Don Valley West Community and Sports Awards
This amazing group of individuals were all recipients of this year's Community and Sports Volunteer Award. I created this award to acknowledge the great work of our community and sports heroes - the people who go to extremes for others and who constantly work towards the betterment of the community. To all these wonderful people who were nominated, and to the many more out there, thank you for the great work you do.
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Haru Matsuri: Celebrating spring at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre
I recently joined the celebrations at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre for Haru Matsuri - the annual event celebrating spring. The centre was full of cultural displays, food, dance and celebration, and I was given the honour of saying a few words during the opening ceremonies. What a great event!
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Speech from the Throne
Lieutenant Governor David C. Onley delivered the Throne Speech on Monday, March 8, relaying the government's vision for a new, five-year plan to keep Ontario competitive and prosperous: Open Ontario. You can read the Throne Speech and learn about Open Ontario at www.premier.gov.on.ca/openOntario
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Our 2010 Opportunities Fair
Every year I host an opportunities fair for the community, which is intended for residents to learn about job searching and employment opportunities, and to meet the people from the organizations in Don Valley West who are there to help them. There was a good turn-out this year and I hope the information provided was of use to everyone.
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Great talent in public speaking
On an annual basis, I am honoured to act as one of three judges for the Agnes Macphail public speaking contest (this year, along with Dave Kneeshaw and Grace Stephens). I saw an amazing display of talent on February 17th, which concluded with Saniya Hussain, a grade 8 student from G.A. Brown Middle School, being awarded the Agnes Macphail Award. Her passionate, thought-provoking speech about poverty in Haiti was definitely a winner.
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Celebrating Family Literacy Day
On January 27, I joined parents and children at Grenoble Public School's Family Centre to celebrate Family Literacy Day. I read "Brown Bear, Brown Bear" (a long-time favourite!) and joined the kids for a few songs. Centres like this one provide such a great service to families and to the community in helping children get their education off to a good start.
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Celebrating the diversity in Don Valley West
I joined over a hundred of my constituents this morning, January 27, at Glenyan Manor for their annual CultureFest, a celebration of the diversity in their building and their community. There were beautiful displays of artwork and traditional clothing from the residents' countries of origin. I'm so lucky to represent a riding where such diversity is appreciated and celebrated!
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New Year's Levee
This year's New Year's Levee was a great success! Thanks so much to everyone for joining me and MP Rob Oliphant on Sunday, January 17. It was lovely to see everyone and to have a chance to celebrate the New Year together. All the best to everyone in 2010!
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Celestica Food Drive
This amazing team at Celestica recently put their time and effort towards a food drive for the Flemington Food Bank. I joined them on December 18 to help pack up the thousands of pounds of food that they pulled together. My sincere thanks to Celestica for their generosity and commitment to helping their community!
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Model Olympic Torch Relay
On December 15, students from four Don Valley West schools (York Mills, Etienne Brule, Leaside and Marc Garneau) took part in a Model Olympic Torch Relay from York Mills School down to Marc Garneau. Rob Oliphant and I joined them at Marc Garneau to celebrate the event and award certificates to the 28 kids who carried the torch. It was a great event!
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African Communities Holiday Celebration
Through a special outreach to the Somali community in Don Valley West, I met with many Somalians on December 12. Families joined me and many youth took the opportunity to speak about needed programs and support, as well as the challenges they are facing. This was the beginning of what I believe to be a very important, ongoing dialogue that will help in building and strengthening this community. Thank you to everyone who joined me at this event and who shared their thoughts and concerns.
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Pakistan Community Dinner
This was a lovely event on December 12, put on by the Canadian Association of Pakistan Origin. It was a very warm and friendly environment, and it's great to remain in close touch with the communities that are part of the mosaic of Don Valley West. I was very happy for the opportunity to join them for this celebration.
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Helping introduce government to our students
Something I do on a regular basis is make trips to local schools to speak to grade 5 and 10 civics classes about government: how it works, why it's important, and what role I play in it. The kids are always very engaged and ask great questions! Most recently, I was at Owen Public School in Don Valley West to speak to a class of grade 5 students.
