Dear Friends,
Thank you for your engagement during this important election. It has and continues to be an honour and a privilege to serve as the Member of Parliament for Scarborough-Guildwood and represent this great community.
It was a privilege to spend the last month having conversations with residents of Scarborough-Guildwood and hear about issues that are important to all of you. I look forward to returning to Ottawa to work hard for each and every one of you.
Thank you again for putting your trust in me as your representative. |
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My colleagues MPP Mitzie Hunter and Councilor Paul Ainslie were joined by Trustees' Zakir Patel and Nancy Crawford, for our Virtual Town Hall. We wrestled with some difficult questions posed by constituents about Education in Ontario.
You can watch the Virtual Town Hall here.
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National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
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September 30th marked the inaugural National Day for Truth and Reconciliation which is a day to honour the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families and their communities.
It is important for all Canadians to reflect our our shared past as we move forward on the path of reconciliation. This day gives all of us an opportunity to reflect on the harmful legacy of residential schools and recognize the work we have to do to bring justice to Indigenous people in Canada.
I encourage all Canadians to take this opportunity to expand their knowledge about residential schools in Canada, listen to the stories of survivors and their families, and reflect on how each of us can play a part in the journey of reconciliation.
I invite non-Indigenous community members to learn more about the culture and history of Indigenous peoples here.
Some Resources:
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| The First National Day for Truth and Reconciliation |
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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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New COVID-19 Guidelines for Federal Employees and Domestic Travel
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1. Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and the Deputy Prime Minister, Chrystia Freeland, announced on October 6, 2021 that the Government of Canada will make COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for federal employees as well as employees in the federally regulated transportation sector.
a) Federal public servants in the Core Public Administration including the RCMP will have until October 29, 2021 to prove their vaccination status or face consequences for non-compliance. The mandatory vaccination policy will impact federal employees in the core public administration and both full time and part time staff.
Federal employees will be required to confirm their vaccination status by October 29, 2021 through an attestation. Those who are unwilling to disclose their vaccination status or to be fully vaccination will be placed on administrative leave without pay as early as November 15, 2021. In addition to administration leave without pay, consequences of non-compliance also include the requirement to attend an online training session on COVID-19 vaccination and there will be restrictions on workplace access.
b) On October 30, 2021 employers in the federally regulated air, rail, and marine transportation sectors will be required to establish vaccination policies for their organizations. The vaccination requirement will apply to:
- airlines and airports, and other organizations who have employees who enter restricted areas of airports, such as concession and hospitality workers.
- federally regulated railways, and their rail crew and track employees
- marine operators with Canadian vessels that operate with 12 or more crew
After a short phase-in period, each organization is required to guarantee employees are fully vaccinated or they will be unable to work.
2. Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and the Deputy Prime Minister, Chrystia Freeland, also announced that on October 30, 2021 domestic travelers must be vaccinated.
Travellers will need to be fully vaccinated in order to board. Specifically, the vaccination requirement will apply to all travelers 12 years of age and older who are:
- Air passengers flying on domestic, trans-border or international flights departing from airports in Canada
- Rail passengers on VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains
- Marine passengers on non-essential passenger vessels, such as cruise, on voyages of 24 hours or more.
For travellers who are in the process of being vaccinated, there will be a short transition period where they will be able to travel if they can show a valid COVID-19 molecular test within 72 hours of travel.
By November 30, all travellers must be fully vaccinated, with very limited exceptions to address specific situations such as emergency travel, and those medically unable to be vaccinated. |
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As of September 22, 2021, Ontarians will need to be fully vaccinated (two doses plus 14 days) and provide their proof of vaccination along with photo ID to access certain settings and facilities.
This means that proof of a COVID-19 vaccine receipt and photo ID must be provided upon entering the following:
- Restaurants and bars (excluding outdoor patios, takeout, or delivery)
- Nightclubs
- Meeting event spaces, such as banquet halls and conference/convention centres
- For wedding or funeral receptions, attendees may alternatively offer a privately purchased negative rapid antigen COVID-19 test from no more than 48 hours prior
- Facilities used for sports and fitness activities and personal fitness training, such as gyms, fitness and recreational facilities except for youth recreational sport
- Sporting events
- Casinos, bingo halls and gaming establishments
- Concerts, music festivals, theatres and cinemas
These new restrictions do not apply to children 11 years of age or younger or those medically exempt and can provide a doctor's note.
Vaccination receipts can be printed or downloaded from the provincial booking portal. You can also call the Provincial Vaccine Information Line at 1-833-943-3900 for further assistance.
If you would like your vaccine passported printed but do not have access to a printer, the Toronto Public Library is offering free printing for proof of vaccination at library branches across the city. Individuals can submit a request from anywhere using the Toronto Public Library's Print anywhere--Mobile Printing.
For more information, visit the Toronto Public Library website here. |
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| The Scarborough Health Network is running a pop-up clinic at the Cedarbrae Mall every Friday and Saturday 12-6, Agincourt Mall every Friday 12-6, Bridlewood Mall every Friday and Saturday 12-6, Parkway Mall every Friday and Saturday 12-6, and the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus on October 7th from 12-6. For more information on eligibility and requirements, visit ScarbVaccine.ca. |
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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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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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As of October 2, 2021 over 63M vaccine doses have been delivered to the provinces and territories and as of October 2, 2021 over 56M 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!
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.
There are several ways to book eligible individuals can book their first and second dose vaccines in Scarborough-Guildwood.
1. Book with the Ontario-wide portal
2. Book with a local pharmacy
- 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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Community Events and Resources
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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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| The East Scarborough Storefront has compiled a list of food banks and food relief programs in our community. |
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Since 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 November 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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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,
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