March 1, 2024 Newsletter

Hello Neighbour,

Spring is around the corner and the days are getting longer. I’m looking forward to seeing the first few flower buds of Spring and warmer weather ahead.

I’ve been grilling the Premier and his government over the last couple of weeks on his decision to politicize our judicial process. What was once a gold-standard of appointing judges to Ontario Courts, is now at risk of turning into Trump-style patonage appointments. We are also seeing our universities and colleges at the brink and I’ve been demanding that the Premier and his government make the critical investments needed and to invest in mental health supports so that people can access care when they need it. More on this below.

This week, we also celebrated the International Day of Pink or Pink Shirt Day. I was proud to join my colleagues in supporting this wonderful initiative to stand against bullying and promote kindness.

[photo of caucus]

Check out the many community events and intiiatives happening across Davenport, including fun March Break activities for children and their families.

Have a great weekend,

Marit Stiles
MPP for Davenport

Join me tomorrow at the International Women's Day Rally!

Pink Shirt Day

On Wednesday February 28, we recognized Pink Shirt Day (also known as the International Day of Pink). Pink Shirt Day is an anti-bullying initiative that originated in Nova Scotia in 2007. The movement was inspired by an incident where two high school students, David Shepherd and Travis Price, organized a protest in support of a fellow student who had been bullied for wearing a pink shirt to school. In response, Shepherd and Price distributed pink shirts to their classmates to wear the next day as a show of solidarity against bullying.

Since then, Pink Shirt Day has grown into a national campaign. People across the country wear pink shirts to symbolize their stand against bullying, promote kindness, and raise awareness about the impact of bullying on individuals. It encourages individuals and organizations to prevent bullying and promotes a culture of inclusivity, respect, and kindness in schools, workplaces, and communities. I am proud to wear my pink shirt with students, families, and people across the province and stand against bullying.

Learn more at www.pinkshirtday.ca.

Students and Families Pay for Ford’s Crisis in Universities and Colleges

The Premier and his Minister of Colleges and Universities, MPP Jill Dunlop, have allowed bad actors to exploit students and families and have continued to cut funding in our post-secondary institutions, continuing a long history of under investment by Conservative and Liberal governments.

The Minister of Universities and Colleges announced that the government will be providing over $1 billion dollars to aid colleges and universities who are at the financial brink, but this aid is far from the amount that the provincial government’s own committee recommended, of $2.3 billion dollars, and this is before the federal government announced their cap on international students. Critic for Colleges and Universities, MPP Peggy Sattler commented, “Ford has been fully aware of how decades of chronic underfunding by Liberal and Conservative governments, and five years of Ford cuts, have pushed our postsecondary institutions to the brink. Now Ford’s rumoured investment is half what his own panel of experts have recommended

We need a government that will invest in our students and in our post-secondary institutions and address the financial barriers in accessing education. I will continue to raise this issue and demand more for students and families. Listen to my question to the Premier here.

Premier doubles down on patronage appointments to judicial appointments committee

The Premier is not backing down from his decision to appoint “...like-minded people” on the committee that recommends which lawyers should become Ontario judges.

Lawyers, legal experts and associations have expressed their deep concerns that this latest move by the Premier will threaten the independent process of appointing judges to Ontario courts, a process that has been praised as the gold-standard around the world.

My colleague, MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam and Critic for the Attorney General’s Office commented, “Under this government, we have seen our court system spiral into chaos. We have seen serious cases get thrown out because of double-bookings and lack of resources, survivors forced to re-live their trauma because of repeated delays. Instead of fixing the mess in our courts, the Attorney General is focused on using their majority to award partisan patronage appointments and erode people’s faith in our justice system."

The judicial system should be independent from government and any political party. Premier Ford and his government refuse to play by the rules, putting himself and his insider buddies first, and not prioritizing the many Ontarians who are waiting for access to justice. I will continue to push this government to prioritize you and the people of Ontario. Listen to my question to the Premier here.

Minister of Health hosts fundraiser instead of funding Mental Health Supports

Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, MPP Michael Tibollo hosted a meet and greet called, “Mental Health Mixer’, where tickets were $1000 each to attend.

