MPP Vijay Thanigasalam
An eventful month here in Scarborough–Rouge Park
It has been an eventful month for me in Scarborough–Rouge Park. At the time of submission, the Legislature has not returned but I do look forward to the House sitting once again and continuing to advocate for the residents of Scarborough–Rouge Park.
Vijay Thanigasalam attended the third annual Hat-Trick for Humanity, which raised funds for the construction of the new SickKids Hospital.
Hat-Trick for Humanity 2019
I had the opportunity to attend the third annual Hat-Trick for Humanity fundraiser. Hosted by Allied Technical Solutions (ATS), this event raised funds towards the construction of the new SickKids Hospital. Hundreds of people braved the cold for some friendly competition supporting this incredible cause. For those not playing hockey there was food (Beaver Tails), drinks, promotional draws, and great conversation. ATS offered me the opportunity to tour their beautiful facility. The company employs about 120 individuals both in manufacturing and technology development right here in Scarborough–Rouge Park. ATS is a great example of how businesses play a vital role in benefiting the community not only with job creation but also through philanthropy.
Mental Health and Addiction
On February 6, I was pleased to join Robin Martin, parliamentary assistant to the minister of health and long-term care, at Centenary Hospital for a discussion on mental health and addiction with local stakeholders. This is a top priority for our government. I have also heard from many constituents on how we can modernize health-care services to deliver the help that Ontarians with mental health and addiction issues need. We have many people in the community ready to engage in dialogue and implement strategies. As someone who knows people who suffer from mental health and addiction, I want to iterate my commitment to improving how we assist those in need. It is important to educate people who do not take this topic seriously, work towards eliminating the stigma surrounding it, and create meaningful and effective change.
Black History Month
In 2016, Bill 159 proclaimed February as Black History Month in Ontario. It is a time to acknowledge and celebrate the important contributions of the Black community in shaping the cultural, economic and political fabric of the province. Black History Month also serves as a reminder of the struggles of Black Canadians. I had an opportunity to hear from Masai Ujiri, president of the Toronto Raptors and co-founder of Giants of Africa, at the annual Black History Luncheon. Black History Month gives us all an opportunity to celebrate and educate future generations about the contributions Black Canadians made to Ontario’s rich history.
There are a few other noteworthy things I would like to mention. Our government concluded the auto insurance consultation on February 15. Here in Scarborough we have some of the highest auto insurance rates and I look forward to seeing changes implemented to make life more affordable. Additionally, Statistics Canada recently announced that employment in Ontario increased by 41,400 jobs in January. Our government was elected on the promise that we would create an environment where businesses can thrive, grow and create good jobs: we are doing just that.
I look forward to working with you this year. My staff and I can be contacted at 416-283-8448 or vijay.thanigasalamco@pc.ola.org. The Constituency Office is located at 105 – 8130 Sheppard Ave. East.