Friends,

Last night on facebook, I shared my response to the disturbing report from military personnel working in five Long Term Care facilities in Ontario. Like many of you, I am heartbroken by the preventable loss of life and the inhumane conditions that seniors were subjected to, as outlined in the report. But I’m also outraged at the failure of this government to protect some of our most vulnerable community members, when front-line workers and families have been ringing the alarm for years. It is unacceptable. 

Today, I was back at the legislature and we dedicated all of question period to the crisis in our long-term care homes. I shared the concerns we’ve heard from Davenport residents and reiterated our call for the Long-Term Care Minister to resign. Watch the video here: 

New Democrats are calling for:  

• Comprehensive inspections  

• Takeovers of all homes that are not safe  

• A full, transparent and independent public inquiry 

Ontarians deserve nothing less. 

More updates from today:

• The Ford government extended existing emergency orders, including prohibitions on gatherings larger that five, the closure of outdoor playgrounds, play structures and equipment, public swimming pools and outdoor water facilities, as well as bars and restaurants except for takeout and delivery -
  until June 9.
   
• The City of Toronto introduced new data tools to see the status of the pandemic here in the City, including an interactive map of cases by neighbourhood.

Education and COVID-19: My editorial in today’s Star 

The COVID-19 experience has pulled back the curtain for more to see, and understand, the devastating education inequities that stand in the way of better outcomes for Ontario’s extraordinarily diverse students and families. 

Read my op-ed from today's Toronto Star.
 

Ford attempts to quietly sneak through bill to make it easier for landlords to evict tenants 

Yesterday, the Ford government surprised the House by bringing back their controversial housing bill for second reading and forcing it through to a vote today. The bill prevents tenants from bringing up issues like their landlord failing to make repairs to their unit during hearings for non-payment of rent, and skips straight from repayment agreement for backed rent to eviction order without any hearing for the tenant if they miss a payment. 

At a time when people in our community are at risk of losing their homes due to COVID-19 impact on employment, it is unbelievable that the government would try to ram this through the legislature. I voted against this bill this morning, and will continue to fight any attempt to make it easier to fast-track evictions.   

Protecting Prospect Cemetery in the Public Interest 

Last week, I co-signed a letter alongside seven fellow MPPs, inviting the government to work together to protect the public interest, and pass legislation to clarify and confirm the long-standing status of the Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries (MPGC) as a public trust. The MPGC manages the Prospect Cemetery here in Davenport, but serious questions have been raised about the future of these important lands. 

Read more here. 

Lansdowne Cone Pop Up! 

When the Lansdowne Cone ice cream shoppe (629 Lansdowne) was facing eviction following the sale of their building, I heard from so many in the community who wanted to help and show their support. Beyond selling ice cream, the shop also provided jobs and training opportunties for youth who otherwise face barriers to employment and has become a big part of our community. While the situation involving their lease is ongoing, they’ll be opening again for a three-day pop up starting May 29. 

Support Small Business with a ‘Bag of Bloor’! 

Davenporters Nicholas Milium and Derek Liu are bringing you a creative way to support local businesses on Bloor Street during COVID-19 and help local community agencies at the same time. The Bag of Bloor is a curated assortment of baked goods and specialty food products from the neighbourhood available for contactless delivery each week. A portion of the profits are shared with Sistering.  

Check out the project at: bagofbloor.ca 

McMaster University Parent Survey 

McMaster University researchers have launched a province-wide online survey—OntarioParentSurvey.ca—to help understand what families with children are experiencing in the context of COVID-19, and what services families and caregivers may need. The Ontario Parent Survey, which launched Tuesday May 5, is part of a larger intervention study funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada created to promote positive parenting practices and improve child outcomes. 

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 Ontario and the Public Health Agency of Canada

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