Dr. Jill Andrew chosen to be the NDP candidate in Toronto-St. Paul’s

TORONTO — New Democrats in Toronto-St. Paul’s have selected incumbent MPP Jill Andrew to be their NDP candidate in the 2022 provincial election. A certified child and youth worker, teacher and equity advocate, Andrew, who also holds a Masters in Women & Gender Studies and a PhD in Education, co-founded Body Confidence Canada and is a community co-owner of the world’s oldest LGBT bookstore, Glad Day Bookshop. In 2018, Andrew became the first queer Black MPP elected to Ontario’s legislature and in any legislature across Canada. Andrew currently serves as Official Opposition critic for Culture, Heritage and for Women’s Issues, and is a founding member of the NDP Black Caucus — a first of its kind in Ontario's legislative history.

Quotes

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath
“Whether it’s fighting for help for struggling small businesses in Little Jamaica, advocating for tenants' rights, or sounding the alarm about lack of PPE at a local long-term care home, Jill has a commanding presence in the legislature and works incredibly hard for the people of Toronto-St. Paul’s. The NDP has an ambitious plan to help people when we form government in 2022, and I know Jill will help us get it done: world-class public health care, better quality of life for seniors as they age, homes people can afford, affordable child care, and a thriving public education system.”

Jill Andrew, NDP candidate for Toronto-St. Paul’s
“I am deeply grateful to have local New Democrats in my corner, supporting my run for re-election in Toronto-St. Paul’s. Our community needs hope right now, and we the NDP will keep pushing for the help they need to get through the pandemic. We need more staff in long-term care; smaller, safer class sizes; paid sick days; direct financial support for small businesses; an arts sector strategy and rent subsidies for tenants. BIPOC, women, seniors, community members with disabilities and essential workers hit the hardest during COVID-19 will not be left behind. In 2022, with Andrea Horwath leading the way, an NDP government will make its positive proposals a reality by investing in all the things Ford has been cutting and squeezing — long-term care, education, public health, housing and so much more.”

Biography

• Andrew is fighting for a “Save Little Jamaica” strategy to help local and neighbouring businesses along Eglinton hurt by COVID-19 and the Eglinton Crosstown LRT construction, and is also advocating for an intersectional gender equity strategy to support women and other marginalized communities
• Andrew has led the charge to reverse Ford’s cuts to culture and to support for survivors of gender-based violence
• Andrew's Bill 61 to proclaim the first week of February Eating Disorders Awareness Week passed unanimously and became law in December 2020, and she has co-sponsored a bill calling for a universal protocol to ensure a high standard of care for Ontarians living with sickle cell disease
• Andrew lives in Toronto-St.Paul's with her family and furry felines Josephine Baker and Dorothy Dandridge