August 2, 2023 Newsletter

Dear Neighbour,

This past week has been quite eventful here in Toronto Centre with many community events coming up this week, and I am looking forward to sharing them with you.

Metro Workers on Strike Against Unfair Wages

Join me this coming Friday, August 4 at 12:30 PM at the 89 Gould St. Metro location as I stand with the Unifor Local 414 Union and the 3000+ Metro Ontario workers that are on strike across the GTA!

Metro workers have been struggling with the pay they have received and are finding living in Toronto while working for Metro has simply been unaffordable, causing many to resort to finding second and third jobs and sourcing food at food banks. Meanwhile, Metro had a 10.4% increase in profits in April, with its second quarter sales reaching $4.55 Billion.

Food banks have had to deal with the overwhelming surge in demands across the country. The Daily Bread Food Bank reported that in March they had given out the most food per month in the food bank’s entire 40 year history. Toronto alone has seen up to a 59% increase in their visit rate. Many of the people who serve us at Metro are unable to purchase the food they sell us. This is simply unacceptable.

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and other NDP MPs and MPPs have joined picket lines, and I will be as well throughout this week. Here are a list of stores where you can support the Metro picket lines being held. While stores are closed due to the strike, pharmacies remain unaffected.

Ontario Pride Organizations Under Attack

Earlier this week, North Bay Pride announced that they are cancelling their regular Pride Parade because of ongoing death threats and safety concerns. I released a media statement to help amplify their demands for change, and have had several follow-up conversations with Pride organizations from all across Ontario about how we can advocate together for the protections that 2SLGBTQI+ Ontarians need in the face of rising hate ⁠— stay tuned for more updates!

As you already know, Two-Spirit, Queer, and Trans communities across Ontario are seeing hate increase as dangerous rhetoric from the United States spills into Canada. In March, I tabled the Keeping 2SLGBTQI+ Communities Safe Act to give the government real tools to prevent and combat hate speech and hate crimes. While Ford’s Ministers have said they take growing anti-2SLGBTQI+ hate seriously during Question Period, they have failed to take action after Question Period, and we are now seeing the consequences of Doug Ford’s inaction. I am thinking about all the Two-Spirit, Queer, and Trans youth in North Bay who will now be unable to go to their first Pride in their home city because Ford refuses to stand up to anti-2SLGBTQI+ extremists.

Meeting with BIA's Discussing Community Safety

This week I met with the Downtown Yonge BIA and Church Wellesley Village BIA to discuss what can be done to enhance community safety over the short, medium, and long term to promote economic recovery.

To summarize the action items being discussed by local community members:

Short-Term:

Conversations with the 519 about delegated overnight trespass authority on the 519 steps
The 519 is enhancing security on their steps during the day and overnight as part of a one-month pilot project
Councillor Moise is urging everyone to complete a local safety survey as part of the Downtown East Action Plan
I am advocating for urgent and effective bail reform including bail compliance from the province to prevent violent and repeat offenders from being released back in the community, thus invoking a cycle of catch-and-release

Medium-Term:

Ford was expected to deliver bail reform following the Justice Policy Committee report I helped to write in April of this year, but he failed to take real provincial action to stop the cycle of violence from repeat offenders
The Downtown Yonge BIA is developing a safety framework to help BIAs, and local stakeholders evaluate safety concerns and plan a response ⁠— stay tuned for more later this year
The 519 will review their security pilot project to determine if it had a positive impact on local safety and explore financially sustainable options for the long-term

Long-Term:

Toronto needs provincial and federal funding for supportive housing, addiction treatment beds, affordable housing, and eviction prevention
The City of Toronto and Councillor Moise are working to make capital improvements to Barbara Hall Park
The 519 is exploring changing the front of their building to address safety concerns surrounding the front steps
I will continue to push Ford to fund homelessness services and mental health to break the heartbreaking and seemingly unending cycles that too many of our neighbours are trapped in.

