Dear Community, 

Yesterday, the Ontario NDP filed a complaint with the Integrity Commissioner over the process that led to Therme being contracted to build a mega-spa at Ontario Place on the taxpayers' dime. 

Ford and his Infrastructure Minister Kinga Surma are giving a sweetheart deal to a spa company to cut down trees, pave over nature, and create a mega parking lot and mega-spa at Ontario Place. 

Ford won't give our healthcare workers—the folk who help save lives—free parking at Ontario hospitals, but expects Ontarians to cover his mega spa parking lot while GIVING AWAY Ontario Place to a PRIVATE foreign company. Did I mention the 95-year lease Infrastructure Ontario signed while folks in our community are in need of more non-profit driven and co-op housing?! This is happening when folks are fighting so hard for community land trusts to help create REAL affordable long-term community-centred housing! We need to be preserving more community and public green spaces! GET A GRIP, DOUG!

We, the Ontario NDP, are asking the Integrity Commissioner to investigate how cozy Ford and Therme really are. It's time for Premier FRAUD to get out of bed with Therme and prioritize Ontarians for once! Workers wages, housing, healthcare, REAL transit solutions, and education are all great starts — and where our focus will lie when Queen's Park returns next week. 

Click here to read more.

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: 

• Reminder: Have Your Writing Read at Queen's Park
• Metrolinx Senior Leadership Shakeup
• Ford's Plan to Ban Bike Lanes
• Days of Significance
• Jill in Community
• Upcoming events and more!

REMINDER: Have Your Writing Read at Queen's Park!

I'll be back at Queen's Park in just over a week! This is a reminder that I'm inviting members of our community to submit your 90 second poetry or prose! If you're one of the fabulous folks selected, I will read your words into the legislature - giving you credit, of course. It's a great way for every MPP in Ontario to hear firsthand just how talented we are as a community and hear the issues that matter to us. And hey, just maybe some politicians who have a hard time hearing the truth may take a second listen if it's artistically presented!

Now there's a catch - your prose needs to be about one of the following topics (in no specific order):

• Housing 
• Climate Justice
• Education 
• Transportation
• Affordability
• Homelessness
• Workers

Or another issue that matters deeply to you that's relevant to provincial politics. 

Please keep in mind it's only 90 seconds. Me and my office team will be in touch if your piece is selected to be read in the legislature. You will be invited to the legislature where you can see me present it. If you can't make it, not to fear, my office will send you a video clip of your piece going down in history!

Please send submissions to:
[email protected]
Cc: [email protected]

Subject line: POLITICAL PROSE/POETRY @ QUEEN'S PARK!

Metrolinx Senior Leadership Shakeup

Earlier this week, news came out that Metrolinx is letting go of two senior executives as the corporation continues to drop the ball on multiple transit projects such as the OVER BUDGET and OVERDUE Eglinton Crosstown. Meanwhile, Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster continues to sit on his hands doing nothing while making over $830,000 year (making more than the head of New York’s MTA, the largest transit authority in North America). 

Right in our community of Toronto-St.Paul's, there are children who started elementary school when the Crosstown begun construction who are now well into undergrad! And the best Metrolinx can do is fire some executives and say "it's done when it's done". We need REAL transparency and public accountability!

Click here to read more.

Ford Government Plans to Ban Bike Lanes

With Queen's Park set to return next week, the Ford government has made it clear that banning municipalities from installing new bike lanes will be one of their top priorities for the fall session. Let me be clear, our community deserves safe roads. But policy that pits road users against one another is not the solution. We should instead be focusing on evidence-based solutions that make our roads safer and reduce congestion. Yet, time and time again, Doug Ford and his politicians put wedge politics over evidence-based decision-making. 

Click here to read more. 

DAYS OF SIGNIFICANCE

Sukkot

Chag Sameach to all my Jewish constituents celebrating Sukkot! Tonight marks the beginning of this 8 day fall festival. I hope that everyone who observes this holiday is able to celebrate in whatever way is meaningful to them.

Persons Day

October 18th marks Persons Day, commemorating the landmark decision of the Persons Case in 1929!  This decision declared that women were to be considered “persons” under Canadian law and, therefore, could participate in political activities, including being appointed to the Senate. 

The Persons Case came about when five women, often referred to as the Famous Five – Emily Murphy, Nellie McClung, Irene Parlby, Louise McKinney, and Henrietta Muir Edwards – fought to have women recognized as persons under the British North America Act. Prior to this ruling, women were not considered “persons” in the legal sense and were this ineligible to be appointed to the Senate of Canada. 

The decision was a significant victory for women’s rights and paved the way for greater gender equality in Canada. 

JILL IN COMMUNITY

Ontario Medical Association Townhall

On Wednesday I joined the Ontario Medical Association along with MPPs Kristyn Wong-Tam and Peter Tabuns to discuss the many issues facing our health system. We need real action from the government to address a critical doctor shortage instead of the illegal salary caps for nurses in Bill 124.

