10 May 2024 Newsletter

Dear Ben,

I am pleased to share with you that Toronto Centre elected our federal candidate this past Saturday, Dr. Samantha Green!

Samantha is a beloved and respected family doctor in Regent Park, University of Toronto professor, and a long-time advocate focusing on climate action and social justice. She is deeply connected to Toronto Centre and is raising three energetic children with her husband in Moss Park.

I am excited for you to meet Samantha and feel her overflowing joy and commitment to make our communities the best that they can be by investing in our people, neighbourhoods and public services.

You can learn more about Samantha here, and watch out for her at our upcoming canvasses and community events.

One exciting event that you will certainly catch Samantha at is our upcoming Pride and Politics fundraiser!

The Toronto Centre NDP Riding Association is hosting a joyful Pride & Politics fundraiser at the iconic Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Enjoy captivating drag performances by Messy Margaret and Amora, refreshments, and a chance to celebrate Pride while supporting the Ontario NDP!

Join us Thursday, June 6, 2024, at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander Street, Toronto.

Buy Tickets HERE

I am so excited by the strong NDP energy that is coming out of Toronto Centre right now!

This Mother's Day, I want to honour the incredible mothers in my life, especially my own mother, Mee Ling and my mother-in-law, Maggie. Throughout my wife's treatment, they showed unwavering support by caring for our son daily, allowing Farrah to heal and me to continue working. Even during the most challenging times, their love and presence have been a beacon of strength. They provided our son with care, support, and a safety net, showing us the true meaning of motherhood. So much love also goes to Farrah for being such a wonderful mother to our son; even in the hardest year, you have worked tirelessly to be present for him every day with care and compassion. I cherish our journey as mothers together, and raising our son fills me with hope for building a better world. Happy Mother's Day to everyone celebrating this weekend, and to those who find the day complicated, may you be surrounded by love that brings you ease.

This week marks a monumental milestone in my wife's cancer journey – her last treatment for aggressive small-cell cervical cancer and breast cancer. Our care team, composed of friends and family, gathered at the hospital to cheer her on as she ceremoniously banged the gong, signifying the end of a year-long journey through harsh radiation, chemotherapy, and surgeries. I am immensely proud of Farrah for her unwavering strength, courage, and the joy she brought to one of the most challenging times in our lives. She still has a long road to recovery, but I'm grateful she can now heal and take a breath. My heartfelt gratitude extends to Princess Margaret Hospital and Mt Sinai Hospital for saving my wife's life. Our experience serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of advocating for the continued support of public healthcare. Thank you to all of you for the support you have provided our family this year; your care helped us get here. I eagerly anticipate celebrating with Farrah and our son under the warmth of the summer sun.

Yours in community service,

Kristyn

Kristyn Wong-Tam

MPP, Toronto Centre

In this Newsletter

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Education Stories Callout
Lydia’s Law Event
Queen’s Park Keffiyeh Ban: Updates
NDP Tables Caregiver Benefit Motion
Thousands of Pages of Incriminating Greenbelt Documents
Forsythia Festival Fun
Local Community News

Education Stories Callout

Next week, I will likely have the opportunity to debate the underfunding of Ontario’s public elementary and high schools. If this issue affects your family, I want to hear about it and bring your stories to the Conservative government.

Reply to this email with your story; I will do my best to incorporate it into my speech!

Lydia’s Law Event

The bill I am co-sponsoring with MPP Catherine Fife, Lydia's Law, will be debated in the legislature on May 15 at 6 PM.

This important legislation seeks to bring accountability and transparency to the handling of sexual assault cases in Ontario.

Lydia’s Law is named in honour of Lydia, a survivor of sexual assault who was forced to wait for almost two years to see justice. She does not want other young women to experience this painful delay in justice.

You can read more about Lydia’s Law and sign the petition in support here.

RSVP HERE to attend the event and receive updates!

Queen’s Park Keffiyeh Ban: Updates

On Monday, in protest of the keffiyeh ban in the legislative chamber at Queen’s Park, I walked out with MPPs Joel Harden, Sara Jama and Aisnlinn Clancy from the Green Party.

This ban imposed by the Speaker is grossly unjust and unfair. The keffiyeh is a cultural piece of clothing like many others. It should be allowed so that Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim Ontarians can express their culture in their seat of government.

This week, we had a partial win, as the ban was lifted in the legislative precinct, meaning that it can be worn in all parts of the building except for the legislative chamber, including the public, media and Speaker’s galleries. While this is a step in the right direction, many people, including the influential editorial boards of Canada’s largest media outlets, agree that this selective rule is out of step with even the UN and the Israeli parliament.

Doug Ford needs to do the right thing and move a government motion to reverse the ban. The Speaker has made it clear that procedurally, a government motion is the only thing that will change his mind. He has told us that an Opposition Day Motion would not change anything, which is frustrating.

It is heartbreaking that we have to fight over something so simple and symbolic when Palestinians and Israeli hostages in Rafah are facing air strikes and a ground offensive on a massive scale. Hundreds of thousands of people, many of them children, are now being told to flee the last place in Gaza that they were told was safe. With borders closed and aid trucks blocked, there is nowhere that is ready to receive this massive influx of people already dealing with injuries, hunger, and massive trauma. The next few days are likely to be horrific. Please keep your eyes on Rafa this weekend, and if you can, show up in solidarity at the student encampments at the University of Toronto.

