Dear friend,
This summer, Ford once again launched attacks on our public assets. But our communities are rising up, and I could not be more proud.
From the LCBO to the Ontario Science Centre to Ontario Place to the Greenbelt, Doug Ford is trying to take away the things we, as Ontarians, collectively own. He is giving them away to private companies, degrading them, and replacing them with poor substitutes.
Shockingly, the Ford government is doing all this while hinting that they will call a snap election. They must know that the people of Ontario are watching!
This past week, I worked to protect Ontario's publicly owned assets. Hundreds of people joined me, exuding positive resistance and energy. It has been exhilarating, and I will continue to do everything possible to stop Ford from stealing from Ontarians.
LCBO workers hold picket lines at the Yonge and Wellesley LCBO daily. I have joined them regularly to help fight for a new, fair contract and workplace respect. I encourage you to give them a cheer, a friendly honk from your car, or a bicycle bell ring as you pass them. Better yet, if you can, join in as they walk the picket line. It is a huge morale boost for the workers, and I know they appreciate it.
Here are my remarks to the LCBO workers fighting to save a vital crown corporation from Ford.
I also joined the Chinese, Tamil, Filipino, Somali & Eritrean workers networks for their solidarity picket for LCBO workers. My working-class parents would have been proud to see neighbourhood residents and community members gather to show support and protect Ontario’s public assets.
Yesterday, CBC News published an incredibly thorough article explaining where LCBO revenues come from (spoiler alert, they are mainly from LCBO retail store sales, not wholesale) and that LCBO revenues are far greater than tax revenues from alcohol products. The numbers don’t lie - the LCBO brings in nearly 2.5 billion dollars in revenue each year that goes directly to our public services. Broadening the ability of for-profit retail stores to sell alcohol is more convenient but at the cost of degraded public services or higher taxes. That's a pretty high price to pay for convenience if you ask me.
Ford’s disregard for public spaces and assets isn’t new. He did it with the Greenbelt and he's doing it again with Ontario Place. While the Legislature was sitting, I asked Ford why the Ontario Place deal with Therme Spa lacked transparency. I asked him why his plan to rezone Ontario Place for commercial use smelled so fishy… almost like he is setting the spa up to fail and be replaced by the casino he has been obsessed with building for years.
Keeping public assets public makes our province a vibrant place for everyone to enjoy. These assets aren’t lost. Not yet. We won the Greenbelt back, and we can do it again. We just need to raise our voices loudly to this government. I encourage you to sign petitions about the issues you care about, like the Science Centre, and email the Premier to tell him to keep his hands off our public assets. You can email Doug Ford at: [email protected]
Yours in community service,
Kristyn Wong-Tam
MPP, Toronto Centre
In This Newsletter |
- NDP Moves to Conduct Science Centre Hearing
- Dogs in the Legislature?
- Congratulations to LOFT Community Services
- “Kids with Autism have Nowhere to Go”
NDP Moves to Conduct Science Centre Hearing |
This week, the Ontario NDP moved a motion at the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure, and Cultural Policy to conduct a special hearing on the handling of the Ontario Science Centre closure. Unfortunately, but unsurprisingly, the government blocked that request. You can watch the entire exchange here. We will continue to bring this request forward until we receive answers from the government. You deserve transparency about this critical decision. I am hopeful that we will get it soon.
Throughout this week, more and more expert opinions have poured in from architects and accountants who have read the science centre reports. Overwhelmingly, they have said that that fixing the Science Centre is more cost effective, faster, and less disruptive than building a brand new building.
Canadian Architect magazine is publishing a series of in-depth articles on the closure of the Science Centre that are more than worth reading. Two articles especially stand out. “The true cost of repairing the Ontario Science Centre is much, much less than what Infrastructure Ontario has been saying—and the proof is in its own documents” shows that many of the costs cited are double counted, contain whole-project contingency funds that don’t account for contingency funds built into smaller parts of the project, and include cosmetic upgrades in numbers labelled as critical repair costs.