When people are waiting over a year to access treatment for addictions, recovery, and mental health, when the overdose crisis is taking loved ones from families, this government is shameless promoting a cash-for-access culture that benefits only a wealthy few.

Children and families are waiting too long for access to supports and have to make the difficult decisions of paying out of pocket to access private support or driving hours away to access support elsewhere. This government has shown that the health and mental health of people across this province is not their priority.

We need real investments into mental health and addictions support. We need more trained health care and social workers to get into under-service communities. We need solutions now, not a government who prioritizes cash-for-access culture. Listen to my question to the Premier here.

Updates from TDSB Trustee Alexis Dawson

Digital Media Literacy Skills in the Age of AI

Thursday, March 7, 2024, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. via Zoom

Join Trustee Debbie King, Trustee Alexis Dawson, and Trustee Deborah Williams for a special virtual joint ward forum.

It can be challenging to sort fact from fiction online, and an increase in hate speech, alongside ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence tools, have made it even harder.

This virtual workshop, led by CIVIX and TDSB staff, is designed to help parents and caregivers learn simple skills for spotting misinformation in the context of social media platforms and AI.

All parents/ guardians/ caregivers, students, staff, and members of school communities in Parkdale-High Park, Davenport, Spadina - Fort York, University - Rosedale and Toronto Centre are welcome to attend. We look forward to seeing you there!

REGISTER HERE to confirm your interest in participating via Zoom.

Canadian Dental Care Plan for Seniors

The next phase of coverage under the Federal Dental Care Plan will soon be available to eligible seniors. Find out when you can apply.

To find out if you are eligible, visit: Canada Dental Care Plan Eligibility.

For more information, visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/dental/dental-care-plan.html.

Children 12 and under are already eligible. Find out more here: Canada Dental Care Plan – Children and Families.

Financial Empowerment and Problem Solving Program to End March 31

The Financial Empowerment and Problem Solving (FEPS) program was created to help low-income people file taxes and access existing benefits.

In 2023, West Neighbourhood House on Ossington Avenue and Dundas Street, was able to provide 2,113 low-income people with tax-filing support and financial problem-solving that resulted in $5,076,514 coming to those individuals and their families from various benefits they otherwise would not have received.

The government has announced that funding for this program will be end March 31, leaving thousands of people to find support else where. I will be writing to the Minister of Children, Community, and Social Services to ask that funding for this program continues so that low-income residents in Davenport can continue to access this essential program.

Register your rent and contribute to creating a more transparent rental market

The Ontario Rental Registry is an online database where tenants can anonymously register their rents. The purpose of the registry is to track rising rents across the province. This will lead to better, publicly-available housing data that can help protect and create more affordable housing. You can access the registry by going to rentalregistry.ca.

The rental registry is easy, quick and secure as it was designed to be compliant with SOC2 cybersecurity standards.

The Ontario Rental Registry has over 8,000 rents already registered. To register click here. And check out this map to see how thousands of people across the province have already contributed to creating more transparency across the sector.

To learn more, check out this article in The Toronto Star - Want to know what your neighbours pay in rent? A new Ontario rental registry will tell you.

Metrolinx Updates

Ontario's One Fare Program Active Across the GTHA

Many residents in Davenport have been calling on Metrolinx to implement fare intregration for years and now the Ontario's One Fare Program will allow transit riders to only pay once when connecting to and from the TTC and GO Transit, Brampton Transit, Durham Region Transit, MiWay and York Region Transit.

How Ontario's One Fare Program works:

PRESTO automatically calculates a 100 per cent discount and applies it to a PRESTO card, credit or debit card or PRESTO in Google Wallet. Transit riders must tap on and off with the same card.
Transfers are valid for two hours for trips started on local transit and within three hours of the start of a GO Transit trip.
The payment method used to tap and pay a fare is a customer’s proof of payment. Riders approached for fare inspection will need to tap the card, phone or watch used on the inspection device.
For trips connecting between TTC and GO Transit, the TTC component of the trip will become free, regardless of travel direction (cost of TTC trip is discounted from overall trip cost).
For trips connecting between TTC and local transit systems, the second portion of the trip will become free (first payment will enable a two-hour free transfer across all systems).

