Dear friend,
Yesterday, the Legislature rose for the winter break after a short but highly eventful session. Frustratingly, the government has chosen not to return to Queen’s park until March 23rd, over a month later than scheduled. This means we lose four weeks of question periods, debates, and chances for public participation. And this is after they cut twelve sitting weeks from the schedule this past year.
I am proud of the Official Opposition’s work this session to hold the government to account on the Social Development Fund, access to public healthcare, preserving and creating more good jobs, and tackling the cost of living. I am excited to continue this work through the break and return to the Legislature in March with more solutions and alternatives to the government’s cuts and privatization.
On Wednesday, the government tabled their Intimate Partner Violence Committee Report. It appears to be riddled with AI-generated content and AI “hallucinated” incorrect citations. According to trusted AI-checking software, this document contains a level of AI-involvement that would not be accepted for credit by any university or college in the province. The Globe and Mail did their own review of the citations and verified that “some citations appeared to be incorrect, misattributed or not properly sourced.” You can watch me and MPP Alexa Gilmour speak to the media about this disturbing revelation here.
This lack of care by the Ford government is shameful and incredibly disrespectful to survivors and frontline service workers who poured their hearts out to this committee. They deserved an honest report, written by actual human beings who honoured their stories. I am confident that the Ontario NDP’s dissenting report captures that care and provides the recommendations and next steps that survivors deserve. You can read the full report here, as well as the executive summary here and see for yourself.
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to ask the government directly about their disrespectful use of AI in the report. They lied and dodged the question, gaslit survivors, and refused to take any accountability. They continually denied any issues with the report, even when my colleagues MPP Lisa Gretzky raised major factual issues, such as the incorrect date of the inquest into the tragic murder of nurse Lori Dupont, citing the Child Development Institute but linking to a fake source “example.org,” and falsifying newspaper articles that reference the failure of Ontario’s cellphone ban in schools six months before the ban came into effect. These aren’t simple errors; they are known as AI hallucinations, and they were signed off by a government that gave the stories of survivors and their families to US-based AI companies without their consent. You can watch the exchange here.
I am very concerned that the government’s recommendations are AI-generated as well, which would mean an American company is creating policy recommendations for the Ontario government with no transparency or oversight.
The government report is not all bad. In some places, it clearly captures the stories and solutions presented by survivors and experts. However, its shortcomings are too significant to ignore. Beyond the likely use of AI, it has 877 pages, lacks an executive summary or conclusion, and, literally, its “next steps” are to determine what those next steps are. We all should expect better from our government. Survivors deserve so much more: an implementation plan and, for the most urgent recommendations, immediate action. Lives are at stake.
Yours in community service,
Kristyn Wong-Tam
MPP, Toronto Centre
| In This Newsletter |
- Happy Holidays from your Toronto Centre Team
- The Toronto Centre NDP’s Best Holiday Party Yet!
- Bill 75 Must Go to Committee
- TDSB Director Fired as Conservatives Tighten Control of School Boards
- Pre-Budget Consultations
- IPV Panel: Unifor Ontario Regional Council
- Cabbagetown’s Holiday in the Patch
- TCHC Youth Safety Forum
- Regent Park Community Benefits Package Unveiling
- St James Town Safety Summit
- Ethiopian Heritage Month Act Receives Royal Assent
- What’s Making Headlines
- Local Community Events
| Happy Holidays from your Toronto Centre Team |
Yesterday, my entire team, including this fall’s interns, gathered at Queen’s Park for a holiday lunch and our annual Secret Santa gift exchange. We had a blast, especially since we do Secret Santa a little bit differently - we pick a gift that our giftee would have enjoyed as a child, exchange them, and then donate them all to a local toy drive. We hope our gifts this year bring joy to the hearts of children in Toronto Centre, just as they brought us joy!
I wish everyone celebrating this holiday season a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, a Joyful Solstice, and a Happy Kwanzaa filled with good health, joy, and the deepest community and family connections. I hope you spend time with loved ones, rest, and enjoy delicious food.
The holidays can be a tough time for many who feel lonely or for whom they bring up difficult memories. I hope that all who feel this way find community and get through this season as smoothly as possible. At the end of this email, I've included several community events where I know you would be warmly welcomed.
I particularly want to highlight the Church of St. Peter and St. Simon’s Blue Christmas service and dinner, which welcomes anyone struggling with the holiday season to be in community and share a meal.
| The Toronto Centre NDP’s Best Holiday Party Yet! |
The Toronto Centre NDP’s Holiday Party is always a huge bash, but this year we welcomed even more neighbours than usual! Our holiday party was so popular that we had to host two lunch sittings. Our riding association and hardworking volunteers welcomed nearly 400 guests and shared a delicious meal.
