Good day, Davenport,

Today, more businesses, services and amenities will be open again as the province moves into Step 3 of the Reopening Ontario framework. 

This progress is the result of a lot of hard work and sacrifice, and we are not out of the woods yet. This week, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health reported that the highest rate of infection is among unvaccinated people in the 12-17 age group - meaning we have work to do, especially with the start of school just around the corner.

As of Thursday, 78.9 per cent of eligible Ontarians have had the first shot and 57.5 per cent were fully vaccinated. We are calling on the province to implement a ‘last-mile’ strategy to ensure that every eligible Ontarian can get their vaccine, and so we can keep building on the progress we’ve made together.

As always, you can find information about how to get vaccinated, along with local pop-up opportunities at: maritstiles.ca/vaccines

Have a great weekend, and please read on for more updates from this week.

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

In this issue:

• Step 3 - what changes?
• Proof of vaccination
• Still no school plan
• Anti-racism language removed from math curriculum
• Upcoming drop-in vaccine clinics
• NDP reiterates call for public inquiry following report on lobbying and COVID-19
• Metrolinx Greenway planning work gets underway

Moving to Step 3

Ontario moves into Step 3 of the Reopening Ontario framework today. Here are some of the changes: 

• Outdoor social gatherings and organized public events for up to 100 people

• Indoor social gatherings and organized public events for up to 25 people

• Indoor dining with no limits to the number of patrons per table

• Retail with capacity limited to ensure physical distancing

• Indoor religious services, rites or ceremony gatherings with physical distancing

• Indoor sports and recreational fitness facilities with capacity limits

• Personal care services with capacity limited to ensure physical distancing

• Museums, casinos and bingo halls with capacity limits

• Cinemas, concert, theatres, and other performing arts venues with capacity limits

Learn more here.

Proof of Vaccination

The Opposition is calling on the government to provide guidance to businesses and institutions on providing proof of vaccination, but the Premier confirmed that Ontario will not offer any further proof of vaccination beyond the paper receipt and emailed copy distributed when immunization occurred. This has the potential to lead to confusion and the potential for people to be barred from activities without a standard form of proof. 

Vaccination proof or ‘passports,’ required by other countries for travel, will be the responsibility of the federal government but details are not yet known.

The Premier also confirmed Thursday that vaccination will not be mandatory in any workplace, including in health care. 

Still no school plan

We are another week closer to the start of another school year, and families are still waiting for a concrete plan and guidance for a safe return to in-person learning. Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health said this week he “absolutely” expects a rise in COVID-19 cases in September as more activities move indoors, including schools. It’s imperative that the government act now to make those spaces as safe as possible, especially given that no vaccine has been approved for use in children younger than 12. 

• Add your name to our online petition calling for a Safe Return to Schools this fall.
   
• Read my letter to the Chief Medical Officer of Health calling for urgent guidance.

Anti-racism language removed from new math curriculum

Under pressure from far-right politicians like Maxime Bernier and conservative pundits, the Minister of Education has removed language from the newly-released Grade 9 math curriculum materials that discuss systemic racism and barriers to learning. 

In a statement condemning the move, the Opposition anti-racism critic and I said:

“The Grade 9 math program was changed specifically because Ontario had to finally recognize that the existing system treated Black, Indigenous and racialized students inequitably. It’s pretty clear we need more of an equity and anti-racism lens in schools, not less.”

Upcoming Drop-In and Low-Barrier Vaccine Clinics

Eligibility: 12+, First Dose: ANY postal code
Second Dose: Going to school, living or working in select postal codes, including Davenport's M6N & M6E.
 

CAMH Specialty Vaccination Clinic for those who might have a fear of needles, vaccine hesitancy, or anxiety about the vaccine in general.

The Vaccination Clinic at CAMH, 100 Stokes Street, will be offering this specialty clinic on July 19 (9-12 & 1-3:30) by appointment only.
To register, email: 
vaccinationclinic@camh.ca; erin.ledrew@camh.ca; nicole.jorge@camh.ca and include:

Subject line: Booking for Needle Phobia Clinic
Body of email:
Patient full name:
DOB:
Preferred contact method for appointment confirmation (email or phone number for text message):
Preferred time of day (if needed)

More information on these and other pop-up clinics available at: 
maritstiles.ca/pop-ups

NDP reiterates call for public inquiry following report on lobbying and COVID-19

Metrolinx “Greenway” Community Liaison Committee holds first meeting

The first meeting of Metrolinx’s Community Liaison Committee for the public realm components (greenery, pedestrian connections and amenities) related to the Davenport Diamond rail bridge was held on Thursday. Called the “Greenway,” this project is in early phases of design and will begin construction only after the Guideway (bridge expansion) is complete in 2023. 

My team and I attend these CLC meetings alongside community reps. Feel free to send any questions and concerns our way and we’ll make sure they get heard by Metrolinx. You can also contact Metrolinx directly about this project at: torontowest@metrolinx.com

Public meetings and information sessions will also be scheduled in the months ahead to hear more. Learn more about the Greenway project here.

Stay Safe