For more information or questions you can contact my office at [email protected] or call my office at 46-535-3158

Construction Updates

Around the Community

Toronto Cares is looking to acquire a moving van to help transport food and goods for their weekly food bank/market.

Toronto Cares food bank/market to reopen next at a new location near Dufferin Street and Eglinton Avenue.

Join Lambretta Pizzeria for a kids pizza making party during the March Break.

Celebrate 10 years since The Theatre Centre moved into our forever home at 1115 Queen Street West! The Theatre Centre is launching the 10 for 10 programming (ten unique offerings over ten months) with a huge, building-wide party & fundraiser! On March 21, 2024 — for one night only — the Theatre Centre is opening up the entire building and activating it with music, games, M.A.C. glam station, photo spots, pop-up performances, and more. Get your tickets here before they sell out!

Calling community members in the Regal Road neighbourhood! Help is needed to make the annual Regal Road Spring Fair a success.

Book Club Series for Parents and Caregivers in the Regal Road neighbourhood.

Exhibition Place is inviting the local community for a leisure skate at the Coca-Cola Coliseum from March 8 to 10. For more details, visit explace.on.ca/community-event.

Come and sing a three-part arrangement of Livin' On A Prayer by Bon Jovi. All music lovers are invited to sing with us!

All are welcome to our monthly tour of the church at 11:45 on Sunday. Simply meet at the front of the church and our tour guide will share with you all the wonderful details about St Anne’s.

Latest posts

MPP Community Newsletter February 20, 2026

Dear Neighbours,

In addition to cheering on Team Canada at the Winter Olympics, I’m preparing to return to Queen’s Park. (In fact, we were supposed to return to the Ontario Legislature last week, but the Ford government extended the Winter Break by an additional month.)

As your MPP for Davenport and Leader of the Official Opposition, I have been listening closely to what matters most to people in our community. I will bring your issues and voices with me when the Legislature reconvenes in March.

My Constituency Office has received many calls and emails about the Ford government’s recent cuts to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). At a time when tuition and the overall cost of living continue to rise, students cannot afford reductions to their financial support. These OSAP cuts could not come at a worse time, and students in Davenport and across Ontario deserve better. You can read more in this newsletter about the saveOSAP.ca campaign that we launched recently.

Whether you are concerned about the OSAP cuts, or another issue affecting you and your family, I encourage you to reach out in the coming weeks. Your stories, emails and conversations inform the work I bring to Queen’s Park. Thank you to the community members who have participated in town halls and shared their ideas - your engagement strengthens our democracy and helps to shape the future of the neighbourhood and province.

As we head into the final weekend of the Winter Olympics, I know many residents in Davenport will be cheering on Team Canada!

Have a great weekend.

Sincerely,

Marit Stiles
MPP for Davenport

Updates from the Legislature

Let's Save OSAP - Take Action

Over the past week, my Davenport constituency office has heard from many people who disagree with the recent cuts to OSAP announced by the Ford government. Young people across Ontario will be forced into debt as a result of these cuts, when education should set them up for success. This creates a vicious cycle that prevents people from getting ahead.

Take Action!

The Ontario NDP has launched a Save OSAP campaign, and we are working hard to demand a reversal of these cuts to save OSAP. You can sign a petition and send emails to demand that OSAP is saved.

We want to hear from students, parents and other key stakeholders. Let’s make our voices heard and save OSAP.

Check out our new website saveosap.ca

Click here to sign the OSAP petition

Share your Voice - Preparing to Return to Queen’s Park

The Legislature resumes on March 23, and I remain committed to raising the issues that matter the most to the people of Davenport. Whether it is the rising price of groceries and essentials, finding an affordable home, being able to afford post-secondary education, finding affordable childcare spaces, accessing seniors’ services, or getting timely access to healthcare, I know that people are dealing with a lot.

