April 17, 2026 Newsletter

Dear friend,

Just when I thought Ford couldn’t get any more out of touch or hypocritical, he goes and buys a $29 million private jet in the middle of an affordability crisis. If this were a movie, I would say that the writers were getting a little heavy-handed with their villain’s storyline. Instead, this is just a regular Friday in Ontario politics.

And as if the story couldn’t get any richer, this new plane isn’t able to fly out of Billy Bishop Airport with its current runway, but would be able to under this government’s new plan to expand the airport. Now we know why Ford pushed for this so hard: he and his buddies just want to fly their private jets to their Muskoka cottages and resorts in St Barts. 

Ford ran on a promise to stop the gravy train, only to spend millions of taxpayer dollars on his gravy plane. This is ridiculous.

And the ridiculousness did not stop there this week. Queen’s Park was a veritable clown show, with the government firing hundreds of teachers and ignoring the constitution to deny people bail in a bill that will almost certainly be struck down, wasting taxpayers' millions in legal fees.

Kids can’t learn in overcrowded and under-resourced classrooms. So why is the Minister of Education cutting teachers and closing schools?

When kids are crammed into classrooms without enough teachers to support them, it is no wonder that there’s been a rise in bullying, mental health incidents, and school fights. 

This week I asked Minister Calandra why he thinks cutting hundreds of teachers will result in safer, healthier classrooms where learning can take place. As usual, I was treated to a response full of bluster and lies, without concrete plans to care for our kids. You can watch our exchange here. 

These cuts come after the Ontario budget announced a $900 million cut to public schooling in Ontario. 

Sign my petition here to tell Ford to invest in our children’s futures: 

Yours in community spirit,

Kristyn Wong-Tam

MPP, Toronto Centre

• Cash-Only Bail is Unconstitutional, Won't Make Us Safer
• Ban Predatory Pricing
• RSVP: Toronto Waterfront Town Hall
• 2,000 Lockdowns A Year Is a Jail System in Crisis
• Nepali Flag Raising at City Hall
• Regent Park’s UNSMOKE Butt Blitz
• National Council of Canadian Tamils Gala
• TMU NDP Social
• This Week’s Meetings
• What’s Making Headlines
• Local Community Events

You would think that overhauling the Ontario bail ystem, in addition to several other significant changes contained within omnibus Bill 75, would require more than one day of committee hearings. But according to this government, one day of listening to experts tell them why this bill is poorly thought out is more than enough. 

Over half of the stakeholders who wanted to present on Bill 75 were denied the opportunity after the Ford Government limited the hearings to one day. Yet when I moved to extend the hearings, the government voted me down without even giving a reason. 

Bill 75 contains controversial amendments to the Bail Act that would mandate that all bail in Ontario be in the form of cash deposits. If passed, universally mandated cash bail would apply to everyone, regardless of the type of charge, including minor, non-violent ones. It is important to note that people awaiting trial are legally innocent, and many are first-time offenders. Those unable to pay cash bail will remain in government custody until their trial date, which is often years out. This change will result in legally innocent people waiting in jail for longer periods of time than they would be sentenced to if they were found guilty. That is not the system working as it should. 

Currently, legally innocent people are released on a monetary pledge – a promise to pay if they breach their bail terms. Or they are released into the custody of a surety – a responsible person who promises to ensure they comply with their bail terms and who is financially responsible should those terms be breached. The history of Ontario’s sole reliance on cash bail ended in 1972. 54 years later, Doug Ford is bringing it back. 

Every lawyer, legal organization, and civil liberties watchdog declared Schedule 2 of Bill 75 to be unconstitutional and predicted a swift legal challenge should the government proceed to pass it. Some witnesses went as far as to call the bill immoral. 

In committee, not getting an answer the first time, I was forced to ask Solicitor General Michael Kerzner twice if he supported the constitutional right to reasonable bail under Section 11(e) of the Charter. His reluctant answer was: “I believe a person has a right to reasonable bail as determined by the courts.” Yet the Solicitor General contradicts himself by imposing universal cash bail in the courts. This change prevents judges and justices of the peace from making independent legal assessments of the most appropriate bail for the situation. 

The Solicitor General must listen to the legal experts and remove Schedule 2 because it violates the constitutional rights guaranteed to all Canadians. The Ontario Crowns, Ontario Bar Association, the County of Carleton Law Society, and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association shared the expert opinion that this bill is unreasonable and unconstitutional.

Legal experts were also clear that this bill would worsen the overcrowding crisis in our pre-trial detention centres. The South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario and the Tamogo Foundation specifically testified that low-income and BIPOC communities would be more likely to be forced into detention. The state of Ontario detention centres is already deplorable. People are already bunking 3 to a cell and coming out of remand with more criminal networks than before. 

When I asked the Solicitor General if he had any plans to increase funding to address the wave of people he hypothetically wants to keep in jails, he had no answer. He is happy for human rights violations to continue in our detention centres if it means he gets to boast about seeming “tough on crime.”

