Dear Emma,
Together, we can save OSAP. We must.
Last week, Doug Ford announced his plans to gut the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) that awards grants to qualifying post-secondary students, slashing grant amounts and dramatically increasing the burden of student debt on graduates. The majority of the non-repayable grants will be converted to loans requiring interest payments. This will have a massive impact on families in Toronto Centre, especially in our broadly low-income neighbourhoods were working parents struggle to pay rent, put food on the table, and assist their children with tuition costs.
Since this announcement, I have heard from hundreds of students and their parents who feel betrayed by their government. Young people are just trying to get an education and plan for their future. Why are they being punished?
Ford's plan is a lifetime debt sentence for young people – all in the middle of a cost of living disaster that Ford has failed to act on. I was so fired up about this issue and determined to fight it that I recorded a rant. You can watch it here.
Luckily, your Official Opposition NDP is fighting back. And you can join us. This week, we launched the Save OSAP campaign. Head to SaveOSAP.ca to join the movement and access tools to fight back in your community.
Ontario’s young people are about to be trapped in a vicious cycle. With the highest youth unemployment in Canada and sky-high cost of living, things are already tough. But add in Ford’s tuition hikes and OSAP cuts and this is a recipe for holding an entire generation back from reaching their full potential.
This policy isn’t just bad for students, it’s bad economics. You cannot build a strong economy on the backs of a generation buried in debt. While Ford is busy insulting young people trying to get an education, students and their families will be forced to bear the costs of his cuts.
I am connecting with student groups and colleagues across the province to create a coordinated and undeniable response from students and their allies. Watch this space for more updates in the coming weeks. We are about to get loud. In the meantime, sign and share my petition here.
Doug Ford is famous for his flip-flops. Together, we can turn this around. You deserve a government that has your back, not one that holds you back.
Do you know who doesn’t flip flop and always stands strong? Our Team Canada Olympians! I am so proud of all of our athletes for their talent and dedication. It is a treat to cheer for them! From speed skating and skiing, to bobsled and hockey, our Canadian athletes are making their mark! If you need me tomorrow morning, I will be watching the men’s gold medal hockey game and cheering on our team!
Amid all of this education and sports news, we must not forget that for many people in our communities, this week is a deeply holy one. Muslims across the world are marking the beginning of Ramadan, while Christians celebrate the beginning of Lent. Both are times of fasting, reflection, and community care. I hope that everyone participating in these ancient rituals finds fulfillment and connection through faith over the next month.
Last night, I hosted a community Iftar in Regent Park and was joined by over 200 community members! It was so beautiful to gather together as a community to break fast, share a meal, and reflect on the spirit of Ramadan, regardless of our faith. If you missed it, you can RSVP for the Ontario NDP's upcoming Iftar at Queen's Park here.
Yours in community service,
Kristyn Wong-Tam
MPP, Toronto Centre
| In This Newsletter |
- Celebrate Lunar New Year at Queen’s Park
- RSVP: Iftar at Queen's Park with the Ontario NDP
- Chosen Family Day with Friends of Ruby
- Home Care Patients Suffered and Died on Ford’s watch
- Low Business Confidence in Ford's Ontario
- What’s Making Headlines
- Local Community Events
| Celebrate Lunar New Year at Queen’s Park |
Join me, ONDP Leader Marit Stiles, and other NDP MPPs for a fun-filled Lunar New Year Reception at Queen’s Park! You won't want to miss the lion dance!
Date: Monday, February 23, 2026
Time: 6 - 8:30 PM - Lion dance at 7:30 PM
Location: Queen’s Park Main Legislative Building, Room 351
RSVP here to be added to the visitors list.
| RSVP: Iftar at Queen's Park with the Ontario NDP |
The Ontario Official Opposition and NDP Leader, Marit Stiles, is honoured to invite you to an Iftar on Wednesday, March 4, at Queen’s Park.
As the sun sets, community members will come together to break fast and share in a serene evening in the spirit of Ramadan. The program will run from 5 to 7 PM, allowing time for our community to participate in Taraweeh at their local mosques.
Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Time: 5 – 7 PM
Location: Queen’s Park, Main Legislative Building (south entrance), 111 Wellesley Street West, Toronto
Please RSVP here to be added to the guest list.
|
Chosen Family Day with Friends of Ruby |
Happy Chosen Family Day! I was thrilled to celebrate Chosen Family Day with 2SLGBTQIA+ youth at Friends of Ruby. Friends of Ruby is a wonderful community hub for Queer and Trans youth here in Toronto Centre.
