Another chance to donate recyclables
I’m enjoying connecting with the community. My team and I recently held our first Community Environment Day at the Malvern Community Recreation Centre. Mayor John Tory attended, and the event was a success.
I’d like to remind Centennial News readers that I’ll be hosting a second Community Environment Day at Colonel Danforth Park on Thursday June 20 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. This is an excellent opportunity for residents to donate a variety of items for reuse in the community. Arts and crafts supplies, books, clothes and small household items are just a few of the categories open for donation. You can also pick up free compost while supplies last and buy kitchen containers for $5. I look forward to seeing you at this event. Please spread the word!
Funding for public health
These are interesting times at Toronto City Hall. As many of you know, there have been major discussions and debates on a number of important issues from public transit to healthcare. The province has reduced funding to Toronto Public Health (TPH), which will prompt a wide ranging discussion and action plan in Council on how to respond and manage resources. In our Ward there are 23 breakfast programs, 22 child care inspection programs, 27 immunization programs, and four long-term care centres with food inspection and infection control.
As a member of the Board of Health, I will be doing what I can to work with colleagues of all political stripes to manage these funding changes and preserve TPH services in our Ward and the Centennial community. I hold the view that the best way for the province to achieve its stated goal of ‘Ending Hallway Healthcare‘ is to invest in the kinds of healthcare services that have huge returns on investment and that save the system resources in the medium to long term. Those services, such as immunization, vaccination, student nutrition and family health are the bread and butter of the TPH.
Upcoming festivals
Our office looks forward to attending both the Highland Creek Heritage Day and the Port Union Waterfront Festival. The Heritage Festival will take place on June 15 at the Highland Creek Community Park (3500 Ellesmere Road) from 9 a.m.to 3 p.m. The Waterfront Festival takes place on June 22 from 11am – 3pm at the Port Union Village Common (105 Bridgend Street). Both events are entirely organized by local volunteers and are sponsored by our vibrant community associations. Show your support by coming out and celebrating our community!
As always, please don’t hesitate to reach my team and I at 416-338-3771. You can visit our website at www.jennifermckelvie.ca. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram at @McKelvieWard25.