Community News Update - April 26, 2024
Community News Update - March 19, 2021
Dear Community,
Today, Ontario has reported another 1745 new cases of COVID-19, another significant increase in cases as experts are now declaring that we have entered a third wave of COVID-19.
As we work through this as a community, I want to remind everyone that it is vital that we all follow all public health protocols, and that includes wearing our masks, washing our hands, and maintaining our physical distancing from one another. Taking these steps is crucial to slowing the spread of COVID-19, as we distribute vaccines.
For anyone who is looking to schedule their vaccination, please click here to see if you are currently eligible - and if you are - for directions to book your vaccine.
If you are born in 1941 or earlier, I would strongly encourage you to sign up for your vaccination at the link above immediately. As it stands, there are many spots still available, and many older adults in our community have still not registered for their shots.
Starting Monday, anyone 75 years of age or older will be able to book their vaccine through the online portal. Also starting on Monday participating pharmacies, and primary care settings will offer vaccination appointments to anyone 60 years of age or older.
To read full details of these new developments, click here.
On top of this, we have also learned that the province will be adding another 350 pharmacies to the AstraZeneca vaccination program in the coming weeks.
To find a participating pharmacy near you, click here.
It has also been announced this evening that the province has loosened restrictions in Toronto, and other lockdown areas, now allowing for outdoor dining with members of the same household.
In community news, last night, I was happy to host an event for tenants with MPP Jessica Bell from University-Rosedale, along with our panelists:
- Prophetess Reid, Chair, 440 Winona Tenants Association
- Patrick Plestid, Chair 100 Vaughan Road Tenants Association
- Helle Hulgaard, Lawyer, West Toronto Community Legal Services.
We discussed tenants’ rights, and what you can do if you receive an eviction notice. We had great discussions about how to get organized, and we heard from a range of community members about the challenges they’re facing right now as they relate to housing.
I want to thank everyone who joined us last night, and if you missed it, you can watch the whole stream back here.
Looking forward to next week, the Legislature will be returning, and I can promise that your Official Opposition will have some tough questions for the Ford government.
Along with the pandemic, an issue that remains top of mind for me is Doug Ford’s continued refusal to discipline his MPP Sam Oosterhoff in any way.
Even after MPP Oosterhoff appeared this week at an anti-choice online event with an organization that has compared a woman’s right to choose to the Holocaust, Doug Ford has done nothing. Comparisons like this are both abhorrent and dangerous, and it’s beyond unacceptable that he continues to hold his position as the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Education.
Finally, I want to end today on a positive note.
I’m going to begin sharing images of the pets of Toronto-St. Paul’s - starting next week. So, if you’re interested in having your pet featured in one of my newsletters, please just send along a picture of your pet, and a short description (under 50 words) that you’d like to have accompany the image to [email protected].
Have a safe and restful weekend!
In Solidarity,
Jill
In Solidarity,
Jill Andrew
Toronto—St. Paul's
