August 11, 2026 Newsletter

Dear Reader,

Last week I did something physically difficult and deeply rewarding at the same time.

I rode my bike 600 km from Toronto to Montreal to raise $1.9 million for the Toronto People With AIDS (PWA), an organization based in Toronto Centre with a mandate to deliver life-changing programs and services for people living with HIV and AIDS. Along with 261 riders and 105 volunteer crew members, we set out on our journey from Underpass Park in Corktown last Sunday. The six-day trip took us to Port Hope, Kingston and eventually Montreal, and along the way I had the opportunity to meet new friends and joyfully reconnect with old ones.

I have been a longtime supporter of the Friends for Life Bike Rally, one of the largest and longest charity bike rides in Canada, and over its 28 years we have raised more than 30 million dollars for PWA. As governments, including Ontario, abandon their responsibilities of keeping residents healthy and safe with HIV/AIDS education, awareness, prevention, treatment and research funding, community-based organizations are forced to fill the void. The money we raise annually as riders and volunteers for the Bike Rally makes up 35 to 40% of PWA’s operating budget. If we stopped riding and fundraising, PWA would be the next AIDS service organization to close, and this is something we must never allow.

The work of PWA and other AIDS service organizations is absolutely critical, especially since new data from the Public Health Agency of Canada shows there was a 22.8 percent increase in new HIV infections between 2022 and 2024. Canada is facing a troubling increase in new HIV infections, despite many other G7 countries making progress to eliminate the transmission. 

We have seen the Ford government deprioritize support and funding for organizations serving people who rely on life-saving medications, which have been proven to prevent transmission. We can and must do so much more. This means investing in Ontarians and ensuring they have access to the health care, housing, income security, PEP and PrEP, and the life-saving HIV/AIDS medication they need.

I am immensely proud to be a part of my 25-year association with the Bike Rally and PWA. To learn more about my journey with them, or to donate, please visit my page here. Registration for the 2027 ride is now open and free until August 11, and I hope you will consider joining us next year, either as a rider or a crew member. 

We arrived in Montreal late Friday afternoon, and early Saturday morning I headed back to Toronto on the first train, arriving just in time for the amazing Moss Park Festival! 

Thank you to the staff and volunteers at the Neighbourhood Information Post for the incredible work bringing community stakeholders and partners together, and to all those who attended; you are the ones who truly make this festival so special.

Looking ahead, we still have a few weeks and local festivals left before the end of summer. I will make every effort to attend each one so we can connect in person. Watch out for my bright orange tent, which will be making the rounds throughout Toronto Centre. We will have treats, games and prizes for the children, our popular tote bags, important petitions for you to sign and overall fabulous vibes. 

To join our team, meet new friends and have fun, check out the volunteer opportunities on my website by clicking the button below!

Last week, the Ontario NDP also saw two new candidates nominated for the upcoming provincial by-elections. The first is Bobby Nikmard for York-Simcoe. He is an education worker who has spent nearly two decades supporting families in public schools across the GTA. I know that he would make an excellent addition to our team at Queen’s Park and fight Ford using her first-hand knowledge of Ontario's education system. 

I am proud to say Monique Taylor is our exceptional candidate for Hamilton East—Stoney Creek. She has the deepest roots in Hamilton and proudly served as their MPP for 14 years. I know Monique is a relentless and effective fighter for her riding.

During her time with the Ontario NDP, Monique Taylor scored major victories as an MPP, including Katelynn's Principle, forcing Doug Ford to back down on autism cuts, and holding his government accountable. I am ecstatic at the opportunity to have her back at Queen’s Park and serve with her again in the legislature.

These two by-elections are an opportunity to elect amazing candidates to Ontario’s strong NDP Official Opposition, and I am confident that with their help we will continue to hold the Ford government to account. Check out Monique and Bobby’s campaigns using the buttons below!

And of course, don't forget to get involved in the Scarborough Southwest campaign for Fatima Shaban! Her campaign has only continued to gain momentum ahead of the by-election, and they are still in need of volunteers to help bring her over the finish line. Sign up to help Fatima in Scarborough at votefatima.ca. 

Yours in community service,

Kristyn Wong-Tam

MPP, Toronto Centre

• Two Fires in Toronto Centre
• A Public Inquiry into Ontario’s Wildfire Response
• Buying a Home: Halal Mortgages & Alternative Financing
• Coffee with Kristyn! 
• Centre for Independent Living Toronto Forum
• LEAP Into Literacy Visit!
• Toronto Outdoor Picture Show gets OTF Funding!
• The 18th Himalayan Mela
• The 175th Anniversary of First Lutheran Church
• Tamils Day Festival!
• What’s Making Headlines
• Local Community Events

Last Tuesday, our Toronto Centre community experienced two devastating fires in high-rise apartment buildings in St. James Town. 

