Greater Toronto Area Council
90 Eglinton Ave E M4P 2Y3 Toronto, ON, Canada

April 12th is the Internations Day of Street Children. GTAC supports the international efforts for a more sustainable development including respecting the rights of children. As a signatory on the UN's convention on children since 1970 Canada needs to not only work to eliminate the conditions that lead to child poverty abroad but also those conditions that leed to youth homelessness. https://youtu.be/YBeJhODylgY

Save the date save our species.

The Council would like to thank all those who provide support for those with mental injuries or illness. On this the International Day of Mental Health we ask all PSAC Ontario Region members to reachout to family, friends, colleagues and community to say #letsinvest Too often, mental wellbeing is presumed as we are not accustomed to speak to issues of capacity and competence in terms of injuries or illnesses that cannot be seen. The stigma around mental health often prevents... those in need of help from seeking help. To make matters worse our medical system is ill prepared to address the treatments. A broken bone is covered by our healthcare system but for many an injured mind or someone suffering from mental illness has no coverage to see a psychiatrist or psychologist. Furthermore, the medications needed to provide those suffering a way forward is not covered. The cost of not providing universal pharmacare for essential drugs in lost days of work and lost lives is too high. Let's invest in an inclusive healthcare system that takes care of all illnesses before they become worse with outcomes that affect us all. From the opioid crisis to the rising depression rate triggered by covid 19 we can no longer afford to stand by and do nothing. Resources are available from Bell Lets talk, CAMH, Municipal, Provincial and Federal websites and in our communities. We all know someone affected by a mental disorder. Even those who are not psychiatrists can listen respectfully and with compassion. By reaching out we can lesson the stigma of those suffering from mental illness or injury. Alittle kindnes can go a long way. make a difference and let the voices of those affected by Mental injury and illness matter more. https://youtu.be/ImDOLyWFSbM https://www.who.int//world-me/world-mental-health-day-2020 https://www.canada.ca///topics/mental-health-wellness.html https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-mental-health-support

The Council would like to thank all those in Environment Canada that help keep us informed and aware of our climate and our #CommonHome. Yesterday's outreach for the Ozone resulted in some good news in Canada on what motther nature can do to correct the human impact on the environment. "Everyone thinks because of COVID 19 with less traffic, flights, cruises and trucking. Mother Nature is Fixing itself. Is it? The answer is yes. It is good news and it is an example of wha...t can be accomplished when all people, regardless of where they live and what their political philosophy is, work together." Share the good news and help make the voice of the environment matter more. https://www.un.org/en/observances/ozone-day

GTAC Would like to thank all those labour activists that came before us and struggled to win basic worker rights including paid days off... Now with Covid 19 exposing the weaknesses that persist in our society PSAC Ontario Region members in the GTA must fight for a #JustRecoveryforAll . By uniting our efforts we can make a positive difference today and beyond. We must engage our membership to turn the page on precarity and find a path to a sustainable future. Let us all move forward together and make everyone's voice matter more. https://youtu.be/PBR46GLAZw8

Congratulations to TRVMC for a great Labour Caravan and Food drive. GTAC was glad to contribute to this worthy cause along with the many other generous PSAC Ontario Region donors. It is hoped the The migrant workers who help provide food security for us all remain healthy and their efforts for decent safe work are fruitful in their efforts to #harvestjustice