27 September, 2024 Newsletter

Dear friend,

I am thrilled to invite you to my official nomination meeting next Thursday, September 26, at The Aviary restaurant at 484 Front Street East in the beautiful Canary District, just south of Corktown. The event starts at 6:30 PM and will include a live band, delicious refreshments, and special guests in a beautiful space. You can RSVP here. 

At the nomination meeting, a formal vote will be held to approve me as the official NDP candidate for Toronto Centre. This vote means I have the confidence of the local membership and can appear on the ballot in the upcoming snap election under the party’s banner. This practice is a core part of the NDP’s internal democracy, a proud tradition in which I am glad to participate. After the vote, we will celebrate!

Date: Thursday, September 26, 2024

Time: 6:30 PM

Location: The Aviary, 484 Front Street East, Toronto

It has been an honour to represent Toronto Centre at the provincial level for the past two and a half years, and I can’t wait to take on Ford in the next election and keep bringing your priorities to Queen’s Park. Over the past two years I have tabled twelve bills and five motions in the legislature, on topics ranging from stopping illegal handguns to preventing future pandemics to keeping 2SLGBTQIA+ communities safe. I have also co-lead the Sub-Committee on Intimate Partner Violence, helped Rastafest organize their first event in Regent Park, pressured Ford to fund and staff Ontario's tribunals adequately, and worked alongside incarcerated people and their families to expose the horrible conditions in Ontario's jails. On evenings and weekends I met thousands of you at local community events, consultations and parties held by my office, and at your doorsteps while canvassing. I am excited to continue this critical work alongside all of you. 

Whenever the election is called, whether next week, in the spring, or in 2026, we will be ready! 

Kristyn with members of the Regent Park Islamic Resource Centre and Masjidur Rahmah

Yesterday, I hosted a consultation in Regent Park to better understand how community members experience Islamophobia and what solutions they feel would be meaningful. This work is in preparation for the re-tabling of the Our London Family Act, a bill initially tabled by the Ontario NDP in honour of the Afzaal Family, who were brutally killed by a white supremacist using his car in London, Ontario in 2021. 

It was a powerful evening. Over 100 people attended and shared how they have experienced Islamophobia in schools, on the TTC, walking in their neighbourhoods, and in workplaces. It is heartbreaking that this hatred is so underreported and yet widespread. But the event was also hopeful. People offered suggestions like focusing on education, preventing hate from developing in the first place and creating better ways for government, law enforcement, and institutions to hold people accountable for hateful acts and comments. 

If you would like to offer your feedback and ideas about how we can tackle Islamophobia in our communities, please fill out this survey and feel free to share it! Together, we can make life better for Muslim and racialized communities.

Yours in community service, 

Kristyn Wong-Tam

MPP, Toronto Centre

• While Ford Dithers, Nova Scotia Declares IPV an Epidemic
• 77 Howard Tenants Stand Up
• 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations Annual General Meeting
• Jagmeet Singh Stands Strong Against Hate
• Barbara Hall Park Turns 50!
• The Legislative Page Program is Open for Applications!
• This Week’s Headlines
• Local Community News

Nova Scotia NDP Leader Claudia Chender, who introduced the bill. (Pat Callaghan/CBC)

This week, Nova Scotia adopted a bill to declare Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) an epidemic in the province - a bill almost identical to one I tabled in March of this year at Queen’s Park. I am so proud of the Nova Scotia legislators and activists who made this declaration possible, and heartbroken that the epidemic of IPV is so widespread. 

This declaration is incredibly meaningful and is an essential step in taking the issue seriously and protecting people from harm. I want to thank UNIFOR, in particular, for their instrumental advocacy, both in Nova Scotia and in Ontario.

I’m heartened to see this bill adopted in Nova Scotia, knowing we have a similar bill in Ontario waiting to pass. It’s unfortunate the Ford government refused to pass the bill in one day as they did in Nova Scotia.

I am working hard to create the most valuable and meaningful IPV consultation process possible. Still, I am also asking that the Ford government de-couple the IPV study from the declaration so that IPV can be declared an epidemic in Ontario as soon as the Legislature resumes. 

I encourage you to contact Premier Ford and PC MPPs to urge them to declare IPV an epidemic urgently and commit to flowing funding to organizations doing lifesaving work in the sector. You can sign my petition here and email Ford at [email protected].

