Community News Update - December 6, 2024
Community News Update - November 1, 2024
Dear Community,
Community, you deserve a government that works as hard to make your life easier - and that means making sure nobody is stuck paying out of pocket for access to mental health. On Monday, I, along with my ONDP Official Opposition colleagues, introduced a bill that would give Ontarians universal access to mental health services like counselling and therapy. Nobody should have to worry about footing costly bills when faced with a mental health crisis. We're seeing a growing need for mental health care in our communities. In many communities, including here in Toronto, we are on the brink of a crisis.
On Monday, we gave the government an opportunity to say yes to universal mental health care. Because mental health care is health care, and it's time we treated it as such. But to nobody's surprise, Ford and his politicians voted NO.
The mental health supports that Ontarians need have not been made available by this Conservative government. Their continued negligence and unwillingness to improve publicly funded care has only led to further disparity in healthcare accessibility and responses to mental health challenges.
Survivors of sexual assault and people with eating disorders should NEVER have to abandon therapy because they cannot afford it - nobody should have to. The province URGENTLY needs to invest in healthcare providers that specialize in supporting community members experiencing mental health challenges. We need to address the social determinants of healthcare and remove all barriers, not build up new ones.
Click here to watch my full statement in the chambers.
In today's newsletter:
Recognizing that it's impossible to capture a full week of news in a single newsletter, please see the highlights below:
- Invitation to my US Election Night Viewing Party
- Jill at Queen's Park
- Days of Significance
- Jill in Community
- Upcoming events and more!
Join Jill for a US Election Night Watch Party
Join MPP Jill Andrew on Tuesday, November 5th from 7:30 to 9 PM to watch the results of the US Election at Gatherings Resto Bar. Spend an evening with Jill and community members to enjoy some appetizers and watch this historical moment unfold. All are welcome!
The restaurant is located at 49 St Clair Ave W in our Midtown community. RSVPs are strongly encouraged. Click here to RSVP.
JILL AT QUEEN'S PARK
Toronto Caribbean Carnival Funding
Earlier this week during Question Period I asked premier Ford about his promise to the Toronto Caribbean Carnival that they can count on him for funding. Now the largest festival in North America that contributes nearly half a billion dollars to Ontario's GDP is in jeopardy without urgent and sustainable multiyear funding. While the premier is busy destroying Ontario Place and ripping up bike lanes, local festivals near and dear to our hearts are going years without proper funding from the provincial government, putting them at risk of closing. When will the premier do the right thing and adequately invest in the Toronto Caribbean Carnival?
Click here to watch my full question.
Petition to double Ontario Disability Support Program and Ontario Works
On Tuesday I tabled a petition to at least double ODSPoverty/OW!
Let me be clear: doubling is not enough but it is a start. People are being legislated into poverty and this government has had 6 years to at least start moving in the right direction. Instead he's building luxury spas. Poverty costs lives.
Click here to watch my full statement.
Ontario Book Publishers Organization Book Fair
On Tuesday, authors and publishers from across Ontario were at Queen's Park for their annual Book Fair. It was great to see local author and St. Paul's community member, Catherine Little, in the legislature with her publisher Plumleaf Press. I was very grateful to receive a copy of Catherine's new book, Anne of the Library-on-the-Hill featuring our very own Wychwood Library.
We have no shortage of amazing authors and publishing houses here in Ontario. Yet, only 1 in 10 textbooks in our schools are from local authors/publishers. The province must do more to ensure young learners have access to local textbooks, stories, and novels - and support the amazing talent we have in our province!
Arts in the Park Arts Advocacy Day at Queen's Park
Earlier this week I was thrilled to welcome several arts and culture partners to Queen's Park today for Arts in the Park Arts Advocacy Day!
If there's one thing we can all rally around, it's the invaluable contribution of the arts to our social, cultural and economic health! Our Ontario arts and Culture sector represents over 28 billion dollars, approximately 3.5% of the province's GDP and 300,000 jobs. Click here to watch my operatic introduction of our guests in the legislature!
It was an honour to be invited to provide remarks at the annual Arts in the Park Day reception following Question Period. Thank you to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the National Ballet, and the Canadian Opera Company for inviting me. The province must do more to support the arts industry in our province, which includes properly funding arts education and ensuring that ALL our cultural institutions have the resources they need.
Women's History Month Statement
October is Women's History Month and this year's theme is women at work and their economic growth. The women of Ontario need a government who truly values and respects their contributions. With the release of the fall economic statement today, I hope the government will show their commitment to women by paying ECE's and midwives a fair wage, implementing pay transparency and declaring intimate partner violence an epidemic!
Click here to watch my statement.
Fall Economic Statement
On Wednesday the government unleashed their fall economic statement to tell us what their priorities are and aren't. Of course Ford's priorities are stale ideas and empty promises like the $200 cheques he'll be sending early next year at the cost of $3 billion! (The majority of our the provinces' tax windfall). Meanwhile, there were no mentions of the cost of living crisis, increasing ODSP or OW, investing in public healthcare or implementing an equitable pay scale for early childhood educators!
Click here to watch my full statement.
Meeting with Delegation from Jamaica
Earlier this week, I was honoured to meet with a delegation of social democrats from Jamaica's opposition party who visited to promote closer ties between their country and the Jamaican diaspora here in Ontario. It was also wonderful to have special community guests present for the occasion, including Masani Montague, Dr. Simon Black, and former MPP Laura Mae Lindo.
Ukraine Reception at Queen's Park
Earlier this week, we were joined by representatives from the Ukrainian Consulate at Queen's Park who displayed their "Living with the War" Virtual Reality Project. This experience allowed participants to see just a sliver of the realities faced by the people of Ukraine. Thank you!