I had so much fun handing out prizes and singing carols together, all while spreading holiday cheer. You all helped us set a new bar for a successful holiday party. My heart is full of community love, and I will bring it into the new year.
| Bill 75 Must Go to Committee |
We desperately need justice reform and investments in our courts. The government recently tabled a new justice bill, Bill 75, but it needs work.
So far this year, Ford and his government have fast-tracked twelve bills, truncating debate and skipping the committee process. Committee is critical because it allows MPPs and the government to hear critical feedback from experts and make changes to improve the bill.
A bill like this one, of this breadth and importance, must go to committee. It desperately needs to be strengthened As it stands, Bill 75, fails to deliver the investments or changes we need. Yesterday, I spoke to the bill and shared the Ontario NDP’s plans to create meaningful, lasting safety and a justice system that works.
People deserve to feel safe in their communities. That is fundamental. Doug Ford has had eight years to clean up the backlogs in our courts, invest in community programming proven to reduce crime over the long term, and create a bail system that provides real safety. Instead, Ford has been yelling in parking lots about criminals on our streets without taking any real action. Meanwhile, survivors of crime and their families aren’t getting justice, Ontarians aren’t getting their day in court, innocent people are languishing in jail, and criminals are walking free. This is unacceptable.
The backlog in our courts touches every part of our legal system. Fraud has more than doubled in Ontario, yet most cases are being dismissed due to backlogs and understaffing. Since the pandemic began, we have seen the majority of criminal cases end with charges withdrawn, stayed, dismissed, or discharged because the government has refused to resource our court system.
Ontarians are hungry for justice. We need a court system that is appropriately staffed, bail supervision that is adequately funded and effective, adequate staffing in our jails, and no more cases dismissed due to delays. This is the justice system I am working to build as the Shadow Attorney General and I will provide all of this feedback and more when this bill goes to committee. We must work to improve this bill and make it stronger for all Ontarians.
|
TDSB Director Fired as Conservatives Tighten Control of School Boards |
Today, Ford’s government appointed TDSB supervisor (who, again, has no previous experience in education) fired the TDSB’s Director of Education.
This is yet another example of an incredibly consequential decision being made by Conservative-appointed supervisors behind closed doors. Parents have not been consulted and had no opportunity to participate in this important decision.
My colleagues and I have been hearing from people in the board that the departure of the Director of Education comes after he spoke up about the impact of Ministry decisions on the financial state of the board. It sends a clear message to board staff: if you speak the truth, you will be fired.
Parents deserve to know how much this decision will cost them. How much money is now going to pay severance and the salary for a new Director of Education while the supervisor also collects his hefty $350,000 paycheque. Taxpayers deserve transparency. That's the opposite of what they're getting from this government and this supervisor.
As a parent of a child attending Church Street Public School, I am deeply invested in quality public education and transparency for students, parents, and education workers.
| Pre-Budget Consultations |
Just because the Legislature is on winter break doesn’t mean that you can’t participate in our government! Pre-Budget consultations are happening across the province and we want you to raise your voice.
The Ontario NDP’s Shadow Finance Minister, MPP Jessica Bell, has attended two consultations so far. She told me she heard loud and clear that Ontario’s health-care system, especially primary care, is under real strain, low wages are pushing workers out, and this government needs to invest where people actually live and work. She also heard loud and clear that supportive housing is the most humane and cost-effective way to solve the concurrent homelessness, mental health, and addiction issues we are seeing in our communities.
You can sign up to speak in person or virtually, or submit written comments through the Legislature’s committee portal. When applying, select “2026 Pre-Budget Consultations.” You do not need to sign up for the community where you live. If the Toronto consultations are over-subscribed, you can sign up to appear virtually in another location.
Upcoming Pre-Budget Consultations:
- Brockville - January 13, 2026
- Ottawa - January 14, 2026
- Pembroke - January 15, 2026
- Kitchener - January 20, 2026
- London - January 21, 2026
- Niagara Falls - January 22, 2026
- Kapuskasing - January 27, 2026
- Thunder Bay - January 28, 2026
- Sudbury - January 29, 2026
Deadlines to request to speak or submit written comments:
- November 24, 2025 at 12PM (EST) - Toronto, Peterborough
- January 5, 2026 at 12PM (EST) - Brockville, Ottawa and Pembroke
- January 12, 2026 at 12PM (EST) - Kitchener, London and Niagara Falls
- January 19, 2026 at 12PM (EST) - Kapuskasing, Thunder Bay and Sudbury
- January 29, 2026 at 6PM (EST) - Final deadline for written submissions
|
Canada’s Federal Housing Advocate: New Report |
A new report from Canada’s Federal Housing Advocate warns that Ontario cities could slide back into expensive, enforcement-heavy encampment clearings as the federal government’s two-year encampment funding winds down.