Billions In The Pockets Of Millionaires At The Expense Of Canadian Food Banks

As many Ontarians have been struggling with food prices trying to make ends meet, Loblaws Companies Limited, the parent company of Loblaws and Shoppers Drug Market, had their revenue increase up to 13.7 Billion dollars for the second quarter alone.

Workers should be able to afford to buy food at the same businesses they work for, company profits should never be made at the cost of their wages. As well, food banks do not hold the solution to fix what the government has been failing on. Over 60% of the food bank users receive a form of social assistance, and the Toronto Star reported that along with the ongoing housing crisis, Torontonians would need a $40 minimum wage to be able to afford to live in the city. Here in Ontario, the Ford government needs to increase ODSP and OW as well as increase minimum wage to ensure that all Canadians can put food on the table as a basic human right.

Emancipation Month

I want to commemorate and celebrate August 1 as Emancipation Day and the beginning of Emancipation Month!

Though Emancipation Month is supposed to celebrate the end of slavery, we cannot move forward without recognizing the continuation of its racist anti-Black and anti-Indigenous legacy that still exists in the form of violence, discrimination and oppression within our society today. It is essential that this month and beyond we amplify the advocacy work done by Black communities across this country battling these various structures of oppression, and we must continually commit to ending systemic racism and working towards justice for all.

Scarborough—Guildwood & Kanata—Carleton By-Election Updates

This past week we had two incredible by-elections that took place in Scarborough—Guildwood and Kanata—Carleton. These campaigns were very quickly mobilized and held incredible momentum for the past three and a half weeks. Thadsha Navaneethan and Melissa Coenraad are remarkable local leaders who showed up and came out for their communities when they needed to be heard.

While the election results were not what we were expecting, our hard work has shown us some very hopeful results; but make no mistakes these are disastrous losses for Doug Ford’s Conservatives. Ontarians are rejecting Ford’s insiders-first agenda. Marit Stiles’ Ontario NDP was the only party to increase its vote share in both ridings, and has turned two of the safest Liberal and Conservative ridings in the province into competitive three-way races. The NDP is now a contender in places it hasn’t been historically. Kanata—Carleton went up 5 points and Scarborough—Guildwood went up 10 points, surpassing levels of contact and volunteers that were seen in previous elections. This continued type of grassroot-level organizing will be crucial when we turn these seats orange in 2026!

Ontario Hospitals Picking Up The Bill For Private Nursing Agencies

The Globe and Mail recently published an article revealing that since the beginning of the pandemic Ontario hospitals allocate close to 4 times more money to private nursing agencies for their services, with agencies charging up to $140 per hour for a nurse. This is the result of a burned out and overworked public healthcare system, and this crisis is pushing more and more public workers over to privatized agencies as we speak, further drying out our public healthcare system.

This is the direct result of actions from the Ford government coming into fruition. Unpredictable schedules, inconsistent and capped wage raises, lack of benefits have made our healthcare workers feel insulted and disrespected, giving them no other choice but to move to privatized employment. What this means is that Ontarians’ tax dollars are being poured into private clinics as the public healthcare system that all people deserve is being starved, to the point where we inevitably are left with American-style private healthcare. The Ontario NDP will always fight against the privatization of healthcare, and ensure that all Ontarians have access to physical and mental health resources and medicare when needed. Tell the Ford government that our healthcare is not for sale!

Metrolinx Worker Reveals Extremely Concerning Details About Death at Burlington GO

Michael Olsen, a customer protection services officer at Metrolinx, shared details about a fatality of a woman hit by a GO Train in Burlington to the Toronto Star and the details are extremely concerning.

Michael had recounted radioing GO dispatchers to stop a train headed towards the GO platform where a woman was walking on the tracks, and was told that the train would go at a reduced speed instead of a complete halt. He later had called 911 himself and headed towards the tracks despite putting his own personal safety at immense risk, but the train had hit the woman, who was later pronounced dead on scene.

