Hello <<First Name>>,
This afternoon, the government instituted a province-wide lockdown for 28 days starting this Saturday. It is precisely the sort of extreme measure that the Ontario Science Table and the Ontario Health Association were urging the government to avoid. For several weeks, health experts were expressing concerns as variants of concern continued to spread, and took over as the predominant strains of COVID-19. In the face of these concerns, the Premier chose to loosen restrictions and ignored calls for additional community supports. This failure rests at his feet.
Just last week, the province had an opportunity to address some of these issues as they presented their budget in the legislature. There was a lack of investment in communities like York South—Weston, failing to provide support for struggling tenants and small businesses in the community. We also saw drastic cuts proposed for education in the midst of the pandemic. Paid sick days were also an option on the table, a universally accepted tool that would be effective at limiting community spread. Instead, the government chose to look the other way in an effort to save money. To this day, large parts of our community continue to wait for accessible vaccinations in our community, an issue that I had an opportunity to question the government on this week.
Our priority as a province should be centred on making the investments necessary to limit the loss of life, increase access to vaccines and give people the help and hope they need to keep stay safe, and reach the end of the pandemic. The actions of this government are continuing to prolong the pandemic and putting hotspot communities like ours at risk. We deserve better. Our frontline healthcare workers deserve better and I will continue to demand a change of course at Queen's Park.
Vaccination Update:
The City of Toronto will open vaccination appointments to everyone 60 and over at mass vaccination sites starting Friday at 8AM. If you are 50 years old or above and live north of Eglinton Avenue, the new Humber River Hospital vaccination location at Downsview Arena is accepting appointments. For further details, visit their site HERE. The province has also announced that the pharmacy vaccination pilot program will expand to include individuals 55 years of age or older. Participating pharmacies will begin taking appointments as early as Saturday morning. Contact the pharmacy for further details.
Support for Families:
The Ministry of Education recently announced the extension of its "Support for Families" program, however, some in our community continue to wait for payment from their initial request last summer. If you are one of the families that have been let down by this program, please contact our office with confirmation details and any correspondence pertaining to the program. We have concerns that the issue may be broader than originally thought and are hoping to gain a greater sense of the number of individuals impacted. Please email us at fhassan-co@ndp.on.ca.
Support Workers Pay Act:
The government refused to set things right with personal support workers (PSWs) and voted down a bill to raise the wage floor for all PSWs on Wednesday. By raising their wage floor, PSWs could have had their work recognized with better pay to help them pay the bills. The bill, "Support Workers Pay Act", would have permanently raised the PSW wage floor to the temporary PSW pandemic pay rates and required that they are paid per kilometre travelled between work sites. I will continue to advocate for a level of pay that honours the vital and difficult work of being a personal support worker in Ontario.
Homebound Seniors:
Plans to vaccinate homebound seniors continue to be developed. Many seniors will be identified through their LHIN (Local Health Integration Network), but there may be community members missed. In an effort to ensure that no individuals slip through the cracks, please reach out to our office with the information of vulnerable homebound seniors. Our office is closely engaged with public health and will aim to ensure that every vulnerable member of the community has access to the vaccine.
Vaccination Information:
Phase 1:
Phase 1 vaccination is continuing across the province. If you are in one of the following categories, please visit https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/ book and appointment:
Current priority
- Staff, essential caregivers and any residents that have not yet received a first dose in:
- Long-term care homes
- High-risk retirement homes
- First Nation elder care homes
- Alternative level of care patients in hospitals who have a confirmed admission to a long-term care home, retirement home or other congregate care home for seniors
- Health care workers identified as highest priority, followed by very high priority, in the Ministry of Health’s guidance on Health Care Worker Prioritization (PDF)
- Indigenous adults in northern remote and higher-risk communities (on-reserve and urban)
- Adults 60 years of age and older
- Staff, residents and caregivers in retirement homes and other congregate care settings for seniors (for example, assisted living)
- Health care workers identified as the high priority level in the Ministry of Health’s guidance on Health Care Worker Prioritization (PDF)
- Indigenous adults
- Adult recipients of chronic home care
AstraZeneca Pharmarcy Trial:
Individuals aged 55 and older can now request an appointment for the AstraZeneca vaccine at various local pharmacies through a pilot program. To make an appointment, contact one of the local pharmacies listed below.
Online Resources:
The provincial government has launched its online booking system which can be found at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/. https://vaccineto.ca/sites is a helpful link for individuals looking to search for available resources and sort by a variety of factors such as postal code and booking type.
