Community News Update - September 21, 2022

Dear community,

JOB ALERT: CP Planning is looking to fill three positions to support their continued work towards community planning through a human rights based lens with the economic, social, and cultural rights of marginalized people at the forefront.

To support their incredible and important work, they’re hiring for the following positions;

• Communications Manager (App due: October 4th, Start: November)
• Affordable Housing Strategist (App due: October 4th, Start: November)
• Project Coordinator (App due: September 29th, Start: November)

Each of these roles are to contribute to a multi-city project of increasing the protection and production of affordable housing through community-engaged approaches that confront systemic racism. Candidates living in Toronto, Peel, Ottawa, and Hamilton are welcome to apply.

To learn more about CP Planning and each position, click here.

I spent yesterday afternoon in Tarragon Village as they unveiled a beautiful series of murals by artists Elicser Elliott, Ben Johnston, and Emmanuel Jarus.

This project is in collaboration with StreetARToronto, the TTC, and Wertex to pay tribute through public art to the everyday people who make our neighbourhood and  city extraordinary. 

The murals are located at 315 Albany Avenue to check them out yourself!

From there, I dropped by Appletree Market in June Rowlands for one of their last farmers markets of the season. If you haven’t been yet this summer, it’s a must see for some of the best local goodies the midtown community has to offer (even if you have, each week is another chance to restock or try something new)!

I then took the chance to check in with our neighbours in Davisville Village. They were recently impacted by another Above Guideline Rent Increase in their building, as brought to by a resident and tenant advocate in the building. Earlier this month, I addressed this to the Premier in the House, demanding their ban yet again.

Watch the video here.

In 2021, I put forth a motion asking Ford to ban this huge (and MISUSED) loophole for at least 12 months after the official end of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sadly, he said no and in doing so, said no to protecting tenants in Toronto-St. Paul’s and all across Ontario. But his no won’t stop me from keeping up the fight against AGIs with your support.

Add your name if you want to see this predatory loophole banned for good!

Later this week, I’ll be standing up for #PeopleNotProfit at the Global Climate Strike on Friday. Starting at 2pm on Queen’s Park South Lawn, this will be a change to mobilize in the MASSES to demand people are put before profit to finally take the climate crisis head on through meaningful policy. We’ve seen its devastating impacts already, across the globe and in our own communities, making one thing clear. The climate crisis isn’t "on its way" anymore. It’s here. And it’s no longer an "if" we take action. It’s when.

The event will feature speeches from inspiring leaders in this fight and musical guests before the march, starting at 3pm.

To learn more about the event and the brilliant youth organizers behind it, click here.

This Saturday, Norm di Pasquale will be celebrating his campaign launch at 25 Cecil Street, starting at 3pm.

We know Norm has been a fighter for students and their families in Toronto-St. Paul’s as our beloved TCDSB Trustee and I know that he will continue this work - rooted in social change, inclusion, sustainability, and a deep care for his community – as City Councillor for our neighbours in University-Rosedale. I'm so excited join in support this Saturday and at the doors in the month ahead and hope to see you there!

To RSVP for the launch & a canvass here. To learn more about his vision for a better Toronto, check out Norm's platform here.

In Solidarity, 

Jill Andrew
Toronto-St. Paul's