Kristyn standing outside of 77 Howard Street with tenants and Toronto ACORN members.

On Tuesday, I joined Toronto ACORN members at 77 Howard Street, demanding fair treatment from their landlord. Their landlord's negligence forced them to sleep in hotels, throw out refrigerators full of food, and caused horrible damage to their clothes and units. WPSQ and Parwell Investments refuse to answer tenants, and they deserve better. 

I have written a third letter to WPSQ/Parwell this week, reminding them that they have not replied to my last letter and asking that they reply urgently and address the very valid concerns of their tenants.

Play video to watch NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh take on abusive protestor.

At this point, many of you will have seen the viral video of NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh confronting alt-right extremists who have been harassing people outside of the Canadian Parliament for weeks. When Jagmeet approached the harassers, they immediately folded and dropped their hateful rhetoric. 

I appreciated Jagmeet showing that he is not afraid to stand up for his own dignity and the dignity of other racialized people. His actions also showed that these people trying to instill fear and intimidation in the hearts of marginalized people are not so brave when asked to share their beliefs face to face.

Kristyn Wong-Tam addressing the room at the 2-Spirited People of the First Nations’ AGM

It was an honour to join the 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations' AGM on Wednesday evening. This fantastic local organization does life-changing work empowering 2-Spirit people and has been instrumental in the roll-out of Toronto Community Crisis Services — the mental health first responder program. They have done incredible work expanding their mandate from providing HIV/AIDS services as their core mandate to expanding to supporting 2-Spirit people in so many areas of their physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and cultural health. 

At the meeting, I spoke about how they can engage with the Provincial government and share their community's vital perspective in the committee hearings to address intimate partner violence (IPV).

Kristyn Wong-Tam and Barbara Hall holding Jackie Shane faces at Barbara Hall Park

It was a privilege to join the Church Wellesley BIA and the National Film Board last Saturday for the 50th anniversary of Cawthra / Barbara Hall Park, which included the screening of the Jackie Shane documentary Any Which Way. I want to thank the co-director, Michael Mabbott, and Toronto's 61st Mayor, Barbara Hall, for sharing their stories!

Past Pages in the Ontario Legislature

Calling all grade 7 and 8 students in Ontario!

Each year, approximately 150 young students from across Ontario are selected to participate in Ontario's Legislative Page Program. This unique educational program for Ontario students provides an opportunity to experience the provincial legislature in action and forge new lifelong friendships with peers from all over the province! 

The program is designed for outgoing, high-achieving, community-involved students who have demonstrated responsibility and leadership. Legislative Pages meet key parliamentary and political figures, and learn first-hand about Ontario’s Parliament and the legislative process. 

While at Queen’s Park, they are under the direction of the Page Program Coordinator who is a certified Ontario teacher. Pages also receive an honorarium during their term of duty. 

The Ontario Legislature is now accepting applications for the Spring 2025 term from September 15th until November 15th, 2024.Page applications are accepted online twice yearly: April 15 to June 15 and September 15 to November 15. Click here or contact [email protected] for more information.

The Creeping Threat to Trans Rights in Toronto - Featuring comments by Kristyn! 

‘Mishap of some kind’: Man dead after industrial accident at Ontario Place

Ontario transportation minister has ‘100% confidence’ in Eglinton Crosstown LRT builders

Peel police tout benefits of mental health crisis teams at safe cities conference

Anishinabek Nation demands action on 2007 Ipperwash inquiry recommendations

“It’s life or death”: Harm reduction workers on Doug Ford’s decision to close safe consumption sites

Next week is Truth and Reconciliation week and the 519 has put together a super accessible and informative list of resources that we can all access to better educate ourselves about the past and present wisdom, joy, and tragedies that Indigenous communities hold. I hope you make use of these resources:

The University of Manitoba's National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is holding free webinars during Truth and Reconciliation Week (September 23 to 27). Unlearn myths about Canada's colonial history and find calls to action to advance Truth and Reconciliation.September 23 to 27 1 pm Toronto local time Virtually, via Zoom and YouTube

Learn about Canada’s Residential School System: 

• Watch “We Were Children”, a documentary through the eyes of two residential school survivors 
• Read “Fatty Legs” and “A Stranger at Home” by Margaret Pokiak-Fenton 