Of the most severe of the two, one man tragically lost his life in what Toronto Fire says was a cooking-related incident. No one else was hurt in this case, but a life was lost, and my heart goes out to his family, friends and everyone impacted by this. 

The second fire hospitalized 4 people, including 2 children. Thankfully, no one lost their life, though this is truly heartbreaking for the affected family, and I wish them a swift and full recovery. If you are interested, read about the family's story and donate by clicking here. I can only imagine how frightening this must have been for everyone in the building. 

Fire Chief Jim Jessop said that he cannot confirm if a lithium-ion battery from an e-bike started the second fire, but it did contribute to the blaze. Lithium-ion batteries can be extremely dangerous because they are more intense and produce more hazardous smoke, creating a serious and unique challenge for firefighters. 

These cases are not isolated incidents. Across Toronto, fires involving lithium-ion batteries are increasing. Fire Chief Jessop has said that these batteries are posing one of the greatest public fire safety risks right now. He has called on both the federal and provincial governments to introduce legislation establishing a testing standard for these batteries.  

Chief Jessop is correct. We cannot wait for another tragedy before we act. Lithium-ion batteries are becoming increasingly common, and they are here to stay. They are not only in e-bikes, but also in e-scooters and power tools. They are part of modern-day life and can be extremely useful for getting people around. But people need to be educated on how to charge and store them safely, and firefighters deserve the resources they need to respond to these fires safely and successfully. 

The risks are very high when dealing with these fires. The smoke from these fires is so hazardous that Toronto Fire cannot decontaminate personal protective equipment the way it would with a typical house fire. Toronto Fire has even noted that these batteries have previously exploded and turned into projectiles while crews were inside.

That is why I am echoing the call for a coordinated provincial response to increase battery safety. If you are also interested in this issue, I ask that you sign my petition at kristynwongtam.ca/safe-batteries. 

And take a moment to find out more about what you can do to prevent a lithium-ion battery fire in your home.

This year Ontario has had its worst-ever wildfire season. After each passing day, it is clear that the province has not done nearly enough to protect its northern residents.

First Nation Leaders, were joined by the Leader of the Official Opposition, Marit Stiles; Deputy Leader, MPP Sol Mamakwa; Thunder Bay Superior North MPP, Lise Vaugeois; and OPSEU President JP Hornick, to demand a full public inquiry on this government's response to the wildfires that devastated Northern Ontario.

While our hearts remain with everyone affected and the wildland firefighters risking their lives to keep people safe, we cannot ignore the failures that made this crisis worse. First Nations communities warned this government, and firefighters pleaded for more resources, but Doug Ford refused to act. When communities needed support, they were left to fend for themselves. Ontario’s New Democrats will continue to stand with Northern communities and demand accountability, a full public inquiry, and a wildfire response that keeps people safe.

Doug Ford’s government has spent millions of dollars telling Ontarians they are protecting this province, but what we are seeing on the ground tells a very different story. First Nations communities have been left to organize their own evacuations, support their own people, and fill the gaps left by this government’s failures.

While this government invests in their own vanity-driven projects, communities are asking for the resources, staffing, and support they were promised. The people of the north deserve action, not meaningless slogans. They deserve a government that will show up when they need it most.

The people of Northern Ontario are living through enormous losses because of this government’s failure to prepare for the wildfire crisis properly. Ontario was not ready for wildfire season, and we must find out why. We will need the power of a public inquiry, and its ability to compel testimony, to understand where the province went wrong and how Northern communities can be supported moving forward, and to prevent tragedies of this scale from happening again. 

Thank you to everyone who attended our “Buying a Home: Halal Mortgages & Alternative Financing” town hall, held in beautiful Scarborough Southwest. 

I was joined by Scarborough Southwest MPP candidate Fatima Shaban, alongside our mortgage and financial experts Talal Chehab, CEO of Aya Financial; Mohammed Jalaluddin of Islamic and Ansar Housing Cooperative Corporations; and Dr. Mohamad Sawwaf, Founder and CEO of Manzil. were thrilled to see so many Scarborough residents eager to learn about the Ontario NDP motion to protect consumers and expand mortgage options to more qualified homebuyers across our province.

