This week Ford proved once again his top priority is acting like the Prime Minister of Canada and not the premier of Ontario. While he's proud to wear "Canada Is Not For Sale" hat in front of media, he has no problem putting our province for sale for developers and his insider friends. Folks, lets remember during Ford's seven years in office, he's put the Science Centre, Ontario Place, the Greenbelt and many more up for grabs while making the people of Ontario pay the price.
Moreover, the Integrity Commissioner published a response to our request for a full investigation into Infrastructure Minister Kinga Surma. Ontario taxpayers deserve to know why they're subsidizing a $2 billion mega spa they did not ask for. Why families in Sudbury and Thunder Bay are paying $400 per household for a luxury spa in Toronto because Ford wanted to gift Ontario Place to an Austrian company? Ontarians deserve a government who's willing and ready to fight for them and not bend to the will of a foreign corporation.
During these turbulent times, the conservatives have decided to put their own interest above yours. They don't want a new mandate to fight for Ontario jobs if Trump goes forth with his reckless tariffs. If that were the case, Ford would put the needs of Ontarians first over his personal political interests. They want to call an early election to avoid accountability- plain and simple. They don't want to be held accountable when the RCMP releases their investigation and when we ask why they put the interest of their pals over yours.
This is why, election or not, the Ontario NDP and I are ready to fight. We are ready to fight for Ontario's workers in the face of Trump's reckless tariffs. We are ready to fight for affordable housing by building homes and bringing back real rent control. We are ready to fight for our beloved public spaces like the Science Centre and Ontario Place from Ford’s insider pals and greedy speculators. And we are ready to fight for you- the people of Ontario who deserve brighter days ahead.
Nomination Meeting and Pre-Election Campaign Launch
You're invited to my nomination meeting this Saturday, January 25th at 2 PM at Gatherings Resto Bar to announce me as the official Toronto—St. Paul's ONDP candidate in this election—whenever it may be. To be ready in the face of the growing speculation, this important step must be done, and it cannot happen withoutyou.
I hope you can make it! There will be entertainment, refreshments, and special guest speakers. Click hereto RSVP or click the button below.
In solidarity, Dr. Jill Andrew, PhD MPP, Toronto—St. Paul's
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:
New Year's Check-In
Days of Significance
Jill in Community
Climate Corner
Upcoming Events
New Year's Check-In
Join me onJanuary 29th at 7 PMfor a New Year Check-In with community members on Zoom! Register below and you will be contacted with the Zoom link to join the call. To register,clickhere!
Days of Significance
Orthodox New Year
Happy Orthodox New Year to all who celebrated on Tuesday in our St. Paul's community and beyond!
I hope you were able to gather with family and loved ones to celebrate in whatever way is meaningful to you.
Jill in Community
Meeting with Tai Kim
It was wonderful to bump into the wonderful Tai Kim again! Tai is a visual multidisciplinary artist who is also a reggae artist. She enthusiastically reminded me that she performs reggae in Korean. Before we parted Tai handed me this four-leaf clover and wished me good luck for 2025.
Her kindness was right on time <3 Thank you Tai!
If you're interested in Tai's work as an artist, check her portfoliohere and follow her on InstagramandFacebook!
Meeting of the Friends and Relatives of Ike Kaja
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to meet with Toronto—St. Paul's community members and the friends of Ikechidiadi "Ike" Kaja, a Rotman School of Management alumni and dedicated mentor, father, and friend to many.
It was moving to see such motivation for seeking justice among Ike's chosen family, friends, and neighbours. While working to memorialize his legacy, they are also working to keep our neighbourhoods safe. I admire their determination to come together to call attention to the need for involved, transparent, and consistent policing.
They plan on hosting a memorial vigil on January 28th, 2025. Details will be shared in the coming weeks.
Frankly, there is no world where somebody's death is not shocking, hurtful and confusing, especially when they are taken from us in an act of violence. My office contacted Toronto Police Services, and they informed us that the investigation is still active; however, they could not share any further details but promised to continue working with Ike's family in their search for justice.