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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Pharmacy Locations for AstraZeneca Vaccine Pilot Program (Ages 55 & over)
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Shoppers Drug Mart
620 Keele St
416-766-3095
Real Canadian Superstore Pharmacy
2549 Weston Rd
416-246-9192
Shoppers Drug Mart
2343 Eglinton Ave W
416-651-7111
Walmart Pharmacy
2525 St Clair Ave W
416-763-1867
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The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy
2600 Eglinton Ave W
416-651-6511
Friendly Care West King Pharmacy
2077 Weston Rd
416-248-4485
Weston Jane Pharmacy
1292 Weston Rd
647-344-9111
Keele-Ingram Pharmacy
2221 Keele St
416-247-8618
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MPP Hassan questioned the government on York South—Weston being a pharmacy and vaccination desert.
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Another successful seniors vaccination clinic organized by our office with the support of Humber River Hospital at the Beech Hall Co-op. Over 80 seniors received their first dose.
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Welcoming Doner Land, a new Turkish restaurant in the Jane and Lawrence area to the community.
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News report on the new grocery store opening in the Keele and Rogers area.
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News Release
Premier Ford marched Ontario right into the third wave, doing too little, too late to get Ontario out of it
QUEEN'S PARK — MPP Andrea Horwath released the following statement:
“Premier Doug Ford walked us into this lockdown with eyes wide open. While experts were warning him of explosive growth of more infectious and more deadly variants, he cancelled public health protections. He marched us right into grave danger.
It should never have come to this. The third wave didn’t have to be this horrific.
My heart is with people fearing for their family’s health, and already struggling with isolation or loss of income. I’m incredibly worried about workers and local businesses that are barely holding on.
Once again today’s announcement is too little and far too late. The public health measures fall short of what many experts are calling for. That will only prolong the suffering — it’s the same failed approach that got us to where we are today.
There is more mixed messaging. There are no financial supports for small businesses. There are no paid sick days, and no comprehensive testing in essential workplaces. There is no cap on class sizes so kids can social distance in schools. And no comprehensive plan to get the vaccine to essential workers and no paid time off to get the shot.
This approach failed Ontarians before and I am fearful it will fail again.”
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West Park Healthcare Centre will be holding vaccination clinics over the next few days at their 82 Buttonwood ave. location, as well as Community Place Hub on Weston Rd. March 30th to April 1st will be available from 4pm to 8pm. April 3rd will run from 11am to 4pm. Visit www.wpcovidclinic.org or call 416-243-3630 and leave a message. A member of the team will call back to confirm your appointment within 24 hours.
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Not sure how to book your vaccine appointment? 55 years of age or older living in Toronto? York West Active Living Centre can help to book your appointment. Call 416-245-4395 x226. Spanish speakers can dial extensions 222, and Italian speakers can call extension 233 for service in their native language.
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Safety improvements are coming to Weston GO station with the installation of yellow tactile safety tiles at the edge of the train platforms, and repair and placement of platform curbs. Construction will take place on both the north and south platforms, but will begin on the north platform.
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UrbanArts has a wide variety of programming available including BMM (Beats.Mind.Movement), MindARTSoul, Indigenous Art Workshop and more. To register or see what's available, visit them HERE.
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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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Youth Employment Services' Youth Collaboration and Job Central groups start on Monday April 12, 2020. Individuals participate in 3 weeks of paid, online Employment Skills Training, followed by a 10 week paid work placement. Program staff are available between March 29th – April 9th for intakes. If you're between 15 and 30 years of age (inclusive), out of school and a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a person with Convention Refugee status able to commit to a 13 week full-time program. Click HERE to register.
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The Toronto Police Service Board has begun the process of selecting a Chief of Police and wants to know what qualities Toronto is looking for in our next Chief of Police. If you are interested in adding your voice, visit click HERE to register for a public forum and to get more information about how to participate.
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Red Pocket Magazine, an international literary magazine for youth of the Asian diaspora, is open for submissions for its fourth volume, Laugh My Asian Off. Until April 30, Red Pocket Magazine will be accepting humourous creative writing and art pieces. For more information, check out their website www.redpocketmagazine.ca
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The Black Foundation of Community Networks (BFCN) is a non-profit organization serving local Black communities. They maintain a scholarship directory for students who are pursuing post-secondary undergraduate education in Canada. To search for scholarship opportunities, click HERE.
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The Faculty of Medicine’s Youth Summer Program (MED YSP) at the University of Toronto is open for this summer. The virtual program is run in live mode giving students an engaging way to learn about science and medicine. Students will meet peers from across Canada and over 15 different countries, talk to instructors, professors, do at-home activities, compete in The Great Game Show, have a chance to win prizes, and much more! Scholarships are available for students experiencing financial need. Click HERE for more info. The deadline for applications is April 30th, 2021.
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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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Local youth are encouraged to register for jobs through the cities Parks, Forestry & Recreation department for employment opportunities for youth as young as 14 years old. To read the youth employment guide or learn more about the job opportunities available, visit www.toronto.ca/recjobs.
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Unison Health & Community Services is offering support and resources for individuals dealing with a positive COVID-19 test result. For help with food, isolation space or other supports, call 416-787-1661 ext. 3300 between Monday and Friday from 9am to 5pm.
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