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Dear Neighbour, Next week, on Wednesday, April 10, my Bill, the Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic Act, will be debated at second reading. If passed, the Ford Conservative government will finally declare intimate partner violence (IPV) an epidemic in Ontario. It is the first recommendation to the Government of Ontario from the Renfrew County Inquest’s 86 recommendations. Since its release in 2022, 94 municipalities across Ontario, including Toronto, have made this important declaration following the Coroner’s Jury. Declaring IPV an epidemic will signal that the Ford Conservatives are committed to addressing the lack of oversight, accountability and systemic conditions that led to the triple femicide of Carol Culleton, Nathalie Warmerdam and Anastasia Kuzyk in Renfrew County in 2015. Despite reports and communication from the World Health Organization, US Centre for Disease Control, and Statistics Canada that gender-based violence and intimate partner violence is a serious and pervasive social issue that is preventable. As recently as last June, the Ford Conservatives still refused to name IPV as an epidemic. Their latest excuse is, “it is not an infectious or communicable disease.” My Bill will ensure that IPV is declared an epidemic in Ontario and that the Ford Conservatives move forward with the critical work and investments needed to prevent further intimate partner violence in Ontario. Co-sponsors for the Bill, MPPs Lisa Gretzky, Jill Andrew, Peggy Sattler and I invite you to join advocates from across Ontario at Queen’s Park at 4 PM on Wednesday, April 10 for a reception and to watch the historic live debate in the chamber at 6 PM.
It is important to have survivors, families, advocates, and community members come together and show this government how important and necessary it is for the province to declare intimate partner violence an epidemic in Ontario. Please extend this invitation to those who have interest in this issue and ensure that they RSVP to reserve a seat. Where: Queen’s Park, 111 Wellesley Street West When: Wednesday April 10, 2024 Reception: 4 - 5:30 PM Refreshments will be served Live Debate: 6 PM RSVP here. More details will be sent after the RSVP is received. Can’t attend? Join us in urging support for Bill 173 to declare intimate partner violence an epidemic. Together, we can enact meaningful change, fostering a community where safety and compassion prevail for every individual.
I know that some community members will not be able to attend this event as it is likely that Eid will fall on the 10th of April this year. I am sorry that these events are conflicting. Despite the diversity of our province, the legislature does not schedule days off for non-Christian religious holidays. On that note, I want to extend a very heartfelt Eid Mubarak to everyone celebrating Eid and the end of the holy month of Ramadan next week. I will be celebrating with my family, and I know my son cannot wait. Yours in community service,
Kristyn Wong-Tam MPP, Toronto Centre
Join us on Sunday, April 7th at OPSEU (31 Wellesley St E) for our annual general meeting! Hear from me about the work that the Ontario NDP team and I are doing at Queen's Park to fight back against Doug Ford's agenda,Trustee Deborah Williams on her work at the TDSB, along with federal nomination candidates, Brian Chang and Samantha Green, on their visions for the riding. Outgoing executive members will provide updates on the work we've done over the past year to organize locally. Following the AGM, join us at O'Grady's (on the corner of Maitland St & Church St) for an informal meet-and-greet to allow members and supporters to meet with our federal nomination candidates, light refreshments will be provided. Toronto Centre NDP AGM
Last Sunday, a peaceful march for Palestine was abruptly halted by Toronto Police at the intersection of Parliament Street and Gerrard Street East. Numerous videos circulating on social media depict marchers and bystanders being obstructed by a significant presence of police officers, some mounted on horses, converging from all directions. The right to Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Assembly are sacred in our democracy. While these rights are not unlimited, it does not appear that the extraordinarily high bar required to infringe on these fundamental freedoms was met. Torontonians have a right to demonstrate and proclaim their solidarity with civilians in Gaza. These rights do not cease to operate when they are exercised in a largely racialized neighbourhood such as Regent Park. Both local residents and march participants were intimidated by the swift escalation initiated by law enforcement, resulting in some individuals being forcefully pushed to the ground. I am informed that the police reportedly issued no audible or repeated warnings to the group of marchers or bystanders before these altercations and subsequent arrests. Toronto Police have also informed me that enforcement was taken against the leading truck under the Highway Traffic Act. This explanation does not satisfy the concerns brought to me from bystanders in the neighbourhood about why people were caught at a dangerous standstill. I want to underscore my steadfast opposition to the controversial police tactic known as “kettling”. This method has faced widespread criticism for its indiscriminate containment of crowds, often ensnaring innocent bystanders and journalists. Torontonians never want to see the regrettable events of the G20 Summit in 2010 repeated. I have listened to stories of what happened that substantiate how the movement for Palestinian human rights is not being policed equally with other movements. Toronto has a long history of racialized residents facing over-policing and violence. The peaceful marchers, local residents, and all citizens of Toronto deserve transparency regarding yesterday's events. To build community trust, I call on the Toronto Police to promptly provide a detailed account of their actions, including the reasons behind the arrests. Transparency and accountability are needed to begin repairing trust.
