Aboriginal Council Getting Permanent Home in Regent Park.

By Fred Alvarado
Fred is a community journalist with FOCUS MEDIA ARTS CENTRE

Welcome to RPTV Weekly News Show Episode 33. In this weekly news show hosted by RPTV reporters Fred Alvarado, Victoria Nanneti, Jamellia Parnell, and Jabin Haque, we present news that impacts on Toronto's Regent Park and the surrounding areas. In this episode we present the following news for the week of July 18th to July 25th, 2022.

*     Toronto Aboriginal Support Services Council Getting Permanent Home in Regent Park
*     Cabbagetown turned a parking space into parkette to support local business
*     Summer 2022: Regent Park Cultural Bazaar is here every Friday until September 2nd
*     Police announce $50,000 Rewards for tips in Regent Park mentor Thane Murray’s killing.
*     City of Toronto accepts Ombudsman Toronto’s recommendations on encampment prevention and enforcement (Victoria)
*     Inflation drives Toronto 2026 FIFA World Cup cost estimate up to $300 million dollars.
*     Covid-19 & Vaccination Update: Fourth COVID-19 vaccine now available for Ontarians over the age of 18 / Vaccine Clinics in the.
*     Events and Jobs in Regent Park Community
*
This week's lead story:

Toronto Aboriginal Support Services Council getting permanent home in Regent Park at 660 Dundas St East. (Jabin)

The Toronto Aboriginal Support Services Council is a Toronto-based coalition of 18 Indigenous social services agencies working to address the unique challenges and opportunities facing Indigenous People in Ward 13 Toronto Centre and across our city.

On July 12, 2022, TASSC announced their new permanent office space in Regent Park located at 660 Dundas St East. This new 3100 square feet dedicated office space will be owned and operated by TASSC and will enable gathering, culture, ceremonies, events, collaboration and other community activities for years to come for the benefit of urban Indigenous communities in Toronto.

The announcement focused on:
1..   The funding of their new home,
2.    Daniels’ partnership with TASSC,
3.    As well as remarks from the Minister of Indigenous Affairs, TASSC representatives and other friends, allies and funding partners.

The Government of Canada is giving $2 million to the Toronto Aboriginal Support Services Council so it can purchase and renovate a new permanent office and community space in Regent Park after TASSC lost its office in 2020 during the pandemic. Federal funding was administered through the urban component of the Indigenous Community Infrastructure Fund at Indigenous Services Canada. The Daniels Corporation also contributed $300,000 (three hundred thousand dollars) towards the partial construction costs and about $94,000 (ninety four thousand dollars) to reduce to the purchase price, with the City of Toronto shovelling in $650,000 (six hundred fifty thousand dollars).

Frances Sanderson, President of TASSC, gave words of welcome to friends, supporters and partners that were invited to this important event and expressed excitement to unveil their new home in the heart of Toronto.

Former City of Toronto Councillor Krystin Wong Tam also welcomed Toronto Aboriginal Support Services Council to their new home and gave her first scroll as MPP.