Heading in to the Holidays in Etobicoke—Lakeshore

Newsletter Issue No 4 December 2025

Dear Constituents,

As we approach the end of the legislative session, I want to share an update on the work I’ve been doing at Queen’s Park and in our community. From advocating for accessible transit, to speaking against Bill 33 and defending our education system and healthcare systems, to fighting for affordable housing and jobs for young people, my focus remains the same: Delivering for Etobicoke—Lakeshore, and ensuring the needs of our community and those across the province are heard loud and clear.

In this issue you’ll find a summary of what I’ve been working on over the past few months.

We welcome your ideas and support for our team and look forward to hearing from you at any time.

You can keep up with Etobicoke—Lakeshore news and my work at Queen’s Park by following me on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Please note that our Constituency Office is closed from December 22, 2025 until January 5, 2026. If you require immediate assistance over this time, please email us at lfairclough.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org or call us at 416-259-2259.

All the best,

Lee

Improving Transit and Accessibility in Etobicoke—Lakeshore

In May, I tabled a petition signed by several residents in Etobicoke—Lakeshore calling for improved accessibility at the Mimico GO Station. The petition urges Metrolinx to accelerate the work to make Mimico accessible. This includes installing an elevator to support community members who are physically impaired, parents with strollers, and anyone unable to safely use the stairs.

We received the response required from the government within 28 sitting days this week. Though it acknowledges planning work has started, no date for completion was confirmed. To read more see my letter in response.

In addition, I remain in active communication with Metrolinx, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, and the City of Toronto regarding the development of Park Lawn GO. It has been shared by Metrolinx that the project is paused with the developer, which is concerning.

Ensuring this station is delivered on time, built with full accessibility, and responsive to the needs of local residents continues to be one of my top priorities. I have heard from so many residents they moved to this area given the confirmation there would be transit. The population density warrants it. My letter to the Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation is available here. Reliable, accessible transit in this area of our riding is critical as our community’s population grows and commuting patterns evolve.

Standing Up for Public Healthcare

I hear from many constituents regarding their concerns about the health system. Many acknowledge those delivering care are doing all they can, but the pressure on the system is so clear from the long waits in emergency departments and in hallways. Hospitals are projecting close to a $1B deficit this year. They are the most efficient – we have the fewest beds per capita, lowest costs and some of the best quality of care.

Fall Economic Statement

This session we also found out that the government’s Fall Economic Statement (FES)—a key measure of how it is delivering on the provincial budget—offered very little relief for overstretched hospitals. With hospital deficits projected to be $1 billion, the FES failed to invest meaningfully in increasing care levels or addressing system pressures. I released a statement calling for better funding allocation to ensure hospitals can continue to provide the care Ontarians rely on.

Shortly after, Ontario’s Financial Accountability Office revealed that the province’s health funding is planned to rise by only 0.7%, the slowest rate in more than 30 years—equivalent to a $3.4 billion shortfall next year. I questioned the Minister of Health in Committee about why funding continues to fall behind inflation, population growth, and the needs of an aging demographic.

Hearing from Constituents on Education

I heard from many of you regarding Bill 33, the Supporting Children and Students Act. Constituents shared serious concerns about the bill’s overreach, which would have granted the Minister of Education expanded powers over the operations and responsibilities of school boards—including authority over democratically elected trustees. I brought these concerns forward at Queen’s Park, emphasizing the need to protect local decision-making and democratic oversight.

Protecting Tenants Rights

I also heard from many constituents on Bill 60, Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act. This bill which has now been unanimously passed by the government in many ways weakens the safeguards and protections that tenants are owed. Some of the provisions of the bill include reducing the time to pay back rent to avoid an eviction hearing to seven days, reducing the time to appeal LTB decisions from 30 days to just 15 days, and eliminating the one month rent compensation for “landlord own use” evictions if the landlord provides 4 months' notice.

My caucus and I voted against the bill, and I will continue to hold the government account on engaging in meaningful consultations with tenants, housing advocates and community organizations.

