Dear Community, 

Join me at the 2nd annual Dream Wheels on Eglinton tomorrow, July 27th! This is our LAST festival of July and our MPP booth will be ENERGIZED! Come say hi tomorrow between 11 AM and 5 PM. As always, we'll have lots of petitions to sign and free merch to take home. Come join in on the fun! The festival runs along Eglinton Ave W between Elmsthorpe and Russell Hill Road. 

I'd like to once again thank ALL the volunteers who have joined us on the festival circuit! Their efforts will help me bring the voices of THOUSANDS of community members to the legislature this October. Their work is deeply appreciated. 

We had a blast last Saturday at MYBIA Summer Fest! Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth. Congratulations to Melanie and the entire MYBIA crew for making our Midtown community the place to be last weekend. We came, we saw, and man, did we ever eat!  These festivals are always a fantastic opportunity to support our incredible local businesses and artists in the area. They will welcome you ANYTIME with open arms! Trust me, I know!

Remembering Mr. Louis March

Mr. Louis March, a community advocate, activist, architect of good trouble and incredible organizing, a role model to so many of us in our communities, and the founder of the Zero Gun Violence Movement passed away earlier this week. Community, this is an unimaginable loss. We all have to go, but this loss felt way too soon for this incredible man. Even after seeing him at the hospital, I, like so many others, was still holding out hope. 

We will miss you. We will all continue your life-saving work — your legacy. We will try our best to make you proud. We will keep sharing the life lessons you share with us. Even when we didn't want to hear it, you'd read us right there. We will work even harder to show each other care, love, and respect, and truly be each other's keepers. We can't thank you enough. Rest in power. 

It's not goodbye, it's see you later, Mr. March...

Remembering Mrs. Lallie Haye

I didn't have the good fortune of knowing Mrs. Haye during the 40 years she worked as a cashier in the Forest Hill Village at Bilton's Fine Foods, where she started in 1968 or at the Kitchen Table where she retired in 2012. However, I learned so much about her superior customer service and her ability to make such meaningful relationships with community members. I enjoyed the many stories I heard from her dear daughter, Ms. Norma, and her beloved PSWs from Meighen Manor. She was so revered by her community that both Councillors Joe Mihevc and Josh Matlow put into motion getting a laneway named after her in the Forest Hill Village! 

One of the many beautiful stories I heard was how the kids in the area would rush to the store to show Ms. Haye their marks on school assignments. Apparently, she made no joke about education and always encouraged little ones to be good to their parents and strive for excellence. I learned that in her 40 years of working, she only took off 5 sick days. Her work ethic and her dedication to the customers she served—even during significant snowfalls—continues to be talked about today. 

May she rest in peace. My deepest condolences to Mrs. Haye's loved ones and to our larger community who knew her. Thank you to Oakwood Baptist Church for the beautiful memorial. Mrs. Hay was 95 years old when she passed. Thank you to the Forest Hill Village BIA for taking this photo as we sat at Music in Suydam Park last weekend. 

Unity Fest

Unity Charity brought the HEAT to the Harbourfront Centre and CRUSHED Unity Fest this past weekend! We're incredibly lucky to have these folks right here in St. Paul's!

Unity helps youth ages 13 to 29 develop resilience through free Hip-Hop-based programs. They also champion these youth, their professional development and their career dreams too through providing employment opportunities and entrepreneurial support to young emerging artists across our nation! I've been a fan of Unity for what feels like almost two decades!

As a child and youth worker, I saw first-hand how Unity literally brought youth out of their shell. They'd have their artistic talents validated, they'd hone their skills and then be given countless opportunities to shine! And it's not only dance — it's poetry, it's DJ skills, it's producing and production, it's marketing and advertising, it's rap, and more!

Unity IS an invaluable organization and if you didn't know, now you know! So visit their website, learn about 'em, and SUPPORT them. Reach out to your elected officials and remind them to advocate for the arts, to ensure they are funded consistently and with sustainability in mind! Arts are an important part of our public health not to mention the economy. You invest in arts, you invest in youth and communities pursuing arts, and the 'return on investment' IS exponential!

Click here to catch some of the INCREDIBLE performances from the weekend.