In “How to pay for repairing the Ontario Science Centre? Let’s start by using the money it’s taking to close it,” the author Elsa Lam notes that it will cost $50-100 million to close and demolish the Science Centre but only $30 million to do critical repairs. She also estimates, in consultation with a variety of experts, that the temporary science centre will cost $25-88 million and realistically won’t be open for 18-24 months, meaning that it would likely be more costly than the repairs and leave us without a Science Centre for longer.
Dogs in the Legislature? |
Toronto Centre’s dogs are very politically active!
Before I spoke about the PUPS Act in the Legislature, I asked Toronto Centre dog parents to share their dogs' names and favourite things with me so that I could give them a shoutout in the chamber. The response was overwhelming and so much fun!
Click the video above to watch me acknowledge my four-legged constituents, including pug-chihuahua mix Cooper from St James Town, basset hound Misha, who loves Cherry Beach, and rescue pup Zenia, who enjoys long walks in the Village.
Congratulations to LOFT Community Services |
On Monday, I joined LOFT Community Services to celebrate receiving the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Resilient Communities Grant. It was heartwarming to witness the housing and daily support that they offer to community members facing challenging situations.
“Kids with Autism have Nowhere to Go” |
Children with autism should be able to thrive and learn safely in Ontario’s public schools. But for so many children and families, that is just not the case. Just this week, a Barrie school had to turn away children with autism due to a lack of support and resources.
This is horrifying and heartbreaking for these children and their families. These children have spent most of their lives on the waitlist for autism funding, and now they cannot enter school because there are no supports or resources in the classroom. This is absolutely unacceptable. These children deserve a childhood surrounded by their peers and caring adults, but that is being ripped away from them.
According to the Financial Accountability Office’s (FAO) latest report, the government will likely fall $3.7 billion short of what is needed to fund services like the Ontario Autism Program and other social services. Under this government, the number of children trying to access core autism services has grown past 70,000. These parents have been raising the alarm for decades, but the government has ignored them. It is shameful. I am proud to have been raising up the voices of these families for years. I will continue to do so until every child in Ontario has the resources they need to thrive and fully participate in school.
This Week's Headlines |
- How the LCBO makes money for the Ontario government
- Ontario Science Centre's school cancels semesters for dozens of Grade 12 students
- Ford says striking LCBO workers won’t get deal if union pushes to keep Ready-To-Drink cocktails out of grocery, corner stores
- The true cost of repairing the Ontario Science Centre is much, much less than what Infrastructure Ontario has been saying—and the proof is in its own documents
- Ontario rules out charging deposit on non-alcoholic cans, bottles
- Caledon quickly approved 11 zoning changes despite opposition from Peel and the province. Critics say it’s the new ‘wild west’ of planning in Ontario
- Calls for action after report finds unnatural death rates in some First Nations over triple Ontario average
- Fredericton Pride cancels festival, board cites 'harassment'
Upcoming Community Events |
Save Ontario's Science Centre Rally and March |
Save Ontario's Science Centre invites you to their rally and march:
Date: Sunday, July 14
Time: 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Location: Ferrand Park, 251 Ferrand Drive
Anticipated to be Save Ontario Science Center’s largest gathering to date, this rally will bring together Ontario Science Centre lovers of all ages to gather and show their support for repairing the Science Centre and keeping it where it is!
Metrolinx Survey - Regent Park |
Metrolinx is seeking residents to participate in a transit research study on Regent Park. If you are interested, please complete the Google form or contact Mishika Khurana at [email protected].
Drag me to the Movies: Grease 2 |
Join Weird Alice and Selena Vyle in revisiting the world of Pink Ladies and T-Birds in the 1981 cult-classic GREASE 2. A British student at a 1960s American high school must prove himself to the leader of a girls' gang whose members can only date greasers.
Date: Tuesday, July 16
Time: 8 PM - 10:30 PM
Location: 519 Church Street
Regent Park Social Development Plan Update Meeting |
Join the community update meeting for the Regent Park Social Development Plan:
- Date: Tuesday, July 16
- Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
- Location: Regent Park Community Centre, 402 Shuter St.
The meeting will share findings and recommendations from recent community consultations. Light refreshments and childminding will be provided.
To secure your spot, please register by clicking here.
Regent Park Under The Stars Movie Nights |
Ready for the ultimate movie night under the stars ?
