Maria
AUGIMERI

City Council to Feds: Transfer William Baker Lands to City of Toronto
As you may know I have been fighting unconditionally to hold the Federal Government to its word when they promised in 1994 to hold Downsview Park  “in perpetuity and in trust primarily as a unique urban recreational green space for the enjoyment of future generations.”

William Baker Park (pictured below) at Keele and Sheppard is the next portion of the Downsview Lands at risk for sale and development. It is a pristine park space with trails and mature tree lot. It deserves to be saved.

That is why at December’s session of City Council, I moved a motion, Seconded by the mayor, to save these lands from sale and development. Read:

Council voted unanimously to pursue the transfer of these lands to the City of Toronto! This is amazing news and the strongest signal we can send to the feds to stop the sale of these lands and give them back to the local community. Read the full motion here.

I, City Council and the Mayor showed our collective political will to protect these lands. The ball is in the federal government’s court now to show theirs.

I will keep you posted on any further news.

Our New Subway is Now Open!
On December 15, 2017 – 30 years in the making, the new Toronto York Spadina Subway Extension opened to great fanfare. In attendance were many dignitaries including The Premier and the Prime Minister. Downsview has never been more connected. Also, in dedication to the Vitti family, Vitti Street was named beside the Downsview Park subway station. See all photos of the amazing event here.

Do You Know Someone On In-Home Dialysis?
During the debate on the water budget this year, I introduced a new program that will give financial relief to those in the City who do in-home dialysis, and consume a disproportionate amount of water because of it. This new program will forgive the cost of extra water used for this life-saving treatment. If you know someone in our community who does in-home dialysis, please let my office know. The new program is set to be in place sometime in 2018. Watch my Council comments on the program here. Read the description of the new program below.

I Went On A Blind Date
TV Ontario has a new program called Political Blind Date and I was invited on to discuss and show the state of Toronto’s housing with Member of Parliament Adam Vaughan. During my portion of the show, I took Adam to an area just outside our community that has been sorely neglected and showed the state of some housing in our City that cannot be fixed with the redevelopment-style approaches that work downtown. Watch the full episode here.

The DeSario Family Chrismas
Take some time this season to visit to the The DeSario family’s Christmas light show at 165 Benjamin Boake Trail which they put on every year in Downsview to raise money for Sick Kids Hospital. Visit and support!

Season of Giving, Emmanuel Church and Ephraim’s Place Need Your Help
Emmanuel Church Of The Nazarene and Ephraim’s Place to amazing work in our community. Last year after the Church requested help to assist a family in need, over $5,200 was raised.  It has been a difficult year for countless families in Downsview.  Pastor Bill at Emmanuel Church and Ephraim’s Place have been inspired by the generosity of those who received Downsvew’s help last year.  This season, the Pastor and the Church is having a challenge to give $100 to 100 families.

This would spread the blessing and joy around our community by helping many families.  $100. 100 families.  Collection is required ASAP so it can be distributed before Christmas.

Here is how you can give according to Pastor Bill:

1.  Write a cheque to Emmanuel Church of the Nazarene.  Please write “100 for 100″ on the memo line.
2.  Scan the Qr code below on your phone to give online.  This takes you directly to the Emmanuel Church of the Nazarene donation page.  Again, please indicate 100 for 100 on the message line.  Please note there is a 3% processing fee when giving online.
3.  You can email $100 to Pastor Bill directly. He will pass 100% of all money received to the cause.
4.  However you choose to give, please pass this email on to others you want to invite to help.

For more information, you can contact Pastor Bill directly. 416-524-5881.
DO NOT SEND ANY DONATIONS TO MY OFFICE.
Please deal directly with Pastor Bill.

Francophone Languages BCCHC Health Services
Francophone Languages Black Creek Community Health Centre (BCCHC) Health Services is a new French language health service program happening at BCCHC. Francophones residents of North York West catchment areas living with many or complex issues can access support services through the System Navigator program offered at BCCHC.  The Francophones Navigator may assist you with determining your needs and accessing

• primary health care providers, chronic disease management (eg. heart disease, cancer, diabetes, stroke, arthritis and obesity),
• addictions and mental health care,
• social services,
• health care and acute care services at home.
Click here for more info. 

Free Loblaw $25 Card
Loblaw is offering $25 card after admitting to bread price-fixing.  The $25 gift card is a “goodwill gesture” after admitting the company participated in an industry-wide bread price-fixing arrangement.

Here’s how to register:
Customers can visit LoblawCard.ca and enter their email address to be notified once registration opens.

The company expects registration to begin on Jan. 8.

From My Family to Yours, Happy Holidays and a Wonderful New Year

-Maria