Intimate Partner Violence Sub-Committee

Last week, I was back at Queen's Park as we began hearings for the Intimate Partner Violence sub-committee. Thank you to the presenters and subject experts who have presented to the committee so far. As we began hearings, I was disturbed to learn that the Conservatives are fundraising on the backs of survivors. I called out this disgusting behaviour in committee.

Click here to watch the full clip. 

Visit to Bradgate Arms Retirement Residence

Thank you to the community at Bradgate Arms Residence for hosting me on Wednesday afternoon! I had a wonderful time speaking with residents about my role as the local MPP and the issues that affect community members here in St. Paul's and across Ontario. I was appreciative of all their thoughtful questions. 

Thank you to Executive Director, Andy and the Bradgate Arms team for the beautiful bouquet from the St Clair Fruit Market (790 St Clair Ave W). I hope to see you all very soon!

Yonge + St Clair BIA Community Consultations

I participated in the Yonge + St Clair BIA's 5-Year Strategic Plan Community Consultations on Wednesday night! This series allows community members to share their vision for the future of this vibrant and growing neighbourhood. Don't miss out! The final session is THIS Saturday, July 27th from 1 to 3 pm. Click here to RSVP.

Thank you to the Yonge + Clair BIA for hosting us! AND thank you for feeding us with a spread from Grandma Loves You! Seriously, their sandwiches are filled with LAYERS of goodness. YUM!

Mount Pleasant Village BIA Comedy Festival

Wednesday night, I caught the tail end of the Mount Pleasant Village BIA's Wednesday night outdoor comedy festival! I got to see comedian, Zabrina Douglas' act. She had us ALL in stitches - omg! Go see her perform. You will NOT regret it. Thank you to the BIA for hosting this amazing event!

Afro-Caribbean Farmers Market

It's always a GREAT time at the Afro-Caribbean Farmers Market! Last Sunday was no exception. I had a wonderful time chatting with local vendors and picking up some DELICIOUS treats. Thanks for joining me, mom!

Check them out at the Green P Parking Lot (1531 Eglinton Ave W) from 11 AM to 3 PM. The next one is this Sunday, July 28th!

Visit their website for all the details! 

Meeting with Residents of 40 Delisle

Last night, I met with the residents of 40 Delisle Avenue to discuss tenants' rights and how they can organize to protect their interests. I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together!

Climate Corner 🌎

Please take the time to read this week's Climate Corner written by Mike and Lyba from SCAN! Toronto. This week's topic is important given the recent extreme flooding our city experienced last week. I'd like to thank them once again for this contribution!

Flooding in our city

After the July flooding there was a lot of talk about mitigation, in communities, as well as City Hall.  Aside from homeowners dealing with flooded basements, resulting power outages put people in apartment buildings at risk.  Tenants’ flooded dwellings forced them to deal with landlords which can be very challenging.

There are several causes of flooding in the city.  You will hear a lot of talk, for example, about “runoff”.  Think about the concrete in old and new builds, as well as homes with a paved front yard for parking.  Heavy rain runs off concrete all over the city into sewers.  Inevitably, they are unable to handle the volume of water, leading to people kayaking near Cherry Beach.

You may have also heard the term “sponge city”.  It is one of the least expensive fixes for flooding.  Green spaces, whether large or small, absorb water. The concept relies on natural or artificial infrastructure, such as trees, lakes, parks, permeable roads, rooftop gardens, rainwater harvesting, and rain gardens. More “green”, means less surface water.

In terms of that concrete, there is also something called “permeable pavement”.  Permeable pavement, or porous paving, is a type of hard surfacing that allows rainfall to move to an underlying reservoir base.  The main benefit is a reduction in runoff, which, in turn, reduces flood risk.  It also removes contaminants from stormwater.  We need to see more of that.

Make Toronto “spongier”
We need to increase areas that absorb water.  For example, we can design roadways and pathways to channel water into storage or absorption areas.  We can also equip buildings with systems to collect and use rainwater.  And the all-time winner for communities: transform public spaces into green spaces that collect rainwater and create a little bit of heaven in an urban setting.

Another idea: create rain gardens.  These shallow, bowl-shaped areas collect water runoff from surfaces like downspouts, sump pumps, paved areas, roofs, driveways, walkways, and lawns.  That’s a lot of water collection.
The tree canopy plays an important role as well; and the city must continue to maintain and expand it.

And then there’s food
Here’s another term: “permaculture”.  It means the development of agricultural ecosystems intended to be sustainable and self-sufficient.