After visiting Toronto, Waterloo Region, London, and Hamilton, the Advocate is calling for long-term funding — including from the province — to sustain human-rights-based responses that keep people safer while they wait for housing.
The Advocate is also urging an end to forced evictions and the criminalization of homelessness.
This matters here in Toronto. The city has relied on short-term federal dollars to staff outreach teams, and add shelter and hotel spaces. Without sustained funding, these supports will shrink and more people will be left outside with nowhere to go.
Queen’s Park has the power to solve these tough issues. We need to invest in building affordable housing and supportive housing, and expanding our mental health and addiction treatment programs.
|
IPV Panel: Unifor Ontario Regional Council |
Last Saturday, on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, Sylvie Guenther and I joined Tracey Ramsey for UNIFOR’s Panel on Intimate Partner Violence. We had important conversations about what needs to be done to tackle the IPV epidemic, and I shared the actions my team and I are taking at Queen’s Park to push for the necessary legislative change. I was honoured to be invited to speak.
| Cabbagetown’s Holiday in the Patch |
Cabbagetown at Christmastime – is there anything more magical? Add in a visit from Santa and you know that I was feeling the holiday cheer.
The Cabbagetown BIA hosted another incredible Holiday in the Patch event last weekend with games, performances, and of course photos with Santa. But if you missed it there is still time to enjoy festive fun in Cabbagetown. A walk down Parliament Street, enjoying the wintery window displays and popping into a few small businesses to pick up gifts is a great way to spend an evening.
| TCHC Youth Safety Forum |
Youth have always been at the forefront of advocacy in Regent Park. This past Wednesday, youth came together at the Toronto Community Housing Youth Forum to talk about pressing issues like violence prevention and the need for increased mental health supports, as well as ways the community can support each other to see everyone thrive.
Thank you to Felicia and her fellow Toronto Community Housing organizers, the Regent Park Islamic Resource Centre, and all the speakers tonight for bringing the community together. I look forward to seeing this event next year!
| Regent Park Community Benefits Package Unveiling |
On Tuesday, I joined the Regent Park community to celebrate the unveiling of the Community Benefits Package! This $26.8 million investment plan, co-created by Toronto Community Housing, Tridel, and CBOWG, supported by Yonge Street Mission and Toronto Community Benefits Network and voted in by the community, will invest in educational scholarships, uplifting generations to come in Regent Park. Congratulations to all the community members and organizations involved for your tireless advocacy!
| St James Town Safety Summit |
Community safety includes everyone! Thank you to the St James Town Residents Council for hosting a delightful and engaging safety summit today. It is critical for communities to come together to heal and move forward after instances of violence. I am so glad that funding from the City of Toronto’s Violence Intervention & Support Unit made this event, complete with a delicious multicultural luncheon and community discussion, possible.
| Ethiopian Heritage Month Act Receives Royal Assent |
I was thrilled to gather with the Ethiopian community today to celebrate the passage of the Ethiopian Heritage Month Act and its receipt of Royal Assent this week!
It was such a joy to gather at Rendez-Vous Ethiopian and Eritrean Restaurant to celebrate, share food, and plan for next September when we mark the month officially for the first time.
| This Week's Headlines |
December 2025 Issue of The Bridge Community Newspaper
Ontario-appointed supervisor fires TDSB director of education amid board shakeups
Ontario legislature to take 14-week winter break, following 19-week summer break
Hanukkah begins this weekend. What to know and how it’s celebrated
Ford government is not responding to the affordability crisis: Stiles
Two key Toronto climate policies appeared set to be shelved. Then, the public spoke up
| Upcoming Community Events |
| 519 Winter Market with Toronto Queer Market |
The holigay season will soon be upon us, and the 519 is bringing you community, celebration, and plenty of queer joy!
Find the perfect holiday gift crafted by local 2SLGBTQ+ artists and creators, and enjoy performances from Marching Gayly Forward, BELT Choir, drag artists, and more.
You can look forward to a day full of celebrations on Saturday, December 13:
Time: 2 - 8 PM
Date: Saturday, December 13
Location: Barbara Hall Park.
Free, all ages welcome!
| The 519’s Jingle Ball |
Time: 2 - 8 PM
Date: Saturday, December 13
Location: 519 Church Street
19+ event. Donation: $30 + service fees
Gather your merriest friends, don your gayest attire, and jingle late into the rest of the night! 100% of ticket proceeds support programs and services at The 519.
