Dear friend,
The Ontario Legislature resumes this upcoming Monday after five long months and a general election. I’m eager to return to Queen’s Park alongside the ONDP caucus to fight for the issues that matter to you!
This week, I was reappointed by Official Opposition Leader Marit Stiles as the Shadow Attorney General, with responsibility for 2SLGBTQIA+ issues. These are the same roles I held in the last session of the legislature, and I am grateful for the Leader’s confidence in me to take up these important portfolios again. This means I will continue to hold the Ministry of the Attorney General accountable for decisions, call out when things are broken, such as our court and tribunal systems, and propose solutions on how to improve the legal system to better serve Ontarians. I also have the privilege and responsibility of amplifying concerns affecting the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. I will do this by listening to and partnering with our community groups to bring their voices to Queen’s Park, something that is more important than ever as Queer and Trans communities are scapegoated by conservative politicians and far-right groups.
I will take on my shadow ministerial appointments with the energy and focus that you deserve and expect from your Member of Provincial Parliament. I am excited to build on my existing knowledge, stand up for justice, and ensure that Ontarians from every corner of our province, from survivors of violence to tenants, will get their day in court and the Landlord Tenant Board.
This Legislative session will be unlike any other, as the ever-evolving tariff situation south of the border keeps us on our toes. Ontarians need an even-handed, transparent, and accountable government now more than ever.
The Ontario NDP caucus is ready to take a Team Ontario approach to protecting jobs and insulating the province from the worst effects of Donald Trump’s tariffs while holding this government accountable and pushing for the strong public services we need.
Yesterday, Ontario’s Financial Accountability Office released a report showing decades of decline in services for key social programs – including healthcare, long-term care, post-secondary education, and social assistance.
Under consecutive Conservative and Liberal governments, long-term care beds per capita have plummeted by 45 percent, from 99 to 62 beds per 1,000 seniors. The growth in our aging population should come as no surprise to any government as the sector has been forecasting for years the need for public investment to expand long-term care beds to meet the “silver tsunami.” Any intelligent and responsive government would have proactively built these homes in anticipation of these needs.
Similarly, there has been a steady decline in the number of hospital beds per 100,000 people – from 478 in 1990-91 to 222 in 2023-24. The previous Liberal government purposefully downsized hospitals in the 1990s, cutting the number of hospital beds by half. The Ford government has significantly made this worse by creating less than one bed per 100,000 Ontarians during their terms, further growing our hallway medicine crisis.
We are all also seeing the results of the chronic underfunding of our post-secondary education system in real time. Colleges and universities have been forced to rely on lucrative international student fees to make up budget shortfalls, only to see these student visas capped by the federal Liberal government, causing post-secondary institutions to make head-turning program cuts. On a real per-student basis, postsecondary education spending in Ontario has decreased from $14,183 per student annually in 1990-91 to $12,994 in 2023-24, adjusted for inflation. Raiding reserves, taking on new debt, selling assets, and even terminating courses and staff will not sustain the post-secondary education sector. Without smart government intervention, they are heading towards financial collapse.
In the face of record-high housing costs and a rise in homelessness, inflation-adjusted social assistance rates are even lower today than they were 20 years ago. Nobody wants to see their neighbours made homeless, yet Liberal and Conservative governments have insisted on maintaining sub-poverty social assistance rates for the most vulnerable among us. Now, heading into what appears to be a drawn-out trade war, we should be lifting people up, not sending them deeper into poverty when they are sick and unable to work or unable to find work.
We need to make sure Ontarians can weather the storm of financial uncertainty. We must protect Ontarian families for whatever changes there are to come. That means we need a government that invests in the services that matter most – reliable health care, affordable homes, and great schools. I will never back down in the face of adversity. I will continue pushing this government to make the critical investments to grow our economy and support our communities amid international uncertainty.
I am excited to return to the Legislature, where I will push for new and stronger legislation that takes care of people and strengthens Toronto and the province we call home.
Yours in community service,
Kristyn Wong-Tam
MPP, Toronto Centre
| In This Newsletter |
- Marit Stiles’ Meeting with US Consulate General
- Greenbelt Scandal: More Lies out of Ford’s Office
- Toronto Centre Supporters Appreciation Party
- Co-hosting the Small Business Workgroup
- $200 Cheques - are you still waiting?