I’m focused on making life better for people, and I am ready to return to Queen’s Park to continue fighting for what’s important to Davenport residents.

What issues are top of mind for you or your family? I want to hear what matters the most to you.

Please complete this survey to let me know the top issues that you would like me to bring forward when the Legislature resumes.

What matters to you matters to me.

Click here to complete my survey.

Lunar New Year Reception at Queen’s Park

As Leader of Ontario’s Official Opposition, I will be hosting a Lunar New Year Reception at Queen’s Park on Monday, February 23, 2026.

Members of the community are invited to attend this event!

Iftar at Queen’s Park – RSVP to attend

As Leader of Ontario’s Official Opposition, I will be hosting an Iftar at Queen’s Park on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

As the sun sets, we will come together to break fast and share in a serene evening in the spirit of Ramadan. Members of the community are invited to attend this event.

Click here to RSVP

Other News

Support Small Businesses - Request a Free Shop Local Sign

Small businesses are at the heart of vibrant mainstreets and support the growth of local economies. In Davenport, we have hundreds of small businesses that showcase Ontario made goods as well as international and diverse products from around the world.

To encourage residents to shop locally, we have printed new Shop Local: Stronger Together signs for businesses to display in their storefront.

Do you have a business in Davenport? Request your FREE sign here.

Federation of Portuguese Canadian Business and Professionals Scholarship Awards

The Federation of Portuguese Canadian Business and Professionals (FPCBP) has announced that its 2026 scholarship applications are now open. Eligible Luso-Canadian youth can apply for scholarships ranging from $2,000.00 to $10,000. Applications are open until March 18, 2026. Click here for more information and full eligibility criteria.

Metrolinx Construction Notices

Bloor-Landsdowne Go

Davenport Diamond Greenway

Caledonia GO

Barrie GO Line shoring works Monday, January 5 2026 – March 2026

Bloor GO/UP

Bloor GO/UP Station Overnight Excavation work – July-Mar 2026

Barrie GO Expansion

Kitchener 4^th Track Expansion

Kitchener Line GO Expansion.Corridor Work

Around the Community

Coldest Night of the Year – Support Oasis Dufferin Community Centre

Oasis Dufferin Community Centre is taking part in the Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) on Saturday, February 28, 2026. This walk raises funds and awareness for charities supporting neighbours who are hungry, hurting and homeless. Here in Davenport, Oasis provides year-round support through its food bank, seniors’ programs, learning hub, and Spanish-speaking women’s counselling.

Click here to support this event.

Build Green Symposium

Join industry leaders, community partners, and changemakers for a full day of learning, dialogue, and connection at the 2026 Build Green Symposium hosted by Toronto Community Benefits Network at Humber Polytechnic.

Click here for more information and to register.

Husmates Co-Ownership Conference

Housing prices in Toronto have reached a breaking point. Co-ownership is helping people secure stable, beautiful homes through collaboration and shared resources. This event is an opportunity to explore the idea, meet others who are thinking about it too, and learn what it really takes to make co-ownership work.

Saturday, March 14, 2026
The Parkdale Hall, 1605 Queen St W

Click here for more information and to register for this event.

Toronto Home Energy Network Webinar

TDSB SEAC Listening to Parents’ Voice Meeting

Councillor Bravo's End of Season Skating Party

Days of Significance

Ramadan Mubarak Message

May this holy month bring peace, compassion, and strength to all those observing.

Lunar New Year Message

As communities come together to share meals and cultural traditions, may the year ahead bring happiness and prosperity to all.

February 22 - Chosen Family Day

February 25 - Pink Shirt Day

March is Bangladeshi Heritage Month

March is Irish Heritage Month

March is Mois de la Francophonie

March 2 - Purim

March 2 - Black Mental Health Day

March 4 - Holi

MPP Community Newsletter February 6, 2026

Dear Neighbours,

February may be the shortest month of the year, but it offers meaningful opportunities for connection and reflection here in Davenport.

