Dear Neighbour,
Our advocacy is working. Regular people and the media are waking up to the fact that Ontario’s justice system is not serving those who need to access it and that the endless court backlogs are making our communities less safe and less equitable places to live.
This week, I was invited to speak on The Agenda with Steve Paikin about Ontario’s court backlogs and our failing justice system. Lawyer Stephanie DiGiuseppe from Henein Hutchison Robitaille LLP and intimate partner violence survivor Cait Alexander joined me. Ontario’s administration of justice is falling apart. Serious charges are being dropped simply because of unconstitutional trial delays.
Drunk driving, sexual assault, and human trafficking cases are being thrown out. This is heartbreaking and demoralizing for the many survivors who bared their souls on the stand for nothing. At the same time, over 80% of people in detention centres on any given day are awaiting trial. They have not been convicted of any crime and may be innocent. Yet they are forced to wait in custody while their families scramble to cover childcare, make up for lost income, and deal with the emotional upheaval of having a loved one in custody.
Ford is doing nothing to address the backlogs. Court staff shortages are preventing victims from receiving justice, but he is not taking the decisive action we need to solve this problem and hire more workers. The Ontario NDP and I will continue to demand that our crumbling court system receive the investments and attention it needs to serve our province and keep our communities safe. All Ontarians deserve justice in a timely and efficient manner.
Watch my segment on the Agenda: Is Ontario's Justice System Failing Victims? | TVO Today
In addition to the crisis in our justice system, the affordable housing emergency in Ontario is reaching a fever pitch. I know many tenants in Toronto Centre are at risk of demoviction, experiencing precarious housing, and battling rising rents. These problems are endemic across the city and the province. The Ontario government must commit to building deeply affordable purpose-built rental homes, something the private sector will not do for us as its corporate objective is to create shareholder wealth, not public housing.
It has been disappointing to see the PC government downgrade their goal of 1.5 million homes to 1.5 million “spaces” so that they can count long-term care beds and dormitory rooms as permanent housing, a unit of measure not agreed to by the Canadian Housing Mortgage Corporation. This is the kind of slippery behaviour we know Ford for, but it is still disappointing and deserving of pushback. We must build homes for people, not profit. We need real and serious solutions to Ontario's housing crisis.
That is why your Official Opposition NDP tabled a motion this week calling for the government to “take decisive action to increase the supply of affordable and non-market housing.” We don’t just need McMansions on the Greenbelt or AirBnB condo flips; we need actual homes built where people want to live that are truly affordable, stable, and not controlled by foreign investors just looking for the largest return on their investment. Housing is a human right. Let's start treating it like one. Join me and sign the petition here.
Yours in community service,
Kristyn Wong-Tam
MPP, Toronto Centre
In this Newsletter |
- Federal Nomination Candidates Debate
- On Sale Now: Pride & Politics Fundraiser!
- Keffiyeh Ban Fight Continues
- AGI Townhall
- Canvass with Kristyn
- TDSB Facing Major Funding Shortfall
- Lydia’s Law - Justice for Survivors
- Happy Passover
- Community Cleanups
- Local Community News
Federal Nomination Candidates Debate |
The Toronto Centre NDP is hosting a Federal Candidates Debate on Monday, April 29th, at 6:30 PM.
The debate will take place virtually on Zoom, hosted by yours truly, Kristyn Wong-Tam.
During the debate, you'll hear from our exceptional candidates, Brian Chang and Samantha Green, as they outline their experience and policy positions, describe their background, and explain why they're the best people to represent the NDP in Toronto Centre for the next federal election.
On Sale Now: Pride & Politics Fundraiser! |
The Toronto Centre NDP Riding Association is hosting a joyful Pride & Politics fundraiser at the iconic Buddies in Bad Times Theatre.
Enjoy iconic drag performances by Messy Margaret and Amora, light refreshments, and a chance to celebrate Pride while supporting the NDP!
Join us Thursday, June 6, 2024, at Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander Street, Toronto.
Keffiyeh Ban Fight Continues |
As I detailed in last week's newsletter, the Speaker of the Ontario Legislative Assembly has ruled that keffiyehs are political symbols and should not be worn at the Ontario Legislature. I strongly disagree with the Speaker’s position, as the keffiyeh is, first and foremost, an important cultural symbol for Arabs with a history going back to the 7th century.
On Thursday, the Ontario NDP, for the third time, tried to reverse this racist and discriminatory ban. A ban that shamefully forced political staff, Ontario Public Service staff, interns, stakeholders, and the general public to remove an important cultural symbol of their identity from entering the democratic House of all Ontarians.
