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Dear neighbours,
As we head into the Family Day weekend, I am pleased to share this weekly update on provincial and local issues.
Unfortunately the city rink folks are telling us there is a very high likelihood that the Campbell Park rink won’t be open on Monday due to the weather and some other issues. We have had to make the very difficult decision to cancel our Skating Party, planned for Monday afternoon. We will be sharing news soon about another social gathering… hopefully one that’s less weather dependent! Meanwhile, I know many of the wonderful skating pads that neighbours have created in some of our local parks – like Dovercourt, Dufferin Grove and Wadsworth – need volunteer help to clear snow and hose! If you have a few minutes, give them a hand!
With more public health restrictions lifting this week, there will be more opportunities to get back out there in the community. And while I know we are all eager to move past the worst of this last wave, I’m hearing from many of you that there is still some trepidation about how quickly the measures are being lifted, and what it could mean down the road. While these measures were never meant to be permanent, we still have an obligation to protect each other and the most vulnerable from the unpredictable nature of this virus.
I will continue to push the government to ensure that protecting public health remains a priority, and that the decisions the government makes are made based on evidence, not on political pressure.
That political pressure has become a national crisis as the occupation in Ottawa reaches its third week. A major effort is expected to clear the remaining demonstrators today, following the invocation of the federal Emergencies Act. While federal MPs debate this unprecedented decision, provincially the Opposition has been working to push the Ford government to do what it can to end the siege using authority over commercial trucking, inspection and to provide supports to those impacted.
MPPs return to the Legislature on February 22nd, and we expect this final session to be very busy as we push for improvements to healthcare, education, housing affordability and urgent action to address climate change. I’ll be working to bring forward your voice forward as you’ve elected me to do….Please reach out if you have questions or issues you would like me to raise in the Legislature or petitions you’d like me to share.
Marit
Marit Stiles, MPP
Davenport
Community Office: 1199 Bloor St. West
416-535-3158
maristiles.ca
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In this issue
- Changes to public health restrictions
- Booster shot eligibility for 12-17 year olds
- Rapid tests
- School funding for 2022-23 announced
- FAO reports on third-quarter finances
- Local and community updates
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Public Health Measures update
Citing improvements in key public health indicators, Ontario began lifting public health measures on February 17. The easing of measures includes but is not limited to:
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Increasing social gathering limits to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors
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Increasing organized public event limits to 50 people indoors, with no limit outdoors
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Removing capacity limits in the following indoor public settings where proof of vaccination is required, including but not limited to:
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Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments without dance facilities
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Non-spectator areas of sports and recreational fitness facilities, including gyms
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Cinemas
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Meeting and event spaces, including conference centres or convention centres
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Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments
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Indoor areas of settings that choose to opt-in to proof of vaccination requirements.
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Allowing 50 per cent of the usual seating capacity at sports arenas
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Allowing 50 percent of the usual seating capacity for concert venues and theatres
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Increasing indoor capacity limits to 25 per cent in the remaining higher-risk settings where proof of vaccination is required, including nightclubs, restaurants where there is dancing, as well as bathhouses and sex clubs
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Increasing capacity limits for indoor weddings, funerals or religious services, rites, or ceremonies to the number of people who can maintain two metres physical distance. Capacity limits are removed if the location opts-in to use proof of vaccination or if the service, rite, or ceremony is occurring outdoors.
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Booster dose update
Ontario has also announced expanded eligibility for the booster shot for youth aged 12-17. Beginning today, youth in this age group can book their dose appointment through the COVID-19 vaccination portal, by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre, through Indigenous-led vaccination clinics, select pharmacies and primary care settings. Appointments will be booked for approximately six months (168 days) after a second dose.
City of Toronto Immunization Clinics are accepting walk-in visits for COVID-19 vaccinations, including third doses for Toronto residents aged 12-17. Find clinic locations here.
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Vaccine certificates and masking requirements
The Ford government also announced that it will lift all proof-of-vaccination requirements on March 1, 2022, while lifting all remaining indoor capacity limits. Masking requirements will remain in place, but are expected to be reviewed in March with further guidance to come. The Chief Medical Officer of Health indicated that masking requirements could change to a recommendation.
Individual businesses will be permitted to continue to require proof of vaccination after March 1, and local public health units may implement their own restrictions to deal with local circumstances.
