Community Newsletter

Hello Neighbour,

As we head into the long weekend, I am carrying the good news of workers winning across the province. The Ontario Court of Appeal denied the Ford Conservatives their attempt to trample on workers’ rights, ending a years long battle between the Conservatives and public sector workers. The Ford government wasted taxpayers’ money and time by taking public sector workers to court. These are our healthcare workers, teachers and education support workers and public service workers – people who run essential services that we rely on. Thanks to the hard work of our unions, workers, and advocates across the province, and to you who pushed back on this government to show them that together we can win.

Monday is Family Day and I am excited to be spending some time with my loved ones. There is plenty to see and do around the community and I hope you get to enjoy some family-friendly activities over the weekend.

I also want to acknowledge Chosen Family Day next week and recognize that family can be defined by the loving and supportive people someone chooses, despite not being biologically related to one another. Chosen families grew out of the ballroom culture within Black communities which provided spaces of belonging for many racialized members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. On February 22, we celebrate Chosen Family Day to celebrate the importance of chosen families.

MPPs will return to Queen’s Park on Tuesday to begin the next legislative session. I am excited and ready to present practical, hopeful solutions to help you and the people of Ontario.

Have a great long weekend,

Marit Stiles
MPP for Davenport

Updates from the Legislature 

Return to Legislature next week 

People across our province are facing real challenges right now. People are waiting for hours for basic healthcare, they are stuck with sky-rocketing costs of housing, and their bills are not getting any lower. We need real solutions, but this government is too wrapped up in its never-ending scandals to come up with real solutions that matter to Ontarians.

Your Official Opposition is headed into this session focused on delivering solutions to housing, health care, and the rising cost of living.

We've taken on a corrupt Conservative government and forced them to reverse course on countless bad decisions. Now, they’re under a criminal investigation for selling off the Greenbelt to the highest bidder and were forced to walk back wage-suppression policies after losing twice in court. Every climbdown and policy reversal is proof that when we work together, we can win.

This session, we'll keep holding Ford’s Conservatives to account, while putting forward the solutions that will make people’s lives easier.

From targeting the staffing shortage in hospitals and underused public hospital resources, to expediting housing—including deeply affordable housing, I am ready to get to work.

A win for Ontario’s workers  

The Ontario Court of Appeal denided Ford and his Conservatives their attempt to take away workers’ constitutional rights.

This win belongs to the workers, unions, and advocates from across the province who stood firm against the Conservatives’ unconstitutional attack on their rights.

Bill 124 hurt our province. It forced health care and education workers out of the profession, cut people’s wages during an affordability crisis, and eroded the people’s trust in their government.

This government wasted years and taxpayer dollars fighting workers in court to uphold an unconstitutional Bill and take away wages. The government needs to accept this ruling, stop fighting workers, and start addressing the crises that Ontarians are facing.

Let’s make up for the lost time and wasted energy: start fixing this mess by hiring health care workers into our public system and paying back workers for lost wages.

I will always stand up for the rights of workers.

Update on TDSB Financial Budget from Trustee Alexis Dawson 

TDSB School Trustee Alexis Dawson (Ward 9 Davenport- Spadina - Fort York) released an update this week outlining the failings of the provincial government in helping the Board address a $35 million deficit for this year. Sadly, this means that there will be cuts to staff and other program areas.

TDSB will be holding virtual budget town halls next week, which are open to attend:

• Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 7 p.m. Virtual Meeting Link: https://tdsb-ca.zoom.us/j/99927848958
• Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. Virtual Meeting Link: https://tdsb-ca.zoom.us/j/92775215007

For more updates on this issue and to hear more from Trustee Dawson, sign up to her newsletter here.

And join the Ward 9 PIAC on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/160930888046293/.

Metrolinx Updates 

Construction Updates

Nighttime Works Zone 3 | Commencing: February 19, 2024 - Metrolinx will be completing construction works to provide for an additional set of tracks. To prepare for the main works, noise walls and sewers are being installed in the rail corridor. Noise barrier construction will include drilling of posts and installing noise barrier panels. Due to the proximity to tracks, some of the works must occur at night when there are no trains running.

Temporary Barriers Bloor St from Railpath Bridge to Sterling Rd Extended– Barriers were installed on Bloor Street to improve safety and address community concerns with jaywalking at the Perth Avenue intersection. Delays in the Railpath realignment and tunnel construction work have extended the timeline for the temporary barriers and a removal date has not been provided. A new traffic light has been proposed for this intersection but construction is facing potential delays until Metrolinx has completed the realignment work. I will continue to push for concrete timelines on when to expect this project to be completed.

Overnight Corridor Work: Upcoming works occurring at different locations and on different dates within the Metrolinx corridor from 600m from south of Bloor St to 300m north of Davenport Rd and on the elevated guideway.

Around the Community 

after BREAST CANCER Shine A Light Brunch March 29th 2024

Davenport based charitable organization after BREAST CANCER is hosting a fundraising brunch!