An individual worker should never be subjected to long-term trauma and immense risk of personal safety to ensure public safety that a large agency like Metrolinx is responsible for. Metrolinx still has not commented on The Toronto Star’s questions on the dispatch issue nor questions on those that have been killed by Metrolinx trains the past 5 years alone.

This is not the first time that Metrolinx has not been transparent with public details. In previous newsletters I have talked about my office being excluded from notices and decisions to cut trees at Moss Park, a community in our own riding, and going ahead with the decision against public consultation. Metrolinx is a public crown agency on behalf of the government and the public deserves to be able to ask questions and receive transparent and accountable answers from those who run their public transit system.

Ford's Fiscal Irresponsibility Leaving Ontarians Behind

According to the the Financial Accountability Office’s (FAO) latest report, Ford for continuing to withhold money at a time when Ontarians are struggling.

The report reveals that Ford’s government is refusing to spend $7.2 billion on Ontarians. Blatantly hoarding money and spending in the private sector, the convervatives are continuing to starve our hospitals, community services, and transit.

Ontario NDP Leader, Marit Stiles, and finance critic, MPP Catherine Fife came together to call out Ford:

“Workers are living paycheque to paycheque across the province right now, and it’s getting impossible for people just to make ends meet,” said Stiles. “Wages are being held below inflation, and people have less and less to spend on even the bare necessities. Instead of making sure Ontarians’ tax dollars are providing them the services they need, Ford is simply not spending it. He is shirking his responsibility to sustain the strong public programs that people need more than ever. Out of touch is an understatement. It’s completely irresponsible.”

Read NDP MPP's Full Statement On This Here

Community Events

Music in St. James Park

For the next month, the Old Town Toronto and St Lawrence Neighbourhood BIA are hosting the Music in St James Park series. The series is taking place on Thursdays from 7 - 9 PM throughout the month, with various artists presenting different styles of music. I hope to see you there!

4th Annual Wayo Children's Festival

Jamii Esplanade is bringing back their annual Wayo Children’s festival this year! It is taking place from August 9th to August 13 at Berkeley Castle | 250 Esplanade Street with showtimes starting at 5 PM, it is a festival open to all with amazing musical and dance performances and a great adventure for kids! Ticket registration is available here, accommodation is available on request- please contact the organizers for more details.

Click Here for Ticket Registration for Wayo Children's Festival

The Capacity of Regent Park

Info Session

The info session for the Capacity of Regent Park project is taking place every Tuesday for the following month, focusing on workforce development, economic growth, aiming to create community-wide pathways for employment with significant community benefits. Sign up at this link to attend.

RSVP Here for The Capacity of Regent Park Info Session!

Fitness Classes in St. James Park

The Friends of St. James Town and the Old Town Toronto BIA are hosting free fitness classes on Tuesdays at St. James Park. You can choose from a variety of options, from yoga to boot camp with specialized instructors. Arrive earlier at the pavilion to register.

Celebration of Life For The St. Lawrence Market’s “Unofficial Mayor” Bob Kemp

Bob Kemp's dedication to making a difference in the lives of everyone around him has left an indelible mark on our neighborhood. He selflessly worked to keep our community vibrant, and his tireless efforts have had a profound impact on all of us. From organizing community events to offering support to those struggling, Bob's heartwarming kindness touched the lives of countless individuals.

As a tribute to Bob's extraordinary contributions, we will be hosting a Celebration of Life on Friday, August 18th, from 11 AM to 3 PM at David Crombie Park. This event will be a gathering of friends, neighbors, and community members coming together to honor his legacy and the positive changes he brought to our lives.

RSVP for the Celebration of Life for Bob Kemp!

Yours in community service,

Kristyn

Kristyn Wong-Tam

MPP, Toronto Centre

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April 11, 2025 Newsletter

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

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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

Toronto's University Health Network launches scientist recruitment campaign amid U.S. health cuts, layoffs

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
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.