Regent Park Film Festival’s annual outdoor screening series is back!
July 17: Raya and the Last Dragon
July 24: Crooklyn
July 31: Queen of My Dreams
📅 Save the dates: Wednesdays July 17, 24, 31
🕢 Time: Pre-show kicks off at 7:30 pm | Movie starts at sundown (~9pm)
📍 Location: The big park in Regent Park (600 Dundas St E)
All Under the Stars events are free and open to the public (not ticketed), thanks to generous donations.
City Hall 101 Training |
Join Progress Toronto at The 519 for City Hall 101 and learn more about the legislative process, the key players, and how you can have your say.
- Date: Thursday, July 18
- Time: 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
- Location: The 519, 519 Church St.
Workshop Highlights:
- Understanding decision-making at City Hall
- Identifying key players influencing decisions
- Learning how to advocate and make change at City Hall
Snacks will be provided. This is a drop-in event, but RSVP is appreciated.
To RSVP, contact [email protected] with the subject “RSVP City Hall 101” and your name.
2SLGBTQ+ Family Pride Celebration: Rainbow Safari |
The 519 EarlyON Child and Family Centre invites families with children (0-6 years old) to join their Rainbow Safari celebration:
- Date: Saturday, July 20
- Time: 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM
- Location: The 519 EarlyON, 519 Church St.
Enjoy story and circle time, performances by Baby Bel Bel, Sushmita, and DJ Psi, a zen room with Terry Kelly, plus resources, food, prizes, and more! For more details, email [email protected].
Free Daily Swimming at Wellesley Community Centre |
Did you know that Wellesley Community Centre has a new indoor pool? And that it is FREE to use EVERY DAY!!!!!
Wellesley pool offers FREE drop-in access to all ages:
- ️Open leisure swim
- ️Aquafit classes
- ️Lane swimming
- ️Women's only leisure swim
- ️2SLGBTQ+ friendly inclusive leisure swim
Check out the schedules here
2 Spirit Healing Drumming |
Join The Circle of Cedar Singers for 2 Spirit Healing Drumming sessions:
- Dates: Tuesdays from July 23 to October 29
- Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
- Location: Barbara Hall Park, 519 Church St.
All are welcome to watch or join in (bring your own drum). For more details, email [email protected]
Trans Youth Mentorship Program (TYMP) |
The 519 invites 2 Spirit, trans, and gender-diverse youth ages16 to 29 to join the Trans Youth Mentorship Program:
- Dates: Wednesdays, July 24 to November 20
- Time: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- Location: The 519, 519 Church St.
This program provides a supportive space to build life skills, find support, and foster community.
Register by July 15 here. For questions, contact [email protected]
Mental Health Matters Planter Decorating Workshop |
Mental Health Matters is opening registration for their FREE Planter customization workshop on July 27 from 2 - 4 PM at the 150 River Street Party Room.
Through this workshop individuals will be able to paint/customize their very own basketball planter. Participants will receive a plant, the planter and a planter stand to take home. Light refreshments and food will be provided as well as an MHM t-shirt!
Eligibility for this program:
- Must be a self-identifying woman
- Between the ages of 17-30
- Must reside in either Regent Park, Moss Park, St. James Town, Esplanade or Don Mount.
By joining this program you consent to your photos/videos being taken for our outreach purposes.
If you are interested, please register by clicking here!
Gender-Affirming Care Legal Support Clinic |
The 519 is offering a Gender-Affirming Care Legal Support Clinic:
- Date: Wednesday, July 10
- Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- Location: The 519, 519 Church St.
Schedule:
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Educational session hosted by lawyer John McIntyre
- 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: 15-minute drop-in/registered legal advice consultations
For questions, email [email protected].
Cabbagetown Mosaic Walking Tour is LIVE! |
Take the app-guided tour! Explore the rich history and vibrant culture of our neighborhood on this app-guided tour, designed for you to enjoy at your own pace. No set meeting times – just grab your mobile device and start your adventure whenever you're ready!
When: Now - August 15
Where: Starting at Carlton St. and Sherbourne St.
How: Download the app guide on your mobile device
Cost: Free
Duration: 30 mins - 2 hours (you determine the pace)
Distance: Approximately 1km