Community News Update - July 5, 2023
We're just a few days out from what's become the highlight of St. Paul's for many each year - Salsa on St. Clair!
My office will have a booth set up just across the street from 803 St. Clair Avenue West - please make sure you swing by to say hi, sign a few petitions, grab a tenant guide, or check out our SWAG.
I can't wait to reconnect with all of you! Make sure you STAY HYDRATED!
The heat advisory across Toronto continues with a reminder to follow health & safety guidelines as outside temps are said to reach the mid-30s, with humidity making it feel even hotter. That means keeping hydrated, staying in cool, air-conditioned spaces as best as possible, and finding shaded areas while outdoors. The City of Toronto is keeping 7 city pools open until 11:45PM for late night relief, as well. See the list of locations and hours of operation, as well as nearby splashpads and cooling zones available throughout the day, here.
Heat-related illnesses can be fatal so know the symptoms and call 9-1-1 if you or someone you see is experiencing any of the signs.
The extreme heat is also a reminder that relief from the heat is not afforded equally to all, and to check on those who are more vulnerable to its conditions, including our unhoused or precariously-housed neighbours, seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income folks.
In Ontario, air-conditioning still remains a high-priced luxury as the Ford government fails to implement a maximum temperature in all buildings or stand up to landlords who can arbitrarily decide to ban air-conditioning. Meanwhile, here's a sneak peak into the halls of Queen's Park.
His 'all for me, none for thee' agenda is more evident by the day.
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)!
Over a span of four days in our city, there were seven preventable overdose deaths. Please let this be the sign you need to carry a Naloxone kit.
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,
Jill Andrew
Toronto-St. Paul's