Over 50 youth gathered together to celebrate their chosen family members, create art together, share a meal, and enjoy the iconic film Paris Is Burning. It was a treat to mark the day with these youth and hear all about what their chosen family means to them.
Chosen families are particularly common within 2SLGBTQIA+ communities since Queer and Trans folks have historically experienced high rates of separation and lack of acceptance from their families of origin. But these families were not only forged out of tragedy and necessity. They have also been forged out of joy, love, and a shared commitment to take care of each other through the seasons of life. Often Queer and Trans folks don’t have relatives in their families of origin who are like them, so they turn to elders in their wider community for support and guidance. Drag and Ball families, like those depicted in Paris is Burning, are another fabulous expression of chosen family.
However, chosen families are not exclusive to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. People of many cultures and backgrounds create chosen families. Veterans, survivors of childhood abuse, and immigrant communities often come together over shared backgrounds to provide support and understanding when families of origin are unsafe, far away, or simply don’t understand.
Chosen families, just like many families of origin, are vital and life-affirming. They make people feel seen, loved, and cared for in good times and in bad. Chosen families are true families.
I am so proud to champion legislation with Friends of Ruby to make every February 22, Chosen Family Day, and look forward to it becoming officially recognized as a day of significance in Ontario.
| Home Care Patients Suffered and Died on Ford’s Watch |
For months, the Ford government’s Ontario Health atHome program left patients in pain and without adequate medical supplies while they recovered or received palliative care at home. Patients suffered without pain medications, were forced to reuse single-use urine bags, and hang their IV bags with wreath hangers due to a lack of supplies. It was inhumane, incredibly stressful, and confusing for patients and staff.
New information, obtained through a Freedom of Information request by The Trillium revealed the true extent of the 2024 supply shortage and its effect on patients and healthcare workers.
In an effort to save money, the government decided to consolidate medical supply vendors through a rushed process that prioritized cost-savings over patient care.
Ontario NDP MPPs raised these issues daily during Question Period, sharing heartbreaking stories, while the government continually failed to act.
The government pushed for the number of medical suppliers to be cut down from 65 to 15, with two main suppliers. However, when the changeover occurred, healthcare teams were suddenly plagued by late and incomplete orders, often packaged incorrectly and with little to no communication about what was missing. Some supplies, including pediatric supplies, was impossible to order and had to be sourced from Sick Kids stockpiles. Meanwhile, palliative patients, hoping to die comfortably at home, were left with untreated pain. Instead being peaceful, many of their final moments were full of anguish. It is heartbreaking to think about.
The rollout of this change was completely disgraceful. Doug Ford and Sylvia Jones showed their outright incompetence though this process. “Efficiencies” are not efficient if they result in people dying in pain. Saving money is not worth it if children are denied the medical care that they need. But sadly, this is the present, and the future of health care under this government; underfunded, understaffed, and nowhere close to the quality of care that Ontarians deserve.
I am proud to be part of the Ontario NDP caucus, standing up against privatization and standing with patients. Every Ontarian deserves high-quality, dignified, and public healthcare. I will never stop pushing for that. Stand with me by signing my petition to keep healthcare public:
|
Low Business Confidence in Ford's Ontario |
Doug Ford often brags about his ability to run Ontario’s economy because he got to run his family's printing business. But it doesn't track when only 23% of Ontario businesses feel confident in Ontario’s economy, according to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s latest report. The report goes on to confirm what businesses and workers across the province are already deeply feeling: everyone is worried about the future. Investments are stalled and companies are struggling to find skilled workers. All of this should be a major wake-up call for this government.
At the same time employers are asking for more talent, Doug Ford is making college and university less affordable by cutting OSAP grants and lifting the tuition freeze. It makes no sense. If students can’t afford to get the education or training that they need, those jobs simply won’t get filled.
The report also points to the basics that every strong economy depends on: housing people can afford, reliable health care, and infrastructure that actually works. It’s no surprise that only 19 of businesses increased investment last year when families and employers are struggling on all fronts and communities across this province are falling behind.
