Dear friend,
This week, Ford announced the first active spending under Ontario’s tariff response plan. $1 billion of the $5 billion Ontario’s last budget promised can now help support companies impacted by Trump’s tariffs.
I am concerned that Ford’s tariff response is too narrow. Ontario’s unemployment rate is one of the highest in the country. Tariffs are a blunt economic tool with far-reaching effects. Affected companies deserve government support, but Ford failed to recognize that workers struggling to find employment as companies scale down need support too. The Ontario government must wise up and do more. Investing more into Ontario Works, Employment Insurance, and ODSP would bolster demand and help the most vulnerable. We could see this moment as an opportunity to fund new renewable energy infrastructure and housing. Strategic investments today could help stabilize demand and employment. We already know that Trump will be as chaotic and destabilizing three months from now as he is today.
On Wednesday, I was honoured to join a press conference led by Gazan Canadians, Jews Say No To Genocide, and If Not Now Toronto. Families called for the Federal and Provincial governments to fix the Gaza Temporary Refugee Visa program. Unreasonable and impossible administrative barriers are locking out Gazan Canadians' loved ones from the program. Currently, the family members of Gazan Canadians must travel to Egypt for biometric screening. The federal government knows full well that applicants are trapped in Gaza and cannot leave while the borders remain closed. The Carney government should allow biometric tests to happen upon arrival in Canada instead. The Ford government could also waive the three-month waiting period for a refugee to receive OHIP to help speed up settlement. Instead, he spent the winter election and every day afterwards fashioning himself as “Captain Canada” without ever lending a word of support to innocent Palestinian civilians living under daily bombardment. Ford could use his political clout to sway Carney to do better and save lives during a genocide, but the political cousins choose each other and look away.
We know that Canada and Ontario can do significantly more because we have done better before. In 2022, Canada and Ontario accepted higher numbers of refugees when Russia invaded Ukraine. All orders of government rolled out the red carpet and actual cash for resettlement. Government funding was made available for housing, employment, and settlement supports for Ukrainian refugees. It was the right thing to do. But it also stands in stark contrast to the barriers Gazan Canadians are facing. The program caps, physically impossible procedures, and lack of resettlement resources are wrong. Gazans deserve better.
You can use this online tool to email Prime Minister Carney, Premier Ford and your local MP. We need to demand that all levels of government give Gazans escaping genocide the support they deserve:
Next week, I am looking forward to attending AMO — the Association of Municipalities in Ontario. This is the largest annual gathering of provincial and municipal representatives in our province, and it’s taking place in Ottawa. I’m excited to meet municipal leaders and learn how the Official Opposition NDP can amplify their many calls to the Ford government, including the urgent one to address Ontario’s homelessness and opioid crises.
On a final note, I am so proud of my sister Dianne and every Air Canada flight attendant who is standing their ground for a fair contract from Air Canada. They get starting wages at $1900/month, are expected to live in big expensive cities near airports, work thousands of hours in uniform unpaid. That’s right: they are only paid when the plane is in the air! Air Canada executives are making lucrative salaries while their flight attendants often live in rooming houses or wait in food bank lines. If they strike, I will walk the picket line with my sister and all flight attendants until my feet bleed. Then I will walk some more!
Yours in community service,
Kristyn
Kristyn Wong-Tam
MPP, Toronto CentreIn
| In this Newsletter |
- Boy on Scooter Struck by Vehicle in Regent Park
- Ontario's Big Cities See More Public Drug Use
- March with the NDP at the Toronto Labour Day Parade!
- This Week’s Events and Meetings
- This Week’s Headlines
- Local Community Events
| Boy on Scooter Struck by Vehicle in Regent Park |
I am deeply relieved to know that the 12-year-old boy, who was struck by a car while riding his scooter in Regent Park, was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
This incident occurred in the evening on Sunday, August 10, near Dundas Street East and Arnold Avenue. I am grateful to our first responders for their quick action. Much more must be done to make our streets safe for pedestrians and other vulnerable road users.
