SHAM JAM is Coming – Burgers, Booths and Big News! 🍔🎪
Your Official Invite – Summer in Don Valley East Starts Here
Dear Neighbour,
What are you doing on Saturday, July 5 from 1-3PM? I'm proud to formally invite you to SHAM JAM 2025 - my annual summer barbecue that is taking place at Broadlands Park. It promises to be an incredible afternoon full of food, fun, friends and so much more. In addition to delicious food served hot to order (with halal and vegetarian options!), we will also be hosting booths from community groups to make sure you’re connected with all the resources you need to thrive in Don Valley East.
I can’t wait to host you and really hope you’ll set aside some time to join me at this unforgettable event. Bring your children and some friends, too. It will be fun, free and open to everyone!
A lot has happened in the community this week. While there have been some tragic incidents (I’ll address them further down), one thing I’d like to highlight is a new exhibit at the Aga Khan Museum, called As the Sun Appears from Beyond: Twenty Years of the Al Burda Award. It was launched by His Excellency Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi (Minister of Culture, UAE) and Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan (representing His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan).
I had the honour of speaking with Prince Aly Muhammad and, on behalf of our community, expressing my gratitude and admiration for the important work of his family.
As we look to next week, there are a number of important things to watch out for. Today marks the Summer Solstice representing the longest day of the year. Tomorrow, Saturday, is National Indigenous Peoples Day. I hope we can take a moment to think of the many contributions Indigeneous people have made to Canada, and consider the many ways we can all advance Truth and Reconciliation (read some of the TRC Calls to Action here).
Finally, keep an eye on your mailboxes. I have a printed newsletter that should arrive at homes across Don Valley East over the next 7 days!
Constituency Update
I was sad to learn about a number of disturbing events in the community this week. For example, on Sunday, there was a fire in Flemingdon Park that took the life of one man and left a fire fighter injured. My thoughts are with the affected individuals and their families.
On Monday, there was a carjacking in the Don Mills area. Although one suspect was apprehended, others remain at large. I have reached out to Toronto Police 33 Division to arrange a meeting and learn what needs to be done to protect our community. I will do what it takes to support.
This Saturday will mark one year since the sudden and unacceptable closure of the Science Centre. There will be a rally at Christie Pitts Park from 11AM to 1PM on Sunday and I hope you will consider attending. I’m nowhere near done fighting for the Science Centre and hope you will add your name to the over 30 thousand petition signatures I’ve already submitted to the Legislature.
This week I had an opportunity to help celebrate a well-deserved grant of $150,000 to the Latvian Canadian Cultural Centre. This will help them make their programming even more accessible through improvements to their ramp and elevator systems.
Finally, the Eglinton Crosstown LRT was officially handed over to the TTC. While the Government will be keen to call this a success, this is against the backdrop of years of delays, billions in cost-overruns and and significant impact to our community and local economy. I continue to demand accountability and have launched a petition that will land in your mailboxes next week. I hope you will continue signing it so we can get the accountability our community deserves and prevent the same mistakes from being repeated during construction of the Ontario Line.
Legislative Update
The Canadian Housing and Mortgage Corportation (CMHC) says Ontario must build 2.2 million homes by 2035 just to restore 2019 levels of affordability. This would require increasing homebuilding by over 130,000 annually but slow construction, labour shortages, and high costs are keeping the province far off track. The government is also doing nothing to address rental affordability or delays at the Landlord and Tenant Board.
The Premier made unacceptably racist comments towards Indigenous people which I will not repeat here. After public condemnation, he finally issued an apology yesterday. To me, the apology falls flat given his track record of sidelines Indigenous voices (especially around Bill 5) and in the wake of so many other insensitive comments (he’s previously insulted our riding, argued that unemployed people should get off their rear-ends, and joked that people waiting for diagnostic tests can fast-track their tests by going to veterinary clinics instead).
More hospitals are at risk of closure this summer. In a new warning, mayors in the Niagara region called on the province to stop planned summer hour reductions at local urgent care centres. Under the current government, we have seen over 1,199 ER and 316 urgent care shutdowns in less than two years putting people’s lives at risk every day.
Events and Opportunities
TDSB Summer Wellbeing Guide
The TDSB has produced a summer wellbeing guide to help students get through the summer before the school year starts back up in September. The guide is available in multiple languages at this link.
Canada Day at the Thorncliffe Park Community Hub
Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) and The Neighbourhood Organization (TNO) invite you to celebrate Canada Day at the Thorncliffe Park Community Hub. Activities for families and kids will include Henna, Face Painting, and Balloons, along with Food, Jewelery and Clothing Stalls. The event will be running on June 28th from noon to 3 PM at Unit 200, 45 Overlea Blvd.
Rally to Save the Science Centre
This Sunday will mark one year since the closure of the Ontario Science Centre. Save OSC will be holding a rally on June 22nd from 11 AM till 1 PM at Christie Pits Park to save the Science Centre.
Stroll for Seniors
Join Better Living on June 21st for their annual Stroll for Seniors. The event supports Better Living Health and Community Services and Thompson House. Check in starts at 10 AM at 65 The Donway and the stroll will begin at 11 AM.
Summer Wonder and TD Summer Reading Club kick-off
The Victoria Village Library will be kicking off its summer reading program on June 21st from 2-3 PM. There will be plenty of activities and children of all ages are welcome.
Sincerely,
Adil