This fight is on behalf of Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim residents, but it is also a fight for all of us. Everyone should be free to wear their cultural attire and symbols in the Legislature. This ban threatens that freedom for everyone and sets a dangerous precedent. My friend, MPP Joel Harden, articulated this point very well by wearing his family’s tartan in the chamber, which the British once banned for being tied to Scottish culture and, therefore, a threat to their rule.
Marit Stiles states in her letter, “Wearing cultural & national clothing items in our Assembly is something we should be proud of. It is part of the story of who we are as a province. Palestinians are part of that story, and the keffiyeh is significant not only to them but to many in the Arab and Muslim community.”
Shortly after we made our letter public, all other party leaders, including the Premier, came out in agreement.
Following this letter, we put forward a unanimous consent motion to acknowledge that the keffiyeh is a culturally significant item and should be permitted to be worn in the house. This failed, with conservative MPPs voting against it. You can watch that happen here.
Yesterday, MPP Sara Jama was asked to leave the chamber for daring to defy the keffiyeh ban. She rightly refused to follow such an unjust rule.
We will keep the pressure on the Ford government to reverse the keffiyeh ban. They have a majority government and entirely control the Standing Orders (the procedural rules that govern Queen's Park). Ford can prove that his opposition to the ban is sincere at any time by moving a motion to overrule the Speaker. Despite what he says, Ford does have the power to make that change. Please sign our petition and join the call to reverse the keffiyeh ban here.
AGI Townhall |
NDP Housing Critic MPP Jessica Bell is hosting a town hall to help tenants challenge Above Guideline Increases (AGIs). Know your rights and learn to advocate for yourself in the face of rental increases!
When: Wednesday, May 1, 6:30 PM - 8 PM
Where: Meeting Room at Friends House, 60 Lowther Avenue, OR ONLINE
All are welcome! RSVP here.
Community Canvas with Kristyn |
Join Toronto-Centre NDP and Team Kristyn Wong-Tam on April 30 & May 1 to talk to our neighbours about the most pressing issues in Toronto Centre.
Canvass #1:
Date: Tuesday April 30, 2024
Time: 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Meeting Location: Intersection of Earl St. & Sherbourne St.
Canvass #2:
Date: Tuesday, May 1, 2024
Time: 4:30 PM - 7 PM
Meeting Location: Intersection of Earl St. & Sherbourne St.
TDSB Budget Townhall - Major Funding Shortfall |
On Wednesday, April 16, TDSB board Chair Rachel Chernos Lin wrote a public letter to Minister of Education Stephen Lecce warning that funding shortfalls will jeopardize student and community programming.
The TDSB has already cut $64.7 million from its spending, and trustees approved an additional reduction of $17 million earlier this month. Despite these reductions, the school board still faces a $26.5 million deficit for the 2025/2026 school year.
I encourage you to learn more about these issues and work with parents, education workers, and students to advocate for high-quality public schools. Students receiving high-quality public education isn’t just a parents' issue. A well-educated population with strong critical thinking skills makes every community better.
The TDSB is holding a series of roundtables across the city for parents to learn more about what’s at stake. I encourage you to attend.
Central Budget Town Hall
When: Tuesday, April 30, 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Where: In Person in the TDSB Boardroom, 5050 Yonge Street, Toronto, or Online via Zoom
Please RSVP online here.
RentSafeTO Strengthened |
The City of Toronto is expanding the scope of the RentSafeTO program to help tenants living in apartment buildings that don't meet safety standards. This will include increased inspections, from every three years to every two, and greater enforcement abilities.
You can learn more about the program here and read more about the updates to the program here.
Lydia’s Law - Justice for Survivors |
The bill I am co-sponsoring with MPP Catherine Fife, Lydia's Law, will be debated in the legislature on May 15 at 6 PM.
This legislation seeks to bring accountability and transparency to the handling of sexual assault cases in Ontario.
Lydia’s Law is named in honour of Lydia, a survivor of sexual assault who was forced to wait for almost two years to see justice. She does not want other young women to experience this painful delay in justice.
These delays are not just delays, however. If they go on long enough, they turn into denials of justice.
In 2016, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled on R vs. Jordan, establishing deadlines for completing a trial—30 months in Superior Court and 18 months in provincial and youth courts.
Since the Jordan ruling came into effect in the summer of 2016, 86 Ontario sexual assault cases have been thrown out due to delays, which is a quarter of all Jordan applications filed in the sexual assault cases in that time frame (as of November 2023).
