Community News Update - May 26, 2023

Dear Community,

Bills bills bills!

Our girls in Destiny's Child hit the nail on the head when they sang: "you're slowly making me pay for things your money should be handling."

A few weeks ago, Bill 60 was passed and it remains one of Ford's most egregious attacks to date on Ontarians' right to accessible and equitable health care. Understandably, people across our province are feeling distraught, frustrated, and voiceless.

Because of this, the Ontario Health Coalition is now doing what the Premier should be: engaging Ontarians in the decisions that impact them most through a citizen-led referendum on Bill 60.

Today and tomorrow, they have set up voting booths across the province, inviting folks to cast their ballot on keeping healthcare PUBLIC! Visit www.publichospitalvote.ca to learn more of this VITAL campaign, find your closest polling station, and make your voice heard!

It's about that time of year again when many of us suffer through the sweltering heat in too-warm apartments! Make sure you know your rights when it comes to air conditioner installation and fees!

Didn't get your hands on my 2023 tenant guide? Email my office at [email protected] to request your copy and ask any and all AC questions! We're here to keep you COOL!

Our friends at the Frankel Lambert Outreach Committee (FLOC) are hosting a "yard sale" fundraiser TOMORROW - Saturday, May 27th! See below for more details!

With the spring sunshine well upon us, I am in awe of the abundance of gardens here in our community of St. Paul's! I'd love to share this joy with folks across the neighbourhood and celebrate your hard work stewarding a place of beauty and (sometimes) sustenance!

With that in mind, please reply to this email with a photo of your garden (from a container garden on your windowsill to a full vegetable pasture in your yard - all gardens are welcome) to have it featured in our community newsletter AND have the chance to win a small prize!

Are you a tenant in the Oakwood-Vaughan community? Be sure to stop by the Oakwood Vaughan Tenant Union GMM!

Want to give your kid a front row seat to all that goes down at Queen's Park? Well, now's your chance through the Legislative Page Program, with applications open now until June 15, 2023.

Each year, grade 7 & 8 students are selected to take part in the coveted program, acting as aides to MPPs in the chambers, while also getting to see and learn of Ontario's parliamentary process, meet members from both sides of the aisle, and make friends from all across Ontario, Having seen many students of St. Paul's take on the important role over the years, and hear the joy and lifelong memories they & their families made, I highly encourage your child's application.

Learn more of the program and how to apply here. If you have any questions, reach out via email at [email protected] or by phone at (416) 325-7457.

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.

On May 27, St. Michael & All Angels Church will be hosting their Community Buzz Day!

See below for an upcoming benefit concert at St. Matthew's United Church!

Toronto Cares Initiative will be hosting their Spring Into Summer Social Fundraiser on June 14th - you don't want to miss this!

The City of Toronto's Cultural Hotspot program and CIUT 89.5 FM are partnering to offer YOUTH PODCAST TRAINING! See below for information about how to apply.

Do you know someone who is a passionate member of Toronto’s Black communities, and interested in guiding the continued work of the Toronto Action Plan to Confront Anti-Black Racism? Applications to join the Partnership and Accountability Circle (PAC) are now open and will close on June 6th, 2023.

Responsibilities
Through direct and ongoing engagement with the Confronting Anti-Black Racism (CABR) Unit, the PAC partners with the City on municipal efforts to help the City of Toronto better serve Torontonians of African descent. The Circle will:
1.    Provide guidance and advice to CABR Unit staff in the planning, implementation, evaluation and reporting on the continued work of the Toronto Action Plan to Confront Anti-Black Racism and the closing of the United Nations’ International Decade for People of African Descent;
2.    Contribute insight, analysis, information, and strategy to CABR Unit service and policy planning that impacts outcomes for Torontonians of African Descent;
3.    Advise the CABR Unit on areas where the City should be taking a lead, facilitating or convening to effectively advance positive outcomes for Torontonians of African Descent;
4.    Support partnership development with Black communities, leaders, organizations and institutions to advance positive outcomes for Torontonians of African Descent; and,
5.    Facilitate transparent and effective communication and engagement with Toronto’s communities of African descent

Eligibility
At all times during their membership, all PAC members must meet the following criteria:
•    Be a Black Torontonian (African descent or origin; African, Black, Caribbean; African-Canadian; Canadians of African descent);
•    Be over the age of 12 at the time of applying to be a member; and,
•    Reside in Toronto

Composition
The membership of the PAC consists of 12 Torontonians of African descent or origin with diverse lived experience which includes:
•    Four elders (who self-identify) who represent the wisdom of the community to hold the integrity of the Circle’s principles, values and practices;
•    Four youth (ages 13 to 29 years old) with diverse lived experiences; and,
•    Four people who represent key stakeholder groups from African descent or origin communities (key stakeholder groups include health services, social services, arts and culture, business and corporate sector, government).

The PAC is intended to be inclusive and reflect the diversity of Black Torontonians (African descent or origin; African, Black, Caribbean; African-Canadian; Canadians of African descent) including people from various sexualities, faiths, disabilities, and incomes.

Benefits of PAC Membership
•    Training and skills development opportunities
•    Recognition
•    TTC fare, parking, child care and food (for meetings and workshops)
•    Honorarium ($100/meeting and $200/full-day activities)

To learn more about the PAC and application process, join us for a virtual Information Session using Webex on May 30, 2023 from 6:00 – 7:00PM by registering at the link: https://t.co/qv5btlSvC3. Submit your application by June 6, 2023 for consideration. To apply for the PAC, please visit the application page: https://s.cotsurvey.chkmkt.com/PAC2023.

If you have any questions about the PAC or application process, please email: [email protected]

In Solidarity, 

Jill Andrew
Toronto-St. Paul's