Access to healthcare is made harder by language barriers. I became all too familiar with this experience when my parents’ Chinese-speaking doctor announced his retirement two years ago. Almost 10,000 Torontonians are in my parents' situation, all still looking for a new doctor after five Chinese-speaking doctors in Chinatown retired recently. Thank you to MPP Jessica Bell, MPP Chris Glover, and the outstanding healthcare professionals who joined us on Wednesday for a roundtable on Chinese language-specific healthcare. We received important advice from healthcare professionals who work in Chinatown and with the Chinese Canadian community every day about the importance of linguistically and culturally appropriate care. Health care is a right in this province. The Ontario NDP will always put patients first and advocate to move administrative burdens off of doctors to free up their time to see patients. As more Ontarians struggle to find in-language primary care in their communities, this issue is more important than ever.
Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster has mismanaged multi-billion dollar transit projects, including the Eglinton Crosstown and Mimico GO Station Transit-Oriented Community. Yet Vester is the 5th highest-paid public servant in Ontario, earning more than $900,000 a year. Communities across Ontario have been calling for Metrolinx to change how they interact with communities for decades. Yet their most recent public outreach campaign was to insult Ontarians who were understandably frustrated by endless delays and closures. Phil Verster has advocated for a privatized transit construction model that uses public money but has failed entirely to deliver projects on time and within budget. Metrolinx projects are consistently behind schedule and over budget. Phil Vester needs to be fired. If you agree, sign the petition HERE.
OPSEU SEFPO Local 5115 workers – the frontline workers at Regent Park Community Health Centre went on strike for fair wages. They have finally won a fair deal and are in the process of ratifying a new tentative collective agreement. The Ford government is starving public health care and their wages were frozen by Bill 124 during an affordability crisis. These health care professionals are doing some of the most difficult work in the province in Ontario's epicentre of a poisoned drug supply and overdose crisis. They cannot do this work with unlivable wages. They went on strike not just for themselves, but for the health and well-being of everyone in Regent Park.
It was an honour to support the Ramadan Iftar in Regent Park this week. In recognition of the last 10 days of the holy month, my team and I distributed all-natural Palestinian medjool dates to foster communal sharing. Thank you to the organizers and volunteers who ensured everyone was fed while fasting themselves. My gratitude also goes out to the many sponsors who generously donated to make the iftar accessible to all.
The Ontario government has put school boards across the province in a very challenging position, forcing them to continue to make cuts year in and year out. Currently, the TDSB is projecting a $27.6M shortfall – the TDSB simply does not get enough funding from the province to cover its operating costs. Join me and MPP Jessica Bell for a one-hour update with our School Board Trustee Deborah Williams, Education Critic Chandra Pasma, Elementary Teachers of Toronto President Helen Victoros to learn more about the budget, have your questions answered, and find out what the school community and community at large is doing to fix our schools. I want our kids to get an excellent public-school education. The path to great schools is smaller class sizes staffed with caring teaches and educational assistants, well-maintained energy efficient schools, and real investment in special education to ensure every child can succeed. Date: Tuesday, April 9 Time: 7pm-8pm Location: Zoom, RSVP Here
The BIA and the 519 cordially invite you to attend an Eclipse Viewing Party from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM on Monday April 8 at Barbara Hall Park. This is a once in a 375 year event! The peak event occurs at 3:19 PM. RSVP here to attend.
Attend this online training over Zoom to learn: - What is the Family of Services program - How to appeal your Conditional status - Tips for your OT assessment (Functional Assessment Test) - How to get support with your appeal - How to get more involved WHEN: April 10, 2024, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM ASL interpretation will be provided.
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
DATE: Thursday, April 18, 2024 TIME: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM LOCATION: Virtual/Online via Zoom Please join Trustee Williams for a Ward 10 Forum with Trustee Williams to discuss the ways we can support student literacy and numeracy. TDSB staff will make elementary school and secondary school presentations. They will also have updates from the Trustee and Superintendents. Everyone is welcome. How to Register: Please Sign Up Here to confirm your attendance. We look forward to seeing you there!
Friends of Regent is hosting a community cleanup as part of Clean Toronto Together! Date: Saturday, April 20, 2024 Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Location: Regent Park Big Park (620 Dundas St. E) - Meet by the bake oven Let's clean up Regent Park together. Hope to see you there!
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. |