The Jordan ruling holds Ontario courts to a standard of efficiency, which is admirable. We do not want to see trials delayed and delayed and delayed. The problem is that Ontario courts are understaffed and have not been scaled up to meet the increase in population that we have experienced. And so many cases are being thrown out simply due to delays. This is a failure of our justice system. We need a justice system where the Jordan ruling lights a fire under the justice system to keep courts moving efficiently, not set them an impossible task.
Lydia’s Law calls on the Attorney General to take recommendations one and three from the Auditor General’s 2019 report. The bill also requires the Attorney General to review the efficiency of the Victim Quick Response Program as a replacement for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board in supporting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking and report the results to the Assembly within one year. Finally, every police service that receives a sexual assault complaint from a person who is 16 years of age or older shall make the person aware of the Independent Legal Advice Program that is delivered through Ontario Victim Services of the Ministry of the Attorney General.
Happy Passover |
Chag Pesach Sameach to all who celebrate. Passover commemorates the liberation of the Ancient Hebrews from slavery in Egypt and their journey to freedom. I have had the pleasure of attending many Passover celebrations over the years. This Passover, I had the opportunity to host a Seder dinner of my own for the first time.
Thank you to Judy Perly from the Free Times Cafe for catering our delicious Seder meal. We gathered around the Seder plate, enjoyed traditional foods and discussed the story of the Jews' exodus from Egypt and oppression. Passover reminds us to fight for a future where we all can live in peace, dignity, and safety. I wish everyone in Toronto Centre and beyond a very happy Passover.
Community Cleanups |
The rain and snow didn't stop community members from helping at Community Clean Ups in Toronto Centre. I stopped by St. Lawrence, Corktown, and Regent Park to join friends and neighbours in making Toronto a cleaner and healthier city. Thanks to everyone, especially local organizers, who took part in this great initiative!
Michelle Senayah Lane |
I met Michelle Senayah over a decade ago, and during that time, we worked together to build up OpenStreetsTO and the Laneway Project. She was a visionary urbanist who transformed Toronto for the better. Family and friends dearly miss her. The Michelle Senayah Lane unveiling brought everyone together again in her honour. Thank you to her family, friends, and organizers for carrying Michelle's legacy forward.
Local Community News |
Spring Housing Clinics |
Are you on the rent-geared-to-income (RGI) housing centralized waiting list (CWL)? Do you need help applying for RGI housing? If yes, Councillor Moise invites you to join him at the upcoming housing clinics. Registration is encouraged but walk-ins are welcome.
When: April 25, 26 and May 2,3 from 1- 3 PM and 4 - 6 PM
April 27 from 11 AM - 2 PM
Where: Regent Park Community Centre, 2nd Floor, 40 Shuter Street
Please bring proof of status for all household members, the most recent Notice of Assessment for all household members over the age of 16.
Register: chrismoise.ca/events
Questions? Call 416-392-7902 or email: [email protected]
Good Food Market Corktown |
I was thrilled to join Corktown neighbours at the Little Trinity Good Food Market launch at 425 King Street East.
This program runs every Wednesday from 5 to 7 PM. Affordable groceries are hard to come by, so thank you, Little Trinity Church & FoodShareTO, for teaming up to tackle food insecurity.
CRAFT - Pre-Apprenticeship Program |
Attention all Regent Park residents! Apply for the CRAFT program to learn valuable skills in construction trades. This 14-week paid pre-apprenticeship is open to the residents living in Regent Park, and the Greater Golden Mile in Scarborough. Priority is given to residents living in community housing and individuals living in the following postal codes: M4A, M3C, M1L, M1K and M1J.
Interested individuals must provide Photo ID, SIN card and Canadian/Ontario High School Transcript for the interview.
In Person Information Session: April 23 , 2024 at 6 PM, at Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas St East)
Online Information Session: April 29, 2024 at 12 PM via Microsoft Teams
For more information, contact Fatima Saya, Senior Manager of Social Impact: [email protected]
Momentum Rainbow Week of Action |
Just like everyone in Canada, queer and trans people deserve the freedom to be ourselves, to be safe in our communities, and treated with dignity. Through a National Rainbow Week of Action from May 11th to 17th 2024, people across Canada are lifting up our voices to urge governments and elected officials at every level to take action for Rainbow Equality and address rising hate.
You can read the full list of demands here.
Rainbow Week is holding a rally in support of these demands and the rights of queer and trans people to live safely. The rally will be at Barbara Hall Park on May 16th at 11:30AM. See you there!
SLNA REmarket Waste Reduction |
The SLNA Waste Reduction Group is hosting its 10th REmarket event on June 12 and 13, 2024.
Bring your hard-to-recycle waste, donatable items, and items needing repair! Check HERE for the full list of items they accept.