Educate yourself about Canada’s Diverse First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples: 

• Indigenous Canada is a 12-lesson open online course from the University of Alberta's Faculty of Native Studies. From an Indigenous perspective, it explores complex experiences Indigenous peoples face today from a historical and critical perspective highlighting national and local Indigenous-settler relations.
• Read more about offering meaningful land acknowledgements
• Watch Beans, a film based on the true 1990 story, when two Mohawk communities entered into a stand-off with Canadian government forces to protect a burial ground from developers.
• Watch Reservation Dogs, a coming-of-age comedy TV show following four Indigenous teenagers in rural Oklahoma.
• Immerse yourself in more Indigenous films, documentaries, and reflections.
• Listen to the sounds of the best Indigenous artists from Canada.

The Young Politicians invites all youth to the Youth Civic and Political Forum on September 21 at Toronto City Hall. 

This event is an opportunity for young minds to come together, engage in meaningful discussions, and explore solutions to issues facing Toronto. Join like-minded peers and renowned leaders to explore, initiate, and debate civic and political matters. For more details, click here.

The Friends of Allan Gardens are excited to present the new Community Market Series this September! 

Each Saturday, from 11 AM to 3 PM, the Allan Gardens Children's Conservatory and the new Teaching Garden will host themed markets featuring unique finds and fun activities for the whole family.

Location: Allan Gardens Children's Conservatory & Teaching Garden, 117 Carlton Street

English Testing Canada is inviting the community to join their 2024 Pencil Case Stuffing Sessions. These sessions aim to support at-need TDSB students by filling 20,000 donated pencil cases with essential school supplies like pencils, erasers, pens, and sharpeners. Click here to RSVP. 

• Dates:
  • Sunday, September 22, 2024: 10 AM - 6 PM
  • Monday, September 23, 2024: 6 PM - 9 PM

• Location: Foy House, 92 Isabella Street
• Special Feature: Free guided tours of Foy House will be offered during the event:
  • Sunday, September 22: 11 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM, 5 PM
  • Monday, September 23: 7 PM, 8 PM

Newcomer Women's Services Toronto is offering an informative online workshop, All About Public Transportation in Toronto, on September 24, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. The session will cover:

• An overview of the various transit options in Toronto
• Guidance on paying for bus and subway rides
• Tips on planning your trips efficiently

The workshop will take place virtually via Zoom, making it accessible to all. For more information or to register, please email [email protected] or call 437-423-2553

Newcomer Women’s Services provides a wide variety of services to our community, both virtually and at their office at 489 Queen Street East. Click here to learn more about what they have to offer!

The Youth Justice Community Forum invites you to a full-day discussion focusing on barriers and supports for Black and racialized youth in the justice system. Engage with youth, community organizations, and justice professionals to explore how to collaborate in supporting justice-involved youth.

Event Details:

• Date: September 24
• Time: 9 AM to 5 PM
• Venue: Native Canadian Centre of Toronto (16 Spadina Road)

The event features an impressive lineup of speakers, including education advocates, legal professionals, and community leaders.

For more information and to secure your ticket, visit the event link or scan the QR code.

This year, the Indigenous Legacy Gathering will take place over four days at Nathan Philips Square, starting on September 27 and culminating in the unveiling of the Spirit Garden on Orange Shirt Day, September 30.

Stay tuned for details on vendor applications, which will be released soon. Check the event website for updates and more information.

Seniors for Climate Action invites the community to join their nationwide movement for urgent climate action. Fossil fuel emissions continue to fuel devastating fires, floods, and extreme weather. On October 1, seniors across Canada will stand in solidarity with youth, urging the federal government to take immediate steps towards renewable energy expansion and the end of fossil fuel burning.

Toronto Event Details:

• Date: Tuesday, October 1
• Time: 1:30 PM
• Location: Rally at University Avenue and Armoury

March to the Church of the Holy Trinity, 10 Trinity Square

Notable speakers include David Phillips, David Suzuki, and Lillian Allen. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own water bottles, and masks are welcome.

This event is part of a larger initiative by the Seniors for Climate project, featuring over 50 events across Canada.

Butterfly invites the community to celebrate a significant milestone—their 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner!

