Friends, 

Happy Canada Day! I hope you’ll get a chance to spend some quality time with family and friends tomorrow, whether in person or virtually.  

I also want to thank everyone who is doing their part to make our country a fairer and more just one, one that lives up to the ideals we celebrate on Canada Day. From the countless volunteers who have stepped up during this pandemic to help one another out, to those fighting for the right to housing, defending our environment and working hard to see our institutions free of anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism.  

It can be hard to see sometimes, but a better country isn’t only possible – it is necessary and more urgent than ever. Thank you for everything you’re doing to help get us there. 

There were some positive signs this week on the COVID-19 front, with the Public Health Agency of Canada reporting progress in slowing the spread. They did, however, point out that hot spots remain, including in Ontario, and that we will need to remain vigilant as restrictions are relaxed.  

Public Health Ontario is still “strongly recommending” the use of facial masks and coverings while in public, but has stopped short of mandating their use province-wide, leaving it up to individual public health authorities to decided. This afternoon, Toronto City Council passed a temporary bylaw to make non-medical masks and face coverings mandatory in indoor public spaces. 

Please read on for more updates and a few important events on child care and long-term care, happening right after the holiday.

Take care,

Marit Stiles, MPP
Davenport

• The provincial government is waiving day-use fees at provincial parks for Canada Day. Please check the Ontario Parks website or call the park to find out about capacity and restrictions related to COVID-19.  

• A new report today revealed major delays that could set major transit projects in the GTHA back by years. Ontario NDP transit critic Jessica Bell has written a letter to the Minister of Transportation, Caroline Mulroney, demanding answers from the Ford government as contract signing for the Ontario Line, GO expansion, and the Union Station revitalization have all been delayed upwards of six months to two years. 

• One of the remaining hotspots for COVID-19 in Canada is among agri-farm migrant workers outside Windsor, where nearly 200 new cases occurred over the weekend. The Ontario NDP has been urging the Ford government to better protect migrant workers by ensuring PPE, paid sick days for workers and alternate accommodations in which to self-isolate. 

Virtual Summit on Long-Term Care: Thursday 

On Thursday, July 2, Andrea Horwath will host a live-streamed, virtual summit on a vision for transforming Ontario's long-term care sector.  The summit will bring together physicians, families, frontline care workers, policy leaders and advocates to address what long-term care could look like in Ontario. You can sign up to watch the summit here.  

This Friday: Child Care Lunch and Learn

City council decision on policing and provincial response 

I have heard from over 1,200 residents over the weekend calling for defunding and redistribution of police budgets, an end to police violence and for investments in alternatives for community safety. I want to thank everyone for the unprecedented activism and solidarity, particularly those from the Black and Indigenous communities who have fought this battle for so long. I hear you loud and clear.  

Our caucus has put forward a comprehensive plan to give municipalities greater control over their policing budgets, along with a series of recommendations to demilitarize police, end police violence and invest in Black, Indigenous and racialized people’s lives. You can read it here. 

While City Council ultimately defeated the motion to defund 10% of the Toronto Police Budget yesterday, there were a number of motions passed that call on the provincial government to change regulations regarding policing, including giving the city line-item control of the Toronto Police Service budget. Our caucus has called on Premier Ford to act swiftly to enact these initial measures and have indicated we are willing to work on legislation over the summer to implement the changes requested by the city.  

Community Meeting Roundup 

Last Friday, my office hosted two separate roundtable meetings; one for our local Business Improvement Areas, and one for local non-profits and service agencies. A common theme in both was the difficulty that organizations are having in getting clear and consistent information from the government about how to operate safely.  

Serious concerns were also raised about the economic recovery, and what kind of relief the government will make available to businesses, service agencies, and families. I want to thank everyone who joined us for these meetings and I will be using the information that we gathered to continue to advocate for Davenport. 

We also held a follow up meeting with residents who live near the Paton Rd. facility operated by Nitta Gelatin to discuss next steps in mitigating odours in the area. If you live in the area and would like to know more about this issue, please get in touch so you can receive future updates from me: MStiles-QP@ndp.on.ca. 

Davenport shows its Pride 

It wasn’t the Pride Weekend we were used to without the massive parade, dance parties and events, but 2SLBGTQIA+ folks in Davenport found plenty of ways to celebrate and activate this weekend, from local porch parties and online Pride Toronto events to the massive teach-in and demo on police defunding at Nathan Phillips Square.  

Over at the George Chuvalo Neighbourhood Centre, a pump-up playlist helped bring Pride energy to the neighbourhood. Learn more about GCNC’s programming for Queer youth on their website.

Davenport Diamond Update

Staff from my office attended the Metrolinx Community Construction Liaison meeting last night. There will be ongoing work on earthworks, trackworks, and the shoring wall during weekdays that is expected to last until the end of July. Moderate noise is to be expected from machine use. I am pleased that Metrolinx has also taken on a suggestion from my office to make community notices available in Portuguese upon request. 

Here is the latest construction notice related to work on Wallace Avenue:

Attention Regal Heights Neighbours!

Public Health Updates

Toronto.ca/coronavirus

Information from Toronto Public Health on local cases, how to protect yourself and where to seek further medical support.

Ontario.ca/coronavirus

Information from Ontario’s Ministry of Health and Long Term Care

Find out how to protect yourself, what to do if you’re sick and how to recognize possible symptoms. Updated twice daily, in 30 languages.

Canada.ca/coronavirus

Information from the Government of Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada

Updates on the national response and access to emergency support benefits.