- Metrolinx Construction - Noise and Disruption
- Day of Pink 2025
- This Week’s Headlines
- Local Community Events
| Marit Stiles’ Meeting with US Consulate General |
Last week, ONDP Leader Marit Stiles met with U.S. Consul General Baxter Hunt. Marit told me that they had a focused and productive discussion, where she reminded him that Ontario is the United States’ third-largest trading partner and that our prosperity is tied together.
From auto and steel to agriculture and lumber, Ontario is part of one of the most integrated trade relationships in the world—supporting millions of jobs and hundreds of billions in cross-border investment. We all know that tariffs will stall that progress. They won’t just hurt us—they will hurt American families too. At the checkout line, on the factory floor, and across the supply chains that keep our economies running.
Marit shared with the U.S. Consul General what MPPs have been hearing across Ontario: Canadians are united, and we will defend what we have built together. We all want to lower the temperature, but we cannot ignore the economic uncertainty caused by one man’s threats, which seem to change every single day.
Until those threats are off the table, we will not back down. We will look after each other and build a stronger economy and a more resilient, tariff-proof Ontario. This is the work that I am focused on every day.
| Greenbelt Scandal: More Lies out of Ford’s Office |
Doug Ford may have a new mandate, but he has not been able to run away from the skeletons in his closet. Last week, we learned – through the diligent work of Ontario’s Integrity Commissioner – that one of Ford’s former political aides-turned-lobbyists failed to meet ethical lobbying standards. Mr. Fidani-Diker failed to register as a lobbyist, knowingly created a conflict of interest for two public officials by offering them hockey tickets in what ought to be known as a bribe, and in the course of his work for another client, failed to disclose details of the change he was lobbying for.
Despite these egregious contraventions of lobbying rules, Mr. Fidani-Diker has only received a slap on the wrist and is free to continue his work as a professional lobbyist.
Ontario’s Office of the Integrity Commissioner is full of extremely skilled and principled people who uncover acts of wrongdoing and rulebreaking within public offices every day. However, they have very little power to actually hand down consequences, especially to elected officials. One would hope that the pubic shame would be enough for people to change their ways, but as we have seen with Ford and his buddies, many simply don’t care. We need to give the Integrity Commissioner more tools to deliver real consequences. Public officials should be held to a high standard, and it is maddening to see this government fail to uphold even basic standards of decency. I promise to continue to share this truth with you through my newsletter and to hold myself to the highest ethical standards. It is what you all deserve in an elected official.
|
Toronto Centre Supporters Appreciation Party |
On Sunday, I was thrilled to host a post-election Supporters Appreciation Party to thank all of the volunteers, donors, staff, and friends who put in the hard work to ensure my re-election as the MPP for Toronto Centre.
We had a great turnout, and it was wonderful to enjoy delicious food, great music, and conversation with so many supporters. Celebrating wins is so important, especially now, when being a progressive feels difficult. Thank you so much to everyone who attended and to those who were not able to join us – we missed you!
| Co-hosting the Small Business Workgroup |
Yesterday, I was so happy to reconnect with amazing small business owners and supporters through our Small Business Workgroup, cohosted by MPP Chris Glover and myself. We were joined by the Bloor-Yorkville BIA, Better Way Alliance, Bloorcourt BIA, Cabbagetown BIA, and so many business owners!
All of the attendees provided thoughtful input. What they shared about the challenges they are facing, especially around tariffs, was invaluable. I am committed to addressing these issues and making sure our small businesses not only survive but thrive in Ontario.
|
$200 Cheques - are you still waiting? |
Most Ontarians received their $200 bribe cheque from the Ontario government earlier this year. However, NDP MPPs have been hearing from a small number of people across the province that their cheques have yet to arrive despite being eligible.
If you meet the eligibility requirements but have not received your cheque, please contact me (or your local MPP if you live in another riding), and we will do our best to rectify the situation. NDP MPPs plan to reach out to the Minister of Finance collectively with our constituents’ stories to ensure that the government acts and sends people the money they promised.
| Metrolinx Construction - More Noise and Disruption |
If you live near or work near one of the new under-construction Ontario Line subway stations or the Union Station Rail Corridor, you know that crews are working long hours. While I am pleased that efforts are being made to complete construction quickly, my office has also received many reasonable complaints about dust, noise, and vibration during sleeping hours. Metrolinx is exempt from all City of Toronto noise bylaws, but that doesn’t mean they should not be good neighbours. Please continue to reach out to my office with these concerns, and I will pass them on to Metrolinx.