Founder and Executive Director, Alicia Vianga launched after BREAST CANCER in 2013 after identifying a gap in the healthcare system that leaves many people dealing with breast cancer with out of pocket expenses that puts breast prosthetics out of reach for many. after BREAST CANCER helps people dealing with breast cancer cover their basic needs as well as provides accessible breast prosthetics and other items to support survivors. Learn more about Alicia and her work here: https://www.afterbreastcancer.ca.

We hit the ground running right after the holiday season with a jam packed January. I was so excited to see neighbours at my New Year’s Community Social at the West End Phoenix and recognize some amazing individuals for their contributions to the community.  

I met with businesses along St. Clair West and heard the stories of business owners who are still dealing with the effects of the pandemic while continuing to work hard to serve community members during an affordability crisis. It has never been more important to shop local and support our mainstreets that are at the heart of each neighbourhood in Davenport. 

Many folks have heard about the Service Ontario closures and the Premier’s sole-sourced contracts to Staples and Walmart. Additionally, new information has been uncovered that further supports the Premier and his office knew more about the Greenbelt carve up than this office has previously informed the public. More on these details below. 

February is Black History Month, and I’m excited to join communities across Davenport and the province in celebrating the rich and diverse cultural history of Black Canadians. Lunar New Year is also upon us, with many Asian communities preparing to gather to celebrate this festive time. I look forward to celebrating with community members over the next few weeks.  

I hope you and your family can enjoy the many community events happening across Davenport this month

Have a great weekend,

Marit Stiles 
MPP for Davenport

Support for women and trans shinny players in Dufferin Grove

I was deeply concerned to learn that women and trans community members were harassed and intimidated while trying to enjoy a game of shinny at the Dufferin Grove ice rink.

Public parks and places of gathering should be safe, community-driven spaces where people can feel welcome. These acts of hate and intimidation are not welcome in Davenport or in any of our communities.

My team and I will be following up with the community to offer support and ensure women and trans people can continue to safely enjoy our community’s recreation spaces.

Celebrating Black History Month

Happy Black History Month!

Though this year marks the end of the UN International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024), we recognize the need to continue breaking down systemic barriers and including Black perspectives into government policies, legislation, and all aspects of our society. We reflect on the actions, movements, struggles, and successes, that have gotten us here today. And we commit to continuing to build together towards a more equitable and just community.

I was happy to join with communities in Ottawa, Sudbury, and Windsor. I look forward to celebrating with more communities throughout the month. Check out my visit to historic Sandwich Town in Windsor, a key place along the Underground Railroad. Watch it here.

Happy Lunar New Year!

Many Asian communities, especially East Asian communities, including Chinese, Hong Kong, Korean, Taiwanese, Tibetan, and Vietnamese communities, will be celebrating Lunar New Year beginning on February 10, with festivities planned throughout the month.

For those celebrating with their family and friends, we wish you good health, happiness, good fortune, and prosperity in the New Year!

Updates from the Legislatures

Staples to opens Service Ontario kiosks this week

While Staples is preparing to open Service Ontario kiosks in some stores across the province, the Premier and his Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery, Todd McCarthy, are continuing to divert public funds into the hands of private companies.  

The Premier and Minister McCarthy handed over sole-sourced contracts to American-conglomerates, Staples and Walmart, allowing these private companies to meet their bottom line with public taxpayer dollars. This decision was made without public consultation or much notice for Ontarians who rely on these Service Ontario locations. 

Sound familiar? We saw the Premier and his government make similar backroom deals with private conglomerate, Therme, which will also see taxpayers foot the bill for a massive underground parking lot to the tune of $307 million dollars.  

Official Opposition critic for Consumer Protection, Tom Rakocevic commented, “If the Conservatives had actually made this decision with the interests of everyday Ontarians in mind, they would have no trouble explaining why they didn’t open it up to a competitive bid.”  “With every new piece of information, it seems that the Premier is right – and that this is all about ‘filling their buddies’ pockets full of money’ than ensuring Ontarians have fair access to essential government services in their communities.” 

I am eager to return to the Legislature in February to get answers from the Premier and hold him to his responsibility of being transparent to you and the people of Ontario.

Read more here.

Greenbelt Corruption Saga Continues

New evidence has uncovered further involvement from the Premier’s Office in the Greenbelt scandal. 

Obtained through a Freedom of Information request, emails suggest a timeline that is inconsistent with the testimonies provided by the Premier’s staff under oath, suggesting his office knew about the land swaps much earlier than they claimed. 

I have been calling on the Premier and his government to come clean and be accountable to the people of Ontario, on exactly how his government made plans to cut up and bulldoze over the Greenbelt.  

With each new piece of evidence, we are seeing more cracks in the narrative that the Premier and his insiders have been trying to spin. But the truth is becoming clearer every day – Mr. Ford was not in the darkabout his government’s corrupt Greenbelt decisions. 