Regent Park Youth Crisis Care Fund |
The Regent Park Youth Crisis Care Fund is available to support youth from Regent Park between the ages of 12-29 who are experiencing a crisis. Funding priority will be given to applications that meet the criteria and guidelines.
YCCF Guidelines:
- The application must be completed by a youth worker, agency or community leader affiliated with an agency or SDP working group.
- At the time of application, the Youth must be from Regent Park, experiencing homelessness, or living precariously in an adjacent community.
- The incident must have occurred within the last 12 months of application. If it has been longer than that, please provide reasoning.
- Applicants can receive up to $500 per application of funding to support youth per month.
- Funds are available for transportation, temporary safe housing, pest control supplies, prescriptions, including medical aid, and food.
- Applicants will receive a response within five business days of review.
- All information gathered will be confidential, and youth identities will remain anonymous.
Apply here or email [email protected] for more information.
Songs from The Journey |
Exciting news: this year's Songs from The Journey is set to grace the stage of The Royal Conservatory of Music’s Koerner Hall on June 21st! As always, the association is committed to ensuring that Regent Park residents have the opportunity to attend. To facilitate this, we're offering complimentary tickets for community members, alongside round-trip transportation between Regent Park and Koerner Hall on Friday, June 21, 2024.
The attached flyer provides information on the availability of free tickets for pickup at Daniels Spectrum starting Tuesday, May 14, 2024
The 519 Workshop Wednesdays - Housing |
The 519's Health Justice Hub is hosting Workshop Wednesdays on Housing Rights and Tenant Organizing every Wednesday from 6 - 7:30 PM. Learn more and register here.
Workshops on Income Support Programs |
Are you in need of income support? Have questions about ODSP, OW, Old Age Security, CPP, EI, or other free/low-cost resources? St. Michael’s is running workshops on income support programs for agencies and service providers.
If you would like to host a workshop, contact Naomi at 416-864-6060 ex 76806 or [email protected]
Regent Park Cafe |
Date/Time: Weekly from Monday to Friday | 9 AM - 8 PM
Location: Daniel Spectrum (585 Dundas Street East)
Prepare your taste buds because The Regent Park Cafe is opening its doors at The Daniel Spectrum (585 Dundas St E, first floor) and they’re ready to party! It's a vibrant hub of local foods, flavors, passionate entrepreneurs and community connections.
Join them to indulge in delicious bites and meaningful interactions.
Stay in the loop with all the excitement – follow them on Instagram for exclusive updates: https://www.instagram.com/regentpark.cafe/
Cabbagetown Festival 2024 Vendor Registration |
The Cabbagetown Festival is one of Toronto’s longest-running and most beloved street festivals, and this year it will be returning, bigger than ever!
They are inviting over 75,000 locals and visitors across the GTA to enjoy a family-friendly, entertainment-packed weekend, including live music performances, fantastic food, Kid’s Zone, and over 200 unique vendors from Cabbagetown and beyond!
The Cabbagetown Festival is celebrating its 45th year - after returning with a bang last year, the festival is primed to become one of the most-anticipated events in Toronto! Starting at $230 for the lowest vendor level for two days, they invite business owners to apply to join them as a vendor as we celebrate this milestone.
Dates: September 7 and 8
Location: Parliament Street and Carlton Street, Cabbagetown, Toronto
Apply and pay by May 31 to take advantage of this early-bird pricing! Prices go up June 1, as long as space remains available! CabbagetownTO.com @CabbagetownBIA
Toronto Public Health: Mpox Vaccines |
Toronto Public Health (TPH) encourages eligible residents to get vaccinated against mpox (formerly monkeypox) after confirming an increase in cases since the start of the year. To provide low-barrier, convenient, and equitable access to vaccination, TPH is hosting a series of clinics starting April 3.
Walk-in and booked appointments are available. You can book appointments here.
The vaccine is free of charge, and an OHIP card is not required. In addition to TPH-hosted clinics, residents can inquire about vaccine availability where they currently access sexual healthcare services.
Eligible individuals who have not been vaccinated against mpox are encouraged to get their first dose of the vaccine as soon as possible, with a second dose given at least 28 days later. The vaccine becomes most effective after two weeks. Individuals planning to travel soon are encouraged to get vaccinated before leaving, as cases are being reported in various regions around the world.
Vaccination can protect against the mpox virus and help reduce serious symptoms. Individuals who received a smallpox vaccination in the past are not protected against mpox. They should get vaccinated against mpox as soon as possible for the best protection.
For more information including eligibility requirements, visit the City’s mpox webpage here.
