April 10, 2026 Newsletter

Dear friend,

What does being racist, homophobic, anti-choice, and running to be the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada get you on Parliament Hill? A place in the Liberal caucus was not an answer on my 2026 bingo card.

Like many of you, I am perplexed and disgusted that Mark Carney and the Liberals have extended their so-called “big tent” to include Marilyn Gladu, the highly controversial MP for Sarnia—Lambton—Bkejwanong, who crossed the floor from the Conservatives to the Liberals on Wednesday. 

When Marilyn Gladu ran for the Conservative Leadership in 2020, her platform encouraged MPs to introduce legislation to further restrict abortion access in Canada. Gladu supported the Freedom Convoy while they held the people of Ottawa hostage for weeks. Gladu opposed the bill to ban harmful conversion therapy, which is a direct attack on queer and trans youth. She spouted racist stereotypes linking all Mexican people to the drug trade. Gladu has been on the record about these views as recently as January this year.

The fact that these bigoted values have been welcomed into the Liberal Party shows us who Mark Carney really is. The truth is, given Gladu’s well-documented past comments, she would have never passed Liberal party vetting to become their candidate in any election. But now, we know Carney is willing to throw any community under the bus in his quest for a majority government.

To my friends in the Federal Liberal caucus: it is time to take a long, hard look at your caucus and decide what you will accept. I expect you to oppose Marilyn Gladu as strongly as you did before, now that she is a bigoted Liberal MP. If you fail to do so, don’t expect a warm welcome at Pride Month events. 

To everyone who is pissed off about this absolute betrayal by Carney: don't take this sitting down, and don't let him take Toronto for granted. There’s no place for hate in Toronto or Canada. 

Luckily, there is something you can do with that anger right now: there are two federal by-elections in Toronto this upcoming Monday, one in Scarborough Southwest and another in University-Rosedale. They need hundreds of volunteers knocking on doors and making phone calls - join them!

Sign up to volunteer with Fatima Shaban in Scarborough Southwest: fatimashaban.ca/volunteer 

Sign up to volunteer with Serena Purdy NDP in University-Rosedale: serenapurdy.ca

In happier news, I had the absoloute joy of hosting friends and community members at Queen's Park for Acharon Shel Pesach, the final evening of Passover. On this night, families light candles and recite prayers together, focusing on the future and redemption. Thank you to my dear friend, Leonard, who led us in prayer and helped make this evening of faith and celebration so special.

Wishing all who celebrated Chag Pesach Sameach!

I also wish everyone celebrating this Sunday a happy Orthodox Easter! Every year, my sister-in-law and her mom paint the most exquisite Ukrainian Easter eggs in the traditional Ukrainian pysanky style. These beautiful cultural skills, along with the stories of nationhood and resistance under oppression, are passed along from generation to generation in Ukraine and the diaspora. I am so fortunate to be a part of a welcoming and creative family. 

Happy Orthodox Easter to all!

Yours in community service, 

Kristyn Wong-Tam

MPP, Toronto Centre

• Hate Crime in the Village
• 600 TDSB Teachers Cut, Education Austerity Deepens
• Hallway Healthcare Spreads to Storage Closets
• Access to Success Innovation Hub Launch
• Fred Victor’s Trillium Foundation Capital Grant Recognition
• Ubuntu Neighbourhood Organization Trillium Foundation Event
• Black Maternal Health Collective Canada
• Scarborough Filipino Community Leaders Round Table
• This Week’s Meetings
• What’s Making Headlines
• Local Community Events

A hate-motivated crime took place in the Church & Wellesley neighbourhood on Saturday. The homophobic slurs and assault are deplorable. We must condemn this homophobic violence in the harshest terms.

The 2SLGBTQIA community is one that I'm proud to belong to. For years, I owned a small business on Church Street. Every day, I walk my son to school in the Village. Everyone is welcome here, but we never welcome hate.

Queer and Trans people have the right to feel safe. Our long-held values of equality, inclusion and community bring us together. Nothing and no one can ever take that away.

To those responsible for the assault: our community will never be intimidated, and we'll never allow hate to triumph.

To the person harmed: your community stands with you, and unity is our truest and greatest strength.

If you are a witness or know something that will bring the assailants to justice, please report to the police immediately. I'm grateful for their current investigation.

Real action, accountability and solidarity are needed. Now and always.

The Minister of Education’s handpicked TDSB supervisor, Rohit Gupta, has decided to cut more than 600 teachers from Toronto’s public education system, one that is already overcrowded and under-resourced.