What it is: Shop at participating Cabbagetown businesses and enter to win weekly prizes.
How to enter: Spend $25 or more at any participating business, then upload the receipt to the campaign website.
Prizes: Weekly gift cards from local shops and restaurants.
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:

John Clarke (230 Fightback)
Walied Khogali Ali (Regent Park Residents Association)
Chiara Padovani (York South Weston Tenant Union)
Lorrain Lam (Shelter Housing Justice Network)

🗓️ Saturday, April 26th, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Full-Day Assembly

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.
12:15 PM – 1:30 PM: Lunch (provided onsite)
1:30 PM – 3:30 PM: Workshops on Organizing and Tactics
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:

National Award: Thérèse Casgrain Lifelong Achievement Award
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:

6:30 PM: Registration and Membership Renewal
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
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
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.

March 28 2025 Newsletter

Dear friend,

The Ford government does not care about the most vulnerable people in Ontario or those who support them. We always knew this, but current issues throw that lack of care into even sharper focus. This government is defunding special education programs in our schools, pushing students and staff to the breaking point. They are closing Consumption and Treatment Sites (CTS) despite the medical evidence that proves they work, and they are letting the nursing crisis fester at the expense of patients and workers. This kind of austerity makes our province weaker, and the government is less able to respond to emergencies. Under Ford, Ontario is racing to the bottom when it comes to education and health care in the country.

Last week, the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO) held a press conference to highlight the crisis in special education. They called on the Ford government to provide adequate resources and staffing to students who need extra support to thrive at school. Instead of receiving that support, most education workers feel that their in-classroom, in-school, and board-level support have decreased even as student special needs have skyrocketed.

ETFO members cited lack of early intervention, limited resources, increases in school violence due to unmet student needs, lack of special education support for English language learners, and the persistent inequalities faced by children with disabilities as some of the most significant issues facing special education today. This amounts to an infringement on the human rights of these children. Elementary school is a critical time when young brains can pick up skills and make developmental leaps more quickly than in high school or beyond. Our youngest learners need support during these years to reach their full potential.

March is Developmental Disabilities Month, and it is critical to highlight the support that people with developmental disabilities need to be fully included in their communities. I spoke about this in the Legislature last year, and it nearly brought me to tears. Children with disabilities already cope with so much; they and their families should not also have to beg for basic care and resources.

This week, the government seemingly made an about-face on Consumption and Treatment Sites (also referred to as overdose prevention sites). For months, Minister of Health Sylvia Jones has claimed that sites within 200 meters of a school or childcare centre, which are being forced to close due to government legislation (tabled without public consultation or committee review), would not be allowed to reopen in any new location. However, this week, government lawyers at the Ontario Superior Court contradicted the Health Minister. They stated that CTS sites would be free to reopen if they moved to a location in line with the new boundary rules.

This court case is ongoing, and I will be monitoring the issue closely as it profoundly affects Ontario’s healthcare system. Research has shown that if these sites go away, people who use drugs do not go away. They will continue to use drugs in their neighbourhoods. We can expect to see more unsupervised drug use and more overdoses. That is not the kind of community that anyone wants to live in. The current sites are not perfect - underfunded and understaffed - but they are lifesaving and give access to additional health care and housing support to those who are deeply vulnerable. Instead of closure, they deserve government support to improve safety and quality of life for the neighbourhoods they are a part of.

Depending on the crescent moon sighting, on Sunday or Monday, Muslims around the world will celebrate Eid and mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan. In celebration, I handed out Palestinian Medjool dates to community members this week as they prepared to break their day-long fast. These delicious Jericho-grown dates come from the West Bank in Palestine and are some of the largest and sweetest I have ever eaten.

I am looking forward to celebrating with the community and distributing even more Palestinian dates over the weekend. Ramadan Mubarak!

A winter storm is coming to Ontario this weekend, bringing an expected heavy accumulation of rain and snow. I encourage you to stay informed as weather updates come in, practice caution when navigating roads and sidewalks, stay home if the weather is unsafe, and check up on your vulnerable neighbours. Power outages are also possible, so be prepared. Together, we will get through this!