As a pedestrian and cyclist myself, I know that our streets are sometimes dangerous places to be. Toronto’s Vision Zero strategy is working to address these safety gaps.
| Ontario's Big Cities See More Public Drug Use |
Across Ontario, the consequences of the Ford government’s decision to close supervised consumption sites (SCS) are manifesting in big cities like Toronto. We are witnessing firsthand a deepening crisis in our streets and communities. After ten SCS locations were closed because of Ford’s Bill 223, Safer Streets, Stronger Communities Act, 2024, these life-saving programs vanished, and those who need service have migrated to sites that remain open.
While overdose deaths have reduced in 2024, the number of overdoses has only increased after the closures on April 1, 2025. This is an unprecedented humanitarian crisis in our communities, a spike in homelessness, the opioid epidemic — people are dying on our streets. Doug Ford’s decision to cut services, at a time when people need them the most, has had devastating impacts within just a few months.
Stigma will not make communities safer. Support will. What keeps our communities safe is making sure nobody is losing their life to overdoses on our streets and in our neighbourhoods – and that everyone has a safe place to call home.
You can sign my petition calling on Ford to adequately invest in this health care crisis. When the house resumes, I will deliver the petition and the names of everyone who signed it to Ford's desk in the Legislature.
| March with the NDP at the Toronto Labour Day Parade! |
Join me and the rest of the Ontario NDP at the Toronto Labour Day Parade on Monday, September 1st! The labour movement has won and continues to win real gains for all workers — wins our community needs now more than ever in the face of greed-driven inflation. It is more imporant than ever to show our support for our labour workers.
RSVP below to reserve your CNE pass! We have a limited number of passes, so it is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
| Working with Animal Alliance Ontario |
You may have heard by now that St Joseph's Hospital in London, Ontario, has been doing medical testing on dogs. This news was truly horrible to hear, and Premier Ford agrees. He commented on legislating an end to using dogs and cats in research, and I have been speaking with animal rights advocates, like Animal Alliance, to hold him accountable. I will continue to work with them on what needs to be done.
| Moss Park Festival 2025 |
Last Saturday, I was happy to join the Moss Park Festival! My team and I had an amazing time connecting with residents, volunteers and vendors.
I felt especially honoured to have received a certificate of appreciation from Neighbourhood Information Post’s Executive Director, Gladys Wong. Thank you, NIP Toronto, for hosting another amazing Moss Park Summer Festival. Your annual event is a highlight for Toronto Centre, and I’m so proud to be your community sponsor. Thank you for the incredible work you do.
| Tour With The Neighbourhood Group |
It is always a pleasure to visit The Neighbourhood Group (TNG) and witness the amazing work being done on their behalf in Toronto Centre. Community support agencies like TNG play a vital role in helping our neighbours access care, resources, and employment.
I look forward to advocating for the smart, predictable and sufficient provincial funding that organizations like yours need to succeed! If you are interested in making a difference and getting involved, TNG is always looking for volunteers. Click here to find out more!
| Canadians for Properly Built Homes |
Thank you, Dr. Karen Somerville, with Canadians for Properly Built Homes, for meeting with me earlier this week. We discuss the challenges that Ontarians are facing accessing justice at the License Appeals Tribunal when trying to hold problematic home-builders to account.
I look forward to amplifying your stories and continuing to call for the systemic reform we need to Ontario Tribunals. It's time to take the politics out of tribunal appointments and ensure that the best people with the most relevant experience become adjudicators in Ontario. Donating to the governing party should never be a qualification.
|
Green Thumbs Growing Kids Ontario Trillium Recognition |
I was excited to join Green Thumbs Growing Kids for a special (and delicious) tour to see the vital work they do connecting children and their families to healthy food and the environment. Their organization runs school garden programs, like planting seeds and composting!
We also celebrated the Ontario Trillium Foundation's support for your healthy school food programs. This will help expand their work of ensuring that every child can have fresh, nutritious meals and the tools to grow their food. I recommend you check out their good work here!
| Ontario Non Profit Network |
Economic uncertainty and new laws are changing the funding landscape for Ontario nonprofits. Thank you, Ontario Nonprofit Network (ONN), for meeting this week to share what your members need to navigate economic uncertainty during a trade war. ONN works to create a public policy environment that strengthens nonprofits so they can do more. I am always happy to stand with them and advocate for effective policy implementation for Ontario’s nonprofit sector.