The government talks a big game on crime, but new reporting has revealed that the government released the wrong inmates from jail 150 times over the past five years. When asked about it, the Solicitor General incorrectly stated that these inmates were re-apprehended "instantaneously." The truth is that some were in the community for five months or more and we don’t know if they were ever found and returned to jail. Incarcerating even more people, including those who are legally innocent, will not improve these conditions or reduce errors. 

The Ford Government has been warned that if it passes Bill 75, it will be unconstitutional. No law should be allowed to violate constitutionally-protected rights. And no government should be this unconcerned about violating constitutional rights or wasting millions of public dollars on a legal fight that they are sure to lose. Yet the Ford government is doing just that, while experts and the Ontario NDP call on them to see reason. 

I will continue to fight to bring this bill into compliance with the constitution in committee next week. I will keep you updated. 

The Ontario NDP is bringing bold solutions to rising costs of everyday goods and services with a motion to end the predatory practice of surveillance pricing.

I am so excited for my caucus to table this motion, which follows trailblazing legislation passed by Manitoba’s NDP government. 

Why should a secret algorithm from an American tech giant decide how much you pay for eggs? 

Families across Ontario are hurting under the pressure of rising food prices, and now, grocery giants and tech companies are teaming up to use people’s data against them to squeeze people out of their last dollar. This is unfair and predatory.

American tech giants and grocery chains are using AI-powered algorithms and electronic shelf labels to analyze shoppers’ personal data to charge them different prices for the same product. This practice is already being used by companies like Uber, Booking.com, online grocery apps, and many more.

Every time you search something online, order an Uber, or use a grocery app, your information is being used to charge you more. Tech giants want you to believe you can opt out. But you can't opt out of buying groceries. And they know there are no rules to stop them.

Manitoba banned it. Doug Ford can too. He just has to choose people over corporations. That's what the Ontario NDP is bringing to a vote.

Our motion would deliver relief at the till by banning predatory surveillance pricing practices and protecting consumers from rising costs. It's the least your government can do for you!

To support our motion, you can email Doug Ford and take further action at BanPredatoryPricing.ca 

The Ontario government is exploring changes that could allow jets to operate out of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport—a proposal that raises serious concerns about noise, safety, environmental impacts, and the long-term vision for our waterfront.

Join me, Chris Glover (MPP for Spadina—Fort York), Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik (Ward 10 City Councillor), and other Toronto MPPs and City Councillors for an important conversation about what this could mean for our community. This town hall will be an opportunity to learn more, ask questions, and share your perspective.

Date: Monday, April 20
Time: 7 PM - 9 PM
Location: East Bayfront Community Centre, 261 Queens Quay E

RSVP here!

If you can't make it in-person, you can watch the livestream here! 

A new Global News report has revealed that Ontario jails, and the staff and inmates inside them, are subject to alarmingly frequent lockdowns caused by staffing shortages. 

Last year alone, there were over 2,000 lockdowns in just one correctional facility. This is an incredibly dangerous situation for both correctional workers and inmates. When facilities are operating at 130 per cent capacity, it puts everyone at risk. Doug Ford and Solicitor General Kerzner have created an environment of chaos in our province’s correctional system.

Lockdowns are not a strategy, they are a symptom of this government’s failure. For years, we’ve watched this problem take hold while the Conservatives have done nothing. Frontline staff are being stretched beyond their limits. The Ford government needs to start taking this issue seriously, and act now, not some time down the road.

Everyone in Ontario should know that they are less safe because of Doug Ford’s underfunding. Frequent lockdowns in increasingly unsafe jails. Serious charges — including murder —   are being thrown out because of conditions in correctional facilities. Inmates die in custody. The Premier’s chronic underfunding of this system has left us here.

We know what the solutions are to these problems. Hire more staff; make investments in our courts system to provide timely access to justice and ease overcrowding; and create a safe environment for both workers and inmates. It’s time for the Premier to take some accountability and pull this crumbling system back from the brink.

I will continue to push for solutions to the problems of overcrowding and understaffing in Ontario’s jails. Current conditions are unacceptable. 

The Nepali Flag flew over Toronto City Hall this Monday, on Nepali New Year. I was delighted to join Nepalese-Canadians in celebrating their rich cultural heritage and to participate in the lighting ceremony, symbolizing peace, unity and new beginnings. You can watch a video of this delightful event here! 

Nepal is represented by its unique flag, the only non-quadrilateral national flag in the world, a legacy of Nepal’s unbroken sovereignty and longstanding independence, preserving symbols shaped entirely by its own traditions. Its shape reflects the Himalayan mountains, as well as the unity of faith across the country.

My thanks go to Nepalese Canadian Community Services for organizing the flag raising. I would like to wish all Nepali-Canadians a very happy new year, filled with joy and prosperity!

I joined the Friends of Regent Park  this weekend for UNSMOKE Butt Blitz, a nationwide campaign led by A Greener Future and UnSmoke Canada aiming to collect 1 million cigarette butts to be built into a park bench! It was great to chat with community volunteers  and work with them to clean up our neighbourhood before bringing our blitz of butts to the flagship event at Ripley’s Aquarium.