Taking place on October 3, from 6-10 PM, at Dim Sum King 421 Dundas Street West, 3rd floor, Toronto, this special event will feature performances, reflections from allies and community members, a silent auction, and more. The evening aims to commemorate a decade of supporting Asian and migrant sex and massage workers.

• Tickets to the Gala Dinner here
• Workshop & fundraising registration here

The Legislative Assembly of Ontario Model Parliament is a three-day educational program offering high school students the chance to engage with democracy firsthand.

Event Details:

• Dates: February 19 to 21, 2025
• Location: Ontario Legislative Building, Toronto

Who Can Apply?

• Ontario students in grades 10 to 12 with an interest in government, current affairs, and provincial issues.

Why Apply?

• Participants will meet the Speaker, Members of Provincial Parliament, and other civic-minded peers, and experience how Ontario's legislature operates, including debating as an MPP.

Application Deadline: October 6, 2024

For more information and to apply, click here.

The St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association (SLNA) Waste Reduction Group is hosting its 11th REmarket on October 9 and 10. This two-day event focuses on collecting unwanted items, with recycling services, donation collection, and hazardous waste drop-off available.

Event Details:

• Wednesday, October 9:
  • FreeMarket from 10 AM to 7 PM. Donate or take items for free (not for commercial resale). Bring your own bag.
• Thursday, October 10:
  • Repair Café Toronto will fix clothing, jewellery, computers, electronics, and more from 11 AM to 3 PM.
  • CultureLink Bike Hub will offer small bike repairs and safety checks from 10 AM to 6 PM.

The event will be held at the St. Lawrence Market Tent, 125 The Esplanade. For full details and guidelines, click here.

The Youth Arts Program at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario invites young artists aged 12-18 from across the province to exhibit their creative talents. This annual program showcases artwork within the Legislative Building, celebrating diverse artistic abilities.

Key details:

• Application Period: August 15 to October 15, 2024
• Eligibility: Youth aged 12-18 from Ontario
• Exhibit Location: Legislative Assembly Building, Ontario

For more information and to apply, click here. 

For questions, contact: [email protected].

Dear Neighbour,

We are in a housing crisis. Everyone knows this; you don’t need me to tell you. But right now, the issue is compounding – Toronto has also been without crucial housing funding from the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit for almost six months. This funding is critical to moving people into long-term housing and out of encampments and shelters. I know this is a priority for many people in our communities and one that I share.

The Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit provides rent supplements to individuals to help them afford rent in the general rental market. This funding allows people to become rapidly housed without the waitlists that social housing has. With housing waitlists topping 90,000 households and the city’s shelter system short 236 shelter beds per night (data from July - I shudder to think what the winter will bring), this funding is sorely needed. People have nowhere to go since this critical pipeline to rapid housing has stopped. 

Tent on a Toronto sidewalk. (Rene Johnston/Toronto Star)

Yet the Provincial and Federal governments have been shuffling papers for almost six months, and the funding has not flowed. Mayor Olivia Chow says that both levels of government are at the table and listening, but both blame the other for delays. I don’t care whose fault it is; we must get people safely housed and off the streets. 

The Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit is a program that works to rapidly move people into rental housing. Portable funding allows people to choose the right housing and location for them, which means housing waitlists are not a factor in someone getting off of the streets (note that it is only accessible by referral from City staff and that the program is currently closed). But it is also largely a stopgap solution, a bandaid on the wound of decades of public housing underfunding. There would not be such a need for this program if every level of government were committed to building and maintaining a robust stock of social housing and incentivizing the creation of missing-middle housing. Sadly, that is not where we are. 

But it doesn’t have to be this way. I am proud that the Ontario NDP has proposed the creation of Homes Ontario, a plan to build 250,000 non-profit homes on public lands across Ontario. 

To make this policy a reality, we need an NDP government in Ontario! We need to elect as many NDP MPPs as possible to do that, starting with the byelection in the Bay of Quinte. Join me and other passionate folks from Toronto this Sunday as we travel to beautiful Prince Edward County and knock on doors in support of our excellent candidate, Amanda Robertson! 

Amanda Robertson and Marit Stiles at a press conference in Bay of Quinte

If you can’t make it on Sunday, we also have phonebanks (that you can attend from home!) scheduled in advance of election day, Thursday, September 19. Hope to see you there! 