Ontario has incredible potential, but potential doesn’t create jobs, investment does. Businesses don’t need more spin or empty promises. They need a government that is willing to invest in people, in skills, and in the foundations of growth before more opportunities slip away. These solutions are simple, but they are not easy. We should have started implementing them yesterday, but as the saying goes, the second best time to plant a tree is today. So lets get investing!
| This Week's Headlines |
Rise and shine, Toronto! Where hockey fans can watch the Canada-U.S. gold medal game
Toronto performs an about-face on tiny homes by launching a new shelter program
Canada to add three new permanent residency streams to Express Entry immigration program
An iconic Kensington Market restaurant is preparing to say goodbye after 35 years
Trump keeps carveout under CUSMA in new 10 per cent global tariff
‘Stay off the ice': Toronto police warn of dangerous conditions
| Upcoming Community Events |
| TDSB Learn4Life Course Registration Now Open! |
Registration for the TDSB Learn4Life Spring 2026 session has officially begun!
Learn4Life offers a wide range of engaging and affordable courses for adults 18+, including language classes, arts, fitness, technology, professional development, and general interest programs. Classes are designed to support lifelong learning, skill building, and community connection in a welcoming environment.
Registration is open!
Browse Courses & Register here: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/adult-learners/learn4life
Don’t miss out — popular classes fill up quickly!
|
Youth 4 the Future Launch |
Youth 4 the Future (Y4F) is a youth-led SDG Accelerator and Civic Incubator empowering Canadians (ages 15–29) to translate global goals into tangible local action. The campaign provides interactive workshops, mentorship, and networking opportunities to develop youth leadership and civic engagement skills. Participants will gain access to our exclusive Youth Incubator Program, digital resources, and a Certificate of Leadership for attending the full event.
Location: Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre, 647 Queens Quay W, Toronto
Date: March 1, 2026
Time: 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
| Humber College Build Green Symposium |
Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Time: 10 AM - 3 PM
Location: Humber Polytechnic – 205 Humber College Blvd, Etobicoke
Meet Top Employers at the Build Green Symposium!
The Symposium brings together 40+ employers, unions, training institutions, and community partners to advance equitable workforce development and showcase innovation in sustainable construction.
Apply online at employerportal.ca for jobs you are interested in, and attend in-person to meet employers who are hiring. Choose morning or afternoon breakout sessions, or a site tour, to dive deeper into the topics you care about most, then connect with speakers and peers and leave with practical takeaways.
| Heat Pump Webinars with Toronto Home Energy Network |
Heat pumps offer much-needed air conditioning in Toronto’s humid summers (at a cheaper rate than conventional A/Cs) and winter heating that doesn’t rely on polluting fossil fuels.
But the higher upfront cost of a heat pump is a barrier for many Torontonians. Support programs are available, but uptake for some is low. At the start of March, Toronto Home Energy Network is hosting two webinars on rebate programs.
Webinar 1: Heat Pump Rebates
March 3, 6:30-7:30 PM on Zoom
The Government of Ontario has a rebate program for heat pumps. It’s called the Home Renovation Savings Program. Most Torontonians can get $1,000-$2,250 back on their heat pump. There’s also money available for other home updates, like heat pump water heaters, air sealing, insulation, and new windows and doors.
Dilesh Thurairatnam from the Home Renovation Saving Program will join. There will also be a presentation on safe financing options and traps to avoid if you decide to rent appliances. Bring your questions!
Webinar 2: Replace your old baseboard heaters or oil furnace (for free!)
March 5, 6:30-7:30 PM on Zoom
Baseboard heaters and oil furnaces are very costly to run, but high upfront costs or being a renter hold Torontonians back from replacing them. The Energy Affordability Program helps income-eligible residents replace baseboard heaters and oil furnaces with a modern heat pump for free (if you qualify)! The event description has more info on program eligibility.
This is a big opportunity to get a better appliance for free, reduce your energy use, and help the environment at the same time.
Arwa Sayyadi from the Energy Affordability Program will join. There will also be a presentation on safe financing options and traps to avoid if you decide to rent appliances. Bring your questions!
| Husmates Power of Co-Ownership Conference |
Toronto Centre residents are feeling intense pressure in the condo and rental market, and we’re seeing growing interest in collaborative ownership models.
On Saturday, March 14 at Parkdale Hall, Husmates is hosting a full-day conference on co-ownership: Find Your People. Find Your Place. Discover the Power of Co-Ownership.