As we observe Black History Month, we take time to honour Black Ontarians whose leadership, creativity and resilience have helped shape our community. It is a time to recommit ourselves to the continuing work to build a more just and inclusive province for everyone.

This February also includes several important cultural and spiritual observances, including Lunar New Year, the beginning of Ramadan, Losar, and Family Day. Each of these occasions offers an opportunity to come together, reflect, and look ahead with intention. They remind us of the richness and diversity that makes Davenport such a vibrant place to call home. I hope many of you are able to spend time connecting with the family, friends, neighbours, and communities that matter most to you, and that these moments offer space for rest, reflection, and a sense of belonging as we move through the winter season together.

It is an honour to represent such a thoughtful, engaged, and welcoming community, and I look forward to continuing our work together. This newsletter contains updates on many exciting initiatives across Davenport, Toronto and Ontario.

And – as a small reminder that spring is on its way - the days are getting longer, and, earlier this week, Wiarton Willie predicted only six more weeks of winter….

Go Team Canada!

Sincerely,

Marit Stiles
MPP for Davenport

Updates from the Legislature

FAO Report – Sounding the Alarm on Funding Cuts

The Ontario NDP sounded the alarm following the most recent Financial Accountability Office (FAO) Capital Spending Plan Report. The FAO found that the Ford government is continuing to make cuts to key services, including affordable housing, hospitals and school repairs. Here is a summary of some of the concerning findings in the report:

Further cuts to affordable housing funding, despite 85,000 people homeless and rising unemployment
A plan to eliminate 10,000 health care workers, despite long wait times at hospitals and the need for jobs
More cuts to public education, leaving overcrowded classrooms and poorly maintained school buildings in our children’s future

I will continue to push the Ford government to create plans that protect jobs, and provide a good quality of life for the people of Ontario.

Click here to access the full FAO Report

Stop the Education Takeovers – Emergency Townhall

There have been more concerning public education developments as schools and classrooms here in Davenport and across Ontario remain underfunded.

First, the provincially appointed TDSB Supervisor has reversed a decision to cap class sizes for Grades 4 to 8. And, the Ford government has taken over Peel District School Board and put them under the same ministerial supervision as the TDSB and TCDSB.

Placing school boards under supervision does not improve student outcomes, it only serves to block parents from being a part of important decisions about the future of education that are being made. We need to focus on properly funding our schools.

NDP MPP Chandra Pasma (Ottawa West-Nepean), Shadow Minister for Education, has organized an Emergency Education Town Hall to summarize what has happened, why it matters and what we can do next.

Intimate Partner Violence Virtual Town Hall

The rates of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in Ontario are on the rise. Members of the Davenport community are welcome to attend a Virtual Town Hall about IPV to discuss actions that need to be taken in Ontario. Join MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam (Toronto Centre), Shadow Attorney General, with responsibility for 2SLGBTQI+ Issues, and MPP Alexa Gilmour (Parkdale-High Park), Shadow Minister for Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity, along with a panel of experts for this important conversation.

My Statement Regarding MPP Doly Begum

I released the following statement on MPP Doly Begum's resignation:

"… I received Doly Begum’s notice of resignation as MPP for Scarborough Southwest. I want to thank Doly for her service and wish her well. "Our party has been proud to represent the good people of Scarborough Southwest for the past eight years and look forward to continuing that representation. "I want to especially thank her constituency staff who, as New Democrats, continue their excellent work serving constituents."

Setting Priorities for the Next Legislative Session

I met with the Ontario NDP Caucus to start to prepare for the next Legislative Session, which begins March 23, 2026. Since the house rose in December, we have been out there, listening to communities about where people are at, and what matters to them right now. We are bringing these ideas together, and are working through real solutions and plans that address the challenges that people are facing right here in Davenport and across Ontario. Click here to watch the full press conference.

Other News

Call for End to Ontario Contracts Serving ICE

I recently made an announcement that called for an end to Ontario's manufacturing contract with ICE — to ensure that both Ontario and Canada have no part in the atrocities being committed in the United States.

In Ontario, I believe that we need to find stable opportunities for Ontario manufacturers to strengthen Canada, not increase our reliance on the United States.