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Graduation Day at the Independent Learning Centre
On November 21, I spoke to the graduates of the Independent Learning Centre--adults who have achieved their Ontario Secondary School Diploma or their GED through distance learning. These are courageous, determined adults, all of whom have inspiring stories of perseverance. It was an honour to offer congratulations from the government and from all of us who believe in the power of education to transform lives!
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Fundraising for The Ten Oaks Project
On November 21, I participated in the inaugural CampCurl, put on by The Ten Oaks Project. This organization engages and connects children and youth from LGBTTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, two-spirit, queer) communities through programs and activities rooted in play. The event raised an amazing $25,000! I had a great time and was happy to contribute to such a great cause. Check out www.tenoaksproject.org for more info on the organization.
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A new era in education for Ontario
On Tuesday, October 27, Early Learning was announced in Ontario. Minister Laurel Broten (Minister of Children and Youth Services), Premier Dalton McGuinty and I were at Roden Public School in Toronto for the announcement. Check out my latest e-newsletter in the "What’s New" section of the website for more details.
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WE Day at the ACC
It was a huge honour and big fun to be part of WE Day at the ACC today--great speakers and performers, including the surprise appearance of The Jonas Brothers! Congrats to the Free the Children Foundation--for more info go to http://www.freethechildren.com/weday
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TRCA launch their solar pontoon boat
The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority launched their new solar pontoon boat today, a boat driven solely on solar power that will act as a classroom for students visiting the Lake St. George Field Centre (an outdoor educational facility). I’m honoured to have this boat named after me in recognition of the work being done to reintegrate the environment back into the education system. I had a great time at the naming and launch ceremony!
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Word on the Street
As always, Word on the Street was an amazing celebration of literature and literacy. After reading Dennis Lee's "Bungle Basket Boogie" on the TVO Kids Stage, I stopped for a photo with Polkaroo and Lisa deWilde, CEO of TVO. Lisa and her staff did a great job organizing the kids' events!
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Eid Bazaar
I was so glad to be able to help put together another successful Eid Bazaar. Local residents display their wares and I get to give away some prizes!
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2009 Canada Day Picnic
We were very fortunate that the weather held out and gave us one fantastic Canada Day! Thank you again to all of the volunteers to come out and help Rob and I put this event in motion. I am alreday looking forward to next Canada Day!
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Major Infrastructure funding annoucment at the Leaside Lawn Bowling Club
Don Valley West will benefit from joint federal and provincial funding to improve community recreational infrastructure, announced today under the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program in Ontario (RInC Ontario) and Recreation Ontario (Ontario REC).
These infrastructure investments will help stimulate the local economy and leave a legacy for Torontonians to enjoy for years to come. When all levels of government come together, we’re able to make positive change that has a significant impact at the local level.
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Neighbours Night Out
For the second year in a row, the residents of Leaside and Thorncliffe Park have come together to put on a wonderful Neighbour's night out at Thorncliffe Park School. It is such a wonderful atmosphere of diversity and celebration. Thank you to everyone involved in putting it together!
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World Partnership Walk 2009
We may have had a couple of days of rain but the Sun greeted us on Sunday, May 31st for the annual walk to eliminate poverty. Mike "Pinball" Clemons for the keynote address and for firing everyone up. Thank you to the Aga Khan Foundation as well, this event is a yearly celebration and it is all thanks to the army of volunteers the foundation brings together.
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Jane Jacobs Walk
It was a bit of a rainy day but there were still many local residents that braved the weather and participated in a guided tour of their community.
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Paddle the Don
Hi Everyone, On this beautiful sunny day and for the sixth year in a row, Jane and I "Paddled the Don" from just north of Eglinton and Leslie down to the lake. It is an absolutely fabulous way to see the river and the high rise buildings of Thorncliffe Park and the downtown tower above the river bank. The roar of the Parkway, the subway trains crossing the viaduct and the streetcars rumbling overhead make a person feel small. Every year the river seems a little cleaner and the Toronto Region Conservation Authority deserves an enormous amount of credit for supporting the revitalization of the river. This year we saw a pair of swans just at the foot of the Don Valley nesting right up against a tall metal embankment. Jane caught a pictue of the mom fussing with the nest and settling in. Mother Nature in all her breathtaking resilience!