It’s time for the Conservatives to come clean about how they deceived Ontarians with this Greenbelt fiasco. If they don’t, I’m confident the RCMP will. 

You can be sure that I will continue to hold the Premier and his government accountable for their decisions. 

Get the latest updates on the Greenbelt scandal here.

NDP calls on the federal government to pay for their share of Toronto’s refugee shelter crisis

Official Opposition NDP critic for GTA Issues, MPP Bhutila Karpoche (Parkdale – High Park) welcomes the Federal government’s announcement for refugee supports, however, is continuing to sound the alarm on Toronto’s financial challenges: “We are glad to see that the Federal government finally take responsibility at the 11th hour, but the total amount cannot fall short of the $250 million that the city needs to meet its shelter needs. 

Sistering, a 24-hour multi-service drop-in on Bloor for women and trans people, has seen a surge in people seeking shelter support and safe respite. The organization has seen increased demand for services and essential goods, stretching resources thin, and leaving workers overworked. The funding coming from the federal government is greatly needed and it is imperative that the federal government meets the city’s $250 million ask in order to keep organizations like Sistering operating to serve women and trans people who need support. 

Official Opposition hosted Pre-Budget Consultation in Toronto

Earlier this month, Toronto MPPs heard from organizations across Toronto on what they want to see in the province’s 2024 budget.  

The government hosted pre-budget consultations all over Ontario but failed to schedule a stop in Toronto, leaving  organizations without an opportunity to speak to their government directly.  

We heard from organizations representing several issues: housing and shelter supports; women and gender-diverse people facing homelessness; environment and climate change; more support for educational support staff; and increasing affordable housing supply, to name a few.  

I want to thank the organizations who gave us their time and shared their priorities. My team will be including this feedback in a report to be published soon, stay tuned! 

TDSB Joint Ward Forum: The Right to Read

Thursday, February 22, 2024, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. via Zoom

Join Trustee Alexis Dawson and Trustee Michelle Aarts for a special virtual joint ward forum.

TDSB Literacy staff will be on hand to provide information on TDSB Literacy Programs and how they relate to the Right to Read Report. We will also hear about the work of our schools and how parents can access resources to help their children at home.

All in Davenport and Spadina - Fort York and Beaches - East York are welcome to attend, including parents/ guardians/ caregivers, students, staff, and members of school communities. We look forward to seeing you there!

Register here.

Transit Mitigation Grant Program, applications open

The Construction Mitigation Grant provides funding to eligible organizations to deliver projects and initiatives that address the negative impacts of major Transit Expansion construction on local businesses.

Applications will be accepted until Thursday Feb 29th, 2024. Learn more.

Metrolinx Updates

Community Engagement Pop-Ups

Have questions about Metrolinx projects in Davenport? Metrolinx staff will be on hand to answer your questions and provide information about the Davenport Diamond, Kitchener GO and Barrie GO expansion, upcoming Bloor-Lansdowne GO station project, and more.

• Bloor- Gladstone Library Pop-Up, Feb 6th, 4 - 6 pm
  Location: Bloor/Gladstone TPL Branch, 1101 Bloor St W
  
  
• West End YMCA Pop-Up, Feb 7, 4 pm - 6 pm
  Location: 931 College St
  
  
• George Chuvalo Neighbourhood Centre Pop-Up, Feb 24, 11 am - 2 pm
  Location: 50 Sousa Mendes St

Construction Updates

Davenport Diamond Guideway Updates

Overnight Work: Miscellaneous, including Minor Deficiency Works

Upcoming works occurring at different locations and on different dates within the
Metrolinx corridor from 600m from south of Bloor St to 300m north of Davenport Rd and on the elevated guideway include track surface finishing; structures surface finishing and fiberglass reinforced plastic grating adjustments, electrical and communications equipment adjustments for CCTV and lighting, and architectural component finishings, including cladding and flashing installation. Information on dates and locations of each of these aspects of work are tentative and may be subject to change due to weather or unforeseen circumstances. Work will be conducted as quickly and efficiently as possible to minimize disturbance but residents and businesses in the area can expect to hear noise caused by trucks, equipment, machinery, and crews.

When: Work will occur at different locations and on different dates
along the corridor. Wednesday January 3, 2024 - Thursday February 29, 2024

Hours of Work: 9:30pm-07:00pm

Installation of Cladding System

The installation of the architectural cladding system is ongoing. It is attached to the outside of the noise walls on the elevated guideway and on the MSE Walls.
The remaining components to be installed are the flashings and top caps.

When: Ongoing until February 09, 2024. From: 7:00am - 7:00pm (Typical), with night work from 7:00pm-6:00am, where required.

Davenport Diamond Construction near completion

All major construction milestones are nearing completion on the Davenport Diamond project.

When: Substantial Completion is on target to be achieved in February 2024.
Final Completion is anticipated to be achieved by late summer 2024.