Dear Friends,
My colleagues MPP Mitzie Hunter and Councillor Paul Ainslie were joined by Dr. Jeffrey Schiffer, the Executive Director at Native Child and Family Services of Toronto, for our Virtual Town Hall. We wrestled with some difficult questions posed by constituents around the unmarked gravesites of Indigenous children and peoples.
For many, this devastating discovery was a rude awakening to the dissonance between our image of Canada and its historical realities that have been buried far too long. These are difficult times that call for a reckoning and a meditation on what the path to truth and reconciliation looks like.
With Canada Day just around the corner, I encourage you to reflect on our country's history and to mark the occasion with Canada's shared values of kindness, consideration and thoughtfulness.
However you decide to spend this Thursday, I encourage you to continue to follow the new local public health measures outlined by the Government of Ontario and invite you to explore the following resources:
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Highlights from this issue:
- National Indigenous History Month
- *New* Pop-Ups
- Volunteer Appreciation Award Ceremony
- Canadian Tamil Women's Association Event
- What We Give
- COVID-19 Updates
- New Public Health Guidelines
- VaxFacts Clinic
- Vaccine Update
- Vaccine Support
- Pop-Up Testing
- Filipino Heritage Month
- Community Events and Resources
- Indigenous Artist Award
- Scarborough Hero Awards
- Who's Hiring in Scarborough
- Canada Summer Jobs Program
- Food Access List
- *New* Travel Measures
- Immigration Information
- New on the Hill
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National Indigenous History Month
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We began National Indigenous History Month learning the horrific news of the undisclosed graves of 215 children at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School and 751 unmarked graves at a former Saskatchewan residential schools site.
This month is dedicated to the missing children, the families left behind and the survivors of residential schools, and to recognizing the history, heritage and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada.
I invite non-Indigenous community members to learn more about the culture and history of Indigenous peoples this month here. |
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Today the Scarborough Health Network is running two new pop-up clinics at the Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities and St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. For more information on eligibility and requirements, visit ScarbVaccine.ca.
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Volunteer Appreciation Award Ceremony
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This Saturday, I was delighted to offer my congratulations to the recipients of my Volunteer Appreciation Award! While the ceremony looked a bit different this year, we were able to celebrate virtually the tremendous work and accomplishments of Scarborough's finest, who were nominated by organizations in our community. Scarborough wouldn't be the same without our dedicated volunteers!
Recipients included:
- Shiyana Ingram-Isaac, nominated by Khamini Sharma-Native Child and Family Services
- Farhan Mahmud, nominated by Dip Habib- East Scarborough Storefront
- Daniel Cassidy, nominated by Florence Edebiri-Scarborough Health Network
- Riyaz Nausath, nominated by Shiraz Mohideen-Al Jannah Mosque
- Silma Roddau, nominated by Chanelle Linton PCPI
- Damindra Dias, nominated by Chanelle Linton- PCPI
- Abdulhamid Hathiyani, nominated by Zulfikar Hathiyani-Ansaar Foundation
- Aparnaa Thayananthan, nominated by Michelle Joseph- East Scarborough Boys and Girls Club
- Fardin Mahmud, nominated by Dip Habib-East Scarborough Storefront
- Rosalie Clarke-Wiltshire, nominated by Seema David-5n2 Kitchen
- James Thomas, nominated by staff Sergeant Nick Nei-CPLC- 43 Division
- Joan McIIroy, nominated by Jovel Patricio-Momiji
Special thanks to Micaela Butron for MCing the event! |
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Canadian Tamil Women’s Association Youth Presentation
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I was pleased to join the Canadian Tamil Women’s Association this Saturday and watch the various presentations from Mrs. Saraswathy Arikrishnan and school children from Canada, India, Malaysia, USA and UAE. Watch the full event here: https://youtu.be/10l9Qija8xs
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What We Give: Brian Stiller
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On this episode, I'm joined by my longtime friend Brian Stiller, Global Ambassador of the World Evangelical Alliance. We discuss the rise of evangelicalism in Canada and around the world as well as the role of religion in the public sphere.
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New Guidelines for Fully Vaccinated Canadians
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The Public Health Agency of Canada has released practical guidelines for Canadians as vaccination rates continue to rise across the country.
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Questions about vaccines?
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Not sure about the COVID-19 vaccine, or the information you've seen?
Connect with one of SHN's qualified doctors who understand you may have questions or concerns, or just want to learn more. If you're interested in having a call, schedule an appointment here, or call 416-438-2911 ext. 5738.
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I recently received my second dose at Centennial College. Thanks to Scarborough Health Network doctors, nurses, & staff for your hard work in getting Scarborough vaccinated. Super efficient.
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As of June 29, over 44M vaccine doses have been delivered to the provinces and territories and as of June 28, over 36M vaccine doses have been administered across Canada. Canada is ranked first in the G7, G20 and OECD on the per capita administration of first doses. We are administering doses faster than any other G7 country, including a world-record-breaking 25,000 doses administered in Toronto on Sunday
Everyone 12 years of age and over in Ontario is currently eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
To find out when you are eligible to book your second dose appointment, click here.
Please note, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization has released updated recommendations on COVID-19 vaccines and has deemed vaccines Pfizer and Moderna as interchangeable:
- If you had Moderna or Pfizer for your first dose you can safely take either Moderna or Pfizer for your second dose for strong protection against COVID-19 as long as it's been at least 28 days after your first dose with informed consent.