TDSB students are already packed into overcrowded classrooms in rundown schools, thanks to eight years of Doug Ford's funding cuts. As a parent of a TDSB elementary student, I know this all too well. 

These latest cuts will see class sizes increase, and student supports disappear, all while parents continue to hear silence from the Conservatives' overpaid, unqualified, hand-picked supervisor. These attacks on our children's education must end.

Cutting more than 600 teachers, especially from schools serving lower-income communities and ESL programs, is a direct attack on equity in our education system. Like so many of Doug Ford and Paul Calandra’s cuts, these will hurt the most vulnerable students the most. Instead of imposing school board takeovers that allow unqualified supervisors to make decisions in secret, behind closed doors, Doug Ford needs to properly fund education and restore locally accountable elected trustees.

This week, horrific but unsurprising media reports revealed that hospitals are being forced to convert storage rooms and office spaces to treat patients. 

No ad campaign or press conference can spin the grim reality Ontarians face in our hospital hallways every single day. Patients are being treated in spaces that were never meant for care. This is shameful.

This did not happen overnight. Doug Ford and his Minister of Health ran on a promise to end hallway health care under the Liberals. Instead, they’ve turned it into the norm.

People in Ontario and the nurses who care for them deserve to feel safe when they walk into a hospital. Ontarians need better care faster with safe staffing ratios, real investments in our public health care system, and proper access to primary care.

Sign my petition to fund healthcare here.

I was delighted to join the launch of Access to Success’ Innovation Hub on Wednesday! 

Access to Success empowers entrepreneurs and startups in the disability tech space to develop their ideas and reach real people who can benefit from their ideas. The opening of this hub and co-working space will no doubt be life-changing for people with disabilities in Toronto and beyond, who will be able to access new technologies. Let's keep working together to strengthen the City’s growing accessibility innovation ecosystem and create lasting, positive change. You can learn more about the hub here! 

Congratulations to Fred Victor on receiving the Ontario Trillium Foundation Capital grant!

At any given night here in Toronto, over 15,000 people are unhoused. When shelters are overcrowded and unable to provide a safe space for our most vulnerable, community leaders like those at Fred Victor step in. They do incredible work supporting low-income and homeless individuals on their pathways to finding housing, employment, safety and food security. This grant to update and expand their kitchen capacity will enable them to serve even more people in our communities with delicious, nutritious meals while providing critical work experience and skills to participants.

Thank you, Fred Victor, for everything that you do!

Congratulations to the Ubuntu Neighbourhood Organization on receiving the Ontario Trillium Foundation Youth Opportunities Fund Grant! It was a treat to celebrate with so many passionate young people last night. 

UNO is a youth-led non-profit based here in the Esplanade neighbourhood, serving as a safe and supportive space for at-risk youth from lower-income families. Through programs focused on financial literacy, women in tech, job placement, and tutoring, they help young people build valuable skills while fostering confidence, mentorship, and community.

UNO is an integral part of our neighbourhoods, and I am so proud of the work that they do!

It was an honour to join the Black Maternal Health Collective Canada for their Toronto Black Maternal Health Week opening ceremony this morning!

It is horrifying to learn that because of anti-Black racism in some of our healthcare practices, Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes, not to mention the significantly higher rates of perinatal depression, preterm births and mortality among Black women and infants in comparison to their non-racialized counterparts.

BMHCC does incredible work bringing together healthcare professionals, community leaders, and advocates to advance awareness and equitable access to maternal healthcare for Black mothers and families. I am so proud of the Collective’s vital work, and I will continue to support their work as their advocate at Queen’s Park!

Thank you to the Filipino community leaders who joined me, Marit Stiles, and other Ontario NDP caucus members for our Filipino Community Roundtable at Queen’s Park!

It was especially meaningful to me to take part, as Toronto Centre is home to a strong and vibrant Filipino community, with St. James Town welcoming many of the first Filipinos to arrive in the late 1950s.

Filipino Ontarians play an essential role in our care sectors and contribute immensely to the social, cultural, and economic fabric of our province. We are deeply grateful for the many contributions they continue to make to Ontario and Canada as a whole!

