Hello Neighbour,
I hope you had a chance to catch a few moments of the solar eclipse on Monday. Despite the clouds, caught a glimpse and it was an experience to remember. I had the pleasure of spending time in Davenport over the long weekend in March, with family visiting from Ottawa and Montreal, and walked in the Good Friday Procession with many members of our community.
This week marks the end of Ramadan and a very happy Eid Mubarak to everyone celebrating. This week, as you gather with family and community to celebrate Eid, I hope you find peace, comfort and moments of joy amongst each other.
I am so honoured, humbled and inspired by my colleagues NDP MPPs Lisa Gretzky, Kristyn Wong Tam, Peggy Sattler and Jill Andrew, their staff and the advocates from across Ontario who contributed to Bill 173- the Intimate Partner Violence as an Epidemic Act. I am proud to have seen such a strong showing of support from Davenport and across the province. During the debate, the galleries were filled with strong, diverse and dedicated advocates, survivors and family members impacted by Intimate Partner Violence, and we share this moment with each of you. Declaring IPV an epidemic was the first recommendation of the Renfrew Coroners Inquest and is a first step to saving lives and protecting Ontarians. Now we need the resources and supports an epidemic demands.
Marit Stiles
MPP for Davenport
Eid Al Fitr
This Wednesday April 10th marks the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid Al-Fitr and Muslims across the province will be celebrating this special holiday.
International Day of Pink
The International Day of Pink is a worldwide anti-bullying and anti-homophobia day of significance. The event was sparked when a Canadian high-school student was witnessed by two fellow students as being bullied at their school for wearing a pink shirt.
Vaisakhi
April 13th is Vaisakhi! Let the vibrant spirit of the harvest festival fill your hearts and life with joy and prosperity! Wishing everyone a happy and colourful Baisakhi.
Puthandu
April 13th is The Tamil New Year, also known as Puthandu, is a significant cultural and religious festival celebrated by the Tamil community. It marks the beginning of a new year.
Pohela Boishakh
April 14 is the Bengali New Year, known as Pohela Boishakh marks the first day of the Bengali calendar and is a time of joy and festivity, with various cultural events, processions, and family gatherings. It’s a significant occasion that symbolizes renewal and hope for the year ahead
Updates from the Legislature
Official Opposition calls for Auditor General probe to investigate fees at for profit health care clinics
On Monday, I asked the premier how this government can continue to expand for-profit healthcare while millions of Ontarians are still without a primary care provider, and the entire province is facing a cost-of-living crisis. Official Opposition Critic for Healthcare, France Gelinas will be asking the Auditor General to investigate the for-profit providers. Everyone in Ontario has the right to get health care with their OHIP card, not their credit card. Instead of holding bad actors accountable, this Government is encouraging private clinics to force Ontarians to pay for health care that should be free.
Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act
I was disappointed this week when the government continued to ignore top recommendations of its own Housing Affordability Task Force, including legalizing fourplexes and four-storey multiplexes in all neighbourhoods. The Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes act has fallen short of what experts know is desperately needed to help address the urgent need for affordable housing. What’s missing? Real rent control and government investment in non-market housing. Largely, what this bill does is attempt to back-track on the government’s previous bad decisions, but it doesn’t offer solutions that will protect Ontarians from Illegal evictions or stabilize the rental market. I will continue to propose, bold, long-term solutions like:
- Establishing Homes Ontario and provide financing and access to public land to build affordable housing
- Allowing fourplexes as-of-right in all neighbourhoods everywhere in Ontario
- Protecting existing affordable housing by bringing in strong rent control
Bill 173 Declaring Intimate Partner Violence an Epidemic Act passes second reading
On Wednesday, April 10th Bill 173, The Intimate Partner Violence as and Epidemic Act 2024 passed to second reading. This is a welcome first step – but it’s far from the end of the line. We had almost 200 advocates, survivors, and front-line workers join us at Queen’s Park, and they have been crystal clear in their demands. The time for action is now. The time for believing and supporting survivors of intimate partner violence is now. We don’t need more half-measures or studies. The work has been done. The Official Opposition and people across Ontario have spoken. It’s time for this government to finally take this seriously.