The division that the Speaker’s ruling is worsening is a real threat. I am deeply aware of the rising tide of antisemitism, islamophobia, and anti-Palestinian racism in our society — and I am committed to fighting it wherever it appears. I have repeatedly called on the Ontario government to develop a real anti-hate strategy with full funding to combat rising antisemitism, islamophobia, and anti-Palestinian hate. This plan would have been a wonderful thing to unveil on Monday in acknowledgement of Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), but instead, this government continued to fail to address hate in Ontairo.

NDP Tables Caregiver Benefit Motion

On Thursday, I had the honour of speaking to my colleague MPP Wayne Gates’ motion to establish an Ontario Caregiver Benefit.

This benefit would compensate the millions of caregivers in Ontario who provide care on a full-time or part-time basis to a loved one, something that they currently do out of the goodness of their hearts. Currently, this care often comes at a financial cost to the caregiver, most of whom are women. These caregivers sometimes even leave their jobs or cut back on their hours to accommodate their caregiving responsibilities. It’s long past time to provide a benefit for the people who are putting in long hours to make sure loved ones are cared for.

During my speaking time, I was able to share my family's story of caregiving. Over the past year, as my wife has gone through cancer treatments, my family has been incredibly blessed to be surrounded by a team of joyful, loving caregivers in the form of our friends and family. They have been indispensable, caring for Farrah, attending appointments with her, spending time with our son, and making sure we have prepared food when there was no time to cook. The MVP in all of this has been my mom, who has stepped up to care for Farrah, my son, and my father, who also received a cancer diagnosis this year. Mom has always been the strongest person in my life, and I am so lucky to have her. You can listen to my speech here.

Nova Scotia has a program that offers caregiver benefits. This motion would let Ontario join as a leader in this important initiative.

Thousands of Pages of Incriminating Greenbelt Documents

The Ontario NDP has publicly released nearly 4,000 pages of government records that we believe provide further evidence about the Ford government’s corrupt Greenbelt scheme.

Obtained via Freedom of Information request from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the documents reveal Ford government officials covering their tracks and concealing their intentions to give preferential treatment to certain speculators as they planned to remove 7,400 acres of land from the Greenbelt. The documents also point to officials in the Premier’s office having greater involvement in the Greenbelt scheme than was previously disclosed.

On Monday, NDP MPPs questioned the Auditor General and ministry officials at a Public Accounts Committee hearing to review the AG’s special report on the government’s changes to the Greenbelt.

The FOI records include the following revelations:

The Premier's Stakeholder Relations director, Carlo Oliviero, was invited to a July 2022 meeting with the lobbyist of a developer whose lands were later removed from the Greenbelt. The meeting was arranged through the Stakeholder Relations director's personal email account.
Text messages show that Ryan Amato met with Patrick Sackville on Oct. 20 to discuss the Central Pickering Development Plan, the revocation of which was necessary to allow development within the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve (DRAP) in the Greenbelt. When the revocation was later announced, on Oct. 25, the Ford government falsely claimed the DRAP would continue to be protected, even though ministry officials were working to remove these protections.
Days after Greenbelt developer Shakir Rehmatullah attended Doug Ford’s daughter’s wedding, ministry staffers were tasked with researching a proposal that would allow Rehmatullah’s Greenbelt property in Nobelton to be developed, deeming it a “priority project.”

Forsythia Festival Fun

This past Sunday, I attended the Forsythia Festival in Cabbagetown, and it was a massive amount of fun, as it always is! I donned my yellow-est outfit and was thrilled to walk in the parade with our new Federal NDP candidate, Samantha Green and the Cabbagetown community. Happy Forsythia Festival!

Local Community News

Rainbow Week of Action

Join The 519 during Rainbow Week of Action – together with our communities, allies, and partner organizations serving LGBTQ+ refugees – to amplify our urgent plea for support for LGBTQ+ refugees. It will be held from 11 AM to 1:30 PM at Barbara Hall Park! I will be there to speak, and joined by Fae Johnstone, Executive Director and Co-Owner of Wisdom2Action (W2A), Lisa Duplessis, Director of Programs and Community Services, and Debbie Douglas, Executive Director of the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI).

If you have questions about the event feel free to email [email protected] or visit ArmyofLovers.ca.

Isabella Street Walking Tour

Isabella Street is one of Toronto's most rapidly changing streets, with many high-rise towers proposed along its length.

Canadian musician Neil Young lived on the street in the 1960s. The opening lyrics to his song Ambulance Blues discuss the neighbourhood and redevelopment of the street in the 1960s

"Back in the old folky days

The air was magic when we played

The riverboat was rockin' in the rain

Midnight was the time for the raid

Oh, Isabella, proud Isabella

They tore you down and plowed you under

You're only real with your make-up on

How could I see you and stay too long?"

The tour will start in front of the ArQuives (34 Isabella Street) at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 11, 2024.

This walking tour will cover the history of Isabella Street and then wind its way through the Upper Jarvis and Church-Wellesley Village. Particular focus will be on the area's rich music history (including the neighbourhood haunts and hangs of Neil Young, Frank Sinatra, Elvis, the Rolling Stones, and Gordon Lightfoot). There will also be a focus on the area's 2SLGBTQ+ history and how development is changing the neighbourhood.

The tour will last 1½ to 2 hours. The tour will end at Barbara Hall Park where the 519 Church Street Community Centre and Dead Dog Records are hosting a vinyl records swap/sale from 11.00 AM to 3.00 PM. For more information on the sale, please click here.

