Dear Emma,
Winter hit us with a walloping snowstorm this week! I hope that you have all been staying safe and limiting unnecessary travel, as the roads and highways are treacherous. I know my 6-year-old has been loving the snow days (no school!) and keeps asking me to take him sledding. Naturally, it’s followed by a mug of hot cocoa afterwards, which makes this his favourite winter activity!
For anyone struggling to stay warm during this time, the City has many warming centres open, including those in Toronto Centre. If you see someone in need, please help share the locations with them. You can find the complete list here.
This year marks my 10th wedding anniversary to my extraordinary wife, Farrah Khan. Coincidentally, 2026 is also the 25th anniversary of the world’s first same-sex marriages that were later legally recognized in Canada. These marriages, which were officiated in Toronto by the Metropolitan Community Church’s Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes, on January 14, 2001, were not legal at the time. However, they served as a basis for a groundbreaking legal challenge that led to equal marriage becoming law in Canada in 2005. I am proud to have played a modest part in this long fight during my time volunteering with Asian Canadians for Equal Marriage. We supported the hard work of many pioneering couples, community advocates, lawyers, philanthropists and organizations who, for years, have sacrificed so much to ensure marriage equality was the law for all Canadians.
Tomorrow, Farrah and I will renew our wedding vows in a beautiful and important ceremony at MCC Toronto, alongside other couples, in recognition of this historic anniversary. This event will be a celebration of love, a triumph over oppression, and the honouring of decades of 2SLGBTQ+ activism that secured equal marriage in our country.
We are so lucky to have MCC here in Toronto, a queer-led church that has been at the forefront of the equal marriage fight and many other campaigns for queer and trans rights. They work alongside other queer clergy leaders, including former NDP MPP, Rev. Dr. Cheri DiNovo, who officiated one of the first same-sex marriages registered in Ontario in 2001. The Ontario registrar's office issued the marriage certificate, failing to recognize that the names on the document belong to a lesbian couple. I say good on them and thank you for their advocacy!
It is an honour to celebrate this day with MCC Toronto. To learn more about this historic day or even to attend the event, click here to visit MCC’s website. Seating is limited.
I am so excited to share photos from this historic event with you next week!
Yours in community service,
Kristyn Wong-Tam
MPP, Toronto Centre
| In This Newsletter |
- Carney and Ford Sell Out Ontario Auto Workers
- Coffee with Kristyn - Yonge and Wellesley
- Meeting with Ontario Registered Nurses
- Ontario Must Act To Ban Cat Declawing, Dog Debarking
- Federal NDP Leadership Debate in Toronto Centre
- What’s Making Headlines
- Local Community Events
| Carney and Ford Sell Out Ontario Auto Workers |
Just today, we learned that Prime Minister Mark Carney has sold out Ontario’s auto workers and their entire sector to China. And where is Doug Ford on this? Nowhere.
Carney slashed tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, allowing 49,000 vehicles to be imported and sold within Canada each year with a tariff of just 6.1%.
In the aftermath, we are seeing the Doug Ford playbook in action: do nothing, then complain to grab headlines. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe flew to China with the Prime Minister to advocate for his province’s canola farmers, resulting in a great deal. Meanwhile, Ford was sitting at home, leaving Ontario workers with no one to fight for them. If you’re not at the table, you’re not fit for Premier.
Let's be clear: Mark Carney is selling out our auto sector. China gets 49,000 guaranteed vehicle sales. Ontario workers get “expected” investment in “three years”. Our workers deserve guarantees — you don’t protect an industry with vague maybes.
“This is a self-inflicted wound to an already injured Canadian auto industry,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Providing a foothold to cheap Chinese EVs, backed by massive state subsidies, overproduction and designed to expand market share through exports, puts Canadian auto jobs at risk while rewarding labour violations and unfair trade practices.”
Sadly but not surprisingly, today we saw that neither Ford nor Carney cared enough to protect Ontario workers. The Premier has no jobs plan, and he clearly doesn’t have the Prime Minister's ear. While both Conservatives and Liberals leave Canadian workers out in the cold, New Democrats will keep fighting for good, Ontario jobs. I am so proud to be part of that fight.
| Coffee with Kristyn - Yonge and Wellesley |
Yesterday, due to the snowstorm, Coffee with Kristyn, originally scheduled at the Good Earth Coffee House at Yonge and Wellesley, was pivoted to Zoom and phone calls. These conversations always light a fire under me, especially when constituents share their personal stories about how the government has helped them, failed them, or how things could be made better for them and their neighbours. I am buzzing with some new ideas and can’t wait to turn them into action. In the weeks and months ahead, you can watch this space as we turn constituent ideas into town halls, youth job fairs, and new campaigns to improve tenant rights and support small businesses.