Yours in community service,

Kristyn Wong-Tam

MPP, Toronto Centre

In This Newsletter

Ontario Nurses: Safe Staffing Saves Lives
75 Ontario CEOs Call on Ford to Support Homegrown Tech
Street Haven’s 60th Anniversary
My Interview with Regent Park TV
Monday is Trans Day of Visibility
This Week’s Headlines
Local Community Events

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Ontario Nurses: Safe Staffing Saves Lives

On Wednesday, the Ontario NDP Caucus met with the Ontario Nurses Association and learned even more about how Ontario nurses are holding our healthcare system together with sheer will. Patient-to-nurse ratios are out of control, nurses are leaving the profession in droves due to burnout and disrespect, and private nursing agencies are snapping up nurses only to redeploy them to our public hospitals at exorbitant rates. Meanwhile, thousands of internationally and interprovincially trained nurses are here in Ontario, waiting to be approved to work in Ontario and alleviate so much suffering.

High patient-to-nurse ratios drastically increase the risk of errors, accidents, patient death, and nurse burnout. In Ontario, we sometimes experience ratios as high as 10 patients to one nurse. France Gelinas, Ontario NDP critic for Healthcare, recently tabled a private members bill that would have mandated 4:1 patient-to-nurse ratios, a ratio used in both BC and Australia. The Ford government failed to meet the moment and voted it down.

75 Ontario CEOs Call on Ford to Support Homegrown Tech

This week, the Council of Canadian Innovators published an open letter signed by 75 CEOs based in Ontario. The letter laid out a list of policies that these CEOs believe would function to “reclaim control over [Ontario’s] economic destiny.”

The letter openly criticizes Ford’s focus on foreign direct investment, or the process of bringing international companies to Ontario to set up large production facilities, over the nurturing of businesses already rooted here in Ontario. The signatories argue that much more needs to be done to capitalize on the natural resources, domestic talent, and data that we have right here in Ontario to grow Ontario businesses into economic powerhouses. I couldn’t agree more. Many Ontario small and medium size business owners have the drive to grow, but need support to go up against giant multinationals. The Ontario government can and should prioritize domestic companies in their procurement practices and create an environment of investment in Ontario.

These arguments echo what I have been hearing from local business leaders and regular folks out in the community. People want to buy Canadian. They want to support their local stores, suppliers, and producers, but they need the government to get behind them and provide the regulatory environment and funding support to make that push happen.

I am currently working alongside MPP Chris Glover to host a business roundtable, as I have done in the past. I am looking forward to bringing these business perspectives back to Queen’s Park when the session begins in two weeks’ time. I am always proud to be a voice for local businesses in the chamber!

Street Haven’s 60th Anniversary Gala

For 60 years, Street Haven at the Crossroads has been a port in the storm for women across Toronto as a place of shelter and care. It was an honour to participate in their 60th Anniversary Gala, which recognized the founder, Peggy Ann Walpole, a nurse and Governor General award winner and the outstanding contributions of staff, clients, and sponsors to the betterment of our community and women across Toronto.

At Queen's Park, I am committed to pushing the Ford government for more investments in affordable housing, mental health support, and addiction-centred programs. Street Haven has proven itself to be an exceptional housing and shelter provider—let's support them as they write the next exciting chapter of their story.

Sitting Down with Regent Park TV

This week, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Regent Park TV’s Gabriel Meissner to discuss critical issues affecting local communities, especially those in Regent Park, St. James Town, and Moss Park. We spoke about the trade war we find ourselves in with the US, rent control, government investment in affordable housing, and public healthcare. You can watch the whole interview here.

Trans Day of Visibility - Next Monday

This upcoming Monday is Trans Day of Visibility, a day when trans people and their allies come together to celebrate the joy of belonging to the trans community, lift up local trans artists, and enjoy each other's company.

The Toronto Trans Alliance is hosting a celebration at Glad Day this Sunday, complete with performances, film screenings, karaoke, and a midnight reading of the City of Toronto's proclamation of the Trans Day of Visibility.