St. James Town 2024 SUMMIT

St James Town Residents Council is very proud to announce their final symposium program & lineup for their St James Town 2024 SUMMIT - Emerging Innovations & Ideas. Join on May 11 from 9 AM to 3 PM for a gathering of some of the most vibrant & dynamic emerging grassroots organizations of current & future game changers in St James Town & Toronto Centre! The event will be held at the Wellesley Community Centre, 495 Sherbourne Street. Please register via [email protected].

Paprika Festival 2023

Dates: May 14-19, 2024

Location: Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas St E)

The Paprika Festival, is a youth-run performing arts festival celebrating the work of young and emerging artists in the GTA every May in Regent Park. The festival is coming up, running May 14-19 at Daniels Spectrum

The entire festival is free / by-donation and designed so that folks can come by any night to hang out, meet other people, do something fun, and then catch a performance.

Check out the festival website and see what's going on!

Folks can book FREE tickets to any in-person festival performance in Aki Studio directly through the Native Earth Box Office, and reserve your spot for community events in Daniels Spectrum Community Living Room and Terrace via Eventbrite.

Toronto Centre Tenants Union Demoviction Survey

Are you a tenant in Toronto Centre who is concerned about your home being demovicted? Want to learn more about demoviction and get involved in the tenants union?

Click here to take their survey and get connected with the Toronto Centre Tenants Union!

Spring Housing Clinics in Toronto Centre

If you're on the Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) Housing Centralized Waiting List (CWL) or need help applying for RGI housing, we have great news for you!

Councillor Chris Moise’s office is collaborating with Access to Housing and Housing Help Centres to host MyAccesstoHousingTO Sign-Up Clinics for Ward 13 residents from May 9 to May 31. They are also collaborating with Social Development, Finance & Administration (SDFA) staff on two dates to provide additional services.

During these clinics, staff from Access to Housing and Housing Help Centres will be present to assist you with the following:

Sign up on the new MyAccesstoHousingTO system to maintain your application and receive important updates;
Assist you with application updates and explain the choice-based housing offer process and how to express interest and
Help you with your housing application.

To best help you, please bring the following if you need help with registering your current application in the MyAccesstoHousingTO online portal:

Proof of status in Canada for all household members;
2022 or most recent 2023 Notice of Assessment for all household members over the age of 16 and are working full or part-time; and
Your housing file number.

Additional staff from Social Development & Finance Administration’s Human Services Integration will be on site on Saturday, May 11 at the Wellesley Community Centre and Thursday, May 30 at the Regent Park Community Centre to assist with the following subsidies:

Welcome Policy recreation fee subsidy;
Fair Pass Transit Discount Program;
Child Care Fee Subsidy; and
Medical benefits (incontinence supplies, hearing aids, mobility aids and more).

To learn more about the dates for these housing clinics, click here.

Regent Park’s Newest Street Needs a Name!

Calling all community members in Regent Park! Have a knack for naming streets? TCHC needs your help naming a new street that will be built as part of Phase 4 of the revitalization, connecting Oak Street and Gerrard Street East.

Here’s your chance to leave a lasting mark on your neighbourhood! Review the City’s naming guidelines and submit your suggestion with a brief explanation to [email protected] by May 24, 2024.

Then join us at our annual Summer Safety Jam for an informal “dotmocracy” vote!

The 519 Workshop Wednesdays - Housing

The 519's Health Justice Hub is hosting Workshop Wednesdays on Housing Rights and Tenant Organizing every Wednesday from 6 PM to 7:30 PM. Learn more and register here.

Regent Park Pride Community Block Party

Join Regent Park community members for their Pride Community Block Party on June 14th from 3 PM - 9 PM on Regent Park Boulevard!

There will be live music and entertainment, local vendors, crafts and kids activities, ice cream, and a cookie bar!

My First Pride Parade Contingent 2024

My First Pride is coming back for its 3rd year!

Is this your first time celebrating Pride? Want to make it memorable? Looking to meet new friends? Join Pride Toronto in celebrating with My First Pride, and be a part of one of the world’s largest Pride parades.

Pride Toronto’s My First Pride Contingent is a place for anyone celebrating Pride for their first time, and who want to participate in Pride Toronto’s Pride Parade. Whether you’re a newcomer to Canada, or a new member of the 2SLGBTQI+ community, find fun, excitement and friends within this welcoming group.

Songs from The Journey

Exciting news: this year's Songs from The Journey is set to grace the stage of The Royal Conservatory of Music’s Koerner Hall on June 21st! As always, the association is committed to ensuring that Regent Park residents have the opportunity to attend. To facilitate this, we're offering complimentary tickets for community members, alongside round-trip transportation between Regent Park and Koerner Hall on Friday, June 21, 2024.

The attached flyer provides information on the availability of free tickets for pickup at Daniels Spectrum starting Tuesday, May 14, 2024.

Good Food Market Corktown

I was thrilled to join Corktown neighbours at the Little Trinity Good Food Market launch at 425 King Street East last week. This program runs every Wednesday from 5 to 7 PM. They offer affordable groceries, which are hard to come by these days. Thank you to Little Trinity Church & FoodShareTO, for teaming up to tackle food insecurity.

