021. To learn more about available programs and options, visit their site HERE.
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