It was my pleasure to speak at the National Council of Canadian Tamils’ (NCCT) annual gala last weekend. Over 100,000 Tamils call the Greater Toronto Area home, with Toronto having one of the largest Tamil-speaking populations outside of Asia. Toronto Centre is the most diverse riding in Ontario, with proud Tamil-speaking communities in St. James Town and Regent Park. I am so grateful to these communities for the warmth, culture, and community care that they bring to Toronto Centre. 

The NCCT provides a unified democratic voice advocating for Tamil culture and inclusion in Canada. They have done amazing work, from supporting local food banks to encouraging civic participation to increasing voter turnout among Tamil Canadians, and much more. I am so thankful to have participated in this beautiful night of celebration, which showcased the talents of so many Tamil artists and created a space to reflect on all that Tamil communities have achieved in Ontario.

I had a great time joining the Toronto Metropolitan University NDP for their end-of-year social! Our universities and colleges are vital incubators of democracy and civic engagement, where students first learn to engage with political ideas, debate issues, and oftentimes organize for collective action.

I thoroughly enjoyed speaking with students and hearing their stories. It’s inspiring to see the next generation of New Democrats energized and ready to fight for the future of our province and country!

• Heart & Stroke Foundation
• Take a Hike Foundation
• Moose Hide Campaign
• HRC Innovations Inc.
• Salvation Army

Stop Cuts to Refugee Healthcare - Migrant Rights Network

Black-serving organizations demand action after Ontario funding cuts

Citywide union for Toronto tenants formed to organize rent strikes and help with unlawful evictions

CBC investigation finds grocers Loblaw, Sobeys overcharging for underweight meat — again

Plan to pedestrianize Church Street could bring car-free summer to Toronto’s Gay Village

Ontario expanding areas where alcohol can be consumed in provincial parks

Attendance for high schoolers, elementary students is plummeting in Ontario: data

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!

Story Money Impact and Kapisanan invite you to a free screening of Canada's own Kent Donguines' Canadian Adobo (2024) documentary about family separation among Filipina caregivers and their children. 

Date: April 20, 2026

Time: 6 PM - 8:30 PM

Location: Innis College Town Hall, 2 Sussex Ave, Toronto

Click here to RSVP!

The free screening will be followed by a panel discussion. There will also be a mini vendor market, featuring local Filipino artists and collectives.

Join friends, family, and the public in remembering Stephen Lewis, the remarkable man who brought empathy, and big ideas to Canadian politics and the world stage. 

In-person tickets have all been claimed, but everyone is welcome to attend virtually and watch the ceremony via live-stream. Access the link and join in remembering the extraordinary legacy of Stephen Lewis: 

Date: April 26, 2026

Time: 11 AM - 12:30 PM

Where: Virtual

Click here for the link.

The Auto Body and Collision Damage Repairer 310B Pre-apprenticeship (Level 1) Program is tuition-free, funded by the Government of Ontario, and designed as a stepping-stone to a full apprenticeship for attending students. Classes run for 30 weeks (April—November).

Requirements:

• 18 to 30 years of age
• Legally entitled to work in Canada—with a social insurance (SIN) card
• OSSD (Grade 12 diploma) or equivalent
• Must be able to commit to 30 weeks of training

Applications will be accepted until April 23, 2026, for classes starting by April 27, 2026. Classes run for 30 weeks (April—November). To apply, download, complete, and email the application form available on the Tropicana Community Services site. 

For full details on how to apply and more information, click here.

YouthWorx Summer Internship

YouthWorx is seeking enthusiastic individuals aged 14-18 to join their summer team! This is a fantastic opportunity to engage in community cleanups, light repairs, painting, and beautification projects.

If you have any questions, email [email protected], visit the TCHC website, or call 437-228-3947.

The Toronto Public Library is hosting Rhythm and Poetry for Teens!

In this workshop, Coach Joshua “Scribe” Watkis will use Rhythm and Poetry (Rap) as an accessible, engaging entry point for young people to connect with the spoken and written word.

Date:  Thursday, April 30, 2026

Time:  5 PM - 6:30 PM

Where:  Albert Campbell Library, 496 Birchmount Road, Scarborough

(416) 396-8890

Sign up here!

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

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 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.

Save the date for Riverdale Farm's Spring Celebration!

Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026

Time: 10 AM - 3 PM

Location: Riverdale Farm, 201 Winchester Street

There will be sheep shearing, carding, spinning, and weaving demonstrations, as well as crafts, a playroom, and refreshments. 

The event is from 10 AM - 3 PM, but the farm will be open from 9 AM to 5 PM. 

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

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, 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 Kids’ Rehab Hospital is hosting an amazing summer camp focused on building 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 over four sessions between July 6 and September 3, this camp is an awesome opportunity for children of mixed abilities to learn from one another and have fun in a supportive, accessible environment. 

To learn more about the program and sign up, click here!

Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Toronto provides 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.

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 that 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]