DAYS OF SIGNIFICANCE
Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas
Happy Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas to everyone in Toronto-St. Paul's and beyond who celebrates! May the festival of lights bring all the joy, abundance and sweetness to you and your loved ones
JILL IN COMMUNITY
Halloween in St. Paul's
HAPPY HALLOWEEKEND! It was so fun to see our Toronto—St. Paul's little ones dressed as their favorite spooky characters and pop-culture icons when their families stopped by our office for candy, pizza, wings and refreshments. The Halloween spirit in our community was amazing!
Brown Junior Public School Fall Fair
Thank you Brown Junior Public School for welcoming me at your fall festival on Sunday! It was such a joy to see the community come together for games, treats, karaoke and a whole bunch of autumn fun. Many thanks to principal Goldfarb and the entire parent council for producing such a wonderful event!
Timothy Eaton Memorial Church Fall Fair
On Sunday I had a fantastic time at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church’s fall fair! There’s no better way to spend your Sunday than line dancing with community members, craving pumpkins with the kiddos and eating DELICIOUS cinnamon rolls! Thank you Jaclyn, Minister Barrett, Reverend Byassee and the entire Timothy Eaton Memorial Church team for hosting such a wonderful event!
Songs for Hope Fundraiser
On Saturday evening, I attended the Songs for Hope Fundraiser in support of the Seeds of Hope Foundation. Thank you to local community member, Bob Charendoff of Seed of Hope, Executive Director Kimberly Curry, and the entire Seeds of Hope team for putting on this wonderful event. Seeds of Hope is a grass-roots charity in our community that works on the frontlines to support community members experiencing homelessness. They do vital work across our city.
The music was incredible and the spirit of our community was on full display! Shout out to the two bands, Sisters & Brothers and Every Second Tuesday, for the excellent music. There is truly no better way to spend a Saturday evening!
MP Don Stewart's Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
On Saturday I attended MP Don Stewart's Hispanic Heritage Month event at our local midtown Central Eglinton Community Centre to celebrate the local community. Good to see our community out! Hispanic community members here in Toronto-St. Pak's and beyond have made invaluable contributions in business, arts and culture, STEM, skilled trades, health care and beyond. Thank you MP Stewart for hosting!
Spoken Truths
It was an honour to attend Spoken Truths: A Live Reading with Toronto's Poet Laureate Lillian Allen and Youth Poet Laureates at the Nia Centre for the Arts on Wednesday! This event was also a celebration of the inaugural winners of the Lillian Allen Prizes for Spoken Word Poetry presented by the Ontario Arts Council. Congratulations to laureate Cassandra (My’z) Myers and emerging artist laureate Lisa Shen!
COMMUNITY BULLETIN 📌
For Youth Initiative Cold Weather Event
Date: Friday November 15th, 2024
Time: 12:00 - 4:00 PM
Location: 504 Oakwood Avenue, Toronto ON
The Cold Weather Event is all about helping youth and families in the York South-Weston and Oakwood Vaughan area by giving away free cozy clothes and non-perishable food. The event will feature a fun thrift shopping experience where attendees can pick up fresh gear, food to take home, and even get help from personal shoppers. It will be held at our Oakwood location: 504 Oakwood Ave. Our goal is to ensure everyone has what they need to stay warm and cared for this winter.
Free Information Session: All about the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)
Free information session:
All about the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)
Canada’s unique RDSP is a savings tool that people with disabilities can use to save for their future. During this session, learn how to open this long-term savings plan and hear how to access the federal government’s matching grants, and for low- and modest-income individuals, the bonds.
Proudly presented by IC Savings, a community credit union in the heart of Hillcrest Village.
Who should attend
- People with disabilities
- Family members and friends
- Caregivers
Date: November 8, 2024, from 1 to 2pm
Location: Aviv Immigrant Kitchen, 779 St. Clair Avenue West at Arlington
Registration: While free to attend, space is limited. Register by calling the branch at (647) 504-0637.
To learn more about the credit union, visit www.icsavings.ca. Download the event flyer here.
About Our Presenter: Mike Ivkovic, Regional Manager, Wealth Management, IC Savings
Mike Ivkovic is a certified financial planner with more than 20 years’ experience in financial services. As a supporter of financial literacy, Mike has partnered with community groups to deliver literacy programs across the province.
Peach Berserk Caricature and Screenprinting Party
On Saturday, November 2nd, local St. Paul's community member and famous caricature artist, Alma and her friend, Kingi of Peach Berserk Studio will be running a caricature art and screenprinting event on Saturday, November 2nd.
Alma will create your caricature suitable for framing and Kingi will help you put your drawing on a silk screen. Then, they'll print your caricature on 2 t-shirts and a totebag. The whole artistic process takes less than 1 hour and is so much fun!
Contact Kingi for details: 647-740-1141
Click here for tickets and to learn more!
Join a Gospel Choir
There's a new community gospel choir starting up in our neighbourhood! The choir is meeting at St Clair Avenue Baptist Church on Thursday nights from 7 to 9 PM.
For more information, email [email protected].
Inkspire: Oakwood Drop-in Services
Join the For Youth Initiative (FYI) at 504 Oakwood Avenue for the launch of Inkspire.
Who Can Apply? This is a creative writing, journaling and visual arts club for students ages 14-18.
Learn more about FYI's programs here.
Learn to Prevent an Overdose!
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 for everyone.
Find a pharmacy with Naloxone kits near you, and make sure you can recognize the signs of an overdose.
In Solidarity,
Dr. Jill Andrew, PhD
MPP, Toronto-St. Paul's