New bill alert! @SuzeMorrison & I just tabled a bill in the Legislature to formally recognize March as #EndometriosisAwarenessMonth in Ontario.
Read on to learn why it's so important. 🧵1/4
Endometriosis is very common but rarely discussed.
1 in 10 women, Trans, non-binary and gender diverse menstruators of reproductive age have endometriosis.
It causes terrible symptoms such as extreme pelvic pain and nausea. 2/4
But because of stigma associated with talking about what is a normal period and what is not, many menstruators suffer for years without diagnosis or treatment. And even if they do seek help, they can find their concerns ignored. We need this to change, now! 3/4
Yesterday I spent the last 45 mins in the Legislature listening to all the reasons the Conservatives wouldn’t support a bill brought forward by @MTaylorNDP to provide presumptive WSIB mental health coverage for all essential workers. I won’t lie, the tears started.
This week has been especially grim for so many in our province. From education workers & students living w uncertainty, to small businesses opening then closing, to the many who are sick or caring for the sick. It’s also been a hugely frustrating time...
Everyday in the Ontario Legislature the Ford Conservatives applaud themselves for their great successes in fighting #COVID19 . They want to pretend everything is A-OK and if not it’s YOUR FAULT ONTARIO. #onpoli
Watching the Minister of Ed now. Expressing lots of concern. Where’s the commitment to comprehensive asymptomatic testing? To smaller class sizes? It’s not enough to close schools. There must be a plan to re-open safely. They know what needs to be done and continue to refuse.
Over two weeks he says they will “build up their plan”. Are you kidding me? What have you been doing for the last almost year @Sflecce. NOW they are scrambling?! Are you kidding me.
Lecce is “doing everything we can”. This is utter nonsense. We parents know that this work takes time and instead you chose to save $$ and take a wait-and-see-approach.
Don’t feign surprise at the outcome, Minister. We warned you.
It's true.
Tues night walking home from the Legislature, I happened to check the app (for some reason I didn't receive a notification) & there was the notice. It looks like this 👇
The App informed me I needed to be tested for #COVID19, then isolate until I receive results.
So I checked different options & had a plan to get tested on Wednesday AM.
I’ve been tested before – when a friend tested positive. I waited 1 hour in line, 24 hours later had results
These days, we have been tracking the waiting lines so I knew it would be a different story.
Many of the assessment centres are now appointment only. I tried Mt Sinai, Western & Women’s College. All were booked up for next few days, and online booking was closed. #onpoli
I have some immediate education-related concerns w #Ford’s latest omnibus, mega-bill.
1. There is absolutely NOTHING in this “economic recovery act” to help Schools & childcare’s reopen. No additional staff, money, space or support for families. #onted
2. The Bill seems to possibly open the door to more outside (and possibly private control) of online education, by limiting the role of TVO/TFO. #onted
3. Watering down qualifications for Directors of Education so that they no longer have to be a qualified teacher - DoEs aren’t CEOs and understanding and leading the pedagogy is a part of the role. But we’ll seek input in this and other points.
In Question Period @AndreaHorwath asks #Ford to ensure parents don’t have to quit their jobs by opening “more, smaller classrooms”, hiring more teachers & investing to support our students. #onted#onpoli
Premier conveniently comes in after @AndreaHorwath asks the question so his Minister replies. Lectures her on how “synchronous learning” was in place to help parents.
HELLO WHAT?! Parenting 101: a teacher on a screen (live or not) can’t supervise a 6 year old. #onpoli#onted
“What families need isn’t suggestions, it’s plans!”
From the great communities of Beaconsfield, Little Portugal, Dundas W, Dufferin Grove, Bloordale, Junction Triangle to Carleton Village, Northcliffe, Regal Heights, Fairbank, Corso Italia and on and on....
On this 2nd anniversary of my election, I’m missing the school fairs, festivals, Portugal Day Parade & all the ways we celebrate our amazing diversity & neighbourhoods☀️ 🇵🇹
And I’m so grateful to represent a community that comes together in such difficult times.
Thank you!
I’m also honoured to work so closely with education workers, families & students to strengthen our publicly funded schools, as Ontario’s Official Opposition Education Critic. .... and through some of the most difficult times in our history.