Yours in community service, 

Kristyn Wong-Tam

MPP, Toronto Centre

• Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! 
• A Joyful Festival Weekend!
• Our London Family Act Consultation
• My Nomination Meeting
• Metrolinx Don Yards Construction Noise Update
• BENA Social
• Friends of Ruby Celebration
• Healing as One Basketball Tournament
• 1M Ontarians Accessing Foodbanks
• This Week’s Headlines
• Local Community News

Today, with our wonderful community partner, Neighbourhood Information Post, we hosted over 240 constituents to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival in Regent Park. We created coloured paper lanterns, ate mooncakes, cheered on a Chinese seniors' dance troupe, and enjoyed the fantastic company. I also want to thank Toronto Community Housing for their support today - their amazing staff made the event run so smoothly and their smiling faces made all of the seniors happy. 

People have celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival for over 3,000 years. It is a celebration of a bountiful harvest, family togetherness, and the auspiciousness of the full moon. The festival is one of the largest in Chinese and other East Asian cultures, similar in popularity to the Lunar New Year.

I have fond memories of celebrating the Mid-Austum Festival with my family, and I am thrilled to celebrate with so many community members this year. 

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! 

Kristyn holding a cut cabbage at the Cabbagetown Festival

After Labour Day, Toronto Centre’s festival weekend was a roaring success!

Samantha Green, Toronto Centre’s Federal NDP candidate, and I showed Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles the best of what our communities had to offer during this iconic weekend. 

I kicked off the Cabbagetown Festival by chopping the cabbage in a single cut, part of the traditional fun of the opening ceremony ahead of the two-day extravaganza. Spending the weekend in Cabbagetown was terrific—I had a chance to speak with many neighbours, visited local businesses, and shared community information at our booth. 

Kristyn with Marit Stiles and Samantha Green with TNG staff at the St James Town Festival

Next, we hopped over to the St James Town Festival, where activities were in full swing. Vendors were selling foods from all over the world, and local organizations created a vibrant and fun vibe. Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth to sign a petition and pick up a tote bag.

Kristyn with Samantha Green, Masani Montague and Marit Stiles at Rastafest Regent Park

We ended the day at Rastafest Regent Park presented by the Daniels Corporation, where the community enjoyed live reggae music, delicious food, and beautiful artisan vendors. 

I am very thankful for Masani Montague, who spearheaded the organizing of this festival, the lead sponsor Daniels Corp and in particular Mitch and Hannah Cohen and Heela Omarkail, and the volunteers for bringing this event all together. I was thrilled to work alongside them to bring this rhythmic journey to Regent Park.

The Our London Family Act was first introduced in 2021 by the Ontario NDP and their London MPPs after the horrific murder of the Afzaal family. This new law, if passed, would make changes to address Islamophobia in Ontario. We are asking for your input before we re-introduced the bill to ensure it continues to propose the solutions that will keep Muslim communities safe. I hope you can join and share feedback. 

Where: Regent Park Community Centre, 402 Shuter Street

When: Thursday, September 19 from 6:30 PM – 8 PM

Refreshments and childminding will be provided.

RSVP here!

Speculation about Ford calling an early election is getting louder. He will do anything to get ahead of the RCMP criminal investigation into his Greenbelt corruption. And we will do everything to be ready for a snap election. 

You are invited! My nomination meeting to be your next Toronto Centre Ontario NDP candidate will be on Thursday, September 26, 2024, at 6:30 PM. 

Special guests and live music will be at The Aviary restaurant at 484 Front Street East in the beautiful Canary District. 

It would mean the world to me to see you there. Join us for a memorable night. RSVP here!

I am pleased to bring you an update about the loud construction at the Don Yards that I know has been affecting so many residents’ sleep and quality of life. 

I have received confirmation that the piling and drilling will stop between 11 PM and 7 AM. Work will still take place overnight, but there will no longer be auger banging at these hours. This is a huge win thanks to the advocacy of local residents in collaboration with my office. Since this change has been in place my office has received fewer complaints, but I know that the noise is still an issue for many, especially young children and shift workers. 

I am pleased to see this progress and I will continue to monitor the issue of loud disturbances with the help of the community. If you have concerns, please continue to share them with my office at [email protected].

Kristyn with BENA President Linda Brett

On Tuesday I was thrilled to spend the evening with the Bloor East Neighbourhood Association at their annual social.

