 June 2024 Newsletter
ETOBICOKE-LAKESHORE PRIORITIES SURVEY RESULTS
Here's what EL NDP'ers answered as part of our 2024 Community Survey! This March we sent a survey with Etobicoke Lakeshore NDP (EL NDP) to supporters to get their thoughts and most critical concerns for Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada, the world. These were their most important local issues- 1. Increasing rental, co-op, and low-cost housing 2. Improving public transit 3. Increasing renewable energy use in apartments, houses, and businesses, adopting building codes for increased energy efficiency
They thought the most important provincial issues were: 1. Improving public health care by ending privatization of health care, increasing available nurses, family doctors and nurse practitioners and supporting more public long-term care homes and spaces, 2. Strengthening public education by working with education workers to help improve all levels of education, ensuring affordable childcare and publicly funded early childhood education and providing adequate funding for safe and well-maintained schools. 3. Improving public transit by increasing subsidies for municipal transit systems, increasing bus, streetcar and subway train frequency and building high-speed inter-urban rail service through Ontario.
We don't think any of these were surprises, but they tell us we need to work on these issues here this year. Their federal priorities were- 1. Fighting poverty and improving the tax system by closing tax loopholes and dealing with tax evaders & tax havens, creating and implementing a national strategy for income security & eliminating poverty and increasing corporate taxes. 2. Strengthening public health care through supporting more dental care and pharmacare, requiring provinces to ensure full staffing of public health facilities, upgrading to an equitable national health system tackling root causes of ill health. 3. Accelerating our transition to renewable energy by confirming the carbon tax and Canada’s commitment to the 2015 Paris Accords, providing incentives for solar panels, heat pumps & wind turbines, and closing gas plant electricity generating stations.
Our Etobicoke supporters thought Canada's foreign policy could be improved by 1. Protecting human rights especially for refugees, women, minorities, and genocide victims. 2. Helping developing countries with energy security and green technologies 3. Helping to end conflict minerals trade Some other suggestions were to increase military support to Ukraine and apply additional pressure on Israel's far-right government to end its genocide in occupied Palestinian territories.
Trends
Many of these issues have remained important to our constituents over recent years, but the priorities have shifted a bit: • with the biggest concern in 2024 around the economy, affordability and living conditions • environmental concerns less of an immediate issue in 2024, • healthcare still very important, but with different solutions suggested • education still critical, but with other strategies to strengthen education • proportional representation fading away as a priority
Thanks to all who responded to the survey!! It's great to have such a rich range of thoughts and opinions; it's going to help us plan for EL NDP in 2024-25 for • Election campaigns • Resolutions for federal and provincial policies • Educational sessions and • Advocacy
HAPPY PRIDE FROM ETOBICOKE-LAKESHORE NDPNDP Leader Jagmeet Singh made the following statement: “Today kicks off Pride celebrations across Canada, and I am proud to stand with and support members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community. I want to start by thanking all the advocates and organizers who choose love over hate and create Pride events in their communities. Pride month is an important time for people to know that they are accepted for who they are, and that they can rely on the support of their communities. There has been a disturbing rise in hate towards members of 2SLGBTQI+ community. Conservative politicians are attacking the rights of trans youth to access the gender affirming health care services that they need for their own selfish gain. This is unacceptable. We renew our pledge to fighting this hate wherever we see it, and to making sure that everyone can live their life openly and without fear. We continue to call on our government for sustained federal funding towards 2SLGBTQI+ organizations working to create safer and more open communities for Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQI+ identities, and to help reconcile Canada’s harmful history with Two Spirit Indigenous people. New Democrats are committed to fighting alongside the 2SLGBTQI+ community towards a future without transphobia, biphobia, and homophobia. Happy Pride!”
SCIENCE CENTRE’S SHOCKING CLOSE
Effective this month, the Ontario Science Centre is closed due to major alleged structural issues found in the roof, rendering it unsafe for operations in the coming months. The sudden closure is alarming, yet the deterioration of the Science Centre's condition is not unexpected. It has been known for years that the building, like any aging structure, requires significant repairs and maintenance to stay safe and functional. Successive Conservative and Liberal governments have neglected these necessary investments, despite the building's design to last between 100-250 years with proper maintenance. This neglect has allowed an iconic building, a cultural treasure, and a major tourist attraction to degrade, all purportedly to prioritize funds for what critics call Ford's mega-spa vanity project, which many consider shameful. Rather than addressing these critical maintenance needs, Ford and his Progressive Conservative government have instead devoted time and money to developing a business case aimed at relocating the Science Centre from Flemingdon Park. This neighborhood greatly benefits from the employment opportunities and visitor traffic the centre brings. The proposed move to Ontario Place would entail substantial costs and deprive children of years of educational enjoyment and learning during the construction period. Star columnist Edward Keenan penned a poignant article highlighting the educational impact of the Science Centre, noting how it has shown that learning can be delightful and effortless in a setting that inspires wonder. He emphasizes the vital lesson now being underscored by the Science Centre's plight, a basic tenet of childhood: to preserve what one loves, it must be diligently cared for.
