Happy Holidays!

As we head into the holidays, I want to wish you, your family and friends a very happy holiday season and healthy and prosperous New Year.

I know we are all hoping more than ever that those seasonal sentiments come true, after this very difficult year. But there are reasons for hope: one vaccine is already approved and is being administered and others are going through their review and approval stages. And, of course, there are signs of hope in all of the small and big acts of kindness that have been shown by residents here in Davenport, and by our front line workers in all sectors who are keeping us healthy, keeping us learning and keeping us fed. Thank you.

While the big dinners and holiday parties will be out of the question this season, I hope that you are able to connect with family and friends over the phone, video chat or through a card in the mail. If you or someone you know could use some extra help or support this year, I want to remind you that counselling and crisis supports are available to you by calling 211. My team and I have also posted resources and supports on my website at: www.maritstiles.ca/help.
 
Please read on for the latest on COVID-19 developments at the provincial level and community updates.
 
Holiday Office Hours
My community office team remains available to serve you this week until Dec 23, and will return on Monday, January 4. The office will be open to the public by appointment only in January, and we look forward to serving you then.
 
Have a wonderful holiday and a happy New Year!


Marit Stiles, MPP
Davenport
MStiles-CO@ndp.on.ca // 416-535-3158

COVID-19 Updates

• On Friday, the Ontario government announced that the current lockdown in Toronto and Peel would be extended until at least January 4, citing “a continued and concerning increase in the public health indicators in both regions.” Hospitalizations have risen by 54 per cent in Peel and by 40.9 per cent in Toronto, resulting in delays for surgeries and other procedures at several hospitals. Positivity rates also remain well above the 2.5 per cent high-alert threshold, at 8.5 per cent in Peel and 5.8 per cent in Toronto.
   
• The government also announced that they would be moving six other public health regions to new levels.
   
• On Thursday, the Ontario Hospital Association called for the "urgent implementation of stricter and more robustly enforced public health measures," through a four-week full lockdown for almost half the province. The Premier said he would meet over the weekend to develop a plan, and release more details on Monday. Opposition leader Andrea Horwath said the delays were “reckless” and called on Ford to listen to doctors and take action before more people get sick.
   
• Ontario will be distributing additional doses of the Pfizer vaccine to 17 more hospital sites over the next two weeks, including regions with the highest rates of COVID-19 infection. This is part of the initial phase of the government's three-phase vaccine implementation plan that began on December 14 with the initial vaccinations administered at Toronto's University Health Network (UHN), followed by the launch of the pilot project at UHN and The Ottawa Hospital on December 15. Ontario is expecting to receive up to 90,000 Pfizer-BioNTech doses from the federal government before the end of the year to continue vaccinating health care workers and essential caregivers who work in hospitals, long-term care homes, retirement homes and other congregate settings caring for seniors. 
   
• Learn more about Ontario’s vaccine distribution plan and when the vaccines will be available here.
   
• Learn more about public health orders and guidelines related to celebrating the holidays below:
  • Ministry of Health
  • Toronto Public Health

Supporting small business in Davenport

Ontario SPCA supports Teddy’s Law

More news from this week

• While COVID cases in schools continued to rise, I called again for a new plan to keep students and staff safe. The government is quietly indicating it may shut schools down in January, but they have not invested in expanding asymptomatic testing beyond the handful of pilot locations, nor have they moved to reduce classes or increase supports for a safer return after the holiday break.
  Read my statement here and watch my holiday message thanking our front line education workers for all they do. 
   
• The Opposition called for transparency around outbreaks in correctional institutions, something I’ve heard from a lot of residents about.
   
• We also responded to news that the provincial government has reversed course and committed to preserving historic Ontario Place features The Cinesphere, pods, Trillium Park and the William G. Davis Trail as part of any redevelopment of the site.
   
• The NDP reiterated our commitment to addressing the long-term care staffing crisis to protect the dignity and health of residents, following Doug Ford’s announcement of a staffing plan that stretches into 2025.
   
• Downtown Legal Services has called on the Chief Medical Officer of Health to immediately ban evictions, something the NDP Official Opposition has been championing at Queen’s Park.

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