Latest posts

May 23, 2025 Newsletter

Dear Emma,

I hope you have all stayed dry and warm during this unseasonably rainy and cool week! I am looking forward to some beautiful spring and summer weather over the next few weeks – fingers crossed!

Tomorrow, Saturday, I’m co-hosting a Rally for Public Education outside of Queen’s Park from 12 to 1:30 PM. Join me and other passionate education advocates on the Queen's Park South Lawn for kids' activities, free ice cream, and an opportunity to advocate for the high-quality public education we need.

Ontario’s public schools are in crisis. Chronic underfunding has led to larger class sizes, cancelled programs, delayed repairs, and a growing crisis in special education.

Since 2018, Ontario has been spending $1,500 less per student when adjusted for inflation. That adds up to a $3 billion shortfall across our education system.

We're calling on the Ford government to reverse the cuts and properly invest in public education.

The rally will be family-friendly, accessible, and feature speakers from the communities most impacted by the cuts, including students, educators, and parents.

Speakers will highlight issues like:

Special education cuts
Mental health supports
Program cancellations (pools, arts, adult education)
Overcrowded classrooms

Bring your family, friends, neighbours and noise makers!

RSVP for the Rally Here!

You may have seen me and my team at your school entrances this week, handing out flyers promoting this rally and talking with parents and students about how the government’s budget cuts affect their schools. A huge turnout will send a strong message to Doug Ford and Education Minister Paul Calandra.

Keep reading below to learn more about Ford’s budget cuts to essential school services, such as swimming pools, music classes, outdoor education, and more. To save our schools, we need you to get involved. Together, let’s tell Ford to invest in our kids!

May is Asian Heritage Month! The Ontario NDP Caucus and I are hosting a reception to mark this important month on Tuesday, May 28, from 5 to 7 PM at Queen’s Park. We would love for you to attend.

This catered reception celebrates diverse Asian cultures and the diasporic communities that call Ontario their home. It will be a special event with food, beverages and special guests. Please RSVP by Monday, May 26, at noon.

RSVP for the Asian Heritage Month Reception Here!

I hope to see you at tomorrow’s Queen’s Park Rally for Public Education!

Yours in community service,

Kristyn Wong-Tam

MPP, Toronto Centre

In This Newsletter

Emergency Education Meeting Recap
Scrap Bill 5!
Muriel Collins Housing Co-op’s 30th Anniversary
Marry Me Mochi Grand Opening
You're Invited: Rosemary Brown Awards
This Week’s Headlines
Local Community Events

Share this Newsletter

Emergency Education Meeting Recap

This Tuesday’s Emergency Education Meeting was a huge success! Nearly 100 participants joined MPP Jessica Bell, Trustee Williams, and me, and the discussion was dynamic. It was energizing to be around many people dedicated to ensuring our students and public schools are well-resourced. The Ford government is banking on busy parents and caregivers being overwhelmed by budget numbers and government talking points. The clear and concise explanations from my co-hosts left everyone who attended feeling more informed about what’s at stake if Ford does not reverse his budget cuts. Trustee Williams shared her excellent presentation with me, and I’ve posted her slides for you here.

If you are fired up and ready to take action like I am, the most impactful thing you can do to fight cuts to education is to organize your school community. Join your parent council, speak to other parents and caregivers at pickup and dropoff times, and organize a Rally for Public Education of your own in front of your local school before school hours. If you need support with any of this work or would like me to attend your school's rally, please reach out to my office.

If you are looking for a smaller way to get started, you can sign our digital petition here or print out and sign a paper petition, which you can find here.

As your MPP, I will introduce and read your paper petition into the official legislative records. Please note that the Ontario Legislative Assembly only accepts paper petitions. (I know, I know.)

Paper petitions are a great way to initiate a friendly, in-person conversation with your neighbours about public education. Please share all paper petitions with me to ensure they are tabled to make your voice heard. Contact my office and we will arrange a time to pick the petitions from you.

Scrap Bill 5!

Yesterday, the government held hearings for Bill 5, their proposed legislation which, if passed, would overhaul mining laws in Ontario, reducing or eliminating environmental assessment requirements, overhauling endangered species protections, potentially overriding labour laws, and more. As with many government bills lately, Bill 5 is written in a very open-ended fashion, allowing most of the details to be finalized “in regulation,” a step that happens after the bill is passed at the discretion of the Minister. This style of governing is very frustrating and, in my opinion, borders on anti-democratic.

Many critics of Bill 5 say that this government is using the threat of tariffs as a convenient excuse to do what they always planned: strip environmental regulations from mining projects. This bill also faces massive opposition from Indigenous nations, especially those near the “Ring of Fire” mineral deposits in Northwestern Ontario. Yesterday, many Indigenous leaders came to Queen’s Park to share their concerns and register their opposition to Bill 5.

You can join the movement to scrap Bill 5 by clicking here to send an email to Doug Ford and Minister Lecce demanding that they scrap this dangerous bill!

Committee consultation on the bill will continue on Monday, and written submissions will be accepted until Monday at 6 PM. To share your feedback with the committee, click here.

Muriel Collins Housing Co-op’s 30th Anniversary

Last Saturday, I had a splendid time celebrating Muriel Collins Housing Co-operative’s 30th anniversary with their members, extended family and supporters of the co-op movement.

Muriel Collins is an iconic housing co-op built in the 1990s on provincial land. It was made possible through the leveraging of government investments and sponsorship from CUPE Local 79, the union representing the City of Toronto’s inside workers. It was a beautiful reminder that the solutions to Ontario's housing crisis are already tried, tested and successfully on display in Toronto Centre.