On February 11 from 10 AM to 2 PM, I am hosting my next "Coffee with Kristyn" event at Roozamoon Cafe, at 398 Queen Street East in Corktown.
I am excited to host this event before the holy month of Ramadan begins in late February, so that all community members can join me in sharing a cup of coffee and a delicious snack. To sign up to attend, please click here.
|
Meeting with Ontario Registered Nurses |
I was so pleased to meet with members of the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario, alongside Marit Stiles, during the RNAO’s Queen’s Park On The Road advocacy day on Wednesday!
RNAO members are doing incredible work every day in Ontario, and they see the huge gaps in our healthcare systems and social safety nets firsthand. It was so inspiring to talk to these great nurses about how healthcare austerity, the housing crisis, and climate change affect their patients every day, as well as the solutions they are proposing to keep us all happy and healthy.
In a province with over 190,000 nurses working to provide excellent care, nurses deserve a government that will support and stand alongside them, not slash their wage increases or decrease funding and investments for the services they provide. I am so excited to keep working with the RNAO on so many of our shared priorities.
|
Ontario Must Act To Ban Cat Declawing, Dog Debarking |
The Ontario government is consulting on banning medically unnecessary procedures on animals, including declawing cats, ear clipping and debarking in dogs. You can share your feedback with the government using this link until February 5.
These regulations are long overdue, and animals have been needlessly suffering because of it. I spoke to CBC News about the issue this week, reminding them that the NDP proposed a ban on declawing cats in a private members’ bill six years ago, but it was never passed into law. The government has had so many years to act, but they have failed to do substantive work around animal cruelty. I hope you raise your voice on this important issue.
|
Federal NDP Leadership Debate in Toronto Centre |
The NDP Federal Leadership race is heating up! This past Saturday, we welcomed all five leadership candidates to Toronto Centre for a lively and informative debate at TMU. I am so proud of New Democratic Youth and the ONDP Toronto Area Council for their leadership on this event.
The debate was at capacity, with over 500 people in attendance, and there were so many thoughtful audience questions. If you missed it, you can watch the full recording of the debate here.
To vote in the leadership race, sign up to be a member of the NDP here by January 28, 2026.
| What’s Making Headlines |
Thousands of traffic charges dropped in Ontario annually
Nearly 85,000 people homeless in Ontario, up 8% in one year: report
Eastern Ontario parrot rescue launches pilot project to address growing crisis
Toronto police officer charged in theft of government IDs, bank cards
Ford government pausing its own affordable housing policy, calling it ‘red tape’
Toronto factors a new deal into budget, but Ford government says talks aren’t scheduled
| Upcoming Community Events |
| Met Radio - Audio Documentary Workshop Series |
Met Radio is now accepting applicants for our winter audio documentary incubator program! Over the course of twelve weeks, learn the art of interviewing, recording, hosting and editing from industry professionals, and share your very own 10 - 15 minute audio documentary on the Met Radio airwaves. No experience required!
Program overview:
Dates: Feb 3rd - April 28th (no session April 7th)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm in person, Tuesday nights
Cost: Free to participate, and all participants receive a $500 honorarium upon completion of the program.
Apply here before Sunday, January 18th at midnight.
| Kiwanis Black History Month Event |
Regent Park Social Development Plan (SDP) leaders are pleased to invite community members, youth, artists, organizations, and local leaders to participate in the upcoming Kiwanis Black History Month Community Event, on Saturday February 21, 2026 at the ADA SLAIGHT HALL. (Full Day Event)
This event will be a vibrant celebration of Youth, culture, leadership, and community resilience. It will centre community voices, highlight youth creativity, and create space for learning, connection, and collective pride.
They are currently welcoming expressions of interest in the following areas:
Ways to Participate
- Youth performers and artists (music, spoken word, dance, visual arts)
- Community organizations and service providers interested in hosting resource tables
- Youth entrepreneurs and vendors
- Speakers, facilitators, and cultural contributors
- Volunteers to support event coordination and day-of activities
Why Participate
- Showcase your work, talent, or services to a broad community audience
- Connect with residents, youth, families, and partner organizations
- Contribute to a meaningful Black History Month celebration rooted in community leadership and empowerment
- Support youth engagement, cultural expression, and community connection
The Kiwanis Black History Month Event is being organized in collaboration with community partners and is designed to be inclusive, accessible, and welcoming to all.
Next Steps
If you or your organization are interested in participating, please contact the SDP coordinators at your earliest time with a brief description of your interest and how you would like to be involved. Additional event details, logistics, and confirmations will be shared with confirmed participants. To express interest, please email [email protected].
| 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 out the inquiry form here: Get Started in Canada - PTP
|
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 - Nominations Open |
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, healthcare, and beyond!
