April 13th, 2021

Hassan asks Ford for permanent vaccine site in York South-Weston

NDP MPP says peoples' lives at stake, no time to waste

YORK SOUTH—WESTON — NDP MPP Faisal Hassan asked Premier Doug Ford to urgently bring a permanent vaccine centre to his riding of York South—Weston, a vulnerable COVID-19 hot spot home to many essential workers and low-income residents.

Despite being high-risk, Hassan’s community has had to wait for pop-up vaccine efforts because there are no permanent vaccination sites in the area.

"I have stood in the legislature many times to ask why my community of York South—Weston has been neglected by this government's pandemic response," Hassan said in question period Tuesday. "It took until late September for the government to provide us with a COVID-19 testing facility. Now, the community is anxiously awaiting a permanent vaccine facility."

Frustrated by the slow response from the Ford government, Hassan has been working successfully with Humber River Hospital to bring pop-up vaccine clinics to seniors' buildings and sites of worship in his riding.

"I keep hearing from families the Ford government's rollout in our community is chaotic and confusing, with people not knowing how and where to register," Hassan said.

"The Ford government must get its act together and help some of our most vulnerable people get vaccinated. Ontario is not doing great; everything is not fine. Peoples' lives are at stake, and there is literally no time to waste."