Adrien Levesque is a health promoter with Anishnawbe Health Toronto. As a member of the Advanced Learning Program at the Toronto Central LHIN, he has been working to understand what ‘meaningful connection’ to the health care system looks like for residents of Moss Park — particularly those who are living homeless or precariously housed, and who live with mental health or addictions issues.
Moss Park has some of the highest rates of emergency department visits in the city, as well as some of the lowest rates of attachment to primary care. For Levesque, the goal isn’t just to provide health care services but to make sure the people in the neighbourhood feel like they’re being treated with respect and dignity. Levesque talks about some of the gaps in how we provide care to vulnerable populations and those who call Moss Park home.
More from this issue
The New Chill Facing Trans Health Care
As anti-trans rhetoric intensifies at home and abroad, the organizations providing training in trans-inclusive healthcare say they’re seeing less uptake from physicians across Ontario.
The Local Wins Six National Awards
Our journalism took home top prizes at the National Magazine Awards and Canadian Association of Journalists Awards.
An Ancient Past Unearthed by Urban Construction
In 2024, an Indigenous burial site was found during construction on Withrow Avenue, near Riverdale Park East. Where others see a “hole” in the ground awaiting investigation, journalist Gabrielle McMann sees a window into Toronto’s complex pre-colonial history—and a deeper sense of belonging.
The Long Last Days of Toronto’s First Safe Consumption Site
Nick says he’ll go back to Manitoulin. Texas can’t even think about the closure. Inside Moss Park in the final days of a nine-year era of safe consumption.
The Local Expands Into Peel
Introducing Prarthana Pathak, our new Peel Reporter
The Local is Nominated For Ten More Journalism Awards
The nominations at the Digital Publishing Awards and National Magazine Awards recognize our journalism in 2025.
When Refugees Can’t Afford the Care They Need
New federal cuts to Canada's refugee health program take effect this week. The people who work with asylum seekers say the consequences could be devastating.
The Local is Nominated for Four Canadian Association of Journalists Awards
The awards recognize our in-depth reporting on everything from school boards to international students to AI to worm harvesting
The New Reality for Toronto’s Crossing Guards
Once a job for local retirees backed by the police, today's crossing guards are poorly paid contract workers employed by private companies. As they confront growing road rage and speeding drivers, their work is more dangerous than ever.
We’re Hiring a Peel Reporter
The Local is looking for a talented journalist to join our team as a staff reporter covering civic issues in Mississauga and Brampton.