Their work is admirable — find out what they are up to here!
| A Visit to Little Canada — Again! |
I never have, and never will, miss my chance to stop by Little Canada! Thank you to the Founder and Chief Visionary Officer at Little Canada, Jean-Louis Brenninkmeijer, for seeing me yet again.
Little Canada is a true gem of Toronto Centre, and I can’t recommend it enough that people go and visit; it is a unique visitor attraction in the heart of Toronto that tells the stories of Canada and showcases the country’s cities & landscapes through the art of miniature. If you’re interested in visiting, here’s a clip of what to expect!
| This Week's Headlines |
Slowdown in new building permits spells trouble for Toronto’s housing future
Financial firms file for eviction more than any other Toronto landlord, new research finds
Ontario big cities see more public drug use, paramedic calls since consumption site closures
Tenant advocates say Toronto’s new renoviction bylaw already making ‘positive impact’
Ontario Prisoners Are Passing Out from Extreme Heat
Amid 5-year rise in hate crimes, new group teaches LGBTQ+ people self-defence
Ford government considered ‘developer-proposed’ Hwy. 413 route alteration
Ontario records low housing starts, even using new ways of counting them
‘This is all disingenuous’: Ontario’s belated Bill 5 consultations fail to reassure First Nations
Screening in emergency departments could help boost vaccine coverage, survey suggests
|
Upcoming Community Events |
| Regent Park Seniors BBQ |
You can enjoy a relaxing afternoon socializing with other seniors, tomorrow, August 16, from 3 PM to 5 PM at 252 Sackville St. on the 7th floor. There was light dancing with Dancing with Parkinson's, and feast on hamburgers or hot dogs, coleslaw and cake!
|
81 Year Memorial of the Sinking of the Tsushima-maru |
The Church of the Holy Trinity is hosting an event to mark the 81st anniversary of the sinking of the Tsushima-maru, an evacuation ship lost during World War II while carrying more than 1,700 school children and civilians.
The program will feature a Japanese-language film with English subtitles, followed by a discussion about the tragedy. Light refreshments will be available at the start of the gathering. Find out more here.
Date & Time: Sunday, August 24, 12:00 PM
Location: 19 Trinity Square, The Church of the Holy Trinity
| St. James Town Festival |
Another year has come to join Toronto Centre’s very own St. James Town Festival! My team and I will be there along with so many other vendors to meet you, listen to great music and have fantastic food. Come by on Saturday, September 6 from 1 PM to 7 PM at the courtyard by St. James Avenue and Wellesley Street East. See you there!
|
Teach-In and Rally |
Policing-Free Schools Ontario will host a provincial Teach-In and Rally as part of its campaign for policing-free schools. The event will focus on opposing Bill 33 and advocating for increased support and resources in schools rather than carceral measures.
Date: Wednesday, August 27
Time: 11:00 AM ET
Location: Queen’s Park, South Lawn
| Share your Feedback about a Maximum Indoor Temperature Requirement |
Like many cities around the world, Toronto is experiencing more frequent heat events and extended heat waves outside of seasonal norms. Indoor temperatures in apartment buildings are a particular concern, as tenants living in units without air conditioning or other cooling equipment may be at higher risk of heat-related health impacts. As the climate continues to change, the risk of heat-related health impacts is expected to increase.
Share your feedback about a maximum indoor temperature requirement for rental units and cooling rooms. Complete the online form (opens in new window) by September 8, 2025.
| Queen’s Park North Revitalization Consultation |
Queen's Park North is a historic and culturally significant public green space in Toronto, located north of the Ontario Parliament Building.
In 2025, the City was approached by the Weston family with an offer to donate $50 million to improve the park, plus additional funding for long-term maintenance and programming. In response, City staff have been instructed by Council to undertake community and First Nations, Inuit and Metis engagement, along with design exploration, that will build on work completed in the park in 2019. The engagement conversations will inform opportunities related to park design, park amenities, Indigenous placekeeping, park programming, maintenance and governance. This public feedback will be collected and included as part of City staff’s report back to City Council in late 2025, which will include a recommended path forward.