Doug Ford should take note that selling government-owned land to land speculators is incredibly short-sighted and a policy failure. Public land can do so much more if we only look at the examples that already exist all around us. Workers and everyday folks need affordable housing now!

This special anniversary and the co-op members I met have strengthened my passion for fighting to build more affordable and co-op housing in Toronto Centre.

Marry Me Mochi Grand Opening

Congratulations to Marry Me Mochi on the grand opening of their 15th store, this time in Canada's busiest mall, the Eaton Centre!

It's remarkable to see this Canadian independent business, run by a passionate group of siblings, supported by their extended family, accomplished the feat of opening 15 stores in less than one year. I encourage everyone to visit the new location and indulge in delicious Marry Me Mochi donuts. I can't wait to see the next 15 stores and another 15 more after that!

You're Invited:
Rosemary Brown Racial Justice Awards Ceremony

On behalf of Official Opposition and Ontario NDP Leader, Marit Stiles, I are honoured to invite all of you to the 2025 Rosemary Brown Racial Justice Awards Ceremony, an evening dedicated to recognizing exceptional individuals and organizations working to eliminate racial discrimination and advance equity and justice across Ontario.

Named in honour of Rosemary Brown, the first Black woman elected to a provincial legislature and the first to run for leadership of a federal party — these awards carry on Rosemary’s legacy of fighting sexism, racism, and poverty, both here in Ontario and around the world.

In that same spirit, this ceremony will spotlight changemakers who have made meaningful contributions toward dismantling systemic racism and building a more equitable province.

Event Details:

Date: Friday, June 6, 2025
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Kennedy Convention Centre, Hall A

(Parking & main entrance at rear. Accessible entrance via Hall C)

1199 Kennedy Road, Scarborough

To confirm your attendance, please RSVP by Friday, May 30 using the following link: RSVP here.

This Week's Headlines

‘Financial landlords’ more aggressive on raising Toronto rents than other landlords, study finds

Lawyer groups are ‘deeply concerned’ about proposed changes to civil lawsuits in Ontario

Rainfall warning in Toronto downgraded as drizzle, unseasonable cold to continue into the weekend

Why is it cold in Toronto this week?

Mining claims in Ring of Fire up 66 per cent over past 3 years: environmental group

Toronto police 911 upgrade expected to improve response times

Upcoming Community Events

Doors Open Toronto - This Weekend!

Explore Toronto’s architectural, historical, cultural and socially significant buildings for free during Doors Open weekend, this weekend, May 24 and 25. With sports, music and theatre venues and more than 150 sites to discover, the city becomes an urban playground. Get ready to play!

Use this map to explore all of the locations and plan your weekend!

Sites are open from 10 AM to 5 PM unless otherwise indicated.

Youth-Led Roundtable - Building Solidarity Across Communities

The Chinese Canadian National Council Toronto Chapter and the Tamil Canadian Centre for Civic Action invite community members to a youth-led roundtable dedicated to fighting racism and fostering solidarity.

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, May 24
Time: 10 AM – 2 PM
Location: Scarborough Civic Centre + Zoom
Language: English with interpretation available in Mandarin, Cantonese, and Tamil
Support: Snacks and TTC tokens available as needed; volunteer hours recognized

This hybrid event features youth leaders from Chinese and Tamil communities sharing powerful stories, strategies, and resources. Participants will hear how youth created culturally relevant workshops, developed educational tools, and gained confidence in sharing their lived experiences. The roundtable also offers space to connect with mentors, engage with peers, and contribute ideas to grassroots anti-racism efforts.

Register: Youth Led Roundtable: Asians Against Racism and Hate Tickets, Sat, May 24, 2025 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite

Contact:

Chinese Canadian National Council Toronto Chapter – [email protected]
Tamil Canadian Centre for Civic Action – [email protected]

Regent Park Community Birthday Celebration

Friends of Regent Park, alongside community partners, invite residents to a joyful Community Birthday Celebration on Saturday, May 24 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Regent Park Community Centre (402 Shuter Street).

This free, all-ages event brings together neighbours for an afternoon of:

Cake
Games
Music
Fun activities

Everyone is welcome to take part in the festivities and celebrate the spirit of Regent Park with friends, family, and community.

New Beginnings - Overstock Inventory Sale

New Beginnings Support Program Hosts Final Overstock Inventory Sale

New Beginnings Support Program is organizing a final inventory sale to support women and children in the community. All proceeds will go directly to the program’s ongoing initiatives.

Event: Final Overstock Inventory Sale
Date: Saturday, May 24, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Suite 418, 120 Carlton Street, Toronto, Ontario
Payment: Cash only

Items for sale include:

Clothes
Wedding dresses
Dove and Silk’n products
Toys

Shoppers are encouraged to bring their own bags. Everything is priced to go, with items starting at just $2.

New Play: Long Live the Rainbow

As part of Pride Toronto's 2025 Affiliate Events, Long Live the Rainbow brings a vibrant celebration of love, resilience, and queer joy to the stage.

🎭 Long Live the Rainbow

📅 May 16 – May 25, 2025
📍 Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley Street, Toronto
🎟 Tickets: Long Live the Rainbow Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

💖 $5 from each ticket supports Rainbow Railroad, helping LGBTQ+ people find safety from persecution.