BENA members are amazing community champions of civic engagement and citybuilding in Toronto Centre. Social gatherings make our neighbourhoods of tall buildings into welcoming communities. Thank you to the wonderful staff at the Bishop and Belchor for catering the social. We love supporting our local, small businesses. 

Learn more about BENA or to get involved by visiting: BloorEast.org

Kristyn with Councillor Moise and the Friends of Ruby staff team

On Tuesday, National Suicide Prevention Day, I joined Friends of Ruby to recognize their receipt of an Ontario Trillium Grant for pre-therapy mental health supports. Friends of Ruby connects vulnerable 2SLGBTQIA+ youth to experienced professionals with lived experience to receive vital support. This work is uplifting and transformative for the youth in the process of coming out and affirming their sexual orientation and gender identity. 

I am deeply thankful for the work that Friends of Ruby is doing to care for Queer and Trans youth in our city. They really are a special organization and deserving of your support.

Kristyn with Reed in the Streets and HSquared Co-Founders

On Sunday night, Healing As One, HSquared, and so many volunteers from Regent Park gathered for a very successful basketball tournament and fundraiser. The strength of our community was on full display, and we celebrated the work of Reed in the Streets, who shares by video the stories of people experiencing homelessness in the Downtown East in their own words. Thank you to Reed in the Streets, Murwan Khogali Ali, Sara Tahir, Halima Farah, Humaira Rahman, and Leonard Swartz for supporting this event!

The latest Feed Ontario report revealed that a staggering 1 million people visited a food bank in Ontario last year — this represents a 25 percent increase from the previous year. This is horrific and unacceptable in a province as rich as Ontario. 

Everyone deserves access to good food and safe shelter – it’s a basic human right. And yet 1 in 14 of our neighbours and friends - working people, seniors and children - are forced to turn to a food bank just to survive. This is not the kind of province anyone wants to live in. The cost of everything is going up, and yet we have a government that has done nothing to make life more affordable for Ontarians. Ontarians deserve a government that takes action on affordability issues. 

There are so many simple policy changes that would lift people out of poverty. I encourage you to sign petitions to increase ODSP and OW, increase the minimum wage to $20 an hour, and institute real rent control.

Record-breaking number of Ontarians used food banks last fiscal year

‘The system has fallen apart’: A child dies every 3 days under Ontario’s care network

Man taken to hospital after shooting in downtown Toronto

Province breaks ground on 3 Ontario Line stations in Toronto

Ontario Science Centre: City inspectors scrambled to respond to shutdown, documents show

Canadian mega landlord using AI ‘pricing scheme’ as it massively hikes rents

The Church-Wellesley Village BIA, in collaboration with the National Film Board of Canada, invites the community to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Barbara Hall Park (formerly Cawthra Square Park) on Saturday, September 14 at 6:30 PM.

As part of the festivities, there will be a free outdoor screening of Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story, a documentary about the trailblazing musician Jackie Shane. The event schedule is as follows:

• 6:30 PM: Seating opens (bring your own blanket or chair)
• 7:00 PM: Opening remarks
• 7:30 PM: Film screening
• 9:30 PM: Q&A session with the film's writer and co-director

Location: Barbara Hall Park, 519 Church Street. All are welcome to enjoy this special event.

Fred Victor is hosting their annual Harvest Festival this Saturday supported by the Muslim Welfare Centre and Friends of Regent Park.

• Date: Saturday, September 14, 2024
• Time: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
• Location: Communal garden in the Big Park, 620 Dundas Street East

There will be children's activities, music, food, raffle and more.

The Friends of Allan Gardens are excited to present the new Community Market Series this September! 

Each Saturday, from 11 AM to 3 PM, the Allan Gardens Children's Conservatory and the new Teaching Garden will host themed markets featuring unique finds and fun activities for the whole family.

Location: Allan Gardens Children's Conservatory & Teaching Garden, 117 Carlton Street

Walk with Grassy Narrows youth and community members to show that you are with them on their path to achieving mercury justice and freedom!

• Date: September 18, 2024
• Time: 12 PM
• Location: Downtown Toronto, details TBD
• Sign up: Click here to register

This is a family-friendly event. Rain or shine!

The Young Politicians invites all youth to the Youth Civic and Political Forum on September 21 at Toronto City Hall. 