What the Opposition is saying
While we are looking forward to a time when public health measures are no longer needed, the Opposition NDP has raised concerns about this accelerated approach. Given the previous experience in Ontario where lifting restrictions too early resulted in a subsequent wave, we want to ensure these changes are driven by evidence, and not by political pressure. Weeks ago, we called for the certificate program to include a third dose, which experts show provides 60% more protection against symptomatic infection.
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Expanded access to Rapid Antigen Tests
A reminder that the province has announced it will provide 5 million Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) per week, to be distributed in pharmacies and grocery stores around the province, as well as 500,000 each week through community partners in vulnerable communities. A list of participating retailers as well as information on how retail locations are distributing rapid test kits can be found at Ontario.ca/rapidtest.
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2022-23 Education Funding Announced
Yesterday, Education Minister Stephen Lecce announced the funding package for schools for the 2022-23 school year, known as the Grants for Student Needs. The funding includes measures aimed at supporting learning recovery, including funding for school-based tutoring and a modest investment in mental health supports, in line with what schools received this year.
But after the disruption caused by lengthy and repeated school closures over the past two years, the amount of funding announced falls far short of what’s needed to support student wellbeing, mental health and learning. It falls far below inflation and doesn’t replace what Doug Ford has already taken away from our kids with his cuts to education.
The Minister also announced that remote learning would remain an option in the next school year. After two years of struggle with remote learning, and hybrid-learning models that have been really negative for students - any continuation of remote learning needs to come with the funding required to make it work. This option should not be used as an excuse to invest less in safe classrooms. As well, the government is continuing with their wrong-headed policy to require all high school students to take two mandatory online classes.
My team and I continue to review the details of the announcement and what they will mean for our local schools. You can read my response as Official Opposition Education Critic here.
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Independent Financial Update Released
A provincial fiscal update this week showed no attempt by the government to reverse funding shortfalls in health care, education and public health. In a separate review, the independent Financial Accountability Office found that although revenues are expected to be higher than the government’s own outlook, there remains a combined funding shortfall of 6.3 Billion by 2023-24. Sector by sector shortfalls include health ($4.5 billion), education ($0.4 billion), postsecondary education ($0.2 billion), children’s and social services ($0.8 billion) and justice ($0.4 billion). The FAO report also showed a significant amount of funds remain unallocated, which the Opposition has said should be used to address the major challenges facing the province as the pandemic continues.
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Passing of Chai Kalevar
I am so very sorry to hear that Chaitanya "Chai" Kalevar has passed. Here in Davenport, Chai was a fixture on the political scene. A New Democrat, he often ran against us nominated folks, but it was because he felt so passionately that there was nothing more important than protecting our earth. He brought humour, poetry and passion to our debates and I am thinking today about his family & their loss. Tonight, take a moment to consider Chai's message and what we can each do to ensure our beautiful earth is healthy & protected for future generations. And consider also the urgency of that effort.
Read Chai’s obituary and find information about funeral arrangements here.
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Survey: Bartlett/Havelock/Gladstone road safety upgrades
The City of Toronto is proposing cycling, pedestrian, and road safety upgrades on Bartlett Avenue, Havelock Street, and Gladstone Avenue from Davenport Road to College Street, as well as associated changes to short sections of Bloor Street and Lindsey Avenue. As part of the process, residents are encouraged to fill out an online survey.
Click here to take the survey.
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Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY)
Don’t forget to register for this year’s Coldest Night of the Year walk and fundraiser, happening on February 26. There are two Davenport charities hosting virtual events this year, Oasis and Sistering. I’ll be joining, and I hope to see you there too!
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Regal Heights Residents’ Association
I was happy to join another Regal Heights Residents Association executive meeting last week. I provided a rundown of the latest on re-opening and answered some questions about the availability of rapid tests in our community. As always though, the best of every RHRA exec meeting is hearing about their progress in making their very own Regal Heights Maple Syrup. If you have two minutes, check out this CBC clip from last year that covers their efforts
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Valentine’s for Seniors Bill McMurray Residence
On Monday, I delivered 100 valentine cards that I made along with several volunteers to residents and staff at Bill McMurray Residence on Sheridan Ave. Thanks to Amy and Trisha for spearheading this effort, and thanks to everyone who sent in cards to my constituency office. I am so happy that we have such caring residents here in Davenport that will go out of their way to bring some joy to their neighbours’ lives.
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COVID-19 Resources
Please review the following resources should you need assistance:
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