• Kapisanan Philippine Centre for Arts & Culture
• Mod + Women Health and Wellness
• Dixon Hall
• Taipei Economic and Cultural Office
• ACORN
• Freedom City Church

The Doug Ford government is moving to shield politicians from scrutiny. Here are secrets the new law would have kept under wraps 

MMIWG2S+ programs at risk of losing federal funding, say Indigenous women's organizations

Toronto residents fighting to stop plan that opens door to development of schoolyards

Toronto is giving away free air conditioning this summer 

Ford government's 'special economic zones' law facing constitutional challenge

Ontario school board supervisors charging varying fees, some billing government HST

Sobeys-owned stores recalling multiple cheese products for listeria risks

Businesses, for-profits own 84,000 Ontario houses: StatsCan 

Canada is repealing these three immigration programs and changing some work permit rules. Here’s what we know 

After more than two decades, Toronto may finally allow more street vendors

Doug Ford’s FOI moves driving down support for Progressive Conservatives, survey finds 

Regent Park SDP Network decides to join City-Wide Coalition at The Planning Committee Meeting 

Government won’t say how much it is spending on its ‘Protect Ontario’ commercials

Prominent Toronto tenant union expands citywide

Why these Toronto teachers are fighting their students' rent hikes

Did you know that inhaled vaccines may help stop infections before they start?
The AeroVax Trial is exploring a needle-free COVID-19 vaccine. This vaccine aims to improve protection against respiratory viruses like COVID-19 by delivering the vaccine through inhalation.

Volunteers are needed for this exciting study—reach out to learn more!

Interested?
Contact the Study Coordinator
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 289.659.4901
Website: www.aerovax.ca

The Friends of Regent Park is participating in a national cigarette litter cleanup! A Greener Future, in partnership with UnSmoke Canada Cleanups, is hosting a nationwide cigarette litter cleanup, called the UNSMOKE Butt Blitz, with the goal of collecting 1 million cigarette butts across Canada.

Local Butt Blitz in Regent Park:

Saturday, April 11, 2026

10-11 AM

Big Park (600 Dundas St. E). Meet at the bake oven

At the end of the blitz, participants will be taking the collected butts to the flagship event at Ripley’s Aquarium.

Join in and be part of a national impact story!

The City of Toronto is expanding its Air Conditioner Assistance Program, offering at least 1,000 free portable air conditioners to eligible residents. Eligibility requirements include low-income seniors with health-related needs, pregnant individuals and families/caregivers with new infants.

Applications will be open from April 7-21. For more information on eligibility and how to apply, please visit toronto.ca/ACprogram.

In Toronto, having summer cooling has gone from luxury to necessity. This webinar hosted by Toronto Home Energy Network and Foundry Heat Pumps will cover the trade-offs between installing a heat pump and an A/C, as well as differences in operating costs, so you can make an informed decision for your home and your wallet.

Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Time: 6:30-7:45 PM

Location: Virtual - RSVP for the link

Registration Link: Learn more and register here

Get Started in Canada- Newcomer Women program is designed to support newcomer women in setting meaningful goals and strengthening their employability skills, while also providing the opportunity to earn micro-certificates.

Program overview:

Name: Get Started in Canada

Dates: April 20 - June 12, 2026

Time:  9:30 AM to 2:30 PM

Days:  Mondays to Thursdays (hybrid)

What you will get:

• Micro-certificates such as WHMIS, Business Writing, Customer Service, and more
• Goal-setting support and enhanced job search skills
• Increased confidence, workplace communication skills and wellbeing

How to apply:

Fill out the inquiry form here: Get Started in Canada - PTP

As part of our Earth Day initiatives, the St James Town Community Corner is organizing a community cleanup activity in St. James Town, along with a small volunteer appreciation gathering to recognize contributions to the community.

The event will take place on Saturday, April 25 at 10 AM

Everyone is welcome to join as volunteers to support this initiative!

Kindly register here to help The Corner with logistics: Earth Day Community Clean-Up & Volunteer Appreciation Event Registration

The iconic Forsythia Festival is around the corner! And they need people like you to volunteer! If you are interested in volunteering email Katie at [email protected]. 

The Forsythia Festival has been held annually on the 1st Sunday of May at Wellesley Park for over 50 years! It’s free for all to attend, and people come from all over the city to join in the fun.

This year, the festival will be held on Sunday, May 3, 2026. 

There’s fun for all the family including a parade and food and drinks from local retailers and pubs. Plus lots of activities for kids of all ages!

Applications are now open for the RISE Program by Apathy is Boring.

This is a 15-week program where young people (ages 18–30) work in a small cohort to co-create and launch a community project, with strong support along the way. Whether you’re new to civic engagement or already involved, this is a great entry point for building skills and bringing your ideas to life.

What does the RISE program do?

RISE supports participants by guiding them through a 15-week program that provides access to training, skill-building workshops, mentorship/networking opportunities, and a $ 4,000 budget! We encourage all youth to apply, especially those who are new to civic engagement. It is a great opportunity to gain transferable skills and serves as an entry point to further civic and community engagement.