The 519 is also hosting a public information session about Trans Day of Visibility and how we can all be better allies to Trans folks in our communities. Sign up here.

This Week's Headlines

Amid Canada's largest measles outbreak in more than a decade, experts say this COVID-era tool could help | CBC News

Ontario consumption sites free to relocate, court hears, contrary to past statements | CBC News

The Ontario legislature has never elected a female Speaker. That ‘remarkable moment’ may finally be arriving

Ontario students with special needs wait years to get help — and funding for them has worsened under Doug Ford, unions say

Upcoming Community Events

Finance & Tax Literacy Workshop

The 519 is offering a free Finance & Tax Literacy Workshop to support self-employed community members in building financial confidence and managing tax obligations with ease.

Event Details:

Location: The 519 Community Centre (519 Church Street, Toronto)
Date: Saturday, March 29
Time: 2-4 PM
RSVP here

This session is designed for sole proprietors, including:

Artists and performers
Tradespeople and contractors
Anyone running a small business, freelance service, or passion project

Note: This workshop focuses on sole proprietorships and does not cover incorporated businesses.

Trans Visibility: Action & Solidarity at the 519

Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV) is a time to honour the resilience, brilliance, and rights of trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse people. In this public session, we’ll explore the roots and significance of days like TDOV and the vital role each of us can play in defending human rights for trans communities —especially amidst rising hostility and misinformation.

What you'll gain:

Historical context and human rights framing for days of trans significance
Tools to recognize and interrupt transphobia and cissexism
Concrete actions to practice meaningful, trans-affirming allyship

Date: Monday, March 31, 2025

Time: 3pm

Location: Online

Click here to register.

Borrow A Grandparent

Get ready for an afternoon of activities, storytelling and music. Borrow a Grandparent brings older and younger generations together for an afternoon of games and fun.

Date: Sunday, April 6, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: Regent Park Community Centre (402 Shuter St.), Banquet Room

April is Be A Donor Month!

April is BeADonor Month, an annual campaign led by Trillium Gift of Life Network to raise awareness about the life-saving impact of organ and tissue donation. This month encourages:

Registering as a donor
Having important conversations with loved ones about donation wishes
Sharing information to inspire others to register

Key Facts:

In 2023, 341 deceased donors in Ontario enabled 1,035 organ transplants.
1,975 tissue donors enhanced the lives of thousands.
One donor can save up to eight lives and improve the lives of up to 75 others through tissue donation.
Nearly 1,400 people in Ontario are currently waiting for a life-saving organ transplant.

Since 2003, almost 25,000 Ontarians have received a second chance at life through transplants — but the need remains urgent.

More information and donor registration are available at BeADonor.ca.

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: 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
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 shop local campaign running April 14-May 25, 2025.

What it is: Shop at participating Cabbagetown businesses and enter to win weekly prizes.
How to enter: Spend $25 or more at any participating business, then upload the receipt to the campaign website.
Prizes: Weekly gift cards from local shops and restaurants.
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.

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 that 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.

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].

Regent Park Film Festival Call for Submissions

The Regent Park Film Festival is now accepting submissions for its 2025 festival!
📅 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.

Black Mental Health Groups at Sherbourne Health

Sherbourne Health is offering mental health support groups for Black, African, Caribbean, and Multiracial 2SLGBTQ+ youth. These programs provide a space to build community, explore mental health, and develop wellness strategies.

Program Details:

Resilient Roots

A five-session training for Black 2SLGBTQ+ youth with lived mental health or substance use experience. Participants will develop peer support skills and explore mental health, harm reduction, and self-care.

Mondays, 6:00 – 8:00 PM | March 3 – 31

Rise & Thrive

A program designed to celebrate cultural foods, foster community, and explore mental well-being.

Rise: Tuesdays, 6:00 – 7:30 PM | March 4 – April 15
Thrive: Wednesdays, 6:00 – 7:30 PM | March 5 – April 16

Levelling Minds (Online Program)

A nine-week series offering stress management tools and mental health strategies.

