October 5th, 2023

Dear Neighbour, 

I hope you have been enjoying the first official weeks of Fall!  

In this email, you will find updates on: 

• Leslieville Farmers’ Market on Sunday, October 8 from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm 

• First weeks back in Ottawa 

• Truth and Reconciliation Day this past Saturday  

• New Horizons Seniors Programs Webinar 

• The Pocket SNAP Tiny Forest Planting 

• Wireless Service Now Available to all TTC Subway Riders 

• Last call for Youth Council Applications! 

Leslieville Farmers’ Market on Sunday, October 8 from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

I am very excited to be hosting another table at a Farmers’ Market. This is always an excellent opportunity to hear from community members about the issues which are important to you. Join me on Sunday, October 8th from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm at Leslieville Farmers’ Market (at Greenwood Park). I look forward to seeing you there! 

First Weeks Back in Ottawa 

In the short time I have been back in Ottawa, I have been busy advocating for our community and with my renewed role as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. I tabled Bill C-50: Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act last week and also welcomed the ZEV Showcase Reception to Ottawa. 

I also had the opportunity to ask Minister Champagne during the Industry Committee about how we can protect the interest of artists in the context of generative AI when considering Bill C-27, which addresses privacy and artificial intelligence. You can watch the clip here: Question to Minister Champagne about AI and the creative industry - YouTube

On September 27, on behalf of Minister Holland, I announced more than $1.6M funding to increase public and healthcare provider awareness for endometriosis.  Endometriosis impacts 1 in 10 women, and I have heard from community members about their struggle to have their symptoms treated.  

I have also been continuing to sit on the Committee for Natural Resources, and advocating for causes which are so important to me, and to our community.  Currently we are studying the incentives for the adoption of green technologies, in comparison to the measures adopted by the United States in their IRA. 

Truth and Reconciliation Day this past Saturday 

On Saturday, I had the opportunity to attend the sixth annual Indigenous Legacy gathering at Nathan Phillips Square. This was an opportunity to come together as a community and city to reflect on the third annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.  

New Horizons’ Seniors Program Webinar 

On Monday, I hosted my second informational webinar for seniors, with a focus on New Horizons’ Seniors Programs available in our community. We had the opportunity to hear from various seniors’ groups in the neighbourhood. If you are interested in viewing a recording of the webinar, it can be accessed through this link: Local Activities for Seniors Webinar - YouTube 

The Pocket SNAP Tiny Forest Planting 

On Saturday, I had the pleasure of participating in the Pocket SNAP Tiny Forest Planting, in the TTC Oakvale Greenspace. “Tiny forests” are densely planted arrangements of native trees and shrubs, which replicate the same vegetation layers found in mature forests. This past weekend, I had the opportunity to join many community members to help plant 300 diverse native trees and shrubs, which will become The Pocket Tiny Forest. This exciting project is led by Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, which is supported by our government, in an effort to support programs focused on habitat restoration, protecting freshwater, and implementing nature-based climate solutions.  These trees that will form a tiny forest are part of our governments 2 billion tree program. 

Wireless Service Now Available to all TTC Subway Riders 

As of October 3rd, cell service is now available for all TTC subway riders. Our government put in place new spectrum license conditions, so that it is now required for cell service companies to provide all passengers on Toronto’s subway with cellular connectivity. Having this connectivity is far more than just a matter of convenience, as it is a crucial component for public safety. For more information about this topic, please see here. 

Last call for Youth Council Applications! 

I am very excited to get this year’s Youth Council up and running! Youth Council is an excellent opportunity for any high school student in Toronto—Danforth, who is interested in learning more about Federal Politics and becoming more involved in their community. From October 2023 to June 2024, we will be holding two meetings per month (one in person and one virtual), with the opportunity to earn up to 30 volunteer hours. Youth Council will be accepting applications for an additional week, until October 6th, 2023. If you know anyone interested in signing up, it can be done through this link. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions! 

Yours, 

Julie

Julie Dabrusin

Member of Parliament for Toronto-Danforth