Here’s a rundown of what participants can expect in the program:

• Weekly (evening) in-person meetings (located at CSI-Spadina), facilitated by the RISE Program coordinator.
• Free dinners at every weekly meeting
• All expenses paid national conference August 7th-9th, where they get to meet other passionate youth across Canada (Location TBD)
• A $4000 budget to make their project a reality
• Skill-building and networking opportunities
• 1:1 support and mentorship from the RISE Program coordinator

The upcoming RISE cohort runs from July 6 to October 12, 2026. Applications are currently open until this Sunday, May 24th. Click here for the application form.

They also have a referral program! If you have someone in mind that you think should apply, refer them, and you will receive a gift card from Apathy is Boring if they become one of the summer 2026 RISE ambassadors. Refer someone here.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to this email:

[email protected]

Holland Bloorview Kid’s Rehab Hospital is hosting an amazing summer camp focused on the building of a spiral garden. This camp is for children of mixed abilities, ages 6-18. There are many spots remaining for children and youth who do not require 1:1 support to participate. 

Running in four sessions between July 6 and September 3, this camp is an awesome opportunity for children of mixed abilities to learn from each other and have fun in a supportive, accessible environment. 

Click here to learn more and sign up!

Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Toronto provide mentorship and positive relationships for young people in our communities. In addition to brothers and sisters, they are recruiting Big Siblings to mentor 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, Big Couples (couples over 25 years old in stable relationships), and Big Gs (retirees aged 55+). There are so many ways to get involved! 

450 children and youth in Toronto are waiting to be matched with a mentor! Sign up today!

Learn about their programs and sign up here.

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!

Nominations are due by April 30, 2026. Submit your nominee here!

Are you looking to honour human rights heroes in your community?

Nominations are now open for the 2026 Daniel G. Hill Human Rights Awards, presented by the Ontario Human Rights Commission during its 65th anniversary year.

The Daniel G. Hill Human Rights Awards commemorate the legacy of human rights trailblazers by honouring them in the name of the organization’s first Black Director and Black Chairperson.

The awards are an opportunity for the OHRC to share, recognize and celebrate achievements made to advance and foster human rights in Ontario.

In 2026, the OHRC will present the Daniel G. Hill Awards in three categories:

• Young Leaders: to be awarded to a person under age 30 (as of December 31, 2025) for their outstanding contribution to advancing human rights in Ontario.
• Distinguished Service: to be awarded to an individual for outstanding contribution to advancing human rights in Ontario.
• Lifetime Achievement: to be awarded to an individual for significant contributions over their lifetime to advance human rights in Ontario.

If you or someone you know is doing great work to support human rights, please consider a nomination. Nominations are open until May 29, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. EST. Find out more here.

Johnny G's Jazz Bistro is hosting live jazz dinner shows every night from Thursday to Saturdays! 

Reserve your table today to enjoy this two hour musical experience, including dinner and cocktails! 

Dates: Every Thursday-Sunday

Time: 8 PM - 11 PM

Location: Johnny G's, 478 Parliament Street

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

Is your family expecting a baby this summer? Roots of Empathy is recruiting families with babies who will be 2-4 months old in October for their classroom program. Roots of Empathy teaches elementary school students emotional skills by connecting with their “tiny teacher” and their parents. The program is proven to increase empathy, kindness, and inclusiveness, while reducing aggression and bullying.

Families are matched with a local classroom and visit nine times over the school year to connect with students.

To learn more visit their website here, or email Tahmina Khatun at [email protected]. 

Sick Kids Hospital is hosting a mental health drop-in at the St James Town Community Corner! 

This program’s child and family therapists support families from the prenatal stage through 18 years of age, assisting with pregnancy, parenting, and child development questions, behaviour concerns, school readiness, and access to resources. 

Drop-in Details:

• Day and Time: Wednesdays, 10 AM to 12 PM
• Location: The Corner, 200 Wellesley Street East
• Contact: 416-924-1164 extension 8724 or [email protected]

Sick Kids Hospital, the Canadian Prenatal Nutrition Program, and TNG Community Services are hosting a free pregnancy nutrition program at the Wellesley Community Centre!

Program participants will learn about nutrition from registered dietitians and other healthcare providers, meet other parents-to-be, receive grocery gift cards, and be connected to other free resources and supports. To register, call  416-924-1164 extension 8724 or email [email protected]. 

Program Details:

• Day and Time: Thursdays, 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
• Location: Wellesley Community Centre, Room B2
• Contact: 416-924-1164 extension 8724 or [email protected]