Eid al-Adha Bazaar

The Centre of Learning & Development, Mothers of Peace Regent Park, and ArtHubs Toronto invite everyone to a festive Eid al-Adha Bazaar celebrating community, culture, and local talent.

Event Details:

Date: Monday, May 27
Time: 2 – 8 PM
Location: Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas Street East

Enjoy a vibrant market filled with henna, jewellery, clothing, delicious food, and more — all from local vendors!

Contact for Questions or Vendor Inquiries:
Sureya at [email protected] or 647-493-2462 ext. 112

Toronto Newcomer Day

Toronto Newcomer Day 2025 Celebrates Diversity and Community Connection

The City of Toronto will host Toronto Newcomer Day on Wednesday, May 28 at Nathan Phillips Square (100 Queen St. West) from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

This annual celebration welcomes newcomers to Toronto with a day filled with:

Information booths from community service providers
A vibrant marketplace and food fair
Free cultural performances throughout the day

Special Feature:

A storytelling session with Indigenous knowledge keeper Jim Adams, offering an interactive, all-ages program. The presentation will explore the histories and relationships of Indigenous peoples in the region — past and present — with a focus on wampum belts, treaties, and cultural traditions. Sensory and auditory elements will be included to engage participants of all ages.

Space is limited. Registration for this program is required and is managed by Toronto Public Library via Eventbrite. Group bookings should include the total number of tickets needed.

ReMarket - May Edition

The SLNA’s Waste Reduction Group is hosting their 13th REmarket! This two-day community initiative supports waste reduction by collecting unwanted items, encouraging reuse, and offering repair services.

📍 Event Details

Location: St. Lawrence Market Tent (125 The Esplanade)

🗓 Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Donation collection, recycling services, and household hazardous waste drop-off:
⏰ 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
FreeMarket:
⏰ 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Guests can bring and take items freely (non-commercial use only). Bring your own bag.

🗓 Thursday, May 29, 2025

Donation collection, recycling services, and household hazardous waste drop-off:
⏰ 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Repair Café Toronto & CultureLink Bike Hub:
⏰ 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Clothing, jewellery, electronics, small appliances, and more will be repaired on site. CultureLink Bike Hub will offer bike repairs and safety checks.

ICL’s People, Power, Change Workshop Series

Do you have a desire to step up and fight for a better, fairer, more just world? This People, Power, Change workshop is for you. This workshop series is designed to help anyone learn how to make a difference by organizing their communities.

Based on the work of Marshall Ganz, this in-person workshop develops five core leadership practices:

Tell your story to share your own leadership journey, connect with your people, and foster shared purpose
Develop an effective structure that scales up as your movement grows
Build intentional relationships rooted in shared values
Develop realistic strategies based in a meaningful power analysis
Design campaign tactics that grow your capacity while reaching for your goals

Dates: June 7 and 8, 2025
Times: 9 AM - 4:30 PM

Deadline to Register: May 30th, 2025.

Price: $499.00 per person, $2,000 team tickets for groups of 6 people committed to working in a team together. Scholarships available, please complete this form to apply.

Roaming Performers Program - Call for Local Performers

Call for Local Talent: Cabbagetown Roaming Performers Program Returns

Cabbagetown BIA is bringing back the Roaming Performers Program to animate the neighbourhood with live music, movement, and creativity all summer long.

Program Dates: June 6 – September 1, 2025
Application Deadline (First Round): Friday, May 31, 2025
Final Rolling Deadline: Saturday, June 15, 2025

Who They’re Looking For:

Musicians, magicians, dancers, balloon artists, jugglers, street performers, and other entertainers ready to perform short sets throughout the community.

Program Details:

Performances run 2–3 hours
Honorarium of $200–$300 per session
Artists must bring their own equipment
Performances must be mobile and suitable for street settings
Open to solo acts and small groups (up to 3 members)

Selected performers will activate Cabbagetown’s public spaces with joyful, engaging shows for visitors, patio diners, and residents alike.

Apply now: Application for Roaming Performers — Cabbagetown BIA

Toronto Neighbourhood Group - Tai Chi with Chinese Seniors Group

TNG Community Services invites residents to the TNG Challenge, an event supporting seniors to live independently, safely, and with dignity.

Event: Tai Chi with the Chinese Seniors Group
Date: Saturday, June 21
Time: Not specified
Location: 349 Ontario Street

This engaging outdoor event promotes wellness and community spirit. Participants can also get involved by donating, starting a fundraising page, or becoming a matching donor.

Learn more at Get moving in support of seniors!

Legacy Labyrinths Designation Ceremony

Toronto’s public labyrinth at Trinity Square Park is becoming the 10th Legacy Labyrinth in the world. To celebrate this distinction, two great community events are coming up!

🌿 Legacy Labyrinth Designation Ceremony

Saturday, June 21 at 12:00 PM
📍 Trinity Square Park
The ceremony will be followed by a Summer Solstice Walk, inviting reflection in support of global and local community care.

🍽 Legacy Project Workshop – Lunch & Learn

Sunday, June 22 from 12:30 to 2:00 PM
📍 Metropolitan United Church, 56 Queen St. E.
This interactive session will explore how walking a labyrinth can raise awareness for social issues, including the needs of Toronto’s unhoused residents.

Canadian Immigrant Fair

Canadian Immigrant is bringing its signature Canadian Immigrant Fair back to Toronto on Friday, June 27, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre North (255 Front Street West).