Overnight construction is currently happening around Lower Jarvis and Lower Sherbourne. This work is essential, as it will create the capacity for frequent, all-day, two-way GO transit service to more destinations along the GO rail system. However, this work is causing additional local disturbances.
I encourage residents to attend local Metrolinx community update meetings, share concerns, and learn more about why this overnight work is sometimes necessary. We all want to be riding the Ontario line and all-day GO as soon as possible, but we also need quality sleep in the meantime!
| Day of Pink 2025 |
On Wednesday, we celebrated the Day of Pink, a powerful day when people stand up against 2SLGBTQIA+ focused bullying.
I had the honour of celebrating at the Day of Pink Gala with my friends MOlivia Chow, Fred Hahn, Jill Andrew, and Cheri Di Novo. The evening reminded us of the power of love, acceptance and the incredible progress we’ve made in Ontario. It’s not just a celebration of our vibrant 2SLGBTQIA+ communities but also a crucial fundraiser supporting programs that are making a difference in schools and communities across the country.
| This Week's Headlines |
Ontario measles case count tops 800, 155 new infections since last week
Ontario open to collaborating with Toronto on bike lane removals: Ministry of Transport
TTC says damaged signal cable near Union Station fixed
Inquest into jail death called as data shows record number of people dying in Ontario jails
| Upcoming Community Events |
| TNG Repair Cafe |
TNG Community Services and St. James Town Community Corner invite community members to a Free Repair Café on Saturday, April 12, 2025, from 12:00 to 4:00 PM (registration closes at 3:00 PM). The event takes place at 349 Ontario Street, Toronto, and is wheelchair accessible.
Skilled volunteers will help repair broken household items, including:
- Computers
- Small appliances
- Home electronics
- General housewares
- Clothing and jewelry
- Bikes and toys
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Books and paper items
(One item per person)
Volunteers with repair skills are also welcome to participate.
For more information, contact:
- Touhida Choudhury: 416-925-4363 x2521 or [email protected]
- Alaa: 416-964-6657 x240 or [email protected]
|
Trans Care Fair |
TransCare+ invites community members to the Trans Care Fair 2025, a full afternoon dedicated to trans wellbeing, empowerment, and connection.
Event Details:
- Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025
- Time: 12 – 5 PM
- Location: The 519 Community Centre (519 Church Street, Toronto)
- RSVP here
Allies are welcome in solidarity. Admission is free, and the space is fully accessible.
| Shop Cabbagetown 2 Win! |
Shop Cabbagetown 2 Win – Support Local and Win Prizes
The Cabbagetown BIA invites community members to take part in Shop Cabbagetown 2 Win, a neighbourhood-wide local shop campaign running April 14 to May 25, 2025.
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What it is: Shop at participating Cabbagetown businesses and enter to win weekly prizes.
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How to enter: Spend $25 or more at any participating business, then upload the receipt to the campaign website.
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Prizes: Weekly gift cards from local shops and restaurants.
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Final draw: All entries are eligible for a grand prize gift card bundle.
This initiative celebrates and supports small businesses while offering a fun way to connect with the Cabbagetown community.
More details and a list of participating businesses are available at shopcabbagetown2win.com.
| TDSB Budget Townhalls |
School boards receive most of their funding from the provincial government. Every spring, the Ministry announces Core Education Funding, which determines the amount of funding school boards will receive for the coming year. Before provincial funding is announced, the TDSB wants to hear from students, staff, and families during the 2025-26 budget process.
TDSB’s Budget Town Hall Community Consultations provide community members with the opportunity to learn more, ask questions, and share feedback about the budget.
Visit the TDSB Budget webpage for details on how to attend in person or online, or learn how to delegate to a committee. To ensure enough space is available at the town halls, please register through this form if you plan to attend in person.