Look forward to:
- Glitterball music by Discoraphy and Delicious
- Dazzling performances by The Melanin Skatecrew and Ella Mayoreally
Get your tickets and stay updated about more holigay events at The519.org/support-the-519/holigays-at-the-519/
| Queen’s Park Festival Of Lights |
Bring the whole family to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario this holiday season for an unforgettable celebration of free and festive fun! Over the course of two evenings, two Saturdays, and two special weekdays in December, Festive Lights serves up a wide variety of programming that will delight Ontarians of all ages.
Enjoy hands-on crafts, seasonal activities, and live music. Meet Santa and beloved characters. Stroll through the park, surrounded by the glow of the holiday lights, and snap photos under dazzling displays both inside and outside the Legislative Building. Explore Ontario’s history while surrounded by holiday cheer and browse the Legislative Gift Shop for unique Ontario-made treasures. Feeling hungry? Festive refreshments and treats will be available for purchase throughout the event.
Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, Festive Lights makes for a perfect evening with friends and colleagues, or a fun-filled day for the whole family. We look forward to welcoming you.
Event dates: December 13, 17, 20, 22, 23
Location: Ontario's Legislative Building, Queen's Park, Toronto (just north of the TTC Queen's Park subway station).
All visitors entering the Legislative Building must go through airport-style security screening.
Cost: Free admission. $10 per person for Pancakes with Santa.
Registration: Required for December 17, 22, and 23. Register today.
| Get Started in Canada |
PTP is thrilled to announce that a new cohort of Get Started in Canada will begin in the new year! This program supports newcomer women in setting meaningful goals, strengthening employability skills, and earning micro‑certificates to boost their career journey.
Program overview:
Dates: Jan 26 - Mar 20, 2026
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Days: Mondays to Thursdays (hybrid and virtual options)
What participants will get:
- Micro-certificates such as WHMIS, Business Writing, Customer Service, and more
- Goal-setting support and enhanced job search skills
- Increased confidence and workplace communication skills
How to apply:
Fill up the inquiry form here: Get Started in Canada - PTP
|
TDSB’s Black Student Summer Leadership Program |
The Black Student Summer Leadership Program is a paid summer internship for Black TDSB high school students. Participants gain hands-on job experience, mentorship, leadership development, and opportunities to build confidence, skills, and community connections.
Please note: This program is open only to students attending Toronto District School Board schools.
Important Dates
- Application Period: December 8, 2025 – January 9, 2026
- Interviews: February 2026
Offer of Employment: March 2026
|
TDSB Learn4Life - Registration Open! |
The TDSB Learn4Life Adult General Interest and Seniors Day programs, Winter 2025 term is now open for registration. The TDSB also has over 50 languages and African Heritage classes for elementary school aged children!
Browse Courses & Register: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/adult-learners/learn4life
| United Way’s Leading Social Justice Collective |
United Way Greater Toronto and the University of Toronto’s School of Cities are launching this year’s Leading Social Justice Collective (LSJC) - a unique, cross-sector leadership program for changemakers across the GTA. As our communities face growing inequities and complex challenges, we need leaders from all sectors – community, public, and private - to come together to reimagine and rebuild our systems.
LSJC equips participants with the mindset, tools, and networks to drive long-term, systems-level change rooted in equity and social justice.
Applications are now open until December 12, 2025: [Apply here]
| Here Hold My Grief: 2SLGBTQIA+ Family Building Stories |
Birthmark is hosting an Ontario Arts Council–supported initiative: Here, Hold My Grief, an arts-based workshop series designed for 2SLGBTQ+ individuals who have experienced grief during family building.
Workshops will take place in Toronto between January–April 2026 and offer a supportive, creative space for reflection, healing, and community connection.
For more information: [email protected]
| Rosemary Brown Racial Justice Awards - Nominations Open |
Nominations for the 2026 Rosemary Brown Racial Justice Awards are now open until January 15. If you know a changemaker in your community who deserves recognition, please consider submitting a nomination using this form.
Who Can Be Nominated:
There are four categories: Individual, Group, Women, and Youth (under 25). Any Ontario resident, or Ontario-based organization, group, or initiative may be nominated. This includes educators, writers, community workers, social and political activists, social action groups, trade unions, youth organizations, multicultural organizations, schools, coalitions, professional associations, media, and service clubs.
The award ceremony will be held in March 2026.
| Toronto Centre Leadership Awards |
Do you know a phenomenal leader in your community who deserves recognition?
Kristyn Wong-Tam will be awarding six people with a prestigious Toronto Centre Leadership Award in June 2026.
This honour recognizes individuals who have made a profound and lasting contribution to the Toronto Centre community in any field. This can include the arts, politics, community building, or healthcare.
Submit your nominee's information here, and we will go through them to make an informed decision on who to award.
