FEATURED PANELISTS

Paula Fletcher- City Councillor - Ward 14

Peter Tabuns - MPP Toronto-Danforth

In our commitment to stand up for the rights and freedoms of all Ontarians, the Etobicoke–Lakeshore Ontario NDP is appalled by the Speaker of the Ontario Legislative Assembly of Ontario’s decision to ban the keffiyeh. The Speaker has deemed keffiyehs as “political symbols”, thereby banning them from being worn in the Ontario Legislature. We firmly oppose this view, recognizing the keffiyeh primarily as a significant cultural symbol with roots tracing back to the 7th century, important to Arab and Palestinian communities.

This past Thursday marked the third occasion on which the Ontario NDP has attempted to overturn this unjust ban. It is a matter of great shame that such a rule has forced not only political and public service staff but also interns, stakeholders, and visitors to relinquish a crucial part of their cultural identity before entering the democratic space that belongs to all Ontarians.

Our fight extends beyond just supporting our Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim residents; it is a fight for the rights of every individual to express their cultural heritage freely. This ban not only threatens this fundamental freedom but also sets a concerning precedent. MPP Joel Harden illustrated this point effectively by wearing his family’s tartan in the chamber—a fabric that the British once banned due to its association with Scottish culture.

Our leader, Marit Stiles, has articulated in her recent letter that the presence of cultural and national attire in our Assembly should be a source of pride, highlighting the rich mosaic that defines our province. Palestinians, along with many in the Arab and Muslim community, consider the keffiyeh not just a symbol but a part of their identity, which merits recognition and respect.

The Ontairo NDP has now proposed multiple unanimous consent motions in the Assembly to affirm the cultural significance of the keffiyeh, although Conservative MPPs defeated every attempt. The incident where independent MPP Sara Jama was compelled to leave the chamber for wearing a keffiyeh underscores the urgency of reversing this ban.

We will persist in pressuring the Ford government to lift this prohibition. They hold the majority and the power to amend the Standing Orders that govern our legislative procedures. It is time for them to demonstrate genuine commitment to cultural freedom. We urge you to join us by signing our petition to support the reversal of the keffiyeh ban, standing together for the rights and dignity of every Ontarian.

Button: Add your Name: Sign the petition

Marit Stiles Crushes Quarter Fundraising Record

The Ontario NDP has set a remarkable record, raising an unprecedented $724,428 in the first quarter of 2024 from 8,852 donors—our highest yet under Marit Stiles' leadership. This milestone, amounting to $5 million since her tenure began, not only surpasses previous records but also demonstrates the widespread enthusiasm for our commitment to accessible health care and affordable housing. This overwhelming support fuels our momentum as we aim to bring change in 2026 and replace Ford’s PCs. Join us in this crucial movement.

NDP calls on Liberals to impose a two-way arms embargo on Netanyahu’s Israel

In a powerful push for transparency and peace, NDP Foreign Affairs Critic Heather McPherson (Edmonton-Strathcona) has escalated her efforts to influence Canada's Middle East policy. She presented a significant petition to Parliament, signed by over 82,000 Canadians, advocating for a two-way arms embargo between Canada and Israel and an investigation into the use of Canadian arms in the occupied Palestinian territories and Gaza. This call to action is among the largest in Canada’s parliamentary e-petition history.

On behalf of the NDP, McPherson emphasized the urgent need for Canada to halt any trade of arms that could exacerbate the conflict, advocating for a clear stance from Canada to support a ceasefire and protect innocent lives. The NDP criticizes the Liberals' lack of transparency regarding arms export documents, stressing the importance of public knowledge and governmental accountability.

Furthermore, McPherson has pushed for broader measures to address the crisis, including sanctions and designating certain groups as terrorist organizations, underscoring the NDP's commitment to fostering a just and lasting peace in the region.**

NDP Achieves Cost-Reductions for Canadians; Liberal Budget Fails to Address Corporate Greed**

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has critiqued the latest federal budget, recognizing the NDP's role in implementing significant measures that reduce costs for Canadians but expressing disappointment over the Liberal government's failure to confront corporate practices that inflate costs. Despite the NDP's influence in securing free birth control and diabetes medication, meals for schoolchildren, renter protections, and significant investments in mental health and Indigenous initiatives, Singh emphasized that the budget falls short on tackling corporate greed, including reversing substantial corporate giveaways and introducing an excess profits tax.

The budget also lacks adequate support for the Canadian disability benefit and cuts public sector jobs, potentially affecting service delivery. Singh highlighted the ongoing struggles for affordability under the Liberals, contrasting this with the potential of an NDP government focused on serving families rather than corporate interests.

Ontario Place For All Audit Blasts Ford

This month, Ontario Place For All highlighted a significant concern through a comprehensive audit, revealing that the Therme mega-spa project is economically unsustainable without extensive government subsidies amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars. It's alarming that the Ford government shows willingness to support such private ventures, yet hesitates to equally subsidize deeply affordable housing. The audit questions not only the feasibility of the project but also Therme's capability to finance it and fulfill its commitments throughout the 95-year lease.

In addition, Ontario Place For All has achieved a minor legal victory in their ongoing battle against Doug Ford’s policies. Given these developments, it’s increasingly clear that the Therme mega-spa project at Ontario Place must be scrapped.

Add your name: Save Ontario Place Click here to sign

Community Updates and Events

Free events at the Lakeshore Interpretive center found at 2 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Dr

Grace: One Story of Thousands

September 2023 - July 2024

Grace: One Story of Thousands follows the life and experiences of Grace, one of the 1,511 people buried in the Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital Cemetery at the corner of Horner and Evans Avenues in south Etobicoke. Through personal letters and surviving hospital records gathered by Grace’s great-niece, you are invited to pause and reflect on a life lived – not defined – by the institutional system in Ontario. With a shift toward historical accuracy, personhood, and agency, the Interpretive Centre invites you to experience history through a new perspective

Queer Joy

January 8 - April 26 2024  

Through a collaboration with the LGBTQ+ Resource Centre and the 2SLGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group (ERG) at Humber, we honour the identities and self-expression of two-spirited, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex members of our community, students, staff, and faculty.  

Celebrating the theme of "Queer Joy", join us for a juried art exhibition in January-April 2024 in our newly launched Second Floor Gallery!

Witnesses of the Past

January 8 - April 26 2024

Explore the historical traces of the Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital and its associated cemetery, now everyday spaces in Etobicoke Lakeshore.

Through renovations and retrofitting, the physical site is one of the most enduring markers of memory to those who lived and laboured on this site and spent months, years or decades in this institution. Featuring the artwork of photographers Sherry Prenevost, Emily Briden, and Amber Briden whom we thank for their work and for capturing the rich details of these historic spaces.

All these events are free, and a great way to learn about the History, and Nature of our home.

Patterns & Parallels: The Great Imperative to Survive

May 6, 2024 - July 26, 2024

On loan from the Roberta Bondar Foundation

Patterns & Parallels: The Great Imperative to Survive features photography from Dr. Roberta Bondar, the first female Canadian astronaut, to tell the story of the migratory patterns of three bird species: the Whooping Crane, Lesser Flamingo and Piping Plover.

The exhibition is a key part of the Roberta Bondar Foundation’s Space For Birds project, which uses photography to create a visual story that will help us understand the biodiversity of nature and the impact of human actions and climate change on bird migration and habitat loss.

Hosted in The Fashion Institute, the exhibition will be on display at

3166 Lake Shore Blvd W, Etobicoke, ON M8V 1L6.

Exhibition Visiting Hours

Tuesday - Friday 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

*Until July 13th, adjusted hours available July 15th-26th