Community News Update - April 26, 2024
Community News Update - October 6, 2021
Dear Community,
This morning, all the Toronto NDP MPPs released a joint statement on construction noise. We repeated our call for the provincial government to restore municipal authority to set and control regulations on construction noise. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ford government overrode municipal governments and altered the regulations significantly.
For residents of Toronto-St. Paul’s, that has meant that construction hours have been extended from 7AM to 7PM, on weekdays, and 9AM to 7PM on Saturdays to 6AM to 10PM everyday.
This has had a negative impact on many residents, and during a time when we’re spending more time indoors than ever, it’s long overdue that this change is reversed.
As it stands, this policy from the Ford government is set to expire tomorrow (Oct 7). I’m calling for them to allow it to expire, and not extend the life of this terrible policy.
You can sign my petition calling for a halt to the never ending construction noise here.
One issue in Ontario that never gets the attention it deserves is our broken WSIB system, in place to support injured working people in our province. Right now, WSIB is riddled with issues that often lead to workers not receiving the compensation they deserve and frankly, even when workers are compensated, most of the time are not provided nearly enough to survive.
With that in mind, the new plan from the Ford government to transfer WSIB funds directly to employers – and not to the injured workers who need them defies belief. This plan from the Ford government is to send unspent WSIB funds back to employers, while many injured workers receiving WSIB support in our province are living well below the poverty line.
While we need to be supporting our small businesses, and ensuring that they’re able to stay open during these trying times, that support shouldn’t be coming out of the pockets of injured workers or future funds meant to protect them.
This afternoon, I attended a rally with the Optometrists Association of Ontario where we were once again calling for the Ford government to get back to the table with the OAO to negotiate a fair deal with optometrists, and restore OHIP covered care to young people and seniors in Ontario.
The Ford government are once again pinching pennies on healthcare, and it’s hurting some of the most vulnerable in our province.
You can sign my open letter on eye care here.
Coming up this weekend, the Community Food Tables will be back for another week.
As always, we’re looking for volunteers and donors to help bring the tables to life, and if you’re interested in helping out, you can sign up at one of the links below.
Marian Engel Park - 285 Melita Ave. (Christie St. and Melita Ave)
Click here to register to volunteer.
St. Matthew’s United Church - 729 St. Clair Ave West. (St. Clair Ave W. and Rushton Ave.)
Click here to register to volunteer.
Cy Townsend Park - 455 Winona Dr. (Vaughan Rd. and Winona Dr.)
Click here to register to volunteer.
Oriole Park Community Garden - 201 Oriole Parkway (Located near Lascelles Blvd. At the south entrance to Oriole Park)
Click here to register to volunteer.
Over the weekend, I dropped by the Afro-Caribbean Farmers’ Market for their last market of their inaugural season of operation. It was another excellent market, and I cannot wait to be back next year for another season of delicious food, drink, and community.
I want to give a huge shout out to everyone who helped bring this market to life, over these past few months, especially the incomparable Lori Beazer for her hard work.
In Solidarity,
Jill Andrew
Toronto—St. Paul's
