Hello <<First Name>>,
Yesterday, the Minister of Education finally announced February 16th as the official return date for students in Toronto. We all want kids back in school, and parents can now circle a date on the calendar, but what remains unclear is what the government is prepared to do to ensure that students, educators and staff return to an environment that is safe. Parents I hear from are tired of recycled announcements and slick communication strategies. They know that the Minister announced no new measures, at the very time when we are beginning to see growth in more contagious strains of the virus. They expect more investments from this government, and I agree.
We should be capping classes at 15 right across the province. We should have a comprehensive, in-school testing strategy and invest in improved ventilation in schools. We should empower people to stay home when they feel ill by instituting paid sick days and family care days. I thank the City of Toronto for passing a motion urging the government to invest in paid sick days, joining a chorus of public health experts, organizations and regular Ontarians insisting on the need for this common-sense measure.
This government's history of cuts is well known. Premier Ford was cutting long-term care, education, and public health even before the pandemic. They certainly don't seem keen to make those investments now, when they're needed the most. The government continues to sit on billions of federal funds that could be directed to support people right now. They've chosen to rely heavily on a bungled vaccine rollout that continues to encounter delays, and the lack of action is making this pandemic longer, with more agony and more tragic loss. It's leaving us vulnerable to the new COVID-19 variants and putting communities at risk. I look forward to the opportunity to return to the house this month to speak to these growing concerns and insisting on investments to keep our schools safe.
Richard Pierpoint:
Brought to America as a slave around 1760, Richard Pierpoint was granted freedom to fight on the side of the British in the American Revolution. After the war he settled in a Black community in Upper Canada, where he was given some land. At age 68, he petitioned for an all-black unit that would defend Upper Canada against American incursion during the war of 1812. To learn more about Richard Pierpoint's contribution to Canada, click HERE.
Seniors:
I want to acknowledge the seniors who have expressed concerns about being ignored during this pandemic. I know that there has been a disappointing level of support from all levels of government, but especially here in Ontario where the Premier continues to under-invest in people vulnerable during this pandemic. I know access to vaccination is also a big concern, and seniors are eager to return to the point where they can hug loved ones they've been apart from for so long. I join in your disappointment and continue to urge this government to provide direct support to seniors who's lives have been upended by COVID-19.
Eviction Ban:
The City of Toronto has urged the Government of Ontario to move forward with a ban on evictions. Housing experts have joined with public health experts and municipal leaders calling on the province to ensure families can maintain a roof over their head this winter, as we get through the worst of the pandemic. It's the sensible thing to do, as opposed to the legislation Premier Ford put in place to make evictions easier. The time for talk is over. The Premier must take action now to keep people in their homes and away from shelter system that is already struggling.
Essential Workers:
The Toronto Star has done some work to identify the number of individuals in our city who can be considered essential workers according to current lockdown measures. When compared to the City of Toronto's labour force survey date, 65% of workers are doing essential work. This highlights the need to prevent spread within workforce setting. Workers need to know keeping their families safe won't come at the expense of keeping food on the table. The surest way we can accomplish this to insist on paid sick and family care days. To read the article (subscription required), click 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, wear your mask, and wash your hands.
Best Regards,
Faisal Hassan
Member of Provincial Parliament
York South—Weston
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News Release
MPP Faisal Hassan hosts town hall on getting profits out of long-term care
York South—Weston MPP Faisal Hassan hosted a town hall discussion on the crisis in long-term care Thursday night, with a focus on the need to get profits out of the sector.
The town hall featured MPP Teresa Armstrong (London-Fanshawe) and Paula Randazzo from H.O.P.E 2220, which represents 3,000 long-term and retirement home workers across Ontario.
The panelists agreed that the for-profit model of caring for our elders in long-term care and retirement settings is proving to be an abject failure.
“When profit is the bottom line, quality of care for our seniors suffers,” Hassan said. “The government’s promise of an iron ring around long-term care never materialized, and instead we see pinching pennies on seniors’ care. We now have a second wave where thousands of seniors are suffering and dying, staff are under-resourced and run off their feet, and families are horrified at what is happening to their loved ones.”
“We know now that 3,400 residents have died and that our loved ones in for-profit care have a 78 per cent higher risk of dying than in a public setting,” said Randazzo. “For-profit staffing levels are close to 20 per cent less than publicly owned. Its’ time to take the profit out of care.”
Randazzo recounted stories from workers of being forced to work short-handed, with part-time, multi-home positions being the norm and residents not being able to have the personal care or proper nutrition they require.
Armstrong spoke to the struggles workers and residents have long faced and addressed her private member’s bill Time to Care Act, which calls for at least four hours a day of hands-on nursing and personal support services for each long-term care resident.
“The neglect of previous governments hurts our most vulnerable seniors,” Hassan said. “we have a plan to make long-term care public, hire thousands more personal support workers and give PSWs a raise, as well as ensuring their jobs are full-time. We need a public, non-profit system where every dollar goes directly to residents and not corporate profits.”
*Video of the town hall: https://fb.watch/3k9b9S78_6/
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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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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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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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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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