Dear friend,
Last weekend we celebrated Pride and Canada Day, and I have so much to share with you!
Pride festivities took place in Toronto Centre and it was incredible. As in previous years, I met many wonderful queer folks and allies at all three signature marches.
The Trans March on Friday is one of the highlights of the year, and this time was even more spectacular as the community turned out like I have never seen before! The street was packed with Trans, Non-Binary, and Two-Spirit people and their allies - the turnout was magnificent as Toronto cemented its reputation as the city that hosts the largest Trans March in the world.
When we marched, supporters lined the streets, many of them holding signs expressing their love for the Trans community. I met parents accompanying their Trans teen to their first Pride and Trans grandpas hoisting their grandkids on their shoulders to get a better view of the marchers. The sight filled me with joy and optimism for the future. Even as radical conservative and religious fundamentalists try to erase Trans and Gender-Diverse people from our communities, we come back stronger and braver each time.
Just before the start of the march, former MPP, Rev. Dr. Cheri Di Novo, C.M., and I shared with the crowd the story of Toby Dancer, the namesake behind Toby’s Act, an NDP bill that officially included gender identity and gender expression as protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Toby Dancer passed away ten years ago, so Cheri and I spoke about her legacy as an activist and a music director and scattered symbolic ashes in her memory. It was a powerful moment. We made a promise as New Democrats to always stand up for the Trans community and we move forward to advance human rights for all.
The Saturday Dyke March was similarly full of joy and fun, especially since we were marching with the Ontario NDP’s “Big Dyke Energy” banner. The banner always gets a lot of love, and I very proud to march alongside Marit Stiles and the rest of our Ontario NDP team!
Of course, there was the Sunday Pride parade! I was thrilled to be joined by my fellow Ontario NDP MPPs, Marit Stiles, and many supporters! The DJ and dancers on our float kept our energy up the whole time, and the viewing crowd was massive. It was an incredibly fun afternoon of Pride and politics.
During Pride at our Ontario NDP booth at the community fair in the Village, we were overrun with supporters and do you know what queer people wanted to talk about?
The Ontario Science Centre!
I heard stories about priceless childhood memories from residents. Many people shared how they were excited to bring their own young children to the Science Centre but had that opportunity ripped away from them by Ford. This is a sentiment that resonates strongly with me, knowing my son will never again be able to visit the Science Centre as we know it.
I also heard from a Flemingdon Park community worker about how the Science Centre is an essential cooling centre for tenants in nearby apartment towers who don’t have access to air conditioning in their homes.
We all know that the Ontario Science Centre is crucial and must be saved. The Ontario NDP has launched a new campaign to help you send a letter to members of the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy, asking them to hold a special hearing about the future of the Science Centre. You can use our template letter or edit it to make it your own!
But you know that the fun didn’t end on Sunday! I was thrilled to join the St. Lawrence neighbourhood for their annual Canada Day celebration in St James Park. As a proud patriot, I know Canada Day is a critical time to reflect upon and celebrate the milestones of our nation. I teach my young son these lessons every year. Together, we boldly explore the full history of our great country and commit ourselves to building true reconciliation with Indigenous communities. The work is very far from done. It will be a lifelong journey but I am committed to learning and working alongside my family, Indigenous colleagues, and community members to get it done every day.
I hope you all had a wonderful long weekend and that July brings you rest, fun in the sun, and time to enjoy all of the wonderful summer festivals that Toronto has to offer.
Yours in community service,
Kristyn Wong-Tam
MPP, Toronto Centre
In This Newsletter |
- Bay-Cloverhill Town Hall
- LCBO Workers on Strike for Good Jobs, Public Services
- 2024 Rent Guideline Increase Set
- Save the Ontario Science Centre
- Bonnie Crombie Bills Donors for a New Wardrobe
- Samantha's Scoop
- This Week’s Headlines
- Local Community News
Bay-Cloverhill Town Hall |
Calling all Bay-Cloverhill residents! I am teaming up with MPP Jessica Bell to host a Town Hall at Queen’s Park to hear your feedback, ideas, and concerns. I can’t wait to hear what you have to share - RSVP today!
Date: Thursday, July 11
Time: 7 PM - 8:15 PM
Location: Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Room 351, 111 Wellesley St W.
Since it is at Queen’s Park, RSVPs are required to ensure you are on the security list. Please make sure to bring government-issued photo ID with you, as it is required in order to enter the building.
