Community News Update - April 26, 2024
November 9, 2022
Dear Community,
Yesterday was National Indigenous Veterans Day. I want to thank each and every Indigenous servicemember who sacrificed a great abroad and tragically returned home to be denied the rights and respect that non-Indigenous servicemembers were accorded.
Thank you to those veterans and all current servicemembers. Please take time today to reflect upon and learn about the significant history of Indigenous contributions to service.
Doug Ford has tabled legislation deviously titled "More Homes Built Faster Act" (Bill 23) which amounts to a slap in the face for all environmental advocates across Ontario. This bill intends to rapidly expand housing construction despite the many warnings the Conservative government received about the grim threat to neighbouring wetlands, greenspace, Indigenous territory, and farmland.
What's more, Bill 23 is an underhanded attempt to facilitate the rich getting richer, while average folks remain in dire straits with a severe lack of affordable housing options.
I remain committed to fighting for the security of our rapidly warming planet and the best interests of all inhabitants of Toronto-St. Paul's and folks across the province. Now is not the time to stand idly by while developers run amok and the Premier barrels toward the economic exploitation of our Greenbelt.
Please join in adding your name to call for immediate changes to Bill 23.
Click here to add your name.
Tomorrow, Thursday November 10 from 8:00-9:00 AM, Justice for Workers will be hosting a handful of demonstrations across the city to demand action around paid sick days. I encourage you to join a demonstration at a subway station near you and sign our petition!
Still, Doug Ford has refused to recall the legislature to fully repeal Bill 28. We need to get this done now and I remain ready to head to Queen's Park at the drop of a hat to stand up for parents, kids, education workers, and all allies.
As introduced in Monday's newsletter, next Monday, November 14 will launch the mentorship program I spearheaded alongside FYI and Art Starts! Please email [email protected] for more information and to register a youth in your life!
On Thursday, November 17 at 7PM, the Oakwood Vaughan Community Organization (OVCO) will be hosting a town hall with TDSB Trustee Shelley Laskin to discuss community use of the former Vaughan Road Academy (VRA). Face masks are required!
This week, I met with folks from the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) to discuss their vital frontline work from harm reduction to caring for our unhoused neighbours, and how all facets are impacted by the staffing crisis in healthcare instigated by the PC government.
We must ensure working conditions are safe so that nurses stay in the profession without fear of abuse and ensure members of our community have access to safe supports without stigma.
I continue to call on the Ford government to repeal Bill 124 and pay, protect, and respect nurses. Join me in signing this petition!
A friendly reminder and invitation that Queen's Park is open to visitors! If you or an organization you work with would like to come watch your MPP advocate for people and planet, please email us as [email protected] to set up a visit - I'd love to meet you!
Please note that there will not be a newsletter this Friday as we will be honouring our veterans on Remembrance Day.
In Solidarity, 
Jill Andrew
Toronto-St. Paul's