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At Habitat for Humanity's Women's Build
Every year, Habitat for Humanity organizes a "Women's Build" day to encourage women to get handy with a hammer! The house I helped build will go to a needy family. Thank you Habitat for Humanity!
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Kathleen, Minister Fonseca speak to caregivers in Don Valley West
On Saturday April 25 2009, Minister Fonseca visited my office in Don Valley West to speak to local caregivers about the situation they are facing. The input received from everyone in attendance was invaluable. Minister Fonseca spoke about a new "Nanny Hotline" that has been set up by Ontario's Ministry of Labour to inform caregivers of their rights under provincial labour laws.
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2009 Post Budget Breakfast
Once again MPP for Eglinton Lawrence Mike Colle, MPP for St. Paul’s Michael Bryant and I hosted a post budget breakfast. This annual event gives the 3 of us the opportunity to explain the Ontario budget to our constituents and also to hear their thoughts on what is probably the most important yearly legislation.
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March Break Skating Party
Once again my annual March Break Skating Party was a resounding success. My thanks to Grenoble Public School for once again providing the skates. I also want to thank all of the volunteers for coming to help tie those little laces!
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Iranian Nowrooz Fire Festival
This year's Fire Festival at Mel Lastman's Square was held on March 17th, St. Patrick's Day. As a truly wonderful reflection of the incredible diversity our province has, the over 10,000 Persians in attendance sang the old Irish classic, Danny Boy.
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Visit to North York General Hospital
On March 16, I visited North York General Hospital and met with Bonnie Adamson, President & CEO, and other members of the hospital’s leadership team. I received an update on issues relating to the hospital and the community it serves. Following the meeting, Bonnie and I dropped by the Gift Shop where they were greeted by Volunteer Phyllis Sacks.
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Celebration Norooz at Queen's Park
I had the pleasure of attending a celebration of Iranian New Year with my colleagues at Queen's Park
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Haru Matsuri Spring Festival
At the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre celebrating the arrival of Spring.
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Celebrating International Women's Day
MP for Scarborough Southwest, Michelle Simson and I celebration International Women's Day. I try to encourage as many women as I can to get involved in the rewarding field of Political life and Public Service.
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Opportunities Fair
Every year I host an Opportunities Fair that brings together local businesses, service providers and residents to highlight all of the possiblities out there, even in this economic climate. Here I am with the winner of one of my gift baskets.
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Celebrating Black History Month
I was honoured to be joined by Bernice Carnegie of Future Aces, the folks at Flemo City Media to celebrate February as Black History Month.
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Visiting the Workplace Essentials Partnership (WESP)
The Canadian National Institute of the Blind located in Don Valley West are hosting this new and exiting program that aims to connect those with special needs to work.
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Meeting with Local Businesses
In October 2008 I invited my Colleague, Minister of Small Business and Consumer Services, Harinder Takhar, to come to Don Valley West and speak to local business owners about the issues facing them today.
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Speaking to constituents
I am regularly out on the streets of Don Valley West hearing from residents about issues that affect their daily lives. Here I am speaking to a shopper outside a grocery store.
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Kidsport in Toronto
Kidsport is a fantastic organization that helps bring sports equipment to needy kids who may not be able to afford it. Through our friends at the Ontario Sports Alliance and with the assistance of the Ontario Trillium Fund, Kidsport is opening a new chapter here in Toronto! Here I am joined by world champion high jumper Milt Ottey helping a student at Grenoble school with some fun activities.
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World Partnership Walk 2008
Helping to kick-off the annual World Partnership Walk. This annual event is put together by the Aga Khan Foundation of Canada to help sponsor some of the fantastic work they do throughout the world.
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