Federation of Portuguese Canadian Business and Professionals Scholarship Awards

Metrolinx Updates

TTC Line 5 Eglinton Crosstown LRT is now Open

I’m sure many of you heard the news that the TTC Line 5/Eglinton Crosstown LRT begins a phased opening this Sunday, February 8^th. I know that there are many households and businesses in Davenport who have experienced years of hardship as a result of this delayed project, and we will continue to demand a public inquiry into Metrolinx.

I hope that we see a smooth opening of Line 5. With 2 stops serving Davenport (Fairbank and Caledonia) let’s hope that residents and businesses alike finally start experiencing the benefits of this new transit line.

Click here to read the full details of the Line 5/Eglinton Crosstown phased opening.

Metrolinx Construction Notices

Bloor-Landsdowne Go

Bloor-Lansdowne GO: Service Building Construction - Oct 17–Mar 2026

Davenport Diamond Greenway

Davenport Diamond Greenway: Pedestrian Bridge Construction - Oct. 20 - Oct. 2026
Davenport Diamond Greenway: Start of Dupont Street Sidewalk Ramp Construction - Nov. 17 - Dec. 2026

Bloor GO/UP

Bloor GO/UP Station Overnight Excavation work – July-Mar 2026

Barrie GO Expansion

Go Expansion Paton Road Underpass Temporary Opening.
Barrie Rail Corridor Improvements: Upcoming drilling and concrete works - Oct. 20 – Mar. 2026

Kitchener 4th Track Expansion

Kitchener Line GO Expansion West Toronto Railpath Realignment

Around the Community

You’re Invited – Lunar New Year’s Reception at Queen’s Park

Members of the community are invited to RSVP and attend the Lunar New Year’s Reception at Queen’s Park.

Click here to RSVP to the Lunar New Year Reception

Celebrating Thai Pongal at Tamil Co-op

At the end of January, I had the pleasure of gathering with members of Davenport’s Tamil Co-op to celebrate Thai Pongal. May this harvest festival bring abundance and prosperity to all the residents and their families. Warmest wishes for a bright, healthy, and prosperous New Year!

2026 Seniors Calendar now available

Back by popular demand, my 2026 Seniors Calendar is available. Please contact my community office if you would like a copy. My community office team can be reached at:

Phone: 416-535-3158
Email: [email protected]

Please note that unfortunately we are unable to accommodate large-volume requests at this time.

Free Family Day fun at Queen’s Park Winter Festival

Looking for something fun and free to do on the Family Day weekend? The Legislative Assembly of Ontario is holding a two-day celebration, designed for families of all ages.

Event Dates: Saturday, February 14 and Monday, February 16.
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Ontario Legislative Building, Queen’s Park, Toronto (just north of TTC Queen’s Park subway station)

Click here for more information.

City of Toronto outside Mural and Street Art Program – FIFA

The City of Toronto has opened applications for its outside mural and street art program, and this year there is a bit of a FIFA World Cup theme. Business associations and community groups can receive one-time funding for outside mural projects that help promote a local theme and facilitate neighbourhood identity. In order to celebrate the FIFA World Cup 26, special consideration will be given to mural proposals that highlight the spirit of the tournament and “The World in a City” theme.

Click here for more information.

Fund our City Toronto Budget Rally

On February 10, Toronto City Council will be voting on the 2026 City Budget. Social Planning Toronto and partners are organizing a community rally outside City Hall to let Council know this is no time for cuts.

Statistics Canada Now Hiring for the 2026 Census

Statistics Canada is now hiring for the 2026 Census. Click here for more information and to apply.

Stay Warm Davenport - Warming Centres Information

City of Toronto Warming Centres are part of the City’s Winter Services Plan for people experiencing homelessness.

Click here to check the status of Warming Centres and for more information.

Regal Heights Residents Association Valentine’s Neighbourhood Pub Night

Days of Significance

February is Black History Month

February 4 - Imamat Day

February 16 - Family Day

February 16 - Louis Riel Day

February 17 - Lunar New Year

February 17 - Ramadan set to begin

February 18 - Losar

MPP Community Newsletter January 23, 2026

Dear Neighbours,

Happy New Year, Davenport!