Our next consultation will be held in Ottawa on Monday, August 17 at 6:30 PM. If you have family and friends in Ottawa who may be interested in attending, please register here. 

More information about this Motion will be coming out this year, so stay tuned!

We had another fun summer Coffee with Kristyn in Corktown! As always, it is a pleasure to reconnect with community members and have a conversation over a cup of coffee about what matters most to them.

A big thank you to our wonderful hosts at the East Room and Forno Cultura for the bold coffee, tasty treats and fabulous service!

We have many more Coffee with Kristyn events planned for the rest of the year. If you would like to sit down with me, please stay tuned for updates.

Every year, I love visiting all of the young kids at the LEAP into Literacy Summer Day Camp!

A huge thank you to all of the organizers and volunteers at LiftED Education for working tirelessly through the hottest months of the year to create a well-rounded, educational, and engaging experience for children across our city. 

Your program ensures that kids receive the individual attention they deserve while continuing to build their skills, enjoy nutritious and delicious meals, and have fun throughout their summer break!

Recently, I had the opportunity to join the Centre for Independent Living Toronto's first annual Forum on Independent Living!

For 41 years, CILT has been at the forefront of empowering people with disabilities to live independently through peer support, advocacy, and community-led services across Toronto, and inspiring other cities.

Independent living should be a fundamental right in this province; this means increasing ODSP supports for our most vulnerable to match standardized living standards, matching the needs of hospitals to provide life-saving and life-altering treatments and healthcare, and stabilizing aspects of life like education and housing that significantly increase the quality of life for many Ontarians. We need to ensure people with disabilities have the resources to build their autonomy, not just survive, but thrive.

I look forward to continuing to work alongside you to build a more accessible, inclusive, and equitable Ontario for all.

The Toronto Outdoor Picture Show is a Corktown favourite here in Toronto Centre, and I was thrilled to join them for their screening of the Canadian short film Le Tour de Canada and the feature film Speed, and to wish them hearty congratulations on receiving the Ontario Trillium Foundation Capital Grant!

TOPS is a non-profit organization that makes high-quality outdoor film experiences free and accessible across our city, welcoming over 36,000 attendees last year alone. They are an important part of the social and cultural experience Toronto summers have to offer, and transform our parks into vibrant, accessible viewing spaces for everyone to share the love of cinema.

Congratulations once again, and thank you for everything you do for our community!

The 18th Annual Himalayan Mela, hosted by Nepalese Canadian Community Services, brought together dozens of vendors, hundreds of Nepali artists and community leaders, and thousands of visitors from across the GTA to celebrate Nepali arts, food, music, and culture!

This year’s Mela was incredibly special for me, as it was my first since introducing Bill 111, the Nepali Heritage Month Act, in the Ontario Legislature. Once passed, this bill will officially recognize and celebrate April as Nepali Heritage Month across Ontario each year!

A special thank you to Sudarshan Sapkota, President of NCCS, and all of the organizers and volunteers for such a warm welcome. I look forward to joining you all again next year—and hopefully celebrating together with Nepali Heritage Month officially recognized across Ontario!

In 1851, a small group of 12 German Lutherans in Toronto formed the first congregation of the First Lutheran Evangelical Church. This weekend, we gathered to celebrate its 175th anniversary to the day!

Over the past eight generations, First Lutheran Church has built a vibrant and diverse community in the heart of our city, providing a welcoming space for people from all walks of life and fostering belonging, compassion, inclusion, and a commitment to social justice here in Toronto Centre.

It was an honour to celebrate this remarkable milestone with the clergy and congregation. Here’s to continuing your legacy of faith, service, and fellowship for many generations to come!

Scarborough Southwest candidate Fatima Shaban and I definitely enjoyed ourselves this weekend at the first inaugural Tamils Day Fest! 

I was proud to stand with Fatima, representing the Ontario NDP with the Tamil community. It was a weekend filled with food, fun, music, dance, and celebration, with an estimated 200,000 visitors between the two days! 

A huge thank you to the volunteers on the organizing committee, who gave us such a warm welcome and organized this weekend with such incredible capacity. I look forward to seeing you all again next year.

Carney won't rule out future Billy Bishop Airport expansion

Why Toronto's largest landlord is still struggling to respond to tenant safety calls

Man dead in kitchen fire in Toronto Community Housing building

Endangered pygmy hippopotamus born at Toronto Zoo

Why did the PC Party spend $3,000 on all-inclusive Jamaican resorts?