Local Parent Organizing Brings strong message to TDSB Trustee Vote April 4
Davenport parents and activists joined their Neighbours and education advocates across the GTA to show solidarity for a No Cuts Budget at the TDSB. Proposed cuts to programming have been officially delayed, at least until 2025-26. While the trustees did not vote in favour of an entirely “no cuts” budget, Provincial underfunding has been officially recognized. Considering the continuing "structural deficit" whereby the hard costs of delivering education (e.g., salaries, benefits, special ed, etc.) exceed the grants issued by the province, trustees voted unanimously to issue a letter to the Ministry of Education requesting more funding. Thank you to MPPs Kristyn Wong-Tam and MPP Jessica Bell for representing our Caucus at the TDSB Rally April 2nd and thank you to The Toronto Schools Caregiver Coalition for their organizing as well as the folks at fundourschools.ca.
Parents in Davenport are saying enough is enough. The Toronto Schools Caregiver Coalition (TSCC) is a parent-led group organizing to stop the endless cycle of education cuts that TDSB students have endured annually since 1996, by calling for changes to the way provincial funding is allocated to school boards. Many students, parents, teachers, education workers, and trustees agree that the provincial grant is not enough.
To learn more, visit www.fundourschools.ca/ and RSVP by signing up here.
Aura Freedom International leading the way for organizations to declare IPV an epidemic
Thank you to Marissa and the folks at Aura Freedom for the contribution you made to declaring Intimate Partner Violence an epidemic in the City of Toronto in July 2023 and for showing up to support Bill 173 in the Provincial Legislature. Aura Freedom International has been working tirelessly for a decade to address systemic issues that contribute to gender-based violence. Aura Freedom International is a Davenport-based grassroots organization working in Canada and beyond to end violence against women and human trafficking through advocacy and education. In addition to leading the way declaring IPV an epidemic in Toronto, last November, Aura Freedom International hosted a powerful femicide exhibition “For Her” at It’s Ok studios on Queen Street in honour of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against women. Check out aurafreedom.org for more information on their activities that range from education and awareness campaigns, workshops, survivor support, advocacy and policy work and grassroots community research. I look forward to more amazing opportunities to support this work.
Lina Almanzan, Women's Habitat of Etobicoke, Carla Neto, Women's Habitat of Etobicoke, Alicia Whyte, Women's Habitat of Etobicoke,Marissa Kokkoros, Aura Freedom, Danielle Warren, Aura Freedom, Gabbey Dessye, Yorktown Family Services
Around the Community
2024 ACAPO Merit Award & Scholarship Gala
I was honoured to join the Alliance of Portuguese Clubs and Associations of Ontario for their annual Merit Awards & Scholarships Gala Dinner on Saturday March 30th at the Liuna 183 Gerry Gallagher Hall.
Thank you to all the donors, volunteers and participants. A big congratulations to all the scholarship recipients, I can't wait to see what is to come from this generation of Portuguese youth.
Graciosa Community Centre Celebrating 44 years!
Congratulations to Graciosa Community Centre on their 44th anniversary this past weekend. My staff were delighted to join in the celebration. Manuel Quadros highlighted here with board members giving a heartwarming speech during the night.
In 1980, a group of people from Graciosa decided to form an organization to serve all those who hailed from this Azorean island. The intent was to have a space where they could celebrate their culture and reminisce about the land they had left behind. The organization grew quickly and, two years later, it purchased its headquarters in what was then the heart of the Portuguese community in Toronto, on Dundas and Dovercourt.
Celebrating 30 Years of Clay and Paper Theatre!
Date: Sunday, April 14th, 2024
Time: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: 221 Sterling Road, Unit 5b, Toronto, ON, M6R 2B2
Come hang out with your favourite local motley crue of puppeteers and storytellers and hear spectacular Georgian polyphony masters, Ori Shalva, Ukrainian singers Kosa Kolektiv Choir, and New Orleans swing style jazzman (and regular Grossman Happy Pals member), Ben Lee! With other guests still to be announced!
Repair Cafe every Sunday at 68 Abell Street
Bring your broken items to Creative Reuse Toronto’s storefront location. We will be fixing small appliances, home electronics, clothing, jewelry, and small furniture. Visit repaircafetoronto.ca/drop-off-pick-up-locations/ for more info.