The start of a new year brings many opportunities, and my team and I are working hard to support our community with the issues that matter the most.

As you may have heard, the upcoming legislative session has been delayed by an additional six weeks and is now set to resume on March 23. Even though we are not sitting at Queen’s Park for the next two months, my team and I are still working, and continuing to advocate for our community.

This newsletter contains information on the upcoming provincial pre-budget consultations, the new Blue Box recycling program brought in by the Ford government, as well as the new Student and Family Support Offices at the TDSB and TCDSB. I will remain busy speaking out on issues that are important to the residents of Davenport.

It was great to see many of you at my annual New Year’s Levee event! We announced the 2026 Davenport Good Neighbour Award recipients. Please see a full list of the recipients, and some photos from the event, in my community updates below.

Wishing you a good start to 2026.

Sincerely,

Marit Stiles
MPP for Davenport

Updates from the Legislature

Provincial Pre-Budget Consultations – We Want to Hear from You!

The provincial government is accepting written submissions and requests to participate in its 2026 Pre-Budget Consultations until January 29.

We want to hear from you! Whether you are a small business, arts or community group, service agency, or nonprofit, your voice matters in shaping how the provincial government uses its budget to make life more affordable in Davenport and across the province. As your MPP, I’m committed to advocating for the people of Davenport and making the budget work for you.

Have your say and choose how you would like to participate:

Online - Click here to complete the online survey.
Written Submission - Send in a written submission by January 29.
Click here for a Step-by-Step Guide to making a Written Submission

For more information about the provincial budget, visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/budget-consultations.

Also, please feel free to submit your thoughts or any written materials to our office so that we can better understand what issues are facing your organization and how, as your MPP, I can bring your voice to Queen's Park.

Blue Box recycling program changes – Issues and Information

The Ford government made regulatory changes to the Blue Box recycling program (previously operated by the City of Toronto) that took effect across Ontario on January 1, 2026. Our office has heard from many people in the Davenport riding with questions and complaints about the new program.

I share your concerns about the massive inconvenience, unreliable service, and possible negative environmental consequences that come with this change. The Ford government made these changes behind closed doors and without any debate.

I know that people across Davenport are committed to recycling because it reduces landfill waste and supports local environmental responsibility.

There is no excuse for unreliable service. The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks must ensure that Blue Box services continue for anyone who received it prior to this year, that it remains as reliable as it was under The City of Toronto, and that the producer responsibility system results in less waste and lower costs to municipalities rather than poorer recycling services.

At this time, the best source of information we have about the changes can be found here. If you need to make a complaint to Circular Materials because your blue box has not been picked up, please call 1-888-921-2686 or email at [email protected].

TDSB/TCDSB - New Student and Family Support Offices Open

The Ford government opened new Student and Family Support Offices for the Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board. Unfortunately, these changes simply add layers of bureaucracy without accountability. What families really need is the return of elected trustees to navigate the system and advocate for them.

Links to Contact Student and Family Support Offices:

Click here to read the statement released by NDP Shadow Minister for Education, MPP Pasma (Ottawa West-Nepean).

The following CityTV news report summarizes the issue. Click here to watch the video.

Standing with the Simao Family and Calling for More Special Education Resources in Classrooms

I recently joined MPP Gilmour (Parkdale-High Park), MPP Lennox (Hamilton Centre), and the Ontario Autism Coalition, to stand with Chris and Emily Simao, whose autistic seven-year-old son, Max, was tragically struck and killed by a bus in December. Max was on a modified half-day school schedule due to staffing shortages stemming from a lack of provincial funding.

Chris and Emily have been living through every parent’s worst nightmare. Max should have been at school, one of his favourite things to do. Instead, he was sent home early, because his school didn’t have enough resources to support him.

I am calling on the Premier and his Minister of Education to finally provide proper funding for special education.

Watch the full video here.