Did Ontario promise an MZO in a secret Muskoka land deal?

The Regent Park Islamic Resource Centre is hosting its annual Community BBQ Party this Sunday, August 16, from 2:30 PM to 6 PM! 

Bring your friends and family to the park at 600 Dundas Street East for free food and to connect with the community. I look forward to seeing you all there.

Fred Victor is seeking donations for their back-to-school drive on August 20! 

If you can spare anything, they are looking for common school supplies like pencil cases, notebooks, pencils, calculators and anything on the list above. If you would like to give, reach out to Alex Nsobya at [email protected] or by phone at 416-364-8228 ext. 5810. 

Voices for Change has a concert on August 22 from 6 to 8 PM at 300 Lonsdale Road, Toronto! This event advocates for students with special needs and marginalized school communities while creating a space where everyone is included and can come together to share the joy of music. The main goal of this concert is not to fundraise, but 100% of funds raised will go directly towards supporting the mental health, well-being, and education of marginalized students across the TDSB, including Nelson Mandela Park PS.

Use this link to book tickets for the concert here!

The Legislative Assembly of Ontario is hosting the Ontario Women’s Parliamentary Forum: Pathway to Parliament this fall!

This free, full-day immersive leadership and civic engagement program will take place on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, and is designed to inspire and empower the next generation of leaders. Focused on active citizenship, education, and engagement, the Forum offers participants a unique behind-the-scenes look at Ontario’s parliamentary process, along with opportunities to connect directly with prominent women leaders and key parliamentary figures.

The program is open to 124 women and gender-diverse individuals aged 18 to 30 from across Ontario. Accommodation for one night and transportation costs will be covered for participants who live more than 50 km from the Legislative Building. Breakfast, lunch, and an evening reception will also be provided. Applications are open until August 20, 2026.

The wait is over. 

Back in Regent Park, all summer long, is the hugely popular Cultural Bazaar. There will be a diverse range of vendors offering exclusive, handmade products, delicious food, and unique cultural clothing, taking place in the Big Park next to the Pam McConnell Aquatic Centre every Friday until August 28, from 3 to 8 PM.

International Overdose Awareness Day is more important than ever with sites closing across Ontario. Join PASAN, Street Health, the Regent Park Community Health Centre, The Neighbourhood Group, and other service providers on August 31 from 11 AM to 3 PM at the Northwest corner by the baseball diamond at Moss Park at 151 Shuter Street.

This will be a day for remembrance of those who have been lost to overdose. 

SickKids is hosting a free workshop for caregivers of children aged 12 to 18 on using Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). 

The workshop offers an introduction to the therapy to help with mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness. 

Sign up for their Tuesday, August 18 session virtually at 8 PM, using this link. 

Toronto Community Housing is hosting its second annual Regent Park Youth Safety Forum on Thursday, August 20 from 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM at the Regent Park Community Centre.

Register today to hear from guest speakers, enter the raffles, and have some great food!

Join Grassy Narrows youth and community members to show that you are with them on their path to achieve mercury justice and freedom! 

Grassy Narrows people are powerful leaders in the movement for Indigenous sovereignty and environmental justice. They have shown that together we can fight for justice against all odds and make real gains. But so much is still needed to right the wrong of mercury poisoning in Grassy Narrows.

RSVP to say that you will show up in solidarity and walk with them in their fight for justice on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, in downtown Toronto.

Apply before September 15, 2026, at 12:00 PM! More Information can be found here: Identify ‘N Impact Grant Program – City of Toronto.

Dancemakers are hosting two free performances!

The first is called NKABOM, an African street dance show featuring artists from Toronto and Montreal. This will take place on Saturday, August 29 at the Underpass Park at 7 PM. 

The second is called RangaMandal, a participatory Garba dance showcase and community dance party. This is happening on Friday, September 4 at the Small Arms Inspection Building starting at 4 PM. Find out more here!

The City of Toronto’s Black-Mandated Funding Framework (BMFF) is accepting applications from eligible Black-led, Black-serving and Black-focused (B3) grassroots groups and established organizations in Toronto. Grassroots groups do not need to be incorporated or have audited financial statements; successful grassroots applicants will be supported through a trustee.

Funding: Up to $40,000 per year for two years
Application Deadline: September 22, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. (noon)
Who can apply: Eligible Toronto-based B3 grassroots groups and established organizations
Application: Through the City of Toronto's TGRIP portal

Apply here!