Downtown Budget Town Hall
Tuesday, April 15 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
In-person at Harbord Collegiate Institute (286 Harbord Street, Toronto)
(* hosted by Trustee Deborah Williams)
Student Budget Town Hall
Thursday, April 24 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Hybrid (in-person and/or virtual) at 5050 Yonge Street, North York
Click here to join online (for virtual option on evening of event)
| Free Art Class with Benny Bing |
Neighbourhood Information Post invites young artists to a free art class with renowned Toronto-based artist Benny Bing! This is a great opportunity for youth to explore creativity and learn from a celebrated contemporary artist.
📅 Wednesday, April 23, 2025
🕟 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
📍 Benny Bing Studio, 35 Tubman Ave, Suite 103, Toronto, ON M5A 0T1
👩🎨 For youth ages 10 to 16
- Learn from Benny Bing, known for his bold use of colour and artwork exploring Black identity, gender, and humanity
- Hands-on creative experience in an inspiring studio environment
- Free to attend, registration required
📩 Register here
📞 For more information, contact 416-924-2543 ext. 224 or email [email protected].
| People's Assembly on Housing Justice |
People's Assembly on Housing Justice — a time to connect, learn, and build collective action for housing rights.
🗓️ Friday, April 25th, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Panel Discussion: Financialization of Housing and Low-Income Communities
Featuring:
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John Clarke (230 Fightback)
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Walied Khogali Ali (Regent Park Residents Association)
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Chiara Padovani (York South Weston Tenant Union)
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Lorrain Lam (Shelter Housing Justice Network)
🗓️ Saturday, April 26th, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Full-Day Assembly
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10:15 AM – 12:15 PM: Working Together
Speakers from Climate Justice Toronto, Migrant Workers Alliance, No Demovictions, Toronto Underhoused and Homeless Union/Shelter Housing Justice Network, Friends of Chinatown, and Parkdale Housing Justice.
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12:15 PM – 1:30 PM: Lunch (provided onsite)
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1:30 PM – 3:30 PM: Workshops on Organizing and Tactics
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3:30 PM – 4:30 PM: Mobilizing Communities
Panel speakers: Gaetan Heroux (230 Fightback) and Bruno Dobrusin (York South Weston Tenant Union)
- 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Final Comments and Closing Reflections
📍 Location: Toronto PWA Foundation, 4th Floor, 163 Queen St E, Toronto
🆓 This is a free event. Registration is optional and not required to attend.
🍽️ Lunch will be served on Saturday.
For more information, reach out to [email protected].
| Seniors For Climate Toronto - Earth Day Event |
A family friendly and entertaining outdoor event which will link defending our right to choose our own future – a future that eliminates carbon emissions - a better future that provides the necessities of life, (clean air, clean water, good health, affordable housing and a job that pays a living wage) and a future with justice for Indigenous People. Come on out and enjoy speakers, music, street theatre, and a kids table!
Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025
Time: 1 P.M. to 4 P.M.
Location: Allan Gardens – Jarvis at Carlton (North-West section) 160 Gerrard Street East, Toronto.
| Toronto Local Leadership Grant |
The City of Toronto's Local Leadership Grant is now open!
As a part of the Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy (TSNS), the Local Leadership Grant of $5,000 supports resident-led projects that support local activation and focus on the five domains of TSNS – economic opportunities, healthy lives, participation in civic-decision making, physical surroundings, and social development - across all neighbourhoods. The Local Leadership Grant prioritizes the leadership and participation of Indigenous, Black and equity-deserving groups within Neighbourhood Improvement Areas, Emerging Neighbourhoods, and other communities of focus.
Applicants must be a resident-led group consisting of at least 3 members who live in Toronto but do not live in the same household
Group projects must offer community-based activities related to at least one of the five domains of TSNS (i.e., economic opportunities, healthy lives, participation in decision-making, social development and physical surroundings) of the Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy
- Grant Opens: Monday March 17, 2025 at 12 PM
- Grant Closes: Monday April 28, 2025 at 12 PM
Click Here to submit your online application
Click here to learn about the online information sessions and grant office hours to support you with your application.
If you have any questions, please email [email protected]
| Community Development Training Series |
Yonge Street Mission is hosting a Community Development Training Series, offering practical tools, strategies, and insights to support community development efforts and strengthen impact. Sessions will be facilitated by YSM Community Development Specialists and cover key topics in engagement, evaluation, and facilitation.
📅 Dates & Topics:
- April 29 – Measurement & Evaluation
- June 24 – Meeting Facilitation
⏰ Time: 5:00 – 7:00 PM
📍 Format: Hybrid (In-person location TBC)
📌 Registration deadline: One week before each session.