LCBO Workers on Strike for Good Jobs, Public Services |
LCBO workers went on strike for the first time ever today.
These workers are striking for good jobs in our communities and for better pay, but they are also doing a massive service to all of us - they are protecting a critical public asset that brings billions of dollars of revenue to Ontario every year, funding our healthcare system, education, and so much more.
But instead of protecting that public system and treating workers with the respect that they deserve, Doug Ford’s Conservatives want to privatize alcohol sales in Ontario, lining the pockets of his rich friends at the expense of everyone else.
I am incredibly proud of the action LCBO workers are taking and can’t wait to join them on the picket line. I encourage you all to go out and support your local LCBO workers as they strike for the benefit of us all. You can find a picket line near you here.
I hope that Ford and the LCBO board get back to the negotiating table soon. None of us want to see a dry summer.
2024 Rent Guideline Increase Set |
In a classic Doug Ford move, the government announced the 2024 Rent Increase Guideline amount last Friday, just before a long weekend, when everyone is distracted.
This year’s rent increase guideline is 2.5% — Ford likes to claim that it is below the rate of inflation, but so many tenants are being hit with AGIs, renoviction, demoviction, or no longer have rent control, so their rents are rising at astronomical re. Ford is letting his wealthy insider friends continue taking when tenants who have nothing more to give.
It’s never been more expensive to rent or own a home in Ontario, and 2025 is not going to bring any relief to renters unless this government acts now.
After six years of the Ford government, life is getting much harder and less affordable for everyday Ontarians. The Conservatives' housing policies, including the scrapping of rent control for newly built homes, the lack of vacancy control between tenants, and landlord-friendly rules for Above Guideline Rent Increases mean higher housing costs for tenants.
Ford’s refusal to bring back meaningful rent control is allowing provincial rents to continue rising by three times the rent increase guidelines. He has no intention of making life more affordable for renters. We are in a housing crisis, and it’s time we had a government that acted like it.
When Marit Stiles and the Ontario NDP form government, we will implement real rent control and put an end to Ford’s housing affordability crisis.
Save the Ontario Science Centre |
The love that I have seen pouring out for the Ontario Science Centre since its closure and demolition were announced has been overwhelming and so positive. But we need to keep the pressure on and tell Doug Ford that he can’t take away this public treasure just because he wants to.
I am proud to stand with Marit Stiles, who has demanded that Doug Ford not make any moves to demolish the site.
Luckily, the future of the Ontario Science Centre isn’t in Ford’s hands; it’s in ours. It’s in yours. If we all band together, we can save it, just like we saved the Greenbelt.
The Ontario NDP has launched a new campaign to help you send a letter to members of the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy, asking them to hold a special hearing about the future of the Science Centre. You can use our template letter or edit it to make it your own! I encourage you to share your story about why the Science Centre matters to you in your letter. Personalizing letters helps the campaign to work better and reach more MPPs!
If Doug Ford and his MPPs think they can close the doors on a beloved, world-class cultural and scientific institution with less than a day’s notice, he has no idea what is coming.
It's no secret that I don’t trust this government and neither should you. Doug Ford better not lay a finger on the Ontario Science Centre unless it’s to fix it.
Bonnie Crombie Bills Donors for a New Wardrobe |
- $3,765 at Freda’s, a boutique that offers personal shoppers by appointment.
- $766 was spent at Veronica Beard, an upscale shop where best sellers range from a $195-short-sleeve tee to a $1,598-blazer.
- $635 at Judith & Charles, a posh retailer in Yorkville.
- $858 for makeup artist A Glow By Joan.
Samantha's Scoop |
Welcome to a new Newsletter segment - each week our Federal NDP candidate for Toronto Centre, Samantha Green, will be sharing an update. I can't wait to read more of Samantha's insights as she navigates the front lines of our healthcare system while living and parenting in Toronto Centre!
Hello!
My name is Samantha Green and I’m running to be the next Member of Parliament for our community with the NDP. I live in our community with my partner and kids, and have worked as a family doctor here for a decade.
Recently one of my patients was hospitalized because of an asthma flare. When she was discharged, she showed me photos of her apartment—walls and ceiling covered with mould. And I know so many stories like this one where a person’s health is directly related to political decisions.
We must fix this. Housing is the number one issue here—for tenants, for folks in need of deeply affordable housing, for the unhoused and for parents whose kids can’t afford to move out.
