Dear friends and neighbours, 

Today, on International Workers' Day, I want to recognize all the workers who are not only putting themselves out there to help save and protect lives during this pandemic, but also those fighting to protect themselves and others by demanding access to protective equipment, safety standards on the job, mental health supports to deal with trauma and better pay.

We are proud to stand with workers today, and every day.

I also want to acknowledge that today is a really difficult day for many in our community, with rent due for residential and commercial tenants. My team and I have taken many calls and emails from people who are afraid they won’t be able to pay rent and cover living expenses - and without real rent relief, they could end up in debt or at risk of losing their home. Small business owners have been writing to me since the day the Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Plan was announced to tell me that it simply won’t work for them as many landlords refuse to participate. 

I’m taking each of these stories to heart and bringing these concerns forward. Our opposition caucus at Queen’s Park has been relentless in pointing out the gaps in government plans, and we’ve been putting forward solutions like direct rent-subsidies that will help tenants and businesses alike get through this pandemic. 

We can tinker around the edges of policy, and make people jump through hoops to access benefits, or we can act with urgency now to ensure that people in our community stay housed and that our local main streets can survive. I’ll keep fighting for the latter. 

Also today, the government announced an expanded list of businesses that can re-open, including landscapers. Read on below for more updates, and have a good weekend.

Marit Stiles, MPP
Davenport

Leaving no one behind in the pandemic response

For those in our community who were already in a precarious place, the impacts of COVID-19 have been magnified. Today, the Migrant Rights Network released a new video highlighting the voices of migrant workers who have been left out of the COVID response, putting them at greater risk. 

From the beginning of the pandemic, I have been in touch with local advocates including FCJ Refugee Centre to hear about the impacts and what’s needed. I have worked to bring forward the call for emergency benefits and supports to be made available for all who need it, regardless of status. In order to amplify that call, our Ontario NDP caucus critics for Citizenship and Immigration and Community and Social Services jointly wrote to the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services and enclosed the demands of the Migrant Rights Network and allied groups in early April. I’ve also shared my support for these efforts in a recent letter. 

Local difference-maker: Starkers Corsetry 

This week I heard from Dianna DiNoble, a Davenport-based corsetmaker for 27 years and owner of Starkers Corsetry, who is using her skill for sewing and pattern drafting to help out during COVID-19. 

Over the past month, she has started making and selling high-quality masks with part of the proceeds used to fund mask donations for Covenant House, YWCA, All Creatures Rescue, postal workers, and grocery store clerks, as well as scrub caps for nurses! So far, over 300 masks, and 200 scrub caps have been donated.

You can order the masks here http://www.starkers.com/product/filtered-face-masks/

And watch a DIY mask-making tutorial she created here on Youtube.

Thanks Dianna!

Artists fight to keep their affordable homes

The Toronto Star published an in-depth piece on the artists at 17 Paton Rd who are fighting to keep their affordable homes and workspaces in the former garment factory. I have been working with the tenants as they try to comply with the fire code, address issues with their landlord and keep their spaces. The issues are complicated, but as I told the Star:

“This building is increasingly unique and rare in our community. We’ve seen a massive exodus of artists ... and we want to work really hard to keep them here,” said Stiles. “We have put off the eviction (until July 31) but at the end of the day, how do we make sure folks on Paton Rd. don’t lose the roofs over their head in six or 12 months?”

“What this moment has shown us is that governments can do all kinds of things when faced with a challenge,” she said. “So for me, it opens the doors for lots of possibilities. Government can be flexible. We can be nimble and find solutions. And that gives me some hope.”

More new developments:

• As of Monday, a number of mostly seasonal businesses will be allowed to open back up -- the NDP has called on the government to provide clear rules, not simply guidelines, to ensure peoples' lives are not put at risk. 

• The Ontario Health Coalition has launched an online campaign today, calling on Doug Ford to fix Ontario's long-term care sector -- their asks include immediately improving access to PPE for health workers, and increasing wages and working conditions for staff, things the NDP has also been urging the government to provide. 

• As Ontario contemplates reopening the economy, the NDP is calling on the Ford government’s Labour Minister to strengthen protections for workers who refuse to do unsafe work -- as reported by the Toronto Star, over 200 workers fearful of contracting COVID-19 at their workplace filed work refusals, yet the Ministry of Labour has not upheld a single one.  

• The NDP is reiterating its call for Doug Ford to take urgent actions to protect Ontarians with disabilities and ensure they get through the pandemic safely, including a plan to conduct in-home testing for people with disabilities, and ensuring home care workers have proper PPE--so far, the Ford government has been silent on the issue.

Community Updates

Inspirations Studio - Mother’s Day sale

Inspirations Studio, a ceramics-based program for marginalised women, holds an annual Mother's Day Open House that is an important source of income for Studio members. To mitigate this year's closure, they have created an online shop to support the women of Inspirations. 100% of the price of each item sold will go directly to the maker. Please visit, consider a gift, and share the news! Orders can be picked up Saturdays between 2-5pm, from May 2 - June 6 at their 2480 Dundas St West Store. 

Upcoming Tenant Workshops Online

The Federation of Metro Tenant Associations (FMTA)  is hosting a series of online workshops for tenant organizers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Register for one or more of the workshops by emailing the FMTA at Joeita@torontotenants.org.

Evictions During COVID-19
Friday, May 1

Getting Repairs Done During COVID-19

Saturday, May 2 

Paying Rent & Financial Aid During COVID-19 

Sunday, May 3

Unit Entry & Tenant Privacy During COVID-19 

Saturday, May 9

I’m a Student, a Roommate Who’s Name Isn’t on the Lease, or Someone Who Lives with My Landlord - What Are My Rights During Covid-19?

Sunday, May 10

TCHC Tenants and COVID-19 

Saturday, May 16

Organizing for Change: Building Tenant Power During and After COVID-19 

Sunday, May 17

Further details can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/pg/torontotenants/events/ 

Thanks to the Oakwood Vaughan Community Organization (OVCO) for sharing this information with us.

Public Health Updates

COVID-19 self-assessment tool:
Use this to determine what steps you should take should you exhibit symptoms: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/#q0

Reminder that updates on the pandemic response are available daily on the following websites:

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 Ontario and the Public Health Agency of Canada

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