Dear Neighbour,
Today a bold new progressive chapter begins in the history of our city. Olivia Chow was sworn in as Mayor. Her story resonates in Toronto Centre because she called our streets in St. James Town her first Canadian home after her family arrived. Our new Mayor grew up on Rose Ave.
Olivia’s story of growing up in St. James Town, supporting her family’s transition to a new country, and her first-hand knowledge of what it means to be a tenant, to ride the TTC regularly, and to overcome systemic barriers matters. And that lived experience — experiences shared by so many of us in Toronto Centre — means that her policies will reflect what people actually need.
Needless to say, I was overjoyed to join her swearing in as Toronto’s new Mayor today. The long, cold, conservative winter in the Mayor’s office is over.
In this newsletter, I want to cover recent political updates and share exciting local events taking place in our community.
St. James Town Residents’ Council Town Hall |
Yesterday I had the pleasure of joining the St James Town Residents’ Council to their Summer Town Hall. We spoke about the pressing issues that are deeply affecting residents in St. James Town such as housing & affordability. It's an honour to represent this dynamic neighbourhood at Queen’s Park.
Street Haven Calling for Solutions |
Street Haven is a multi-service agency that provides support to women experiencing or at risk of homelessness. They have locations in several communities including Toronto Centre and it was an honour to meet with their Executive Director, Siu Mee Cheng, and their clients Theresia and Florence. We learned how the Federal and Provincial governments can do more to address the refugee and homelessness crisis in our city. Among the many services, the Ontario NDP is calling for an immediate investment in homeless programs such as the Canada Ontario Housing Benefit and the re-instatement of the Physician and Hospital Services for Uninsured Persons program. The humanitarian crisis is worsening as shelters and refugee homes are full and new arrivals are being turned away daily.
Ford Can’t Buy the Headlines He Wants About Ontario Place |
Torontonians are still asking questions that Ford is ignoring about Ontario Place. This was illustrated in a comically bad interview by Infrastructure Minister Kinga Surma earlier this week that you can see here. Ford has launched an aggressive ad campaign to try and build excitement using the tax-payer money he pretends to want to protect — but journalists and Torontonians are not being fooled. Furthermore an Ontario-based company named Thermea also initiated a law suit this week about if Therme’s name will cause legally problematic confusion. Our new Mayor has pledged to fight Ford’s suspiciously unprofitable spa plan with every tool — and we will be supporting all efforts to keep Ontario Place public.
Another Thorn in Ford’s Side — Courtesy of Ontario’s Greenbelt |
A story broke this week that a federal environmental report commissioned in March listed 29 federally protected species that live in the parts of the Greenbelt that Ford wants to bulldoze. This is not a nail in the coffin for his plans, but could pose additional challenges to his wetland giveaway plans.
Ford Throws Downey Under a Bus After King’s Counsel Backlash |
After Ford restored a useless patronage title known as the King’s Counsel last week, he threw his Attorney-General under the bus saying that he never saw or approved who received the controversial designation. Be that as it may, Ontario’s Tribunals remain in crisis with no end in sight and I would argue that the real scandal facing both men is their failure to deliver Ontarians any semblance of access to justice.
Ontario's Ombudsman gave Ford a roadmap to fix the Landlord and Tenant Board (which has lessons applicable to many other Tribunals). Instead of getting to work, Ford's government is prioritizing divvying out useless patronage titles.
On Threads While Twitter Burns |
Twitter was never known for being an oasis of self-care and assumed best-intent. But its new owner showed the world why every billionaire is a policy failure with historically painful clarity. It is important for me to be where my constituents are, so, like many of you, I begrudgingly downloaded another social media app and am on threads! You can follow me here: https://www.threads.net/@kristynwongtam
Rally Against Health Care Privatization Outside St. Michael’s Hospital this Thursday |
On July 13, Toronto hospital workers, including frontline nurses, medical laboratory technologists, health care aides, cleaners, clerical staff and many more, will be holding city-wide rallies to protest against the privatization of hospital services.
What: Rally Against Health Care Privatization Outside St. Michael’s Hospital
Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM on July 13, 2023
Address: 30 Bond St., Toronto (sidewalk at the corner of Queen St. and Victoria St.)
Upcoming Local Events: Sounds Like a Park — Thursdays in Allan Gardens |
The Friends of Allan Gardens and Toronto Metropolitan University’s Office of Social Innovation are thrilled to present Sounds Like A Park, a free concert series that will take place from 5:30-8 PM every Thursday in July.
The opening event will feature Toronto’s new Poet Laureate, Lillian Allen, and her Revolutionary Tea Party, Indigenous Collaborative Dancer Cotee Harper and Indigenous Collaborative Singer Theo McGregor.
They will be followed by Samba Squad on July 13, Counterpoint and Friends on July 20, and Thyron Lee Whyte & Band on July 27.
Free Outdoor Screening of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon this Thursday |
The Toronto Outdoor Picture Show is bringing Toronto Centre a screening of CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON directed by Ang Lee. There will be a short film Requiem for Romance, directed by Jonathan Ng. It takes place on Thursday, July 13, 2023 at the Corktown Common — enter at Bayview ave and Mill Street (155 Bayview Ave). The admission is Free/PWYC (no ticket required to attend) The event will begin at sun down, with eats and treats before at 7 PM. Guests are asked to bring their own blankets and chairs. The movie will have captions.
Regent Park Community Health Centre’s 50th Anniversary BBQ |
The Regent Park CHC is having a free barbeque celebrating their 50 years of serving Toronto Centre communities this Thursday from noon to 4 PM. Join them for a live DJ, games raffles, zumba, dancing, and food!
When: Thursday July 13 from 12 PM - 4 PM
Address: Regent Park “Big Park” at 620 Dundas St East
Rally for Fair Rent |
This event might not be in Toronto Centre (it is at 33 King Street near Weston Road and Lawrence Avenue), the housing crisis is affecting Toronto Centre, and solidarity is a wonderful strategy to advance tenant rights.
Moss Park Photo Exhibit |
Join me celebrating the launch of the Moss Park Photostory Exhibit at Neighbourhood Information Post. It will take place from 2:00 – 4:00 PM at 269 Gerrard Street East on the second floor.
The Theatre Centre Community Meal |
The Theatre Centre is hosting Community Meal for Summer 2023. It takes place on Thursday July 27 and it starts at 12:30 PM at The Theatre Centre Café/Bar. RSVP here if you are interested!
Thank you for all that you to do. It is an honour to represent and organize for our communities.
Kristyn Wong-Tam
MPP, Toronto Centre