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Upcoming Events
Rent Control Tenant Meeting Feb 6
Are you a tenant and facing a rent control problem in your building? Please join us on Monday, February 6 at 6 pm for this important discussion. Register here.
Learn more about Bill 48 here.
Sign the petition here.
Student Debt Talk Feb 8
As the cost of living continues to rise, it’s becoming abundantly clear Ontario students desperately need financial relief. Join me for the first in a series of Student Debt Talks on Wednesday, February 8 at 6 pm at the University of Toronto St. George Campus. Students from across the province can join in person or through Zoom. Register here.
Save Our Democracy Town Hall Feb 9
Please join me on Thursday, February 9 at 7 pm for this important discussion on our democratic rights, the government’s use of the Notwithstanding Clause, and how my motion for an Ontario Charter of Democratic Rights could protect our society. Register here.
Coffee with Chris Feb 10
Do you have an issue that you would like to discuss? Join me Friday, February 10, 8-10 am to share your concerns, or just drop by to say hello. Sign up here.
Fighting Health Care Privatization Town Hall Recording
Thank you to everyone who joined me for this discussion on January 25th. If you missed it, you can watch the recording here.
Ontario Releases “Connected and Convenient” Health Care Plan
In response to Ontario’s health care crisis, Health Minister Sylvia Jones announced the province’s new “Connected and Convenient” health care plan. The plan is said to involve a framework of three pillars:
Pillar 1: The Right Care in the Right Place
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Adding 4 Ontario Health Teams to the 54 existing ones
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Adding 8 youth wellness hubs to the 14 existing ones
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Expanding medications that pharmacists can prescribe
Pillar 2: Faster Access to Care
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Issuing 4 new licences to Ontario health centres for cataract surgeries
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Tackling wait times for MRI and CT scans, ophthalmic, gynecological and plastic surgeries
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Adding nearly 60,000 new and upgraded long-term beds
Pillar 3: Hiring More Health Care Workers
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Adding 10 undergraduate seats and 295 postgraduate positions at medical schools
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Expanding the “Learn and Stay” grant
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Lowering barriers for out-of-province health care worker to practise in Ontario
What this plan does not address are the issues that created the crisis to begin with – gross underfunding, capping workers’ wages, and driving health care professionals out of the system.
What the government refers to as “innovation” is a move toward privatization.
Ontario doctors and nurses have said that investing in private, for-profit clinics, rather than in our hospitals, will only exacerbate staffing shortages and wait times for urgent care. It will mean that those who can afford to pay will get better, faster care while everyone else will be forced to wait longer. Privatization will further drive away nurses and doctors from our public system.
The Ontario Nurses’ Association has said that plans to attract nurses to Ontario from other provinces and other countries will not immediately fix the severe nursing shortage. New nursing staff will require supervision, training and mentoring which cannot happen when there are no nurses to do this.
We do need bold action and bold investment in our public health care system. We need to end Bill 124 and implement a massive staff recruitment and retention plan, ensuring workers are respected and paid fairly. Sign my petition here.
Osgoode Station Update and Tree Demonstration
Metrolinx faced a group of angry attendees at the community meeting that was held on February 1st for what was said to be an “informational” meeting to present the findings of the independent, third-party review that was requested by the City of Toronto.
Attendees questioned why notice for the meeting was sent only a few days in advance, the evening of Friday, January 27, with no information to review. The community also questioned why it was Metrolinx presenting the findings and not the City of Toronto. No details were provided on what organization performed the review. Although another meeting will be scheduled by the City through Councillor Ausma Malik’s office, Metrolinx confirmed that decisions regarding the site have been finalized.
Ten alternate locations were presented but Metrolinx concluded that the Osgoode Hall site is the most suitable option. Metrolinx stated that they will be “unpausing” the project and will begin the stage two archeological work on the site as soon as possible. A fence was erected on the site on February 2nd and it appears that Metrolinx is forging ahead with this plan despite fierce opposition from the community.
Osgoode Hall Tree Demonstration Today
My office was informed that Metrolinx plans to remove 12 historic trees from the Osgoode Hall property this Saturday. Please join the community demonstration today: Friday, February 3 at 5:30 pm.
Campbell House will be open as a warming site and washrooms for attendees.
The Law Society of Ontario says it will be seeking an injunction to stop Metrolinx from cutting down trees on the grounds. Read more on this here.