Skills Development Fund

During Question Period, I pressed the government for clarity on several key issues. I asked how the government could justify mismanaging $742 million at a time when hospitals are facing a billion-dollar deficit, and I questioned how hospitals could avoid service cuts when funding is rising by less than 1% while maintaining care requires roughly 4%. These are fundamental questions about transparency and priorities—especially when frontline care is under unprecedented pressure.

Advocating for Affordability

In my first Member’s Statement, I focused on the growing crisis of grocery affordability. I highlighted the Daily Bread Food Bank’s latest report from Etobicoke-Lakeshore, which revealed there were more than 4.1 million food bank visits in Toronto last year, with 88% of clients living in unaffordable housing. Alarmingly, 35% of food bank clients were employed, with many working multiple jobs. No one working full-time should need to rely on a food bank, and addressing our province’s affordability crisis and soaring grocery prices remains one of my top priorities.

Supporting Youth Employment

I also debated in support of the Ontario Liberal Caucus motion to establish a Youth Career Program, modeled after the federal Canadian Summer Jobs initiative. This program would have helped young Ontarians launch their careers, gain critical skills, and connect with employers—especially at a time when small businesses are feeling the impacts of U.S. tariffs. With young people now waiting an average of three and a half months to find work—the longest wait in nearly thirty years—this program was urgently needed. Unfortunately, the PC caucus voted unanimously against it, meaning the province will not establish a Youth Career Program.

Addressing Homelessness and Housing Insecurity

I also co-sponsored and debated Bill 28, the Homelessness Ends with Housing Act, alongside my Green Party colleague MPP Aislinn Clancy. This bill would have committed Ontario to eliminating homelessness within 10 years through a transparent, accountable strategy and a housing-first approach grounded in evidence.

Together, we held a press conference with housing and homelessness advocates who shared their experiences and the urgent need for coordinated provincial leadership. We also published a joint commentary outlining why Ontario must act boldly and decisively.

Despite this, the entire PC caucus voted against the bill, preventing Ontario from creating a legislated strategy to end homelessness within the next decade.

Engaging Youth and Meeting Stakeholders

I recently met with many university and college students across Ontario including Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance, College Student Alliances, and the Ontario Student Voices.

All express their concerns about direction of Bill 46 in impeding its ability of university student unions to make decision on the use of student fees for services and issues like housing standards for student housing, affordability and integrated learning. As a new MPP, I’m inspired by the next generation’s energy and insight—and I carry that inspiration with me as I hold the government accountable and advocate for our community.

Over the past several months, I also met with numerous stakeholders across the healthcare sector, including the Canadian Mental Health Association, the Ontario Health Coalition, the Ontario Dental Association, the Ontario Medical Association, Ontario Public School Board Association, Kidney Foundation Canada, Ontario Firefighters Association, Chicken Farmers of Ontario, Life Sciences Ontario, the Alzheimer Society of Ontario, the Canadian Cancer Society, and many others. These meetings deepen my understanding of where the system is falling short and strengthen my ability to press the government for the investments, services, and support that frontline workers and patients urgently need.

Gender Based and Intimate Partner Violence

The government re-initiated its work on intimate partner violence that was interrupted by an early election. We continued its study on intimate partner violence again in committee, but any meaningful progress has been blocked by partisanship from official opposition and government alike. The committee involved hearing from victims, experts from varied backgrounds and organizations with expertise in services to support people fleeing violence. The release of a report is expected.

I also debated a motion put forward by official opposition aimed at increasing social services and improving women’s economic security as part of a proactive strategy to prevent intimate partner violence. Our caucus supported this initiative because intimate partner violence is non-partisan and demands the unwavering support of every member of the Legislature. Unfortunately, the PC caucus voted against the motion, preventing it from moving forward.

We have excellent expertise in our riding to support women and families on this issue, and hope that a concrete set of actions to help break the cycle of violence against women will be clear soon.

Local Page At Queen’s Park

I would like to provide a warm welcome to Manélie, a bright high school student from our riding who is serving as a Legislative Page. Welcome to Queen’s Park!

