Community News Update - March 25, 2022

Dear Community,

Another week flew by with so much important work being done to support our Toronto-St. Paul’s community.

Unfortunately, it has also been another week in which Ontario has not signed the $10 per day childcare deal with the federal government. Despite promises, the Ford government has left closing the deal to the eleventh hour, leaving Ontario parents to keep shelling out hundreds or even thousands of dollars a month while they wait. We need to fix the childcare system and bring down staggering childcare costs while also giving early childhood educators the wages and decent benefits they deserve.

Yesterday, the Ontario government also announced changes to the Home Construction Regulatory Authority fines. While the move looks good on paper, as it would increase fines for developers who jack up prices after purchase contracts are already signed, the Ford government is missing a crucial piece of the puzzle: enforcement. We know that from February 2021 to today, 600 complaints were made to the Home Construction Regulatory Authority, and only two companies were charged. Stricter penalties are welcome, but they won’t be effective if they aren’t enforced.

It’s been almost two months since Ikechidiadi (Ike) Kaja died after being found shot outside his Avenue Road home. Toronto police are still trying to find his killer. Ike is remembered as a loving father to his four-year-old son, Lex, a kind friend and a good person. He was also a passionate University of Toronto alumnus, and a scholarship has been established in recognition of his legacy.

The Ike Justin Kaja Memorial Scholarship will provide $8,000 annually to an incoming student to the Rotman School of Management who, like Kaja, embodies kindness, leadership and commitment to making the community a better place. People can donate to this scholarship online or by emailing [email protected].

As for events in our community, the Toronto Cares Initiative will deliver 100 grocery boxes to low-income families who cannot make it to a regular food bank this weekend.

They’re looking for drivers and packing volunteers (students also welcome) to help get these crucial food items delivered. Their headquarters will be at Fairbank Memorial Community Recreation Center, just south of Eglinton/Dufferin.

If you are able to help out, please email Sarah at [email protected]. If you would like to register for the next volunteering opportunity, please visit www.toronto-cares.ca/volunteers.

I also wanted to invite everyone to attend the Community Heroes Awards, happening on April 4 at 6 pm. In this event, we’re coming together to celebrate the members of our community who have been making a difference in their neighbourhoods.

Please RSVP here.