Many people in need of stable housing fall into the “missing middle” – earning too much to qualify for affordable housing, but unable to purchase independently in today’s market. Co-ownership is emerging as one practical pathway for these households to access stable homeownership through shared equity and collaboration.
The conference brings together legal experts, lenders, urbanists, and experienced co-owners to provide practical information about governance structures, financing, and risk mitigation – along with facilitated opportunities for residents to connect.
Event details:
Date: March 14, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM - 6 PM
Location: Parkdale Hall, 1605 Queen St W suite 3, Toronto
Ticket purchase information, agenda, and speakers list can be found here.
| Cabbagetown Festival: Vendor Applications Now Open! |
Vendor applications for the 47th annual Cabbagetown Festival are now open! Click here to sign up! The festival runs from September 12-13, 2026 at Parliament and Carlton.
This year’s festival will feature a new Rainbow Market, spotlighting 2SLGBTQI+ makers and businesses! If your business is 2SLGBTQI+-owned or your products/services align with this space, apply now—Super Early Bird rates are on.
Last year the festival welcomed 100,000+ guests and 250+ vendors. Come meet your future fans!
Dates and Times:
- Saturday, September 12, 11 AM – 8 PM
- Sunday, September 13, 11 AM – 7 PM
Apply: Visit cabbagetownto.com/festival-call-for-vendors
| Share Your Thoughts: Surveys Informing Regent Park Strategic Plan |
The Regent Park Neighbourhood Association (RPNA), with assistance from Endeavor Consulting, is developing a three-year strategic plan.
Regent Park residents are invited to participate by completing a short survey and participating in a small focus group discussion.
Focus Groups:
Virtual focus groups are being convened for the following stakeholder groups:
- Market Tenants
- TCHC Tenants
- Community Partners
- RPNA Board Members
To participate in a focus group, reach out to Hanieh Shams Kolahi, Engagement Manager, Endeavour Consulting: [email protected]
Surveys close to comments on March 16, 2026.
Surveys:
| Toronto Centre Leadership Awards - Nominations Open |
Do you know a phenomenal leader in your community who deserves recognition?
Kristyn Wong-Tam will present six people with the prestigious Toronto Centre Leadership Award in June 2026.
This honour recognizes individuals who have made a profound and lasting contribution to the Toronto Centre community in any field. This can include the arts, politics, community building, healthcare, and beyond!
| Participate in Jamii’s PASI Photo Exhibition |
PASI is a large-scale outdoor community photo exhibition led by Jamii, taking place along Toronto’s Esplanade promenade from May to July 2026. The project brings together Torontonians of all ages to reflect how people from around the world live side by side in one city.
Meaning “a soccer pass” in Swahili, PASI will feature a continuous chain of portraits in which participants symbolically pass a ball from one image to the next. Installed between the Distillery District and St. Lawrence Market, the exhibition includes 48 large-scale outdoor portraits representing countries participating in the 2026 tournament.
Click here to sign up and have your portrait taken for this community art exhibit!
|
Petition: Expand the Allan Gardens Greenhouse |
🌼 Friends of Allan Gardens just launched their petition to expand the Allan Gardens greenhouses! 🌼
With this expansion, they can scale up their existing cross-cultural and cross-generational work: the farmers' market, food-growing that supports food banks, horticultural education, venue space, and Indigenous-focused programming like language keeping and storytelling.
They are aiming for 10,000 signatures and need your help!
Click here to sign and share with your networks.
| Outside Mural & Street Art Program |
Applications are now open for the City of Toronto’ Outside Mural & Street Art Program!
Business associations and community groups with strong local participation can receive one-time funding of up to $7,500 for outdoor murals projects. Eligible costs include artist fees, materials, installation, and equipment rental. Applicants are responsible for ongoing maintenance.
As a FIFA host city, special consideration will be given to murals celebrating the tournament and the city’s theme, “World in a City.” Selected proposals must follow FIFA branding and IP rules.
Deadline: Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 11:59 pm. Details here.
| Statistics Canada is Hiring for the 2026 Census |
The next Census of Population will take place in May 2026. Census data provides a detailed statistical picture of the country’s people and places every five years, vital for government, businesses, and communities to plan essential services, determine electoral district boundaries, allocate funds, understand changing demographics, and support informed decisions for a thriving Canada.
Statistics Canada is hiring approximately 32,000 people across Canada to help residents complete their census questionnaires. Applications are now being accepted for supervisory and non-supervisory positions across the country. Details here.
