Dear community,
I hope everyone had a restful and reflective long weekend! Please see below the words I shared in commemoration of Canada Day
For many in our community, Canada Day is a difficult day. Our country's history includes many shameful episodes. This year, July 1st also marks the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Exclusion Act, a law which completely banned the immigration of people of Chinese heritage from 1923 until 1947. During the recent pandemic, we saw a surge in the anti-Asian racism that motivated this law. This was one of the reasons that I joined MPPs Lise Vaugeois and Laura Mae Lindo in introducing a bill to mandate education about anti-Asian racism in Ontario's Schools
In addition, many of us have become more aware than ever of the disgraceful history (and present) of our country’s treatment of Indigenous peoples. For many Indigenous community members the residential schools are the most painful part of that legacy, and we must continue to reckon with this.
I hope that Canadians acknowledging Canada Day will be able to honour what is best in this country while recognizing the role of Canada in oppression, racism, colonialism and genocide and remembering all that still needs to be done to make this a home that everyone can be proud of.
Saturday also marked the 100 year anniversary of Chinese Immigration Act, 1923; more accurately named the Chinese Exclusion Act. Because that's just what it did. This discriminatory piece of legislation banned all Chinese immigration to Canada based on nothing more than ethnicity.
As ugly of era this was, it's important to share it too, among others we can be more proud of. Because history can repeat itself. It's on us to tell the histories that taught us the lessons to ensure this hateful part to our nation's past doesn't.
Read our statement.
As ugly of era this was, it's important to share it too, among others we can be more proud of. Because history can repeat itself. It's on us to tell the histories that taught us the lessons to ensure this hateful part to our nation's past doesn't.
Read our statement.
Doug Ford sure has his own way of welcoming the long weekend. On Friday, he announced that the 2024 rent guideline will be set at the legal maximum of 2.5%.
What does this mean for you? If you live in a building that was used for residential purposes prior to November 2018, your rent can increase by a maximum of 2.5%. That is, unless your landlord or property manager has not applied an Above Guideline Increase (AGI), which would allow them to increase it by an additional 3%.
If you live in a building that was built or converted for residential use after November 2018, unfortunately there is no limit to how much your rent can increase, thanks to Ford's bringing in of this two-tiered structure as one of his first moves in 2018.
Regardless of how much your rent is increasing by, each tenant has rights and in this market, it's important you know them! Check out my latest tenant guide to help answer your questions, and as always, my office is available to assist in those trickier situations where the solution isn't as clear.
What does this mean for you? If you live in a building that was used for residential purposes prior to November 2018, your rent can increase by a maximum of 2.5%. That is, unless your landlord or property manager has not applied an Above Guideline Increase (AGI), which would allow them to increase it by an additional 3%.
If you live in a building that was built or converted for residential use after November 2018, unfortunately there is no limit to how much your rent can increase, thanks to Ford's bringing in of this two-tiered structure as one of his first moves in 2018.
Regardless of how much your rent is increasing by, each tenant has rights and in this market, it's important you know them! Check out my latest tenant guide to help answer your questions, and as always, my office is available to assist in those trickier situations where the solution isn't as clear.
If you have donations to spare, please consider bringing them down to Marian Engel Park on Saturday between 11AM -
1PM! If you need some extra groceries, come on down no questions asked (we have tote bags)!
We're just a few days away from Salsa on St. Clair, and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone out and about for the festivities on July 8 & 9!
Make sure you stop by our booth just across from my community office at 803 St. Clair Avenue W!
Make sure you stop by our booth just across from my community office at 803 St. Clair Avenue W!
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.
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,
Jill Andrew
Toronto-St. Paul's
Jill Andrew
Toronto-St. Paul's