How many of your neighbours grow their own vegetables?  More than before the pandemic, right?   The city can support urban farming in hydro corridors, underused city owned lots, roof-top vegetable gardens and rooftop greenhouses.  Bonus: greenhouses that use renewable energy will produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions.  The City can also increase garden allotments in public parks.

And finally…
Don’t build on floodplains. 
Don’t use river valleys for highways.
Expand drainage systems to handle bigger storms. 
Reinforce the shores of creeks, rivers and lakes, so they don’t spill into surrounding areas. 
Shift to renewable energy to prevent catastrophic weather events in the first place!

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD📌

Free Trees

Saturday, September 21st, the Oakwood Vaughan Community Organization will be distributing free tree saplings, in large pots between 10 AM to 7 PM. 

Location: Pick-up is done locally

Pre-registration is required. Please include your name, contact information, and what type of tree(s) you would like. These trees are for private properties only, that a person has permission to plant on, and are provided by a City of Toronto Forestry Grant. 

For more information, contact: [email protected] or [email protected]

Mount Pleasant Village BIA - Movie Night in the Park

Bring the entire family and enjoy our FREE movies in the park! Mount Pleasant Village BIA presents a different film favourite each Tuesday night starting July 30th, 2023. All shows start at dusk. Bring a chair and a blanket. The BIA will also be collecting donations for the Daily Bread Food Bank each Tuesday night. 

July 30th will start at 8:45 PM. The first film will be Migration!

Location: Manor Community Green - 196 Manor Rd East

Forest Hill BIA Music in Suydam Park

Forest Hill Village BIA's much-loved acoustic concert series, Music in Suydam Park is back for another season!

Concerts take place every Saturday afternoon from 1-3 pm throughout July, August and September. Weather permitting.

Click here for their full concert schedule!

James Rottman Fine Art

Check out the new exhibition at James Rottman Fine Art!

John Eric Laford: OJIBWE LEGENDS
Exhibition Dates: July 13 - September 14, 2024
Location: 830 St Clair Avenue West
Tues to Saturday, 11 am to 5 pm and/or by appointment.

Born on the West Bay of Manitoulin Island in Ontario, John Eric Laford was a celebrated Anishinaabe Canadian artist who passed away in 2021. Laford was inspired by the Ojibwe legends and stories of his elders on Manitoulin Island. Laford was the grandson of hereditary chief Dominic Migwans and Ann Commando.

In this exhibition visitors to the gallery will enjoy Laford's interpreted visions, stories and legends of his elders through the artist's dynamic and visually striking paintings. Laford used various materials including paper, birch bark, canvas, pine, cedar and pipestone as surfaces to depict his stories in paint. The artist's works are poignant studies of all creation, including the spirits, elders, animals, birds and plants.

Laford's paintings have been collected and exhibited by The Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, The Museum of Anthropology, Vancouver, British Columbia, The Canadian Museum of Civilization, Hull, Quebec, The Museum of Modern Art, New York, and several other public art museums worldwide.

Sprint Senior Care

I would like to share this appeal for volunteers from Sprint Senior Care. Volunteers are needed to:

• Deliver healthy and affordable meals to seniors
• Provide security checks
• Reduce Isolation

You will need to have a car and a valid driver's license to help, but gas reimbursements are available. To volunteer call 416-481-0669 ext. 8723 or e-mail [email protected]

Local Farmers Markets

Wychwood Barns Farmers' Market

• Every Saturday from 8 AM to 1 PM at the Wychwood Barns

Davisville Farmers' Market

• Every Tuesday from 3 PM to 7 PM in June Rowlands Park

The Eglinton Way Farmers' Market

• Every Sunday from 8 AM to 1 PM at 125 Burnaby Blvd. 

Afro-Caribbean Farmers' Market

• From 11 AM to 3 PM on July 7th, 21st and 28th and August 11th and 25th, and September 8th, 22nd and 29th at Reggae Lane (1531 Eglinton Ave W - Green P Parking Lot)

The BFBG Awards

The Black Fashion & Beauty Gala is making its return September 29th, 2024. This year's theme is The Awakening of Black Fashion: A Journey of Resilience and Creativity. 

Click here to learn more about this year's event. 

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 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, Ph.D

MPP Toronto-St. Paul's