You can also help support the effort and share the message by following the new account BOLD, Build Ontario Line Differently, a coalition of community groups from across Toronto advocating for greater consultations and transparency from Metrolinx.
Let Metrolinx know you are concerned. Email Ontario.line@metrolinx.com or call 416-202-5100.
Update on Greenbelt Plan Investigation
New information has been uncovered that indicates land developers knew about the government’s plan to develop the Greenbelt, before it was made public.
Three days before the announcement was made public, Rice Group, a land development company, told the Mayor of King Township that a parcel of land could be provided for a nominal fee for a local project. At the time, that land was a protected part of the Greenbelt. Just three days later, the government announced their intent to make the land available.
The Integrity Commissioner is currently reviewing the information as part of the investigation that began on January 18, 2023. We will continue to keep you updated on this.
ServiceOntario New Online Tools
ServiceOntario has a new enhanced appointment booking system that is now available at 64 of its busiest centres. Users can book a variety of services from a dropdown menu and accomplish them all in one appointment. A calendar icon is placed beside the locations offering the online service.
The online booking system was launched in November 2022 to help reduce lineups and wait times and reduce the risk of COVID-19.
Ontarians who may find it difficult to visit a ServiceOntario centre in person can book virtual appointments to have their health cards renewed through live video calls. For those phoning the Contact Centre, new technology is rolling out to cut down the time callers spend on the line with quicker interactive responses or call-backs.
CaféTO Changes
With the popularity of CaféTO for restaurants and bars, the City of Toronto has proposed changes to make it a more permanent program and has released a report with recommendations to ensure café installations are safe and accessible while supporting the viability of the curbside area.
The recommendations include a one-time $865 application fee, as well as an annual permit fee based on the size of the patio – about $1,449 for a sidewalk patio or $3,007 for a curb lane patio. The city will also require any curb lane patios to be built on a platform with railings that is level to the sidewalk.
Two grants for small businesses and Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) will continue in 2023:
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The CaféTO Property Improvement Program will match 50% of the cost of eligible patio space improvements up to a maximum of $7,500.
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The City’s BIA CaféTO grant program will support planter maintenance and curb lane closure design. BIAs are eligible to receive up to $5,000.
Some businesses have expressed concern that the fees might be prohibitive and the changes may be too much for small businesses to handle. If you are concerned about the changes to the program, please reach out to my office.
TTC Safety Update
We have heard from several residents with concerns regarding safety on the TTC. We will work with the councillor’s office to share information on how the City will be working to improve safety for passengers.
Below are some of the recent safety supports that have been implemented:
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20 Community Safety Ambassadors to work directly with people experiencing homelessness and liaise with the City’s Streets to Homes workers to provide outreach services
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More than 50 security guards with mental health and non-violent crisis prevention training
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Toronto Police Service adding more than 80 police officers throughout the city’s transit system
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De-escalation training will be provided to support TTC staff
For more information on TTC safety and security measures, please visit the website here.
TDSB Approves Mandatory Indigenous Education in Grade 11
Toronto District School Board (TDSB) Trustees have approved a motion that will require Grade 11 students to complete a mandatory English course entitled Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Métis and Inuit Voices.
Other school boards, including those in York and Durham regions, have also made decisions to make the course compulsory. The course has been taught in the TDSB with great success for many years and is supported by the Elders’ Council, the Urban Indigenous Community Advisory Committee, the TDSB’s Urban Indigenous Education Centre, and Indigenous writers, poets, and artists.
St. Lawrence Market Advisory Committee
The City of Toronto is currently looking for engaged and enthusiastic residents to join the St. Lawrence Market Precinct Advisory Committee. The committee’s role is to support and advocate on behalf of the St. Lawrence Market, providing advice and recommendations to the City to enhance the Market and district for the benefit of the community and all Toronto residents.
Details are available here. Application deadline: February 20, 2023.
Vaccine Clinics
See all vaccine clinics here.
Construction & Road Closures
See all announcements here.
Fun Things to Do
Afrophilia: Free sculpture installation celebrating a culture of self-acceptance. Toronto Sculpture Garden. 115 King St E. Details here. Until Aug 21.
Love Letters: St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association is celebrating its 40th anniversary this Valentine's Day with 1000 Love Letters, a celebration of love in the community where you can write something you love about where you live, hide the letter, and leave for someone to find! Letters can also be emailed to: slna@slna.ca. Feb 4-5, St. Lawrence Market and Feb 14, St. Lawrence Hall.
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