Thursdays, 6:00 – 7:30 PM | March 6 – May 1

For more details and to register, click here.

TNG Repair Cafe

Skilled volunteers will help repair broken household items, including:

Computers
Small appliances
Home electronics
General housewares
Clothing and jewelry
Bikes and toys
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]

Free Art Class with Benny Bing

📅 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].

Community Development Training Series

📅 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.

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:

For more details and to register, visit: www.notfarfromthetree.org.

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:

National Award: Thérèse Casgrain Lifelong Achievement Award
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.

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.

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: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: In person at The 519 (519 Church Street) or virtually
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
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

March 21 2025 Newsletter

Dear Emma,

Yesterday, I was officially sworn in as the MPP for Toronto Centre. This was my fifth time taking an oath of public office, but this time, I found myself feeling more nervous and emotional than I had during previous ceremonies. When I reflected on it later, I realized that it was the presence of so many friends, colleagues, and community members looking on that brought up these emotions. I so dearly want to do right by them and everyone in our community, and seeing all of their faces as I took the oath really brought that commitment home. The Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, Trevor Day, who administered the oath, also reminded me of how very special this honour is. Since confederation, fewer than 2,000 people have taken the oath to become an Ontario MPP. To be one of them feels incredibly profound.

Every day, I feel honoured to hold public office and serve the people of Toronto Centre and the communities that I love. Yesterday was a beautiful ceremonial celebration of that honour, which I will always cherish. I want to thank all of the people who stood with me as I took my oath and everyone in Toronto Centre for putting their trust in me. I do not take it lightly and will work hard every day to live up to our shared ideals.

Jumping from one election to another, the Ottawa rumour mill has been spinning for weeks and now it seems to have settled - reliable sources are telling us that the federal election will be called this coming Sunday, in just two days, and that election day will be on either April 28 or May 5. Those details are still to be determined, as a federal election campaign lasts between 36 and 50 days in Canada.

Luckily, here in Toronto Centre, we are ready to go. Local resident and family physician, Dr. Samantha Green, our fantastic candidate, has been knocking on doors for almost a year already and has an amazing campaign team behind her. Meanwhile, the Liberals do not yet have a candidate after Marci Ien announced two weeks ago that she would not run again.

Samatha’s campaign is so prepared that they are having an office opening on Sunday, the day of the writ drop, and you are invited!!!

Join me, Samantha, community leader Danyaal Raza, and progressives in Toronto Centre at 1 PM this Sunday at 655 Dundas Street East to officially open Samantha’s office and ensure that we send a true progressive voice to Ottawa.

Click here to RSVP!

Yours in community service,

Kristyn Wong-Tam

MPP, Toronto Centre

In This Newsletter

Ford’s Cabinet Announcement
Renewed Assault on Gaza
Standing up for St Lawrence Co-op Daycare
Ford: Canada as the 51st state is a “Compliment”
Meeting with Peggy Nash’s Women in the House Students
This Week’s Headlines
Local Community Events

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Ford’s Cabinet Announcement

On Wednesday, Doug Ford announced his new cabinet. It is largely unchanged and fails to meet the moment Ontario is in. Now is a time for bright new thinkers to come up with creative solutions, not more of the same cut-and-privatize Ministers.

People are worried about the future of our province and our country. They are struggling to afford groceries; they can’t find a family doctor or an affordable place to live. Yet, this cabinet includes the same Minister of Transportation who couldn’t open a transit line, the same Minister of Health who downplayed the doctor shortage, and the same Minister of Infrastructure who spent weeks dodging basic questions. The cabinet includes 29 ministers and 8 associate ministers, making it one of the largest and most expensive in Ontario’s history.