FORD’S EARLY RECESSIn a surprise move, Doug Ford and his Conservative Caucus decided that June 6 would be the PC government's last day in the Legislature until October 21, starting the summer break a week early and extending it to five months. This decision makes more sense if they knew they were planning to close the Science Centre! This decision has frustrated many, as there was supposed to be one more week in the Legislature to debate, table bills and motions, and hold Ford accountable. Clearly, Ford is evading hard-hitting questions and is willing to do anything to escape them, including shamefully giving himself a five-month reprieve from public accountability. The Ontario NDP is proud to have debated and voted against the Conservative plan to evade tough questions from the opposition and the Queen’s Park press gallery. Ford is seemingly using this extended break to divert attention from scandals and to continue courting wealthy donors and insiders. Furthermore, Ford quietly shuffled his cabinet the same week, increasing it to 36 Ministers and Associate Ministers — the largest in Ontario’s history. Each new title comes with a significant salary increase, additional staff, and resources. This move comes as Ford continues to make cuts to healthcare, education, and housing, reallocating funds to support his friends and insiders, which many consider shameful. Moreover, Steve Clark, the disgraced former Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, known for overseeing the corrupt greenbelt grab, has returned as Government House Leader. This position puts him in charge of the day-to-day operations of the government in the legislature, leading on scheduling, fast-tracking bills, and often responding to the majority of opposition questions in question periods. This appointment is troubling yet unsurprising since the outgoing Government House Leader, Paul Calandra, is known for deflecting attention from government scandals. Notably, despite being under active investigation by the RCMP for corruption, Steve Clark has faced no significant consequences within the government. 
The cabinet shuffle also includes a notable switch between longtime Education Minister Steven Lecce and Todd Smith, the Minister of Energy and Electrification. Many are relieved to see Lecce moved from the education portfolio, where he failed to address the concerns of thousands of families with students in public schools and aggravated teachers' unions for years. However, there are concerns about Lecce leading the critical energy file and managing the province’s nuclear energy sector. Further details on the cabinet shake-up are available for those interested in reading more. VOLUNTEER WITH US AT PRIDE! |
Come and celebrate pride with us and connect with your community. The Ontario NDP is running a table all Pride weekend and walking in each major parade! You can sign up for a volunteer shift at the links below. You can choose to help with the NDP booth, walk in one of the parades that weekend or both! See you there! Friday, June 28th:
Saturday, June 29th: Sunday, June 30th:
NDP DENTAL CAREThe NDP’s dental care plan will be life changing for seniors Nearly 2 million seniors will benefit from the NDP’s dental care plan. Canadian seniors won’t have to avoid going to the dentist just because it is too expensive. While Pierre Poilievre is telling Canadians he will take away dental care, the NDP is delivering results to help Canadians afford to see the dentist. “No one should be living with dental pain or worrying about how they’ll pay for the care they need. That’s why the NDP delivered dental care to Canadians,” said NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. “But Pierre Poilievre has been clear—he wants to take it away from seniors and children. He doesn’t believe Canadians should have access to dental care even though he’s had coverage paid by the public for his entire career. He wants you to pay out of pocket but has no problem with handing out billions of public dollars to corporate CEOs. “New Democrats are fighting for you and your family, to lower your costs.” For more information click here
Volunteer with ELNDP- We are looking for new volunteers! Please sign up on our website linked here. This is a great opportunity for high school students to get their community service hours and to help bring the NDP voice to Etobicoke Lakeshore!
NDP Bill to Tackle Illegal Handguns |
Earlier this June, Ontario NDP MPP Peter Tabuns reintroduced, the Stopping Illegal Handgun Smuggling Act. This bill would require the Attorney General to develop a plan to pursue legal action in response to the entry of illegal handguns into Ontario, with a specific focus on whether taking legal action against American gun manufacturers for their role in the problem could be fruitful. Depending on the results of the research the Attorney General may be compelled to take the recommended legal action. This kind of litigation is currently being pursued by the Mexican government and Ontarians are watching closely for those results. We all know how devastating gun violence is in our communities. It rips families apart and fills neighbourhoods with fear. This Conservative government must do much more to keep our streets safe from gun violence, and that starts with tackling illegal handguns. Ontario Cuts Wastewater Testing 
Poop has become an unsung hero of epidemiology in Ontario through wastewater testing — it doesn’t say much, but it tells everything. When we are sick, our bodies shed dead viruses through our waste. Scientists can accurately predict what diseases are spreading and how prevalent they are by sampling wastewater at water treatment plants. Wastewater testing empowers health care workers to plan for surging infections so that they can ensure hospitals and emergency rooms have enough staff ready. The program paid for itself by helping health administrators better pinpoint the start of seasonal RSV, preventing 295 children from being hospitalized and 950 medically attended hospital visits — saving the province $3.5 million. Ford's cuts to wastewater testing in Ontario are wrong. He is claiming that he is just reducing redundancies created by the new Federal wastewater testing program, but that program does not sample nearly as many municipalities and does not test for viruses like RSV, H5N1, and monkeypox, which we need to be monitoring. These programs should be working together and finding efficiencies so that we can stay on top of infections in Ontario.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day Jagmeet Singh released a statement saying: “June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day. Every year, we come together to celebrate the history, heritage, and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples across the country. Indigenous people have faced – and continue to face – systemic barriers and discrimination due to lack of federal action. As a country, we must take concrete steps to eradicate the devastating ongoing legacy of colonialism and genocide.” Contact us Don’t forget that we here at the ELNDP have a contact us on our website which will always get an answer! It can be found here
Events in Etobicoke LakeshoreEtobicoke Ribfest- July 19th to July 21st Colonel Sam Smith park 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. 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. Encore! Rediscover the Collection May 6 2024 - August 16 2024 From the Collection of the Lakeshore Grounds Interpretive Centre Revisit your favourite artworks from our past exhibitions from 2017 to 2024. Journey along the waterfront at Colonel Samuel Smith Park, explore the flora and fauna of the Lakeshore Grounds, and take a tour around the historic red brick cottage buildings through the perspectives of local artists. Encore! Rediscover the Collection will be on display in the Second Floor Gallery from May 6 to August 16, 2024.
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