Dear Community, 

On Wednesday, I gave the government the opportunity to vote YES to increasing operating funding for Ontario's arts, culture and heritage sector. By passing my Motion 149, they could've immediately brought urgent relief to the hundreds of thousands of workers at the heart of this sector. My motion would not only stabilize this vital part of our province's economy, but allow it to grow!

However, Doug Ford and his politicians struck my motion down — a slap in the face to the nearly 300,000 arts, culture, and heritage workers across the province, including those who filled the gallery on Wednesday for the debate. 

The fight doesn't end here. With an election on the horizon, we need to make the arts an all-party issue. Click below to add your name to tell the government to SAVE the arts, culture, and heritage sector. 

CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR NAME

The arts and culture sector has been sounding the alarm for years. The sector is at risk of collapse without urgent, sustainable funding. We can't afford to lose more invaluable programming, community festivals, and jobs. Let's show up for our arts, culture, and heritage organizations and the workers at the heart of this sector!

I was proud to host dozens of sector representatives at Queen's Park on Wednesday for a press conference, and then to fill the gallery during the evening debate. When this government says they're 'working for workers,' this must include the hundreds of thousands of cultural workers across our communities. 

I'd like to especially thank Michael Rikley-Lancaster from the Ontario Museum Association and Mississippi Valley Textile Museum, Sedina Fiati of the Black Pledge, Rachel Kennedy of Toronto Fringe Festival, Emily Reid of the Toronto Outdoor Picture Show, and Mischka Crichton of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival for speaking to the urgent need for support across each of your sector areas. 

In today's newsletter:

Recognizing that it's impossible to capture a full week of news in a single newsletter, please see the highlights below:

• Tenant Rights Talk with MPP Andrew
• Days of Significance 
• Jill at Queen's Park
• Jill in Community
• Upcoming events and more!

Join Jill and Marit at the Disability Collective Holiday Market

You're invited to join MPP Jill Andrew and Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles at the annual Disability Holiday Market, this Sunday at 1:30pm at Wychwood Barns. 

Every year, The Disability Collective puts on the only holiday market in Toronto to feature all-disabled creators. This unique event spotlights incredibly talented artists and creators, and features arts and crafts events, live music, and more. It's a fantastic opportunity to support the disabled artist community in the city, and pick up a fantastic gift to boot!

Tenant Rights Talk with MPP Andrew

Saturday, December 14th from 4 to 6:30 PM, I am hosting a tenants right discussion to discuss how tenants in our community can come together to build stronger and more affordable community in Little Jamaica! 

When:
Saturday, December 14th
4 to 6:30 PM

Where:
U 2 FlyCut Barbershop & Salon
1653 Eglinton Avenue West

DAYS OF SIGNIFICANCE

The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Last night, I was deeply honoured to be invited by the Toronto & York Region Labour Council to speak about intimate partner violence, gender-based violence and its impact on our communities. I also took a moment to reflect with our siblings in labour on how we can and MUST stand together to address IPV.

Today marks the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, where we remember the 14 women killed on December 6, 1989 by a man who was a misogynistic, anti-feminist coward. A man who blamed women and feminism for his own failures. He could not stand to see a world where women were eager to study and participate in 'male-dominated professions''. 14 women were killed simply because they were trying to be engineers. 

Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault, Annie Turcotte, Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz and the THOUSANDS since should still be here. We must NEVER forget them. We must NEVER forget the missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls who till this day remain faceless and nameless. 

Femicide is on the rise and will continue to do so without the necessary interventions to tackle misogyny, toxic masculinity, rape culture, stiffening gender stereotypes and other oppressive isms. Femicide does not exists in a vacuum. 

We must continue to call on the Ford government to declare Intimate Partner Violence an epidemic, the purpose of our Bill 173, which I am honoured to be a co-sponsor of. The PC government since April 10, 2024 has put up roadblock after roadblock despite the calls from survivors, family members, allies, frontline workers and other experts. 

Nova Scotia's conservative government did it in ONE DAY. Ford, what are you waiting for? 

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

International Day of Persons with Disabilities is observed annually on December 3rd to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. 

This day also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, economic and cultural life. 

International Day for the Abolition of Slavery

The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery is observed annually on December 2nd, as an international observance to raise awareness about the persistence of modern slavery and to promote efforts to eradicate all forms of slavery. 

The day marks the anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations General Assembly resolution "Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others," which was adopted on December 2, 1949. The resolution aimed to combat and abolish slavery in all its forms. 

World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day is observed annually on December 1st to raising awareness about the HIV/AIDS pandemic, commemorating those who have died from the disease, and showing support for those living with HIV. The day serves as an opportunity to unite people worldwide in the fight against HIV, to show solidarity with the millions of people living with HIV, and to remember those who have lost their lives to AIDS-related illnesses. 

