Community News Update - January 20, 2021
Dear Community,
Today, Ontario has reported another 2,655 cases of COVID-19, including 925 new cases here in Toronto. On top of the new case numbers, we have seen another 89 deaths across Ontario due to COVID-19. Frustratingly, for the third straight day, we tested less than the 70,000+ tests per day capacity of the province, with just over 54,000 tests being processed.
It was also announced today that schools in seven regions of Ontario will be resuming in-person classes on Monday. While some schools are reopening, it must be noted that the Ford government has not taken any extra action to ensure the safety of these schools. We need to see improved ventilation in our schools, cap class sizes at 15, implement in-school testing programs, and more to improve the safety of our schools during this pandemic.
Against the backdrop of COVID-19, the Ford government has continued its attack on municipal authority over development in their regions. Right now, in Toronto, the Ford government has ignored the requests of the local community to protect the historic Dominion Foundry buildings, and they are currently being demolished – without even explaining to the community what the plans are going to be for the site moving forward.
This is an egregious overstep on the part of the Ford government – and must be stopped immediately.
If you would like to send an email to the Ford government to support our call to halt the demolition, please click here.
Finally, I would be remiss not to mention the news dominating our headlines today – the inauguration of Joseph Biden and Kamala Harris as the President and Vice-President of the United States this afternoon.
Before touching on anything else – if you haven’t seen the incredible performance from 22-year-old poet Amanda Gorman – make sure to check it out here.
The last four years of Donald Trump have represented a painful step backward for the United States, and the effects of Trumpism have been felt around the world, including here in Canada.
Let’s hope that this is the beginning of a new – better day for the United States – and the world.
In Solidarity,
Jill Andrew
MPP for Toronto—St. Paul's