This free, one-stop event is designed to support newcomers with the tools and connections they need to succeed in Canada, focusing on:

Careers
Education
Settlement

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with employers, recruiters, educational institutions, government agencies, and community service organizations.

Highlights include:

One-on-one résumé critiques
An engaging lineup of guest speakers
Access to valuable resources for job searching, upgrading education, and settling in a new community

Admission is free and open to all.

May 16, 2025 Newsletter

Dear Emma,

This week, the Ford government made their priorities crystal clear. Yesterday, they tabled the Ontario Budget for 2025-2026, and it left me wanting, especially when it comes to education funding, which was stagnant despite the growing crises in our schools.

This budget failed to include new funding to tackle the structural deficits facing school boards across our province, especially in Toronto. Without new funding, these deficits will result in Ford forcing the closure of 50% of all TDSB pools, slashing music and outdoor education programs, and leaving students with learning and developmental exceptionalities without vital support.

The budget was a punch in the gut to partners and students fighting for new funding for special education, despite the clear need for more support. Working and middle-class families are struggling with the high cost of groceries, this is expected to worsen as the tariff war drags on. Yes, Ford could not find it in his heart to invest in student nutrition programs, proven to enable better learning. It’s hard to stay focused when your tummy is growling!

This is why we must band together to Save Our Schools - Invest in Kids and Protect Our Pools!

On Tuesday, May 20, at 8 PM, I am co-hosting a virtual Public Education Emergency Meeting. Please join MPP Jessica Bell, TDSB Trustee Dee Williams and me to learn more about the Ford’s proposed service cuts and program closures. Have your say and let’s take action together to save our vital school resources.

Emergency Meeting - RSVP Here

Following the Emergency Meeting, on Saturday, May 24, let’s take our message directly to Doug Ford and his government at Queen’s Park with a Rally for Education Funding. The stakes are too high, and we must not let the Conservatives get away with defunding our schools and closing our pools.

For the little ones and their parents, we know weekends are precious, so we will have craft paper and markers for sign-making opportunities and free ice cream for everyone.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Education Rally - RSVP Here!

Besides the disappointment in education funding, the budget was rife with other policy failures. It missed the opportunity to tariff-proof Ontario or invest in the nation-building projects we need, like new affordable homes, schools, and hospitals.

Doug Ford and his government had a choice with this budget: to build a tariff-proof future so Ontario can take on the economic uncertainties from Donald Trump’s reckless tariffs or to table a business-as-usual budget. Unfortunately, he picked the latter.

This budget delivers little hope or reassurance for families already stretched thin, overworked health care and education workers, and auto workers worried about their livelihoods. I am disappointed.

Over the past few months, the people of Ontario have been asking themselves: Why wasn’t Ontario in a stronger position to take on these tariffs? Today’s budget offers a clue.

This budget cuts $1.2 billion from post-secondary education, takes us even further off track from the goal of building 1.5 million homes by 2030, and delivers no relief to communities stuck with closed and overcrowded emergency rooms.

I am proud to stand with the Ontario NDP and our plan to strengthen Ontario. If we had tabled a budget today, it would have included plans to:

Accelerate public infrastructure projects — hospitals, schools, and affordable housing so Ontario can address social challenges and create jobs.
Invest in training and apprenticeships to build a resilient workforce.
Grow Ontario’s economy, strengthen local supply chains, and bolster efforts to find new markets for Ontario goods and services.
Protect jobs and implement tough measures to stop jobs and manufacturing from leaving the province.
Bring real income supports for workers and emergency funding for tariff-exposed industries.

I look forward to the rest of this legislative session as the ONDP pushes for these priorities and improves life for everyday people in Ontario, instead of sticking wet band-aids on gaping funding holes like this government is doing. Ontarians deserve reassurance, relief, and results. That is exactly what I intend to deliver.

If you want to have your say about the budget or any other legislation moving through the Legislature, you can sign up to depute at a committee, either in person or through a written submission, here.

Yours in community service,

Kristyn Wong-Tam

MPP, Toronto Centre

In This Newsletter

PC Reliance on Private Nursing Costs $9.2 Billion
Ford Broke His Promises to Survivors
ONDP Demands No Clawbacks to Federal Disability Benefit
Allan Gardens Palm House Reopening
TNG Cabbagetown Open House
St Lawrence Market North Grand Opening
CWNA 15th Anniversary Celebration
This Week's Meetings
This Week’s Headlines
Local Community Events

Share this Newsletter

PC Reliance on Private Nursing Costs $9.2 Billion

Over the past 10 years, the Ontario government has spent over $9.2 billion on private for-profit nursing agencies to fill hospital staffing gaps, according to a report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, published this week.

Agency nurses are up to three times as expensive per shift as public hospital staff nurses, and they cannot provide the continuity of care that staff nurses can because they work at hospitals so sporadically. This is a lose-lose situation for hospitals, staff, patients, and taxpayers.

But instead of investing in, retaining, and recruiting nurses to our public system, Ford is privatizing our healthcare system by emptying public coffers into the private bank accounts of nursing agency shareholders.

This week, I asked Ford when his government would stop using band-aid solutions to fix our province's systemic and far-reaching problems. As usual, I received a non-answer.

