MEDIA

Community News

If you want to stay up-to-date with what’s going on in the news, this section will be updated with current press coverage which will highlight activities and information regarding George Smitherman in his role as MPP for the riding of Toronto Centre.   

Watch for more updates to this section next month.

St. Lawrence Canada Day Parade and Picnic

On Sunday, July 1st, 2007, George Smitherman, MPP Toronto Centre celebrated Canada's 140th birthday at the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association's 3rd Annual Canada Day Celebration. The celebration was launched with a parade from Lower Jarvis St. and The Esplanade to St. James Park at Church and King streets, followed by a relaxing picnic in the Park. George walked the parade with myriad of friends, supporters, and colleagues, and gave an inspiring speech to hundreds of local residents at the picnic. The afternoon also included musical performances, cake, face painting, a balloon artist, games, and fun for the whole family. Pam McConnell, Toronto City Councillor was also in attendance, along with several community groups and organizations. George contributed free toys and freezies to the youngsters and mingled with the residents throughout the afternoon event.

George attends Bangladesh Canada Day Celebration

On Sunday, July 1st, 2007, George Smitherman, MPP Toronto Centre attended the Bangladesh Canada Day celebration at Dentonia Park in Toronto. Approximately 5,000 participants from Toronto Centre and GTA were in attendance, most of which came from Toronto's vibrant Bangladeshi community. Public representatives from the federal, provincial and municipal levels were present, including Premier Hon. Dalton McGuinty MPP, Maria Minna MP, Lorenzo Berardinetti MPP, City Councillor Pam McConnell and Tom Teahen. Premier Dalton McGuinty was presented an award of appreciation as the best Premier of Ontario for his strong leadership to the Bangladeshi community and all Ontarians. Deputy Premier George Smitherman was also awarded a certificate of appreciation as the best health minister and for his support of the Bangladeshi community and all Ontarians. George Smitherman also presented 20 awards from the Ontario government to community leaders including journalists and broadcasters, philanthropists, and social activists. The purpose of the event was to exhibit Bangladeshi cultural heritage in the form of clothing displays, jewelry and a cultural show performed by local and internationally awarded artists. The event started at noon and continued until 10 p.m.

George Smitherman walks in Pride Parade 2007

On Sunday, June 24, 2007, George Smitherman, MPP Toronto Centre, participated in Pride Toronto's 27th annual celebration by walking in their vibrant Pride Parade. Music, marchers and dancers flowed through the crowded downtown core, embodying the festival's 2007 theme -- "unstoppable." An estimated 500,000 people spent the day watching a rainbow of 150 floats and bands go by. The parade, which went from 2 to 6 p.m., was the culmination of a week honouring diverse sexual and gender identities, histories and cultures. George Smitherman, accompanied by fiance Christopher Peloso, fellow Liberal party and Ontario Young Liberal members, friends, supporters and community residents, walked beside the Liberal party's float and passed out copies of Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms to the enthused crowd. Smitherman hosted a tailgate party BBQ at 12:30pm before the parade to gather volunteers, socialize with friends and supporters, and celebrate the occasion. The celebration traditionally draws approximately one million people, and generates almost $100 million for the region.

George Attends Walk for Values

On Thursday, June 10, 2007, MPP Toronto-Centre Rosedale George Smitherman was present to inaugurate Walk for Values 2007. This year's Walkathon celebrated such global affirmations as Truth, Peace, Love, Right Conduct and Non-violence. More than four thousand Toronto residents along with scores of Americans and some Europeans converged at Dundas Square and then pounded the pavements through the downtown core, raising the level of human commitment towards universal human values that transcend barriers of race, religion, culture and ethnicity. Participants neither pledged nor sought any monetary contributions. Instead, they had to introspect and pledge to improve an area of personal weakness. Members of diverse multi-cultural groups from Toronto including Chinese, Irish, Russian, Latin, Egyptian and Indian performed at the closing ceremonies. This incredible project is the brainchild of the Parent Council of the Sathya Sai School of Canada. The event was open to everyone -- individuals, diverse faith groups, businesses, social and cultural clubs... as long as each participant committed to individual improvement, leading to social improvement. For more information, visit www.walkforvalues.com

George Smitherman Attends St. Jamestown Festival

St. Jamestown - George Smitherman, MPP participated in the St. Jamestown Festival amongst hundreds and hundreds of residents. Smitherman started the morning at Rose Ave Public School, opening the 4th Annual St. Jamestown Storytelling Festival, funded by World Literacy of Canada and the St. Jamestown Festival's children's section. Smitherman presented World Literacy of Canada with a plaque from the Government of Ontario, and the Ontario Trillium Foundation following an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant of over three years to World Literacy of Canada for the production of Storytelling Festivals in St. Jamestown, and 3 other Toronto neighbourhoods.

Back at the festival's main grounds at the Wellesley Community Centre, Smitherman was on-hand with MP Bill Graham and Bob Rae, the Federal Liberal candidate for Toronto Centre. They were on the main stage with festival organizers for the official kick-off of the day's entertainment program and the playing of O Canada. Smitherman greeted residents, joined in on the activities, visited numerous community booths and enjoyed the rich diversity of food and ice cream available. Team Smitherman had two tables set up on the grounds for residents, and held a free raffle which sent some attendees home with tickets to the Blue Jays and family passes to such places as the CNE and Ontario Place.

Smitherman remarked that the diverse cultures represented amongst the large number of the Festival participants and attendees combined with a beautiful day made the 2007 St. Jamestown Festival a great success.

George Smitherman attends Sherbourne Health Centre's expansion of Urban Health Care Services Facility

On Tuesday, May 22, 2007, M.P.P. Toronto-Centre Rosedale George Smitherman was present as the Sherbourne Health Centre, a leading urban health care provider in downtown Toronto, officially opened the doors of its newly expanded facilities. Renovations tripled the number of examination rooms and enabled the hiring of additional staff. Sherbourne Health Centre, a 21st century pioneer in the delivery of health care services, serves the diverse communities in southeast Toronto, particularly the homeless and recent immigrants as well as the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered and transsexual communities. The new facility will enable expansion of all services, deepen the Centre's connections with the communities it serves and for the first time bring all staff together under one roof.

Regent Park/Duke of York Elementary School Grade 5 Class Visitation

M.P.P. Toronto-Centre Rosedale George Smitherman recently visited a grade five class at Regent Park/Duke of York Public School, an inner-city school serving from East of River Street to Bay Street, including families in Regent Park South and Moss Park. George spoke to the students about his own experiences growing up and entering politics, the duties of his job as M.P.P. Toronto-Centre Rosedale, and the importance of safety, education and proactive involvement in the community . Students read out letters they had written to George as part of their class work, and asked him questions about issues in the community.

The Voice - Cabbagetown, Downtown East and Riverdale, November 2006

George Smitherman and Jim Brownell at the grave of Premier John Roberts in St. James Cemetery in Cabbagetown  Click for Pdf file

The Voice - Cabbagetown, Downtown East and Riverdale, November 2006

Remembrance Day, November 11, 2006 Click for Pdf file

Town Crier - Leaside-Rosedale , September 2006

Heather Crowe Awards Click for Pdf file

The Voice - Cabbagetown, Downtown East and Riverdale, September 2006

Health Minister George Smitherman's annual barbecue in Allan Gardens on August 12, 2006 Click for Pdf file

Town Crier - Bloor-Bay Edition, May 2006

"Appreciating Volunteers" Health Minister George Smitherman greets Art Fitkin, at a tea held at Fellowship Towers Retirement Community, near Yonge and Bloor Sts., to mark National Volunteer Month on April 21. Click for Pdf file