Integrity Commissioner’s Investigation of Skills Development Fund Continues

Even though the Legislature is not sitting right now, the Integrity Commissioner's investigation into Minister of Labour David Piccini's role continues. The investigation was launched following my letter to the Integrity Commissioner.

I will continue to demand the Ford government fire the Minister of Labour over the mismanagement of the $2.5 billion Skills Development Fund. If you are still trying to understand the Skills Development Fund issue, you can watch this video for a detailed explanation. I will continue to push on this issue until the truth comes out.

Other News

City of Toronto Warming Centres

With extreme cold winter temperatures right now, I wanted to share information on how to find the City of Toronto’s Warming Centres. These Warming Centres are part of the City’s Winter Services Plan for people experiencing homelessness.

Click here to check the status of Warming Centres and for more information.

Metrolinx Updates

Antler-Lappin Connection

Davenport Councillor Allejandro Bravo has announced that The City of Toronto will step in to fund the Antler-Lappin connection that was originally part of the Metrolinx Davenport Diamond Greenway project, but was never completed. This will connect local residents to parks, schools, businesses and to each other. Thank you to Councillor Bravo and the City of Toronto for picking up where Metrolinx and the provincial government abandoned this community.

Watch the video on this story here.

Construction Notices

Bloor-Landsdowne Go

Bloor-Lansdowne GO: Service Building Construction - Oct 17–Mar 2026

Davenport Diamond Greenway

Davenport Diamond Greenway: Pedestrian Bridge Construction - Oct. 20 - Oct. 2026
Davenport Diamond Greenway: Start of Dupont Street Sidewalk Ramp Construction - Nov. 17 - Dec. 2026

Bloor GO/UP Station Overnight Excavation work – July-Mar 2026

Barrie GO Expansion

Go Expansion Paton Road Underpass Temporary Opening.
Barrie Rail Corridor Improvements: Upcoming drilling and concrete works - Oct. 20 – Mar. 2026

Kitchener 4th Track Expansion

Kitchener Line GO Expansion West Toronto Railpath Realignment

Around the Community

Davenport Good Neighbour Awards announced at my New Year’s Levee

On January 15, my team and I hosted my annual New Year’s Levee and announced the 2026 recipients of the Davenport Good Neighbour Awards. It was wonderful to welcome the new year with so many members of Davenport that make this community special and strong.

Here is a full list of the 2026 Davenport Good Neighbour Award Recipients.

Liz Allaby - Volunteer, Working Women Community Centre
Rodrigo Ardiles - Founder, Dundas West Open Air Museum
Maria Carrusca - Volunteer, Horizons for Youth Shelter
Helder Costa – Co-owner, Caldense Bakery
Katharine Harris - Chair, General Mercer Junior Public School Parent Council
John Santos – Founder, The Long and McQuade Musical Instruments Singing Contest
Hasseena Shah - Volunteer, Oasis Dufferin Community Centre
Asli & Selcuk Suna – Co-founders, Concerts on Connolly
Joelle Young - Volunteer, Pia Bouman School for Ballet and Creative Movement

Congratulations to these amazing award recipients. Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination, we had many wonderful nominations this year.

We also presented a Special Recognition Award to Casa Da Madeira to acknowledge the challenges the Casa has faced in the past year, since the act of arson in 2025.

The 2026 Davenport Good Neighbour Award Recipients, and my Community Office staff.

Members of the community braved the wintry weather to attend my New Year's Levee at Casa Do Alentejo, where the Davenport Good Neighbour Awards were announced.

A Special Recognition Award was presented to Casa Da Madeira.

Townhall – Society of Hospitality Workers

The Society of Hospitality Workers is a democratic organization who are collectively working towards better wages, benefits, safer workplaces, and better treatment across the sector. On February 2^nd, they will be holding a town hall to discuss issues endemic to the hospitality industry.

Davenport Community Leader featured in Toronto Star Article

Davenport resident and community leader Erella Ganon was recently featured in a Toronto Star series Toronto The Better. Erella is "helping shape the city's future through housing and arts advocacy”. Click here to read the full article.