April 3, 2026 Newsletter

Dear friend,

This has been a huge week for New Democrats and I am honoured to be here to break it all down for you. 

Last Friday I flew to Winnipeg to attend the Federal NDP Convention, alongside thousands of excited delegates. It was so energizing to be among so many passionate progressives who share our dedication to universal healthcare, affordable housing, and the dignity of each person. 

The highlight of the NDP Convention, of course, was the election of our new federal leader, Avi Lewis. I am very impressed with Avi and excited to support him as he works to rebuild the federal party. He is going to energize Canadians with his boldly progressive and unabashedly ambitious plans. He is a leader who is meeting this moment! 

I also want to extend my sincere gratitude to the candidates who made this leadership race exciting, intellectually stimulating, and brimming with kindness. Heather McPherson, Tanille Johnson, Rob Ashton, and Tony McQuail all ran campaigns to be proud of. Heather was the only candidate that is currently sitting as an MP and she is someone who I have gotten to know over the campaign. I truly admire her inclusive, driven and results oriented approach to politics. She’s deeply effective and courageous in a tide of Conservative politicians in Alberta. She deserves an even bigger role in the caucus. It’s my opinion that Heather and Avi working side by side will electrify Parliament Hill soon. Watch for the sparks!

On Tuesday, students and their allies packed the galleries in the Legislature as the Ontario NDP brought forward a motion to stop the cuts to OSAP. 

As I have written previously, I am immensely proud of the strength, courage, and tenacity with which students are fighting these cuts. They are showing up, being loud, and telling this government that they will not back down. 

Even though the NDP’s motion was defeated by this callus government, we will not stop fighting for an affordable life for students and everyday people. 

Want to join the movement? Sign the petition here and attend Chris Glover’s OSAP townhall on April 15th - RSVP here! 

This week our movement lost a giant. The accomplishments of Stephen Lewis as the leader of the Ontario NDP, UN ambassador, philanthropist, teacher, mentor, brother, husband, father, and grandfather are too numerous to share here, so instead I will share what he meant to me.

Stephen’s frankness coupled with his gentleness disarmed the powerful while simultaneously providing comfort and empowerment to the systemically disempowered. That skill allowed him to move seamlessly between the halls of power, the kitchen tables of everyday Canadians, and the homes of people in southern Africa, three places where he made so much change.

My memories of Stephen are defined by his unwavering kindness and belief in the dignity of every person. He lived out those values every day through his commitment to social democracy and his tireless work to eradicate HIV/AIDS and provide access to healthcare for all.

Stephen’s legacy does not end with his passing; it lives on through his foundation, his children, grandchildren, and everyone who had the privilege of learning from him. His work on HIV prevention and treatment saved millions of lives and now that he is gone, we inherit his missions. 

My thoughts and love are with Michele, Avi, Jenny, Ilana, the entire Lewis family, and everyone who knew and loved Stephen. May his memory be a blessing.

I want to wish everyone a safe and happy long weekend. I am sending special greetings to those who are celebrating Passover and Easter with loved ones and communities. I hope that this time of renewal and reflection bring you joy and peace. Chag Pesach Sameach and Happy Easter! 

Yours in community service, 

Kristyn Wong-Tam

MPP, Toronto Centre

• Ford asks Prime Minister for Court-stacking Powers
• ONDP Bangladeshi Heritage Month Reception
• Welcome to the Students of Our Lady of Lourdes!
• Big Brothers Big Sisters Meeting
• Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome & Craniocervical Instability Reception
• This Week’s Meetings
• What’s Making Headlines
• Local Community Events

Ford is continuing in his quest to erode fairness and impartiality in Ontario’s justice system. So you know I had to ask him about it in question period. As usual, he punted the question to his Minister, who refused to give a straight answer. You can watch our full exchange here. 

In a letter to the Prime Minister, the Ford government called for greater say in the appointment of superior and appeals court justices. The letter proposes that the federal government select justices only from a pre-approved list of candidates recommended and approved by the provincial government.

These proposed changes are not about having more provincial input; The federal government already reaches out to the provinces for feedback on its list of candidates. This is the Premier’s attempt to stack the courts with his cronies. He has said before he wants to appoint “like-minded people” with a tough-on-crime approach. He appointed his former deputy chief-of-staff and director of stakeholder relations to the Judicial Appointments Advisory Committee. Now he wants all justices in Ontario to be selected from his hand-picked list. This is the same Premier that is under a criminal investigation by the RCMP. 

