Community News Update - December 13, 2023

Dear Community,

I'd like to express my best wishes to Dr. Carolyn Bennett, MP for Toronto-St. Paul's after announcing her retirement yesterday.

Thank you, Dr. Bennett for 26 years of serving our St. Paul's community. I appreciate your dedication to public service and we wish you time to enjoy retirement with your loved ones and I'm sure hobbies you hold dear.

Read more here.

"Another day, another chaotic Conservative U-Turn"

Today the premier announced his government will be backing out of its deal with Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie to dissolve the Peel region. Also, they will be revoking many of the sketchy Ministerial Zoning Orders (MZOs).

While this is good news, the question still stands: why did the government make these plans in the first place?! This government's habit of making backroom deals with their insider friends, consulting no one, ramming through the legislation, and then backtracking NEEDS to end.

Click here to read more.

TONIGHT! Make your holidays merry and bright with a musical celebration for family and friends! Tonight, December 13 at 8 pm is your last chance to catch the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) Holiday Pops at Roy Thompson Hall. The show will feature St. Paul's very own award-winning vocalist Billy Newton Davis, the legendary Canadian jazz vocalist Molly Johnson and the Etobicoke School of the Arts Holiday Chorus.

The TSO is a Toys for Tots partner! They are encouraging patrons to bring a new, unwrapped toy their performance to brighten the holidays for a child in need.

This event will be fa-la-la-la fabulous! Tickets are available for purchase here.

Winona Drive Senior Public School is holding its very first Secret Art Show and Sale on Dec. 18th from 5-8 pm in the school cafeteria!

Winona students will create 5x7 works of art and they will be displayed and available for purchase alongside the work of celebrated contemporary artists and notable Canadians whose art is collected and exhibited locally and internationally. The twist: the name of the artist is ONLY revealed after the painting is purchased. This is your chance to get your hands on a masterpiece for $25! Proceeds from sales will go toward end of year student trips, a Pride Committee speaker event and more.

Some of the artists donating original works of art include: Anda Kubis; Ted Fullerton; fatspatrol; the Broadbent Sisters; Nicole Katsuras; Joseph Osei Bonsu; Emmanuel Osahor; Jane Theodore; Mr. Hydde; Isabella Fassler; Kurt Rostek; Jessica Lui; Rodney Bowers; Meredith Shaw; and more!

Cash, cheque, debit, and credit will be accepted!

Until December 15th, support the Weston Mount Dennis Service Provider's Network Winter Coat Drive!

The items needed are brand new or gently used winter coats and winter gear.

Items can be dropped off at the Weston King Neighbourhood Centre at 2017 Weston Rd. For more information, contact 416-241-9898.

December 17th! St. Matthew’s United Church & the TOGOGOs present a Christmas Goodies and Crafts Fair from noon to 3 PM at St. Matthew's United Church (729 St Clair Ave W).

Join them in the church parlour of seasonal baked goods, boxes of organic chocolates, cozy handmade quilts and knitted items, special note cards, stocking stuffers, and more!

The Stop's Holiday Boxes are back!

This is your LAST WEEK to order a wonderful holiday gift box with 13 specialty items perfect for the holiday season! The boxes will be available for pick up at the market itself on Saturday, December 9th, and December 16th between 9 AM and 1 PM. Community members who are unable to travel can arrange delivery at the email below. All proceeds will support the Stop Community Food Centre, your local market, and your community!

To reserve a box today and for more info email the [email protected].

Calling all poets of St. Paul's and beyond! The Legislative Assembly of Ontario is seeking nominees for the next Poet Laureate of Ontario. The role was created in 2019 in honour of the late Gord Downie.

The application is open until January 15, 2024. Click here for more information.

In Ontario, 1,400 people on average are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant while thousands more are in need of a life-changing tissue donation. They are our friends, neighbours, colleagues, and, in some cases, members of our own families.

When you register as a possible organ and tissue donor, you have the potential to change the story for someone in need.

One donor can help over 80 people get back to life.

Register your consent to become an organ and tissue donor after your death and tell your family so they can help honour your wishes.

Did You Know?

Any Ontario resident who is 16 years or older and has an Ontario health card is eligible to register as an organ and tissue donor
Everyone has the potential to be an organ and/or tissue donor, regardless of age or health.
People from every major religion have donated. Many religions support donation or respect and individual’s choice.
The first and foremost concern for health care professionals is to save lives. Only when a life cannot be saved does organ and tissue donation become an option.
It takes two minutes to register or check your status at www.beadonor.ca. You can also register in person at any ServiceOntario location.

More information about the donation process, who can register, and the importance of speaking to family can be found online at www.beadonor.ca.

This is a reminder to get up-to-date on your COVID-19 boosters. The XBB 1.5 updated boosters are NOW available. I got mine and I encourage you to join me!

Consult this page for information about where you can get vaccinated.

Each year across Ontario, thousands of lives are lost to overdoses. We need every level of government to prioritize implementing harm reduction strategies to combat these senseless deaths, and you can help.

As many of you know, Naloxone is a medication that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, and these kits are FREE with training at participating pharmacies across the city. Together, we can prevent unnecessary deaths and work toward a more compassionate society that is safe safe for everyone.

Find a pharmacy with Naloxone kits near you, and make sure you can recognize the signs of an overdose.

In Solidarity,