This event is an opportunity for young minds to come together, engage in meaningful discussions, and explore solutions to issues facing Toronto. Join like-minded peers and renowned leaders to explore, initiate, and debate civic and political matters. For more details, click here.

The Youth Justice Community Forum invites you to a full-day discussion focusing on barriers and supports for Black and racialized youth in the justice system. Engage with youth, community organizations, and justice professionals to explore how to collaborate in supporting justice-involved youth.

Event Details:

• Date: September 24
• Time: 9 AM to 5 PM
• Venue: Native Canadian Centre of Toronto (16 Spadina Road)

The event features an impressive lineup of speakers, including education advocates, legal professionals, and community leaders.

For more information and to secure your ticket, visit the event link or scan the QR code.

Seniors for Climate invites the community to join their nationwide movement for urgent climate action. Fossil fuel emissions continue to fuel devastating fires, floods, and extreme weather. On October 1, seniors across Canada will stand in solidarity with youth, urging the federal government to take immediate steps towards renewable energy expansion and the end of fossil fuel burning.

Toronto Event Details:

• Date: Tuesday, October 1
• Time: 1:30 PM
• Location: Rally at University Avenue and Armoury

March to the Church of the Holy Trinity, 10 Trinity Square

Notable speakers include David Phillips, David Suzuki, and Lillian Allen. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own water bottles, and masks are welcome.

This event is part of a larger initiative by the Seniors for Climate project, featuring over 50 events across Canada.

Butterfly invites the community to celebrate a significant milestone—their 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner!

Taking place on October 3, from 6-10 PM, at Dim Sum King 421 Dundas Street West, 3rd floor, Toronto, this special event will feature performances, reflections from allies and community members, a silent auction, and more. The evening aims to commemorate a decade of supporting Asian and migrant sex and massage workers.

• Tickets to the Gala Dinner here
• Workshop & fundraising registration here

The Legislative Assembly of Ontario Model Parliament is a three-day educational program offering high school students the chance to engage with democracy firsthand.

Event Details:

• Dates: February 19 to 21, 2025
• Location: Ontario Legislative Building, Toronto

Who Can Apply?

• Ontario students in grades 10 to 12 with an interest in government, current affairs, and provincial issues.

Why Apply?

• Participants will meet the Speaker, Members of Provincial Parliament, and other civic-minded peers, and experience how Ontario's legislature operates, including debating as an MPP.

Application Deadline: October 6, 2024

For more information and to apply, click here.

The St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association (SLNA) Waste Reduction Group is hosting its 11th REmarket on October 9 and 10. This two-day event focuses on collecting unwanted items, with recycling services, donation collection, and hazardous waste drop-off available.

Event Details:

• Wednesday, October 9:
  • FreeMarket from 10 AM to 7 PM. Donate or take items for free (not for commercial resale). Bring your own bag.
• Thursday, October 10:
  • Repair Café Toronto will fix clothing, jewellery, computers, electronics, and more from 11 AM to 3 PM.
  • CultureLink Bike Hub will offer small bike repairs and safety checks from 10 AM to 6 PM.

The event will be held at the St. Lawrence Market Tent, 125 The Esplanade. For full details and guidelines, click here.

This year, the Indigenous Legacy Gathering will take place over four days at Nathan Philips Square, starting on September 27 and culminating in the unveiling of the Spirit Garden on Orange Shirt Day, September 30.

Stay tuned for details on vendor applications, which will be released soon. Check the event website for updates and more information.

The Youth Arts Program at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario invites young artists aged 12-18 from across the province to exhibit their creative talents. This annual program showcases artwork within the Legislative Building, celebrating diverse artistic abilities.

Key details:

• Application Period: August 15 to October 15, 2024
• Eligibility: Youth aged 12-18 from Ontario
• Exhibit Location: Legislative Assembly Building, Ontario

For more information and to apply, click here. 

For questions, contact: [email protected].

Regent Park Community Health Centre and EarlyON Child & Family Centre invite families with children ages 0-6 to enjoy a special breakfast event. Come on September 14, 2024, from 10 AM to 4 PM at 38 Regent St., and learn more about the resources available through the EarlyON program. The day will feature food, games, and a raffle, making it a fun and informative outing for families in the community.