World AIDS Day was first observed in 1988 and has since been recognized globally. The day is marked by various activities, events, and campaigns organized by governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and individuals to spread awareness, promote education about HIV prevention and treatment, and fight against the stigma and discrimination often associated with HIV/AIDS. Red ribbons are a common symbol used during World AIDS Day to show support for those living with HIV and to raise awareness about the impact of the disease. 

JILL AT QUEEN'S PARK

Hillcrest Community School at Queen's Park

Walking in a winter wonderland the Hillcrest way! It was wonderful to spend time with the incredible kids and caring adults from Toronto-St.Paul's very own Hillcrest Community School. I cannot wait to see these Toronto-St.Paul's youth as future legislative pages in a couple of years!

Thank you Principal Cornell, Mr.Roblin and all the amazing parents and guardians for making this possible.

St Michaels College School at Queen's Park

It was wonderful to talk politics with the students of St Michael's College School at Queen's Park yesterday. These young students were a delight! Here's to them continuing on their path as student leaders. I hope to welcome them back to the Peoples' House very soon!

Auditor General's Annual Report

This week, the Auditor General's scathing report of the PC government further exposed that the Ontario Place redevelopment project has been rife with preferential treatment and out-of-control costs. 

This government has wasted billions of dollars subsidizing a luxury spa on Toronto's waterfront and is tipping the scales with an unfair procurement process. All the while, Minister Kinga Surma has been refusing to take responsibility for the mess that this government has made. It's time for her to resign. And if she won't the Premier needs to take responsibility and fire his Infrastructure Minister.

Say NO to Armed Officers in Our Schools

On Tuesday, PC MPP Jess Dixon put forth a motion calling to bring back armed police officers to all Ontario Public schools.

I cannot support this problematic motion as there is no evidence showing that police in schools send violence. Evidence does show that this intervention disproportionately harms Black and racialized students and communities. We should be debating evidence-based solutions that prevent violence BEFORE it has happened, like adequately funding and staffing our schools and increased mental health resources as just a couple examples.

That should be our aim because after all GUNS cannot bring safety, equity or connection to our schools. Click here to watch my full statement. 

Eglinton Crosstown OVER Budget and OVERDUE

Earlier this week, Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster RESIGNED following years of the conservative government and Mr. Verster FAILING the people of the people of midtown and Little Jamaica!

Despite his resignation and the earlier "senior-level shake-up", we don't have a clear date for when this long-overdue and overbudget project will be completed.

Will we see people taking the line to work next year? Nobody in this government seems to know, and Verster didn't want to stick around to see this project through.

Now, Michael Lindsay, Ford's buddy who closed the Ontario Science Centre and ripped up Ontario Place is the man in charge. 

Where does that leave us? Where does that leave the members of our Little Jamaica and Midtown communities who have dealt with flooding, road closures, and the struggles of keeping their businesses open amidst all this construction?

The Eglinton LRT is a 19km line. Under Ford-Verster management, it has cost Ontarians $1 BILLION PER KILOMETER! To put things into perspective, Paris' Metro Line 14 underwent a 15.6km extension in a fraction of the time and at a fraction of the cost. Why aren't things getting done in Ontario? We know the answer: Ford's PCs. 

While we say good riddance to Verster, we need a FULL PUBLIC INQUIRY into this thirteen-year-old mess and the people of Toronto-St. Paul's deserve COMPENSATION! Click here to watch me question the Premier.

Click here to watch my full question to the premier. 

Make Orange Shirt Day a Statutory Holiday

Last week I rose in the house to support Sol Mamakwa's bill to make Orange Shirt Day a statutory holiday. The process of reconciliation requires an honest reckoning with the abuses that Indigenous people suffered at Residential Schools. We must all do more to recognize this painful history and work for a better future.

Click here to watch my full statement. 

JILL IN COMMUNITY

Meeting with Silent Voice Canada

Earlier today I had the opportunity to speak with Silent Voice Canada regarding the MANY accessibility barriers Deaf newcomers face with our immigration system. 

Special thank you to Silent Voice's executive director Kelly Mackenzie and the organization's staff for continuing to advocate for our Deaf community members through your various community support services, outreach and settlement programs. 

Mayor's 2nd Annual Appreciation Reception

It was wonderful to join Mayor Olivia Chow for her 2nd annual appreciation reception! It's powerful to see the mayor bring together our local BIA's, festivals and community members to share best practices. Moments like this is what makes Ontario and our Toronto-St.Paul's community so vibrant! 

