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Dear Emma, I hope you are getting the chance to spend time with friends and family this summer. This newsletter will cover recent political developments that I think will interest you, and highlight free local events where you can join your neighbours across Toronto Centre.
I recently visited 129 Peter St. to hear from refugees and asylum seekers suffering from the City’s lack of support from higher levels of government. All governments have a responsibility here — especially the Federal government who owes Toronto $157 million. The situation on Peter St. explodes the myth that Canada treats refugees well. Community members on the ground are updating this Google Doc of what people need outside 129 Peter St.
This week Marit Stiles wrote a letter calling on Ford to act. The Province can — and must — step up by:
Doug Ford criticized the Auditor General for summoning Silvio De Gasperis to provide testimony under oath as part of her investigations into the Greenbelt recently. To be clear, the Auditor’s General scope is ensuring financial responsibility, well-managed programs and transparency in public reporting from the government. Ensuring Ontario’s conservation programs like the Greenbelt are well-managed falls within her job description. De Gasperis’ attempt to escape submitting testimony under oath is concerning because his family is known for their many connections to the Premier — including their long record of being maximum donors to Doug Ford and the PC Party. Doug Ford might say he has nothing to hide, but you and I know better. The meaner Ford gets under the public spotlight, the more obvious it becomes that there is something else afoot. That’s why it’s so important that the Auditor-General be empowered to do her job without political interference.
Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) are contracts signed when new developments in a neighbourhood commit to include local jobs and training. They’re not just a big deal, for many people locked out of the trades — they are the deal. The Ontario Line’s construction is going to be extremely disruptive to so many of us in Toronto Centre. But Community Benefits Agreements could be a silver lining if Infrastructure Ontario ensures that a fair share of the billions being poured into this project go into empowering marginalized community members in the Downtown East. I advocated for CBAs as a Councillor and am continuing to fight for them at Queen’s Park. But Ford is trying to weasel Infrastructure Ontario out of specific commitments and enforceable targets as part of the Ontario Line. This is simply unacceptable. You can follow the Toronto Community Benefits Network to stay in the loop about local advocacy for real CBAs in the Ontario Line.
The Ontario Superior Court recently dismissed a closely watched class action. The case revolved around whether the government can choose to reappoint adjudicators to Ontario Tribunals solely based on political motives. To the dismay of many observers, including myself, the Court dismissed the case — effectively finding that the government can use re-appointments to settle political scores. Worse, the dismissal implies that acting based on political motives will not impact adjudicator independence or impartiality of our Tribunal — which is absurd. I want to thank Tribunal Watch Ontario for providing this excellent analysis, and echo their calls for an Adjudicative Tribunal Justice Council to help restore faith in Ontario’s Tribunals.
Source: Toronto StarProperty taxes are determined by a provincial corporation known as the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation. A recent report by the Toronto Star found that MPAC has been systemically undervaluing the worth of mansions in their property tax assessments, while over-valuing the worth of small homes that are likely to be owned by working or middle class families. Ontario’s Finance Minister is responsible for ensuring that MPAC is working in a way that is fair and meets everyone’s needs. Taxing modest homes to give tax breaks to the rich fails to clear that bar.
Last week was the hottest week in over 100,000 years. But Ford wants to double down on new natural gas plants. Climate change is not a future problem — our dense urban communities are uniquely vulnerable to record breaking heatwaves, abysmal air quality from climate change-induced forest fires, and we have all seen firsthand that tempers rise with the mercury making random acts of street violence more likely. I strongly urge everyone to continue monitoring local air quality, and using respirators (high-quality masks) when the air becomes unsafe. I also must admit, that I did not foresee how timely my private member’s bill to make indoor air quality safer would be when I tabled the Protecting Ontario’s People and Economy from Airborne Pandemics Act in March.
This Saturday tenants in York South – Weston rallied for fair rents. You can learn more about what tenants at 33 King St are fighting for here from their landlord Dream Unlmited (who, I would point out, former Mayoral candidate Ana Bailao worked for before running). As always, a tenants’ best defense is a strong tenant association — and I encourage every tenant to reach out to my office for support organizing your neighbours.
Toronto Centre has a dynamic and active Filipino community. I was honoured to join Filipinos in Regent Park Community Group Saturday for their celebration of the many contributions Filipino-Canadians have made to the success of Ontario and Canada. This fun annual gathering is one to look out for every Summer!
You can visit the Moss Park photo story exhibit on the second floor of the Parliament St. Library for the next month. I was thrilled to join community members — especially the young burgeoning photographers from Moss Park who got the chance to see their work professionally printed thanks to an Ontario Trillium Grant and Neighbourhood Information Post. Speaking of which, have you saved the date for the Moss Park Festival from 1 – 4 PM on July 29?
The Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto is celebrating their 50th Birthday this year! They have been a leader in Toronto faith communities for equity and 2SLGBTQI+ inclusion for decades before laws and many elected leaders caught up. Their work building an affirming Christian home for those cast out by their family and community is so important to many of our neighbours. I joined their 50th anniversary service to congratulate MCC and their many engaged Toronto Centre community members who helped them get to this milestone. Bless you MCC Toronto!
From Wednesday until Friday, voters living in Scarborough – Guildwood can cast their ballot in the advance polls! You can sign up and help elect Thadsha here.
This Thursday at Sunday, you can join the Toronto Outdoor Picture Show for a free screening of the Matrix at the Corktown Common. Eats and treats will be available at 7:00 PM, and the movie will start at sundown. I hope your week goes well and thank you for all that you do.
Yours in community service, Kristyn
Kristyn Wong-Tam MPP, Toronto Centre |
