Social Justice Vestry Motion: Protecting and Expanding Harm Reduction in Ontario
This motion, which calls on the province to reverse its decision on the planned closure of safe consumption sites and to lift the ban on the creation of new sites, in order to expand life-saving harm reduction services to Ontarians, can be found along with background information at the Diocese website and was unanimously passed at our Vestry meeting on Sunday, March 2. On Aug. 20, 2024, Premier Doug Ford and Health Minister Sylvia Jones announced their decision to close 10 of the 17 safe consumption/overdose prevention sites around Ontario, and to prevent any new sites from opening. On Nov. 18, 2024, the government introduced legislation enabling this decision in the form of Bill 223, the “Safer Streets, Stronger Communities Act, 2024.”
This decision will have a devastating impact and lead to thousands of deaths. Every day more than seven Ontarians die because of a fatal overdose. Without supervised consumption sites, the numbers will only grow. Hospitals, front-line workers and a commission appointed by the province all agree that safe consumption sites are a necessary public health service and prevent accidental overdose deaths.
Five of the sites are in our Diocese, within the City of Toronto. The others are in Ottawa, Guelph, Hamilton, Kitchener and Thunder Bay. Several faith leaders around the province, including Bishop Andrew Asbil, have signed a letter calling on Ford and Jones to reverse their decision.
Our Social Justice Vestry Motion for 2025, “Protecting and Expanding Harm Reduction in Ontario,” calls on the province to reverse its decision on the planned closure of safe consumption sites and to lift the ban on the creation of new sites, in order to expand life-saving harm reduction services to Ontarians.
Every Child Matters: Honouring Orange Shirt Day
As Anglicans, we have been called upon to lift up our responsibility to break through the Residential School denialism that is spreading throughout our society, to remember the children who never returned home from Residential School, and to commemorate their lives. This 14-page resource has information about the impact of residential schools, suggestions for church, home, and community activities, and links to videos and more reading. In addition to the listed events, there was a well-attended Orange Shirt Day gathering and walk in Parkdale, as listed on our Facebook page.
The Survivors Flag, a rich tapestry of symbols created over many weeks by a wide range of residential school survivors, includes
- Family and children
- Seeds
- The tree of peace and cedar branch
- Sun, moon, and stars
- The Métis sash, eagle feather, and inuksuit
The Art of Resistance: Day Trips to Black Heritage Sites
Following in the footsteps of Black settlers, two informational and inspiring day trips to Black heritage sites in Ontario were organized this year by the Rev. Canon Claudette Taylor.
The first was to Priceville and Owen Sound on Owen Sound Emanicipation Day, Saturday August 3.
The second was to Clarksburg and Collingwood on Saturday, September 14.
COVID Vaccine
Are you keeping yourself and others safe?
COVID continues to be a concern: boosters for the vaccines are regularly available. Check your eligibility and find locations here ontario.ca/covidvaccineplan
or call 1-888-999-6488
Prayers for use During the Coronavirus Outbreak
The Church of England has produced an excellent prayer resource for use during the pandemic. The booklet includes prayers about the outbreak, personal prayers, prayers with children, and a pattern of daily prayer.
The resource can be downloaded here.
It is also available in other formats on the C of E website.