Dr. Christine Cho's Wild Poppy: Peace(2024) at Queen's Park
Earlier this week I has the wonderful opportunity to meet Dr. Christine Cho, a constituent who was selected to have her paintingWild Poppy: Peace(2024) hung at Queen's Park's Art a la carte gallery!
Wild Poppy: Peaceis based off the poppies that grow in her garden in St. Paul's. Her work also pays tribute to her great uncle Reginald C. Litchfield who served with the Toronto 48th Highlanders during World War I. Litchfield died at the Second Battle of Ypres, the same battle where John McCrae wrote "In Flanders Fields."
Thank you Dr. Cho for your beautiful painting and congratulations on being selected for Art a la carte gallery!
Jacoba Knaapen's Retirement Celebration
On Monday I attended the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Art's (TAPA) retirement celebration for the one and only Jacoba Knaapen! Jacoba’s 21-year tenure as Executive Director was marked by outstanding achievements and unwavering commitment to advancing performing arts in Toronto. During her time as ED, she established the TRIP (Travel, Retreat Initiative Program), providing travel assistance to hundreds of artists and developed the TAPA Stats Reports and the TAPA Audience Report, amongst her many other achievements.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you Jacoba for everything you have, and will continue to do for the arts community! And congratulations to Annemieke Wade for starting her new role as Executive Director! Looking forward to the amazing work you'll be doing with TAPA.
Charlie Chaplin on Chaplin!
This week I was on a walk through the riding when I stumbled upon this amazing mural of Charlie Chaplin at Chaplin and Eglinton! What a wonderful reminder to love yourself and those around you to the fullest!
See below Chaplin's full quote below: “As I began to love myself I found that anguish and emotional suffering are only warning signs that I was living against my own truth. Today, I know, this is “AUTHENTICITY”.
As I began to love myself I understood how much it can offend somebody if I try to force my desires on this person, even though I knew the time was not right and the person was not ready for it, and even though this person was me. Today I call it “RESPECT”.
As I began to love myself I stopped craving for a different life, and I could see that everything that surrounded me was inviting me to grow. Today I call it “MATURITY”.
As I began to love myself I understood that at any circumstance, I am in the right place at the right time, and everything happens at the exactly right moment. So I could be calm. Today I call it “SELF-CONFIDENCE”.
As I began to love myself I quit stealing my own time, and I stopped designing huge projects for the future. Today, I only do what brings me joy and happiness, things I love to do and that make my heart cheer, and I do them in my own way and in my own rhythm. Today I call it “SIMPLICITY”.
As I began to love myself I freed myself of anything that is no good for my health – food, people, things, situations, and everything that drew me down and away from myself. At first I called this attitude a healthy egoism. Today I know it is “LOVE OF ONESELF”.
As I began to love myself I quit trying to always be right, and ever since I was wrong less of the time. Today I discovered that is “MODESTY”.
As I began to love myself I refused to go on living in the past and worrying about the future. Now, I only live for the moment, where everything is happening. Today I live each day, day by day, and I call it “FULFILLMENT”.
As I began to love myself I recognized that my mind can disturb me and it can make me sick. But as I connected it to my heart, my mind became a valuable ally. Today I call this connection “WISDOM OF THE HEART”.
We no longer need to fear arguments, confrontations or any kind of problems with ourselves or others. Even stars collide, and out of their crashing new worlds are born. Today I know “THAT IS LIFE”!”
Climate Corner 🌎
Today's newsletter features a Climate Corner article written by Mike and Lyba from Seniors or Climate Action Action Now (SCAN!) Toronto. Please read below.
What’s consumption got to do with it?
“We need to grow the economy.”
How many times have you heard that refrain? Or the very excited, “the economy is booming.”
It seems to be universally accepted that the Canadian economy must continue to expand. This notion exists in every country, from the developed North to the developing South. Growth means an increase in consumption. For decades we have been bombarded with the encouragement to buy more stuff.
That stuff is mostly based on fossil fuels – everything from plastic toys to armaments.
Circular economy
The City of Toronto recently did a consultation on zero waste and the circular economy. Their goal is to “reduce waste and maximize resources”. They want to move away from what they call a “linear” economy - make it, use it and chuck it - to a more “circular” system. It would focus on product longevity, renewability, reuse and repair. The City argues that “transitioning to a circular economy will play a key role in building a resilient, inclusive, green, and prosperous future for Toronto residents and businesses”.
