Hello Davenport, 

Today the provincial government announced that it is maintaining the shutdown, the Stay-at-Home order and all existing public health and workplace safety measures for an additional two weeks in the Toronto and Peel Public Health Regions, while York Region will move into the Red-Control phase of the colour-coded response framework. 

All week, experts and the Opposition have been warning that moving too quickly to remove restrictions, coupled with the new faster-spreading COVID variants, will lead us to a more devastating third wave, alongside longer, more painful lockdowns. 

I know this has been a really hard 105 days in Toronto -- indeed a hard 11 months -- and that the strain of the lockdown has had real impacts on mental health, physical health and on employment. At Queen’s Park, I have been working with my colleagues to demand not only stronger public health measures, but more support to get people through this. 

This week we put forward 9 urgent bills to address the pandemic and its impacts and called for all-party support to get them passed. Ford and his PC MPPs said no to every one of them. But we won’t be giving up. I’m continuing to fight for an eviction ban, paid sick days, safer schools, small business supports, a permanent pay raise for PSWs and an equity strategy that recognizes and responds to the impacts of the pandemic on Black, Indigenous and racialised people in our community. 

This afternoon, the government also announced revisions to its vaccine roll out strategy, that will see people over 80 added to the first of the three phases, expected to begin by the end of March, following completion of the immunization of residents and staff in long-term care. The Opposition has been calling this week for clarity around the process for administering the vaccine. An online and telephone-based appointment system is ‘in development’ according to the government.

I think we can all find hope in the fact that immunization could help us see an end to this pandemic. In the meantime, the best thing we can do is stay at home as much as possible, and continue to follow public health advice regarding hand-washing, masking and physical distancing.

Finally, a sad note on the passing of Mario Peluso, a long time Bloorcourt shopkeeper. Read below for some thoughts about him and his family’s contribution to our community.

Thanks to all who have reached out this week, joined me in advocating for these measures. Read on for more updates.

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

COVID-19: The Latest

• The Ontario government has extended all emergency orders under the Reopening Ontario Act (ROA) for at least another month. The full list of orders being extended by the Ontario government can be found here.

• Toronto has released its list of mass-vaccination sites that will be used as we move to the immunization phase for the general public. 

• CBC reports that Ontario is not submitting key COVID-19 data to the federal government's health agency, making it difficult to get a clear, national picture of how the first phase of the country's vaccination program is progressing.

• The Ontario government is expanding the number of small businesses that can apply for the Main Street Relief Grant to help offset the costs of purchasing personal protective equipment (PPE). Small businesses with 2 to 19 employees in all eligible sectors - expanded from 2-9 employees - including those in the arts, entertainment, and recreation sector, can now apply for up to $1,000 in financial support. This comes as we continue to hear from small businesses who have been waiting for a month to hear about the Small Business Support grant.

No COVID evictions

During debate on our bill to ban COVID evictions, I brought the voices of Davenport tenants into the legislature. Learn more about the bill here.

Back to school

Students in Toronto were back in class this week, and I’ve had a lot of questions about what -- if any -- enhanced safety measures have been introduced since students moved fully online. We’re still hearing of large class sizes and concerns about ventilation. On Wednesday, I tabled a motion to expand asymptomatic testing, cap class sizes, improve ventilation and bring together a pandemic response advisory group that includes parents and front-line education workers. I also challenged the premier to pass it without delay:

Environmental Issues on the agenda 

While much of the debate at Queen’s Park this week focused on the pandemic, the Opposition worked to ensure environmental issues were on the agenda. I heard from a number of constituents who wanted to register their opposition to continued use of MZOs to pave over wetlands, and to the plan to build a ‘sprawl-accelerating’ highway through the Greenbelt, environmentally sensitive areas and important agricultural land. 

The Leader of the Official Opposition, Andrea Horwath, confirmed once again our opposition to the Highway 413 project. 

This week we also: 

• Stood in solidarity with Environmental Action Now Ajax-Pickering (EANAP) and other groups organizing to “Save not Pave” the Duffins Creek wetland.

• Made it clear that Doug Ford can’t be trusted on the Greenbelt, as he made an announcement of a proposal to expand certain areas while granting developers special access in others.

Around the community

Passing of Mario Peluso

I received sad news this morning that Mario Peluso, of Mediterranean Food Store at Bloor and Bartlett, passed away yesterday. My thoughts are with his son and daughters. Many of you will remember Mr. Peluso and his lovely wife, Rosina, who passed away in 2013. They opened the shop back in 1967. I loved to go to the store with my little girls, and Maria would always shout “Bella!” and give the girls slices of parmigiano-reggiano to nibble on. 

Change is constant. And the Peluso family’s contribution to our community -- like so many immigrant shopkeepers and city builders -- deserves to be celebrated and recognized. Sadness over Rosina’s passing gave birth to The Rosina Shopkeeper’s Project, Jane’s Walks, and the Rosina Shop Keeper Plaques. Thank you to the Bloorcourt BIA and the Working Women’s Community Centre for all their work on these projects.

Take a moment today to thank our many local shopkeepers for all they are doing to support us in this difficult time, and think of Mario and Rosina when you do.

Show your support for local small business

In previous newsletters I included an invite to sign up to receive a “Save Main Street: Shop Local” sign. These signs are still available, and if you are a Davenport businesses or resident who want to show support for small business, you can sign up here to receive one.

Community Survey Results 

West Neighbourhood House seeking input

West Neighbourhood House has been working to support the community in Toronto’s west end for more than 100 years. Now they're looking to the future to prepare for the challenges our community will face. And they are looking for your help:

WNH is gathering feedback from:

• A small working group of West Neighbourhood House staff; 
• 80 interviews with volunteers, participants, clients, and members of the broader community; and
• A community reference panel of randomly selected volunteers from the community. 

We’re here to help

My staff are here to help navigate provincial issues you may have and we can now offer support in Spanish in addition to Portuguese. Please do not hesitate to reach us by phone at 416-535-3158 or email MStiles-CO@ndp.on.ca. 

Stay Safe