Calvin Presbyterian Deer Park United Church Beyond the Bake Sale

Recently, I attended a bake sale at Calvin Presbyterian Deer Park United Church. I enjoyed some delicious baked goods beautiful crafts! It's always a great time getting to chat with our local community ministers, church staff and neighbours! Thank you for the good times!

Montgomery Place Thanksgiving Dinner and Dance

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of joining Montgomery Place’s thanksgiving dinner and dance with my beautiful mother! A HUGE thank you to Gary and all the dedicated volunteers who made this event possible! We also want to give a big shout out to Jennifer - @letthegoodtimesroll disc jockey services for all occasions! I've been to many of Jenns parties and she sure keeps the tunes coming!

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the blessings we have, but also serves as reminder that many of our community members continue to face challenges regarding housing, food, education and healthcare. As we navigate these difficult times, it’s clear we need a government who will actually STEP UP and SUPPORT those in need. Let’s use this time to not only give thanks but also advocate for change!

The Sherwood and Living Room Church Thanksgiving Dinner 

Last Friday I joined the Sherwood and The Living Room Church Thanksgiving dinner and the celebration of our incredible community member Souria! It was an absolute joy to be part of this special evening!

Souria, your community work with both Toronto St. Paul’s The Living Room Church and Don Valley West’s The Sherwood does not go unnoticed and continues to make a lasting impact. Volunteers like you are truly the backbone of our communities!

COMMUNITY BULLETIN📌

St. Michael & All Angels Fall Clothing Bank

St Michael & All Angels will be hosting a Clothing Bank this Saturday, October 19th from 10 AM to 3 PM at 611 St Clair Avenue West. 

There will be gently used fall and winter clothing items for all ages, household items, and children's toys available. Please bring your own bags!

Oakwood BIA Pumpkin Giveaway & Costume Parade

The Oakwood Village BIA is hosting their annual pumpkin giveaway and costume parade this Sunday!

As always, this event is free for all ages. 

WHERE: Charles Brereton Park (306 Oakwood Ave)
WHEN: 1 to 4 PM
The costume parade is taking places from 2:30 to 3 PM. 

There will also be complimentary treats and snacks, coffee, and hot chocolate. 

Join the Pumpkin Parade

The Wychwood Barns Community Association is hosting their annual Pumpkin Parade on Friday, November 1st from 6 to 9 PM at Wychwood Barns Park. Come join them!

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]. 

A Matter of Justice: Climate Change in Black Communities in the GHTA

Please join Dr. Ingrid Waldron (Professor and HOPE Chair in Peace and Health, Global Peace and Social Justice Program, Faculty of Humanities, McMaster University) and her team for the screening of the new documentary A Matter of Justice: Climate Change in Black Communities in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

This documentary is based on a project she is conducting to build capacity around climate change in Black communities in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. The project builds on the expertise and lived experiences of Black peoples to increase their awareness about the impacts of climate change on Black communities and to develop their preparedness for climate change impacts and devastation in their communities. The documentary provides a revealing look at the social, economic, political, and geographical factors that create disproportionate exposure and vulnerability of Black communities to climate devastation.

Dr. Waldron will deliver a presentation on her project findings after the screening of the documentary.
 
Free catered meal
Free entry
 
Toronto Screening
Date:               Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Time:               6-9 pm
Location:         Cecil Community Centre
58 Cecil Street, Toronto
 
Register for Toronto Screening:
 
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/17SyNznPe9sVmsWsZCjL4RetTI_yzzf6nS3h6kNZeYSk/viewform?edit_requested=true

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.  

Songs for Hope - An Evening of Music and Giving, in support of Seeds of Hope

Check out Song of Hope, an evening of music and giving on October 26th at the Drake Underground at 6:30 PM in support of the Seeds of Hope Foundation. 

The evening will feature:

• Sisters & Brothers - a much-loved musical trio that has over a decade of experience performing together in front of audiences across the city. 
• Every Second Tuesday - Toronto's premiere Dive Bar Band, bringing classic rock of the 60s and 70s back to our collective consciousness (after all, if you can't remember the 60s, you weren't really there!)

Click here for tickets!

Seeds of Hope is a registered Toronto charity that has been making tremendous impact for over 16 years. Its initiatives have helped many to overcome homelessness and livelihood challenges. 

Book Launch: Getting us to Grandma's

Come celebrate beloved author, Nadia L. Hohn's new book — and the 10th of her career! 

Her new book Getting us to Grandma's, illustrated by TeMika Grooms and published by Groundworm Books, is one for the 80s babies and will take readers on a fantastic voyage from Toronto to the Bronx. Don't miss out on this exciting launch and celebration of Nadia's career. 

Date: Saturday, October 19, 2024
Time: 1:30-3:30 PM
Where: Oakwood Village Library and Arts Centre, 341 Oakwood Avenue, just north of St. Clair Avenue

Click here to RSVP. 

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