Fully transitioning to a circular economy may be a hard sell; but what we have been trying to do to reduce waste in particular is not working.
Although we dutifully rinse our cans and bottles, in 2019, it was reported that “Toronto manages approximately 180,000 tonnes of recyclables through its blue bin program. Of that, about 30 per cent (representing 54,000 tonnes) goes to landfill due to contamination.”
We carry our reusable bags to the grocer but put produce in plastic bags. We take our used clothing to the local Sally Ann and then buy more cheap clothing that will wear out quickly.
Unfortunately, personal changes in habits can only go so far. Manufacturers have to buy in to a circular economy. However, we live in a global economy, which means that Canadian businesses are constantly in competition with countries that can manufacture quicker and cheaper.
Degrowth
Degrowth is an academic and social movement critical of the concept of using growth in gross domestic product as a measure of human and economic development. Simply put, we should not be just what we produce. One degrowth website outlines the essentials to make it happen, including an economy and a society that “sustains the natural basis of life”; and a reduction of production and consumption. They promote the creation of open, connected and localized economies.
As we get closer to federal and provincial elections, listen to the language that politicians use when it comes to the economy. Remember the slogan, ‘It’s the economy, stupid”? It still is the main issue on people’s minds. We need to turn that around to: “change the economy; save the planet”. That’s smart, not at all stupid.
COMMUNITY BULLETIN 📌
OV Nap Tenants' Workshop
The Oakwood Vaughan Neighbourhood Action Partnership is hosting a tenants rights and eviction work series every Saturday from January 18th to February 8th! Learn more about your rights as a tenant from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM at the Oakwood Village Library & Arts Centre Auditorium located at 341 Oakwood Ave.
Leala Hewak- The J Word
Leala Hewak, a talented local artist, is looking for participants in her new project "The J Word". This is "an ambitious conceptual art initiative exploring Jewish identity through photography. The goal is twofold: taking portraits in major cities while collecting selfies from participants worldwide, aiming for 6 million images." Leala is asking for "Anyone identifying as Jewish to contribute a selfie . This visual “group portrait” will highlight the diversity of Jewish people while addressing antisemitism through art. She aims to challenge harmful stereotypes, celebrate resilience, and foster deeper understanding and connection. Your portrait contributes to an exhibit featuring both her portraits and selfies from participants like you." You canclick hereto fill out the form to participate.
Send us your event!
Have an event or announcement you'd like featured in Jill's community newsletter? Email submissions to [email protected]. Please include a brief description and a photo to include in the post.
OVCO: Introduction to Bicycle Mechanics
OVCO is building kids programming in our Hub at the former Vaughan Road Academy. We will be having an "Introduction to Bicycle Mechanics: Be Ready For The Spring" course for ages 10-16. 6 Tuesday sessions for only $150 altogether, between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., totalling 12 hours of hands-on bicycle mechanics.
This includes six sessions: 1) Tuesday, January 28th, 2025 2) Tuesday, February 4th, 2025 3) Tuesday, February 11th, 2025 4) Tuesday, February 18th, 2025 5) Tuesday, February 25th, 2025 6) Tuesday, March 4th, 2025
Participants will get a chance to deconstruct bicycles of different types so they understand the mechanics of bikes such as the drive train, wheels, and braking. This workshop teaches skills that participants can use to repair, maintain and build their own bicycles! Tools and bicycles will be provided for participants to work on. The workshop series is facilitated by Arthur Gron, a member of OVCO and local cycling advocate who has cycled-toured extensively in Ontario and Quebec for more than a decade, including the Waterfront Trail from Windsor to Montreal.
The Legislative Assembly of Ontario's Women's Forum brings together 124 young women and gender diverse individuals from across Ontario each year for a full-day program in Toronto to promote citizenship and public engagement through education and empowerment. The forum will feature a variety of engaging events, including panels, workshops, and networking opportunities.
This year's forum will take place on Tuesday, March 4th, 2025.
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.