Instead of addressing the root causes of Ontario’s healthcare staffing crisis, like underfunding, low wages, or lack of full-time work, the government has chosen to reintroduce bills like The More Convenient Care Act. This bill would make changes that could weaken local public health oversight, line the pockets of private healthcare profiteers, and put Ontarians’ personal health information at risk.

Ford Broke His Promises to Survivors

Last week, when I spoke to the government’s new justice bill, I had the opportunity to hold the government accountable for their abandonment of all Ontarians touched by intimate partner violence. You can watch part of my speech here.

We can never forget the three women who were murdered in Renfrew County in September 2015 at the hands of their former partner. I carry the three of them and their stories with me every time I stand up in the Legislature.

Many families, friends and advocates from Renfrew travelled to Queen's Park on behalf of the victims last year to support my introduction of Bill 173, a bill that would declare intimate partner violence (IPV) an epidemic in Ontario. Instead of passing the bill quickly, the Ford government referred it to the Standing Committee on Justice Policy to “study” the issue, even though there were already numerous studies, including the Renfrew Inquest recommendations from 2022 that have not yet been implemented by the province.

Nevertheless, the government promised to let the committee travel to Renfrew County and other rural and Indigenous communities to meet with families and survivors to support their efforts to end IPV problems. Then, without notice, Ford took away our resources to visit these vital communities. Bill 173 was never called up for debate again, and it died on the order paper when Ford called his snap winter election this past February.

Just like the stories of its victims, Ford’s duplicity when it comes to IPV is painful to witness. His trail of broken promises is heartless. Survivors and advocates in Ontario refused to be ignored and shoved to the side. This fight is not over, and we will win.

ONDP Demands No Clawbacks to Federal Disability Benefit

The new Federal Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) is scheduled to roll out this summer, with eligible recipients expecting their first installment in July 2025. This benefit is a cornerstone initiative of Canada’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan - a whole-of-government approach to improve the lives of disabled people in Canada. The CDB aims to reduce poverty among working-age disabled folks, a worthy goal that we should have accomplished long ago.

However, the funds from the CDB are at risk of not flowing to the people who need them most. Alberta has cruelly decided to claw back the Federal CDB for individuals receiving provincial disability support. This is appalling, especially since allowing individuals to receive both does not increase their costs, and may even reduce costs as people who are lifted out of poverty generally require fewer emergency supports.

I am proud that the ONDP is firm that the CDB must be a top-up for provincial benefits, not a replacement. I have co-signed a letter, along with all of my ONDP colleagues, calling on the Ontario government to join Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Nunavut, Quebec, and British Columbia and announce immediately that we will not claw back social assistance for disabled people. You can read the letter here.

Allan Gardens Palm House Reopening

On Wednesday morning, I attended the long-anticipated re-opening of Allan Gardens’ historic Palm House. This space was a refuge for me as a teenager, and seeing it restored and transformed was powerful.

It was a joy to officially open this space to the public, alongside Mayor Olivia Chow and Councillor Chris Moise. I encourage everyone to pop by and enjoy this refreshed green space!

TNG Cabbagetown Open House

I was so pleased to visit TNG Community Services at their open house in Cabbagetown this week. Their talented team generously provided a tour of the facility and shared details about the wide range of community services they offer. I learned that TNG provides home care for 1 in 20 Torontonians who need it!

During the tour, we discussed how children ages 7-12 who need pre- and after-school care are left out of conversations surrounding affordable childcare. We also talked about the financial challenges TNG faces in delivering its critical services. I am so thankful to the incredible staff and volunteers for their hard work and to the many community members who welcomed us!

St Lawrence Market North Grand Opening

Last weekend, I spent a fantastic Saturday morning at the St. Lawrence Market North Market Grand Opening!

I am in awe of the entire St. Lawrence Market team. They have done beautiful work on this revitalization project. After years of planning and anticipation, seeing the hustle and bustle of local vendors serving the thousands of visitors was a wonderful sight!

I encourage you to check out the newly expanded market from Tuesday to Sunday every week!

CWNA 15th Anniversary Celebration

Congratulations to the Church Wellesley Neighbourhood Association, who celebrated their 15th anniversary last night! The CWNA is an integral part of Canada’s largest and most diverse 2SLGBTQI neighbourhood working tirelessly to make sure we foster a vibrant, Queer, safe, and welcoming space for everyone who calls the Church Wellesley Village home.

I am so thankful for all of the leaders, volunteers, and community members who work so hard to promote and empower this remarkable neighbourhood. Here's to the next 15 fabulous years ahead!

This Week's Meetings

Hassle Free Clinic
Canadian Race Relations Foundation
Pride at Work
Ontario Association of Landscape Architects
Toronto Community Housing

This Week's Headlines

Victoria Day weekend 2025: What's open and closed in Toronto

Toronto police warn of phone scam where fraudsters claim to be Shanghai police

Toronto mayor calls for financial support fighting rising costs, in letter to Carney

Health minister, premier defend Ontario's response to worsening measles outbreak

On the run for 21 years, U.S. fugitive 'psychic' arrested in Toronto

Loblaw says number of tariff-affected products will triple in coming weeks

Toronto shares long-awaited details of proposed ‘bubble zone’ bylaw aimed at limiting protests near places of worship

Toronto’s splash and spray pads to reopen over Victoria Day long weekend

Upcoming Community Events

New Play: Long Live the Rainbow

As part of Pride Toronto's 2025 Affiliate Events, Long Live the Rainbow brings a vibrant celebration of love, resilience, and queer joy to the stage.