As a family doctor, I see how things like the housing crisis, soaring food costs, and gaps in our healthcare system are making it harder for so many of our neighbours to get by. I cannot stay silent witnessing this injustice. For this and many other reasons, I decided to run to share the stories of my community and to bring change to Toronto Centre.
I am so thankful that we have strong provincial representation in Toronto Centre with Kristyn and their principled and progressive politics. With strong representation at the federal and municipal level, I know that we can achieve meaningful results for everyone in our community.
Over the next few months and leading into the federal election, I look forward to meeting you on the doorsteps, seeing you at events and running into you in our community. Please come say hi!
In hope and solidarity,
Samantha Green
Federal NDP Candidate- Toronto Centre
This Week's Headlines |
-
How much of the Ontario Science Centre roof is at risk of collapsing? See for yourself
-
Israel turbocharges West Bank [land theft] expansion with largest [illegal] land grab in decades
-
Ontario forest firefighters call for new job classification that would compensate them for dangerous work
Upcoming Community Events |
Mental Health Matters Planter Decorating Workshop |
Mental Health Matters is opening of registration for their FREE Planter customization workshop on July 27th from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM at the 150 River St 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!
Toronto Fringe Festival 2024 |
Toronto Fringe Festival is excited to announce its 2024 programming. Join the launch party with free community activities on July 2, followed by 77 productions from July 3-14 at various locations across the city. Explore a variety of shows including comedy, drama, musicals, dance, and storytelling. Enjoy daily free community events at the Fringe Patio located at the Tranzac, featuring entertainment, snacks, and drinks.
Key Details:
- Launch Party: July 2
- Festival Dates: July 3-14
- Locations: 16 venues across Toronto
- Special Events: Free activities at Fringe Patio and KidsFest Club
Get Involved: Tickets are now available on the Toronto Fringe Festival website. 100% of the box office profits go directly to the artists. Participate in free events, visit the artisan market, and enjoy diverse food and drink offerings at the festival’s social hub.
Why Fringe Matters: Celebrating its 36th year, the Toronto Fringe is Ontario’s largest performing arts festival, providing a platform for artists of all backgrounds. The festival uses a lottery system for participant selection and subsidizes space, marketing, and box office costs to ensure accessibility for both artists and audiences. Notable alumni include creators of "The Drowsy Chaperone," "Da Kink in My Hair," "Kim’s Convenience," and "Come from Away."
Discover the next big talent at this year’s festival!
Call for Artists - Cabbagetown Murals |
The Cabbagetown BIA is looking for a mural artist to paint a new Cabbagetown-themed mural on the side wall of 204 Carlton St. to bring added vibrancy and branding to the streetscape and deter future vandalism. This mural's addition will help reduce graffiti at this location and in the area overall. The BIA also trusts that this project will act as a draw for foot traffic to the neighbourhood, increase support for public art, encourage further murals across the neighbourhood, and highlight Cabbagetown as a neighbourhood for innovation.
Bold, bright colours will weave together across the wall, depicting different aspects of Cabbagetown, and what makes it wonderful and unique. The mural will aim to capture the diverse energy that pulses through our streets. We want to the mural to be dynamic and showcase activities that are popular Cabbagetown - such as visiting animals at Riverdale Farm, Victorian house and garden tours, sights from Riverdale Park, people meeting for coffee, kids eating ice-cream, and cabbage-cutting at The Cabbagetown Festival, for example.
All-inclusive muralist fees will be $7,500 plus HST.
The mural should be vibrant and representative of the Cabbagetown community. The mural should be colourful, bright, and complement the streetscape, but keep green at the forefront when possible. Themes, objects, and messaging that could be conveyed/shared through the mural include, but are not limited to:
- Cabbagetown history
- Victorian architecture and historic homes
- Flourishing gardens
- Diverse community life
- Street signs
- Diverse small businesses
- Local attractions, such as Riverdale Farm, Riverdale Park, St Jamestown Cemetery, and Allan Gardens.
- Cabbages
All-inclusive muralist fees will be $850 plus an additional $100 to help subsidize the cost of materials.
Cabbagetown Festival Call for Performers |
The Cabbagetown Festival is celebrating its 45th year, returning bigger and better than ever! During the Festival, Cabbagetown is excited to host unique and vibrant live entertainment to delight their guests. They are currently looking for entertainers such as:
- Musicians, Bands, and Singers
- Dancers
- Performance Artists
- Circus Artists & Buskers
- and much more!
Saturday, September 7: 11 AM – 8 PM
Sunday, September 8: 11 AM – 7 PM