I was glad to be able to reconnect with members from our events and festival community regarding my recent arts motion calling for an increase in funding to support Ontario's arts, culture and heritage sector. While the motion wasn't successful, the fight continues! Arts is INTEGRAL to our local communities, small businesses, festivals and our provincial GDP.

Shoutout to York Eglinton BIA, Hillcrest BIA, Oakwood Village BIA, Salsa on St.Clair, our friends from Toronto Fringe, Trinbago Toronto Festival and many more for coming out on Thursday!

Yonge + St Clair BIA Annual Gingerbread Festival

Earlier this week, Toronto-St. Paul's beloved Gingerbread Festival returned! It was an honour to deliver opening remarks at Yonge + St. Clair Gingerbread Festival launch event and celebrate the incredible small businesses that make our community so vibrant.

As the holidays approaches, I wish for peace, joy, and unity throughout our wonderful community. Let’s continue to support one another and spread the holiday spirit!

And congratulations to Hannah for your new role as the BIA’s executive director!

Little Jamaica Land Trust

Last weekend my staff attended presentations on the progress of the Little Jamaica Land Trust from Black Urbanism Toronto and city of Toronto staff at Studio M. I share their goal of preserving little Jamaica's culture and combatting gentrification This is an important project and I will continue to try to find ways for the province to facilitate it.

COMMUNITY BULLETIN 📌

5th Annual Stop Farmers' Market Holiday Box

Wychwood Barns Farmer's Market is back for their 5th annual Holiday Box for order! Only a limited quantity is available, so reserve it early to get a wonderful gift for yourself, someone you care about or just support the market and The Stop this year! 
 
This year there two great options! One featuring 14 fabulous products from the market, and a second with the addition of craft drinks produced by the farmers and vendors!
 
Order now, and you can pick it up at the farmer's market on either Saturday December 21, or December 28 during any of the market hours!  This has been curated to make a wonderful gift and be shelf stable for the holidays!  Delivery can also be arranged if requested depending on distance! 
 
For more details and box contents, see the attached posters and list below!

TDSB Learn4Life Registration Now Open

Join thousands of adults and seniors this winter and register for a general interest course or senior’s program to develop new skills and interests! All courses are offered through the Learn4Life Program, run by the Toronto District School Board (TDSB). Winter registration is now open, and courses start January 11, 2025. There are so many exciting classes to choose from like: Making Your Home Smarter, Classics of Horror, Wood Carving Introduction, Strength for Life – Full Body Fitness, and Portugal’s Iconic Pastel de Nata Workshop.

Visit www.learn4life.ca  to learn more and register today for both in-person and online program! If you're interested in volunteering opportunities with Friends of Learn4Life, please email [email protected]. 

Central Eglinton Community Centre Older Adults Holiday Lunch

Central Eglinton Community Centre is hosting their Older Adults Holiday Lunch at a new location this year at 110 Eglinton Ave East. The new location is to accommodate the demand from our older adult community for this popular event!

The lunch is taking place December 13th from 12 pm to 3 pm just four days away from Central Eglinton Community Centre. 

Come have a FREE festive meal and enjoy live entertainment!

Please RSVP with reception at 416-392-0511, ext. 0.

CALL FOR SUPPORT - 2024 Humewood Community Scholarship Fund

We are very pleased to start our 6^th Annual Humewood Community Scholarship Fundraising Drive! Our fundraising goal again this year is $5,000 and the campaign will continue until December 31, 2024. 
 
This scholarship was specifically designed for young mothers in the community who use the impressive range of parenting support and educational services offered at the Humewood and Broadview Campuses of the Abiona Centre For Infant & Early Mental Health. As a result of last year’s fundraising drive, $1,000 was dispersed to each of the 6 young moms who met the scholarship criteria.
 
Over the last 5 years, a total of 28 young mothers have received the Humewood Community Scholarships to pursue post-secondary education at accredited colleges and universities. We thank you so much, because these were funds that you, the community, contributed for the scholarship! All the funds that we raise go directly to the scholarship recipients.
 
TO DONATE, please click on the link below:
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/abionacentre/p2p/HCS2024 or click here or scan the QR code at the bottom left of the banner.  A donation of any amount is very much appreciated. Donations of $20 and over will receive a tax receipt. Please note that the CanadaHelps website may take a few extra seconds to load.
 
Thank you in advance for the community’s continued support for this initiative. Special thanks to MPP Jill Andrew, City Councillor Josh Matlow, and St. Matthew’s United for their help in sharing information about The Humewood Community Scholarship Fundraiser.

Learn to Prevent an Overdose

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 for everyone.

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

In solidarity,

Dr. Jill Andrew, PhD

MPP, Toronto-St. Paul's