Each year approximately 150 young students from across Ontario are selected to participate in Ontario's Legislative Page Program. This unique educational program for Ontario students provides an opportunity to experience the provincial legislature in action and forge new lifelong friendships with peers from all over the province. Page applications are accepted online twice yearly: April 15 to June 15 and September 15 to November 15.

Community Events at Queen’s Park

Wrapped in Courage

November 21st marked the start of the 16 Days of Activism to End Gender Based[FL6] Violence as well as the commemoration of Woman Abuse Prevention Month. I attended Aura Freedom and Women’s Habitat in Etobicoke-Lakeshore, international public installation Behind Closed Doors at Toronto City Hall. I heard from brave survivors and organizers about their experiences, the urgent need for an emergency-level response across all levels of government and participated in the flag raising ceremony.

At Queen’s Park, on November 22nd, all MPPs worse purple scarves to acknowledge the 43 femicides that have occurred in Toronto and renew our commitment to addressing Intimate Partner Violence. Members of the liberal caucus and I met with Ontario Association of Interval & Transition Houses (OAITH) an organization representing shelters and services for women fleeing violence.

Covering the four corners of the riding and everywhere in between, Lee has been meeting with consitutents, resident associations, community organizations, businesses, schools, attending local events and much more.

Halloween in Etobicoke—Lakeshore

The Kingsway BIA Pumpkinfest was a great opportunity to speak with constituents and get some early trick or treating in, not to mention all the great costumes on display.

Remembrance Day

On November 11th, Etobicoke—Lakeshore gathered as a community to remember the fallen and the veterans who protected our country and fought for democracy around the world. Lee placed a wreath on behalf of the province at three very moving ceremonies hosted by royal Canadian Legion Branches 101 and 643. I also acknowledged our leaders of local legions in the legislature[FL7] .

92nd Anniversary of the Holodomor

The 4th Saturday in November marks the commemoration of the Holodomor, translating to ‘death by hunger’, it was the genocide of the Ukrainian people in 1932 and 1933.

Lee joined with colleagues at all levels of government and the Ukrainian Canadian community to lay a wreath at the Holodomor Memorial Parkette. A day to honour the millions of Ukrainians who died, it was particularly impactful to hear from Mykola Latyshko, a survivor of the Holodomor.

Kinectrics Tour

Lee joined the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI), in partnership with Bruce Power and OPG, to tour its member company Kinectrics. The organization is headquartered in our riding and employs over 600 staff at its head office alone. The event recognized their recent completion of a major expansion to Kinectrics’ Isotope Separation Production Facility. This important work results in materials used in cancer treatment.

Master Mechanic Grand Opening

Congratulations to William and Shameer, proud new owner operators of the newest Master Mechanic franchise, store #49. Lee joined the team and community at their grand opening at 32 Jutland Road. It was great to see the management team of Master Mechanic out in support of the new team and speak with President Todd Wylie, who is also Vice Chairman of the Canadian Franchise Association. Franchise owners are small business owners.

Longo’s Grand Opening

The Longo’s Family’s newest location: Longo’s on the Queensway (directly across from our office) is now open! Lee joined Longo’s Chair Anthony Longo, President Deb Craven, and members of the Longo family as well as many in the community for the grand opening. Longo’s version of a ribbon cutting - an apple bite, the doors were opened.

FIFA 2026 Toronto Volunteer Centre Opening

FIFA is coming to Toronto in 2026 and we are going to be ready thanks to the sponsorship of Humber College for the FIFA 2026 Toronto Volunteer Centre. This will serve as a home base for the 3,000 volunteers that will help the event run smoothly and be the welcoming face of our city.

Concord In The City

Concord in the City is a charitable organization focused on supporting adults with intellectual disabilities. They are celebrating their 10th anniversary and Lee presented them with a certificate while visiting their 5th annual Spirit of Concord craft market. It was great to meet the many vendors and get some early holiday shopping done. Lee also joined them and their members as a guest speaker for their AGM.