For more details, contact [email protected] or click here to register on Eventbrite.
|
Canada’s Volunteer Awards |
The Government of Canada invites nominations for Canada’s Volunteer Awards, recognizing individuals, organizations, and businesses that have made a meaningful difference through volunteerism.
Nominations are now open until May 8th for those who have shown exceptional commitment to improving the lives of others in their communities.
Award Categories:
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National Award: Thérèse Casgrain Lifelong Achievement Award
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Regional Awards:
- Community Leader
- Emerging Leader
- Business Leader
- Social Innovator
Nominees can include individuals, not-for-profit organizations, social enterprises, and socially responsible businesses. Multiple nominations are welcome.
Award recipients will be honoured at a national ceremony and will have the opportunity to direct a $10,000 (national) or $5,000 (regional) grant to a not-for-profit organization of their choice.
Learn more or submit a nomination at Canada.ca/volunteer-awards
Questions can be directed to [email protected] or by calling 1-877-825-0434.
| CWNA’s 15th Anniversary AGM and Celebration |
The Church Wellesley Neighbourhood Association invites the community to their 15th Annual General Meeting — an evening to connect, renew memberships, and celebrate local leadership.
🗓️ Thursday, May 15th, 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 The 519 Ballroom, 519 Church Street
Evening Schedule:
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6:30 PM: Registration and Membership Renewal
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7:00 PM: Business Meeting (Board of Directors elections; members in good standing are eligible to vote and run)
- 8:30 PM: 15th Anniversary Celebration and Cake Cutting
Questions? Contact [email protected].
| Community Violence and Healing Workshop |
The 519’s Health Justice Program invites community members to an important discussion on Community Violence and Healing, part of the Talking Justice series.
Event Details:
- Date: Tuesday, May 20, 2025
- Time: 6 PM – 8 PM
- Location: In person at The 519 (519 Church Street) or virtually
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Tickets: Free (Presto tickets and snacks provided)
Bianca Braganza, MSc, JD/BCL, Pro Bono Lawyer with The 519’s Combatting 2SLGBTQ+ BIPOC Hate and Racism Program, will lead a conversation exploring:
- Community and structural violence
- Social determinants of health in relation to crime and justice
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Alternative approaches to safety and justice
The 519 is a fully accessible space with all-gender washrooms. Additional accessibility supports are available upon request during registration.
RSVP preferred at The519.org/hjprog
| Regent Park Film Festival Call for Submissions |
The Regent Park Film Festival is now accepting submissions for its 2025 festival!
Regent Park Film Festival (RPFF) is an award-winning, community-based, non-profit organization, and Toronto’s longest-running, FREE film festival.
RPFF’s mission is two-fold: to amplify and center marginalized communities and their stories, providing a platform for the work of emerging and established artists, while opening up access to the film and television industry; and to ensure art is free and accessible to everyone, regardless of financial status.
📅 Deadline: May 31, 2024
🎥 Open to: Canadian and international filmmakers
📍 Submissions accepted online
- Welcomes films from Black, Indigenous, and racialized creators, as well as those from marginalized communities
- All genres and formats considered, including features, shorts, documentaries, and animation
- Free to submit
The festival prioritizes stories that reflect social justice, community, and the realities of those living in underrepresented spaces.
The festival is also hiring! Click here for Job Opportunities, and Call for Board Members.
| Register your Fruit Tree & Fight Food Insecurity |
Not Far From The Tree is inviting community members to register their fruit trees for the 2025 harvesting season. A team of volunteers will pick the fruit and divide it three ways:
- ⅓ is kept by the tree owner
- ⅓ is shared among the volunteer pickers
- ⅓ is donated to a community agency supporting food programs
Impact of Participation:
- Helps provide fresh fruit to local food programs feeding thousands each month
- Creates opportunities for community connection and sharing
- Reduces food waste while turning fruit trees into a source of nourishment
Membership & Registration:
To support Toronto’s urban harvest, tree registrants are asked to become members with a $40 seasonal contribution, which helps cover harvest costs and expand the program. Yard cleanup of fallen fruit is also included. Memberships expire annually on January 1st.
For more details and to register, visit: www.notfarfromthetree.org.