Ford’s court-stacking ambitions have been criticized by the Chief Justice Michael Tulloch, who said that judicial independence is a constitutional protection for the public. Federal selection of appeals and court judges exists to ensure judicial independence and consistency and to prevent courts from being swayed by what happens in provincial politics. Putting aside the Premier’s illogical belief that tough-on-crime policies will solve structural issues of poverty and neglect perpetuated by his government,  limiting the selection of judges based on whether they hold any one specific set of political beliefs is fundamentally unjust and erodes the rule of law.

On Tuesday, March 31, I joined Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles and my fellow caucus members to celebrate Bangladeshi Heritage Month in beautiful Scarborough Southwest. 

Bangladeshi Ontarians are a thriving, welcoming, and vibrant part of our province. Over 50,000 people of Bangladeshi origin call Ontario home, and we're proud to have Banglatown right here in Toronto! It was my honour to recognize the Ontario Bangladeshis’ many contributions across all sectors, while celebrating their rich and diverse culture, traditions, food, music, and important political history. As March comes to a close, I would like to wish all the Bangladeshi community of Toronto Centre a very happy Bangladeshi Heritage Month.

It was my pleasure to welcome and greet the students of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School to the Legislative Assembly. The bright-eyed, energetic bunch came prepared with many fascinating questions about the role of a Member of Provincial Parliament and whether it was me they saw at their local YMCA (it was).

I hope to see all of these students back in the House someday. As I shared with the class, there is no seat you are not allowed to sit in!

I had an engaging conversation with representatives from Big Brothers Big Sisters, an organization that has shaped the lives of thousands of children across Ontario for over a century. The wide range of mentoring programs, run by over 8,000 volunteers and free for families, are a vital part of the adolescent experience for many young people and especially help foster safe learning environments for our most vulnerable.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is currently looking for more volunteer mentors. Over 400 youth are on the waitlist in Toronto. Apply here to be a big sibling and foster a relationship with a young person that could change your life too!

I would like to thank Sydney Gesualdi, MPP Teresa Armstrong, and Patients Canada for organizing and sponsoring the Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) & Craniocervical Instability (CCI) reception on April 1st. Anyone who lives with EDS and/or CCI knows the Ford government has left patients and families with little stability or care. A broken and underfunded healthcare system punishes them with delayed diagnosis, fragmented referrals, limited specialists, and credit card debt since OHIP refuses to cover out-of-country life-saving surgeries and care, when none are available in Ontario. 

Diseases like EDS and CCI are not rare, and neither are the solutions. Political decisions are made every day, and Ford is choosing to sideline those living with complex conditions. Ontario needs rapid, standardized, early diagnostic training for health professionals, as well as coordinated research and data collection. Without meaningful financial support for families managing complex conditions or improved access to care, their suffering just continues.

Community Educator Lesley Stoyan and I are proudly teaming up with others to raise awareness about EDS & CCI. Join the movement and let’s demand better together! Watch this space for more updates.

• Association of Consulting Engineering Companies-Ontario
• Ontario Association of Optometrists Reception
• HIEC Celebrating Apprenticeship in Ontario Reception
• Nepali Heritage Month Community Consultation
• Big Brothers Big Sisters

Easter weekend 2026: Here’s what’s open and closed in Toronto and the GTA on Good Friday, Easter Monday 

First Nations chiefs demand apology after PM said he could 'outlast' demonstrator

Doug Ford’s 2026 budget is designed to make ER wait-times worse

Resale tickets soar for Canada-Bosnia FIFA World Cup game

Canadian lawyers group rebukes politicization of judicial appointments from premiers

Huge skyscraper could soon transform Toronto's historic pawn shop row

Casey House to reopen inpatient unit after fire last year

City cracking down on bad landlords following complaints at Toronto apartment building

Ontario Coroner announces inquest into the death of Regis PaquetTTC discount scam targets people applying for reduced-fare program, city warns

Join MPP Chris Glover for a Save OSAP Town Hall on Wednesday, April 15th!

Ontario students are facing growing financial barriers to education, with cuts and changes to OSAP making it harder to afford tuition, housing, and everyday expenses.

This town hall will provide an opportunity to discuss:

• The future of student financial aid
• The impact of OSAP changes
• What must be done to ensure accessible, affordable education for all.

Chris will hear directly from students and community members, share insights from Queen’s Park, and engage in a conversation about protecting and strengthening OSAP.

DETAILS:

Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Time: 6 PM - 8 PM (Doors open at 5:30 PM)

Location: University Settlement, 23 Grange Rd (steps from OCADU)

RSVP 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

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!

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]