JOLT Charger

Good news for EV drivers. JOLT has launched its first charging station in Toronto and it is right here in Etobicoke—Lakeshore. It is free, fast, and renewable-powered which helps to make EV infrastructure more accessible and green options more affordable. Every JOLT customer receives a free daily charge of 7kWh,. Which is roughly 40-50 km of range. After that drivers can continue charging at a discounted rate. It was great to speak with country manager Brendon Dhillon and the team at JOLT Canada about their work in supporting local economic growth and EV infrastructure expansion. You can find the charger at 130 North Queen Street.

Happy 70th Anniversary And Holiday Cheer

Congratulations to Martin Luther Evangelical Lutheran Church on their 70th anniversary. It was special to join members of the congregation as well as guests like Consul General Anne Wagner-Mitchell in celebrating this milestone. The Christmas Bazaar was also a great opportunity to meet some local vendors, have a taste of German holiday traditions, and learn about the ongoing partnership with Wesley Mimico United Church and their food pantry.

Holiday Lights

It was great to join with the community at the annual Kingsway BIA Tree Lighting. Hot chocolate and cookies brought out the holiday cheer as students from the nearby music school led the crowd in Christmas carols.

Galas for a Good Cause

Women's Habitat Boundless Gala

A wonderful evening celebrating staff, volunteers, and supporters at the Women's Habitat Boundless Gala. It was truly inspiring to hear from a survivor and appreciate the vital services that they offer to women and families.

New Haven Learning Centre Changing Lives Gala

Celebrating nearly three decades of impact in our community, it was great to connect with friends, supporters and partners in honour of New Haven Learning Centre. A non-profit with two campuses in our riding, they have supported people with autism since 1998 through individualized, evidence-informed education and therapeutic services.

Provincial Program Announcements

Ontario Volunteer Service Awards

On Tuesday, October 28th, Many residents of Etobicoke-Lakeshore were recognized with an Ontario Volunteer Service Award. This award recognizes volunteers for providing committed and dedicated service to an organization. Congratulations again to the recipients: Sue Battistel, Iosef Ciosa, Ann Girvin, Anne Heber, Mary Ann Labricciosa, Yoshiko Shimizu, Velma Jones and thank you for your continued service in our community and beyond.

What’s Next

What’s Next

In the months ahead, I will continue advocating for:

A fully funded, sustainable public healthcare system

Meaningful action on housing affordability and homelessness
Strong protections for local democracy in our education system
Safe, accessible, and reliable transit for Etobicoke–Lakeshore
Supports that strengthen families, women’s safety, and economic security
Programs that help young people build meaningful careers

I will also continue meeting with community members, local organizations, and stakeholders to ensure your voices shape my work at Queen’s Park.

Thank You

Thank you for taking the time to read this update and for your ongoing engagement. As always, my constituency office is here to help with provincial services, hear your concerns, and support you however we can

Please do not hesitate to reach out. I look forward to continuing to advocate for the priorities you’ve shared with me and to delivering results that strengthen every corner of Etobicoke–Lakeshore.

Etobicoke—Lakeshore Santa Claus Parade

Saturday December 6th

We hope to see you at the annual Etobicoke—Lakeshore Santa Claus Parade happening Saturday December 6th. Lee will be there with volunteers to spread some holiday cheer.

Etobi-CLICK Photo Challenge Celebration

December 4th

The submissions are in and the final photos have been selected for the first Etobi-CLICK Photo Challenge. Representing all parts of Etobicoke-Lakshore, the images will be on display in the Constituency Office located at 1136 The Queensway. Join us on December 4th for the unveiling of the works and enjoy some light refreshments as you take them in.

If you wish to list an event in our newsletter please reach out to our office.

Heart and Stroke Awareness

The more you know about your risks for heart disease and stroke, the better prepared you will be to reduce or manage them. Heart disease and stroke are the #1 cause of premature death in women in Canada. The more women know about their risks, the better prepared they will be to reduce or manage them. Take the Heart & Stroke Risk Screen to beat your risks. #HeartandStrokeRiskScreen

Explore the tool here: https://riskscreen.heartandstroke.ca/en-CA.