Take the online survey by August 31, 2025 to help shape the future of Queen’s Park North. Visit Get Involved for more information and other ways to participate.
|
Are you a Registered Canadian Charity? Join the Accelerator Program! |
The Social Purpose Real Estate (SPRE) National Accelerator is an initiative initially focused on the Greater Toronto Area and now expanding nationwide. This program supports mission-driven organizations through networking, capacity-building and professional support, in the development of thoughtful and realistic development proposals that can supply the missing housing, services and other social infrastructure needed in our communities.
Applications open and close September 15th, 2025. Apply here!
|
Renaissance Canadian Theatre Company Presents Bachelor Man |
Renaissance Canadian Theatre Company presents Bachelor Man, a powerful play set on July 1, 1929—Dominion Day, known in Toronto’s Chinatown as “Humiliation Day.” The story unfolds in John’s teahouse, a haven for those living through the sixth anniversary of the Chinese Exclusion Act, which barred families from reuniting for twenty-four years.
Audiences will meet vivid characters, including a one-armed WWI veteran, a half-Chinese scholar, and a teenage stowaway, each navigating life in a “Bachelor Society” created by exclusionary laws. Written by Winston Kam—born in Trinidad and Tobago of Chinese descent—Bachelor Man first premiered at Theatre Passe Muraille in 1987 under the direction of Peter Hinton. Brenda Kamino, originally cast as Queenie at a young age, now returns to the role three decades later.
Founded by Andrew Moodie and Brenda Kamino, Renaissance Canadian Theatre Company is dedicated to reviving overlooked works of Canadian theatre, ensuring culturally significant plays remain part of the national stage heritage. Get your tickets here!
| Corktown’s Annual Tree Giveaway |
Toronto Centre’s Corktown is about to get a whole lot leafier!
The Corktown Residents & Business Association is giving out beautiful indigenous trees and shrubs to plant, nurture, and enjoy for years to come. Apply by September 3 by clicking here. The giveaway date is September 20! If you have any questions, please email [email protected]
| GOOD TO BE GOOD’s Change Make-Her Program |
GOOD TO BE GOOD’s Change Make-Her Program is now accepting applications for its 6th Cohort!
This free, interactive, virtual group-based community-rooted program is open to women and gender-diverse people from equity-deserving and marginalized communities across Canada who want to grow their entrepreneurial journey and take their business to the next step — on their terms.
The 10-week program includes:
- 6 interactive group workshops
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Mentorship with leaders who share lived realities and experiences
- Peer support check-ins & networking
- Toolkits, resources, and a $250 micro-grant upon completion
- Opportunity to apply for a $500 Bursary
- Wraparound supports (internet/data stipends, wellness tools, childcare, accessibility) to reduce barriers to access
Rooted in equity, inclusivity, and care, CMH helps participants build foundational business and leadership skills through values-aligned workshops, mentorship, and community connection. Folks from equity-deserving communities—Black, Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, newcomers, low-income, survivors, and others facing barriers to traditional entrepreneurship spaces and systems are prioritized in this program.
The date to apply is Friday, August 22, 2025 at 12:00 pm EST. APPLY HERE!
Questions or referrals? Contact the Manager of Support Services, Aramí at [email protected] or visit the website for more information and FAQ.
| Get Started in Canada - Newcomer Women |
Hard Feelings is hosting its 7th Annual Mental Health Pop-Up Market on Saturday, September 6, 2025, from 12:00 – 5:00 PM at 353 Church Street (Church and Gerrard).
This community event will bring together local vendors and mental health advocates, offering products and resources that promote well-being. Visitors can explore a curated selection of items, connect with supportive services, and learn more about initiatives aimed at reducing barriers to mental health care.
Hard Feelings is a registered charity dedicated to increasing access to affordable therapy and providing mental health resources through its storefront and online shop.
More details are available at www.hardfeelings.org.