- If you had AstraZeneca for your first dose you can safely take either Moderna, Pfizer or AstraZeneca for your second dose for strong protection as long as it's been least 8 weeks after your first dose with informed consent.
Anyone aged 18 years and older is now eligible to book an accelerated second dose. For information on when youth aged 12-17 years old are eligible for their second dose, click here.
There are several ways to book eligible individuals can book their first and second dose vaccines in Scarborough-Guildwood.
- Book with the Ontario-wide portal
To book, visit https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/ or call 1‑833‑943‑3900.
2. Book with a local pharmacy
- First Dose:
- 12 years old and older for Pfizer vaccine;
- 18 years or older for the Moderna vaccine
- The Shoppers Drug Mart at 255 Morningside Avenue and 1235 McCowan Rd offer vaccine appointments 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For a full list of participating pharmacies, click here.
- Second Dose:
- Individuals 18 years or older
Call to book with your local pharmacy here.
3. Book with Scarborough Health Network
- First dose:
- 12 years and older who live, work, or go to school in an M1 postal code. First dose clients will be given priority access at pop-up clinics, and are encouraged to walk in or book an appointment through www.scarbvaccine.ca
- For those who do not live or work in Scarborough but identify as one of the following groups: Black, Indigenous, Francophone, Other racialized minorities (i.e.Arab, Middle Eastern or West Asian; East Asian; Latin American; South Asian or Indo-Caribbean; etc.) at TAIBU Community Health Centre clinic.
- Visit scarbvaccine.ca or call 416-495-2593.
- Second dose:
- If you have had your first dose through SHN, you will receive an email or phone call from SHN when you are eligible for your second dose appointment.
- SHN is offering second doses at their pop-up clinics, where people are able to walk in. Please regularly check their list of pop-ups for details on eligibility, locations and times.
- Do not book your second dose appointment through www.ScarbVaccine.ca
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In-Home Vaccination:
- Anyone ages 18 years or older who lives in Toronto and cannot physically leave their home to receive the vaccine are eligible for in-home vaccination. Please contact your care provider to learn whether they are able to offer in-home vaccination.
- If you are a homebound person who does not have a care provider, the Toronto Seniors Helpline is available to support homebound people who are 18-65 years old, as well as seniors. Please call 416-217-2077 or visit https://torontoseniorshelpline.ca/web-chat/.
Appointment Assistance
Transportation
- If you need transportation to your vaccine appointment and are a Scarborough-based senior, adult with a disability, or adult who is immuno-compromised, you can request free transportation through SCHC's Scarborough Ride. Call 416-736-9372 or visit their website.
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There are several ways to get tested for COVID-19 in Scarborough-Guildwood. To find a COVID-19 assessment centre, click here.
Businesses and not-for-profits in Scarborough-Guilwood can apply here to receive free rapid tests from the federal government. |
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Happy Filipino Heritage Month! Filipino Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate the rich heritage of the Filipino-Canadian community and reflect on the contributions of Filipino-Canadians in Scarborough-Guildwood and across Canada.
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The Toronto Arts Foundation Indigenous Artist Award is a $20,000 cash prize, with professional artist mentor/Elder or mentee/protégée designated by the Award Recipient to receive $5,000.
The award recognizes an Indigenous professional artist or artist collective working in traditional or contemporary practices and who have contributed significantly to arts and culture in Toronto and have demonstrated an ongoing association with Toronto.
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Congratulations to the 2021 Scarborough Hero Award winners! Thank you for your courage, generosity and resilience during this difficult time.
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Who's Hiring in Scarborough
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The East Scarborough Storefront has compiled this week's list of all the available jobs in Scarborough.
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A special message to youth and young adults in Scarborough-Guildwood.
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I invite individuals between the ages of 15 and 30 to apply for a summer job. This year, the Government of Canada has made available over 150,000 full and part-time summer job opportunities. To learn more, visit http://jobbank.gc.ca/youth
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The East Scarborough Storefront has compiled a list of food banks and food relief programs in our community.
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As of June 19, travel volumes have decreased by 95% and only 0.9% of all travellers have tested positive for COVID-19 since the implementation of these measures.
*New* - Beginning July 5, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. EDT, fully vaccinated travellers who are permitted to enter Canada will not be subject to the federal requirement to quarantine or take a COVID-19 test on day-8. In addition, fully vaccinated travellers arriving by air will not be required to stay at a government-authorized hotel.
That said, the Canada-U.S. border will remain closed to non-essential travel until July 21, 2021.
For updates on new travel measures and a list of exemptions, consult the Travel restrictions, exemptions, and advice page.
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| Check out the following immigration related resources:
Need further resources? My office is happy to assist you with immigration matters by phone at 416-283-1226 or by email at [email protected]. |
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As Chair of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security, I was honoured to table three reports this month in the House of Commons on Systemic Racism in Policing, the Implementation of the Merlo Davidson Settlement Agreement, and the Parole Board of Canada and the Circumstances that Led to a Young Woman's Death.
These reports contain very important recommendations that require real and immediate response by the RCMP and Government of Canada.
I invite you to watch our press conference on some of our findings from our report on systemic racism in policing in Canada here.
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Read my most recent interviews here:
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My office looks forward to connect with you about all federal matters by phone at 416-283-1226 or by email at [email protected]. We will return all calls and emails.
If this is the first update you have seen, and you would like to be included on all future communications, please click here.
Sincerely,
Hon. John McKay, P.C.,
Member of Parliament for Scarborough-Guildwood |
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