The Canadian Anti-Scam Coalition

November marks a defining moment in the fight against scams. The Stand Against Scams campaign, lead by the Canadian Bankers Association within the Canadian Anti-Scam Coalition, launches its national public relations effort. Tell your family, friends and neighbours about the importance of taking the time to Stop. Check. Talk. when they are asked for money or personal information unexpectedly.

The Canadian Bankers Association has developed consumer financial education resources to help protect Canadians against financial crime. These include:

tips and articles aimed at helping consumers spot and avoid scams
cyber security and fraud prevention toolkits
scam prevention quizzes and a monthly newsletter
a financial literacy seminar for students and fraud and financial abuse prevention seminars for older adults
a primer on the banks’ cyber security efforts and how they protect the financial system from fraud

Victim Services Awards of Distinction

The Attorney General’s Victim Services Awards of Distinction (VSAD) recognizes the dedication and achievements of professionals, organizations and volunteers working to support people who have experienced victimization due to crime and raise awareness of victims’ issues in Ontario.

Nominees must be Ontario residents, of any age, and be either:

individuals who have experienced victimization due to crime, their family members or others personally impacted by crime who have raised the profile of victims' issues in Ontario

volunteers who offer their time and personal resources to help people who have experienced victimization due to crime

professional practitioners and paid victim services providers who have gone above and beyond their regular duties while providing to support people who have experienced victimization due to crime

programs, groups and organizations that deliver innovative services to people who have experienced victimization due to crime

Save and download the nomination application form. Do not open it in a browser.

To fill out the nomination form, select either “Individual Nomination” or “Group Nomination”.

Send completed nomination applications to the Awards Planning Committee at AGVSAD@ontario.ca and include the subject line VSAD Nomination – Nominee’s Name.

Nominations must be received by 11:59pm on Monday, December 8, 2025.

Sport Hosting Program

The Province is accepting applications for the next round of the Sport Hosting Program to support sport tourism and local economies.

The Ontario Government is now accepting applications for the first intake of the 2026-27 Sport Hosting Program, which provides funding support to communities and sport organizations hosting national and international amateur competitions.

By helping communities host these events, the program not only drives economic activity and boosts local tourism, it gives Ontario athletes the elite-competition experience they need to excel onthe world stage, right here at home.

Quick Facts

Each year, the Ontario Sport Hosting Program brings together on average approximately 9,500 amateur athletes, 3,000 volunteers and 100,000 community supporters to Ontario.
Successful applicants can use this funding to help with operational costs, including venue, staffing, participant expenses such as accommodations and meals, and legacy projects.
Through the 2025-26 Sport Hosting Program - Intake II, Ontario is investing more than $1.6 million to support 20 national and 10 international amateur suport events, which are expected to attract 10,000 athletes and generate $34 million in economic activity for Ontario.

Keep an eye out this December for MPP Fairclough’s 2026 Calendar arriving in your inboxes.

Please note that our Constituency Office is closed from December 22, 2025 until January 5, 2026. If you require immediate assistance, please email us at lfairclough.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org or call us at 416-259-2259.

MPP Fairclough’s Constituency office is located at 1136 The Queensway, Etobicoke, ON. There is street parking available as well as transit on the Queensway.

Office Hours:

Mondays 9 am - 5 pm

Tuesdays 9 am - 5 pm

Wednesdays 11 am - 7 pm

Thursdays 9 am - 5 pm

Fridays 9 am - 5 pm

Closed weekends and holidays

Phone: 416 259 2249 Email: lfairclough.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org Web: LeeFaircloughMPP.ca

Contact us if you need assistance with:

Birth, Marriage, and Death Certificates

OHIP Cards

Driver’s Licences

Family Responsibility Office

Ontario Disability Support Program

Commissioner of Oaths Services (By Appointment)

Other Ontario Government Ministry Issues

Congratulatory Certificates

Invite MPP Fairclough to Events

The Etobicoke—Lakeshore Report: MPP Lee Fairclough Newsletter, Issue 4