While there was little change, one swap left me chilled to the bone: Paul Calandra will be the new Minister of Education. Political watchers will remember that Calandra was Ford’s Government house leader until last year and before that an MP under PM Stephen Harper. In both roles he was known as a political spin doctor, the kind of person who you wanted in your corner when you had to break some bad news and didn’t want to take any criticism. Calandra has the unique skill of being able to yell a bunch of nonsense at you in a way that is both intimidating and convincing until you take a moment to understand what he actually said, which is nothing. This appointment raises alarm about the kinds of cuts Ford conservatives will bring down on our public education system, which is already in tatters.

The Ontario NDP will soon announce our shadow cabinet, a team full of MPPs ready to rise to meet this challenging moment, by fighting rising costs, investing in building homes, hiring doctors, and building a tariff-proof economy. They can count on Ontario's Official Opposition NDP to keep up that fight at Queen’s Park and across the province to hold Doug Ford’s Conservatives to account every single day.

Renewed Assault on Gaza

Just like many of you, I have felt horror and grief as images of death and destruction have poured out of Gaza again this week. On Tuesday, Israel broke the ceasefire and resumed the relentless bombing of civilians, in addition to shutting of electricity, water, and aid trucks carrying food and medical supplies to the region.

The people of Gaza have been through far too much. They were just taking their first breaths, returning to their homes, and reuniting with loved ones. And now they have been plunged back into the horrors of genocide.

The ceasefire agreement must be honoured on all sides. But instead, the innocent civilians of Gaza, including thousands of children, are paying the price. Doctors are again being asked to make impossible decisions about which child to save and which to let die, simply because of a lack of resources. This is unconscionable and the Canadian government must stand up to Trump and Netanyahu. I am so proud of the NDP’s advocacy on this issue, but they need more voices to join them. I encourage you to write to PM Carney and local MPs to urge them to act and speak out for the people of Gaza who are experiencing relentless suffering right now.

Standing up for St Lawrence Co-op Daycare

Toronto Centre’s St. Lawrence Co-op Day Care is facing challenges meeting the governments strict standards for permanent outdoor play spaces. This week, I wrote to the Minister of Education to request that the Ministry take into account the unique urban context in which the daycare is situated, and the fact that they are currently meeting the outdoor play space requirements, just with a temporary space.

I am hopeful that the daycare will be able to continue to operate, providing excellent care for our little ones and solutions for working families. You can read the full letter here.

Ford: Canada as the 51st state is a “Compliment”

On Tuesday, Doug Ford said that the American threat to make Canada their 51st state is a “compliment.” This made my blood boil. How could a threat of hostile takeover and a lack of respect for our sovereignty ever be taken as a compliment?

I am proud to stand up for Canada, our values, our public assets, and our people. We are not simply resources, but a strong nation that deserves respect. We have many problems, the largest among them our historic and present lack of respect for the sovereignty of Indigenous nations on this land we call Canada, but that will never be solved by infringement on our borders by our southern neighbour. I will do absolutely everything that I can to hold Ford accountable and make sure that he is not giving anything up to the Americans.

Meeting with Peggy Nash’s Women in the House Students

Yesterday I had the pleasure of sitting down for a conversation with three students from Peggy Nash’s Women in the House course. They asked such thoughtful and engaging questions which lead to a lively conversation about representation, justice, and human rights in our houses of government. It was so inspiring to engage with the next generation of leaders, and I so appreciated their curiosity and passion for learning. I can’t wait to see what they do next!

This Week's Headlines

Removing bike lanes will likely worsen gridlock, lead to more collisions: government documents

Hudson's Bay hopes to save 6 stores, which could protect some of its 9,364 jobsNews

Toronto charity to open affordable housing for homeless women

Hundreds of nurses rally outside Ontario hospitals to demand safer staffing levels

TDSB to vote on controversial fundraising change some call a ‘tariff on parent donations’

Mayor Olivia Chow asking city to accept $50-million pledge from Weston foundation to revamp Queen’s Park North

Head of Canada’s high speed rail project wants it to run into downtown Toronto

Upcoming Community Events

Black Mental Health Groups at Sherbourne Health