Dear Community,
As I mentioned in my last update, Queen's Park resumed this week with a focus on the healthcare crisis.
On Thursday, Interim Leader MPP Tabuns and our Health Critic, MPP Gelinas put forth a motion calling for an emergency debate to put our heads together to tackle this, before more emergency rooms are closed, more nurses are run off their feet and out of the sector, and more patients do not get the life-saving care they need.
I spoke on how the government's negligence towards offering real solutions (or even hearing them) is paving the road to privatization; what is fundamentally against our values as Ontarians. The Minister of Health, Sylvia Jones echoed shortly after my question when she refused to rule out privatization of our healthcare system when asked by reporters.
Watch the video here.
We in Toronto-St. Paul's know that care is our human right. That ourselves or our neighbours deserve this, as and when they need it, without a price tag attached. But sadly, by the looks of things, this is where the Ford government is headed.
It certainly isn't the start to a new session I, or we, had hoped for but know that I will continue fighting against this and for our community.
I also know that healthcare is not the only issue our community is dealing with, as much of a focus as it's been this week. Whether it's navigating the healthcare crisis, sending your kids (or selves) back to school in the fall, the cost of living, or anything else, I want to hear from you as to how I can best advocate for you and our community at Queen's Park.
Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions, experiences, and concerns you have. I look forward to continuing working with you to make Toronto-St. Paul's the best it can be.
GREAT afternoon spent with Unifor Canada in solidarity with Ashgrove Cement workers who’ve been locked out of their jobs for 17 months (and counting!) JUST for defending their rights as workers and as human beings!
Now more than ever, worker unions & workplace organizing are VITAL to defending workers rights when we have a government that … doesn’t.
Standing in solidarity with you today, tomorrow and ALWAYS.
I'd also like to give a big congrats to the newly elected (and first woman) Unifor President, Lana Payne!
Next week I'll be out in the community to meet you and hear your concerns. I'll be at five different locations in the riding along with volunteers and an ice cream truck! Anyone who would like to speak to me can come out to one of these locations to chat and get a free ice cream.
At 6 PM We'll be at:
I look forward to seeing you all next week!
Next week is Rastafest, a week-long celebration of Rastafari heritage and culture. Their are plenty of fun events for the whole family at several locations in the Little Jamaica area, including a live reggae concert on August 20th featuring Jay Douglas, Papa Levy, Benaiah, Petraa and Abeena Sam! Details of all events here.
I look forward to seeing you all next week!
In Solidarity,
Jill Andrew
Toronto—St. Paul's
