Community News Update - September 9, 2022

Dear Community,

This week, I was incredibly proud to be a part of a group of Official Opposition MPPs who tabled the Consent Awareness Week Act, a bill that will create an official week for Ontarians to have meaningful conversations about consent. We need to have meaningful, and thorough conversations about consent so that everyone knows what it means and what it looks like in practice.

In Ontario, every year we see the shocking increase in sexual violence that occurs during the first six weeks of the post-secondary school year, with reports coming from campuses across the province. For that reason, Consent Awareness Week will be the third week of September every year.

I want to thank my colleague MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam for leading the charge on this bill, and MPPs Laura Mae Lindo and Marit Stiles for joining us in tabling it.

Read the full press release about the bill here.

This afternoon, I had a great meeting with the new Executive Director of The Stop, Shae London. The Stop is an incredible organization that runs food security programs in our community, including the Wychwood Open Door and their Green Barn, located in the Wychwood Barns.

Their work is very important in our community, and I’m looking forward to continuing to work with Shae in her new role.

Coming up on Monday at 9AM, the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL), along with a host of labour allies will be gathering at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice at 9AM for a press conference calling on the Ford government to repeal Bill 124 – a bill which among other things capped public sector wage increases much below inflation, at 1%.

This has had an immense impact on workers, and a disproportionate impact on women in the workforce – including racialized women. Bill 124 is being challenged in court on the basis of its infringement on the constitutional rights of workers to collective bargaining.

We want to make sure that our communities voice is heard on this one – so if you’re able to – please come down to the courthouse on Monday.

Details:
Monday, September 12
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. EDT
Ontario Superior Court of Justice
330 University Avenue
TTC: Osgoode (west side of University, north of Queen West)

Community Events and Workshops

The Black Peer Education Network is going to be hosting an important workshop series for Black youth aged 16 and over, titled ‘Taking Action Against Gender-Based Violence.’
In their own words:

The Black Peer Education Network is hosting our fall virtual workshop series for Black youth aged 16+. Taking Action Against Gender-Based Violence Workshops will be focused on gender-based violence & Intersectionality, Rape Culture & Media Literacy, Disability Justice, Mental Health & Wellness, and more. 

The series will be run virtually on Saturdays from 12 to 2PM starting September 10 and wrapping up on November 12 (note: it will not be every Saturday – full schedule below).

Happening right now, the CaribbeanTales International Film Festival is live! Running from September 7 to 23, the festival includes live screenings and events, as well as on-demand film content as well. They have an exceptional line up this year, and I would encourage everyone to support the festival.

You can find more information about tickets and scheduling here.

Also happening this weekend, is The Mane Event: Community Arts Workshops in our Vaughan and Oakwood community.

From their description:

The Mane Event is a community arts series that speaks to the importance of hair in Black culture, recognizing hair as art and an expression of identity.

Share local stories, creativity, and highlight the importance of local barber shops and salons in the historic, current, and future character of Little Jamaica.

Gather with community members through hands-on workshops deep-rooted in community care, resiliency, self-expression and identity, culminating in a permanent public art mural led by Curtia Wright.

This will be happening tomorrow at the Reset Community Centre at 634 Vaughan Road, from 1 to 5PM.

If you’re interested in reading more about this event, click here.

Finally, this has been a week that will be remembered forever as result of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. I want to extend my condolences to the family of the Queen, and to everyone who is mourning her passing.

You can read the full statement from the Ontario NDP here.

In Solidarity,
 
Jill Andrew
Toronto—St. Paul's