Dear Emma,
Since the news broke last Friday about the Ontario Science Centre’s immediate closure, so much has happened. Support for the Science Centre has poured in, and thousands of you have told me that you want to see it remain where it is. This week has been a wild ride, so I want to update you all here.
Ford Conservatives have done nothing through this process to earn back the trust of the people of Ontario. They have lied and failed to be transparent or compassionate, so we are left fearing the worst.
I don't trust that a new Science Centre will be built at Ontario Place. I worry that Ford’s press releases are a shell game to defraud Ontarians. I have had this concern since the government announced that Therme Spa would be Ontario Place’s anchor tenant. I am not confident that the spa’s business model is sustainable, even with all of the public money that is subsidizing their startup costs.
Since I have known him, Doug Ford has been obsessed with building a casino on Toronto’s waterfront. As far as I know, he is alone in this strange, corrupt dream. Nobody I have spoken to is excited about a waterfront casino. I am concerned that Ford will seize the chance to scrap all of the Ontario Place plans and replace them with a mega casino once Therme Spa fails or doesn't even get off the ground. Watch me share more thoughts on Ford’s corrupt casino obsession here.
On top of that, Ford lied (again) when he said that no workers would be laid off following this closure. This week, we learned that 50 food service workers, represented by OPSEU, will be laid off. Thankfully, the workers have a strong union backing them and their workplace. Please add your name here to support Science Centre workers.
On Thursday, I visited the Science Centre again with Marit Stiles and members of the Ontario NDP Caucus. We expressed our love for the building, its workers, and the magic that happens inside it. Frustrated by the injustice of the situation, I started to take down the fencing.
If you are as passionate as I am about saving the Science Centre, donate here to voice your support:
Few support Ford’s plan to ruin and move the Ontario Science Centre, least of all architects and scientists. Many architects have come forward to share their interpretation of the architectural report that the government cited as the reason that the building needed to close. However, that report stated that only 6% of the roof was at risk of becoming unsafe this winter, all in sections that could be reasonably closed without the entire building needing to be shut down. They were also clear that the building, which is only 50 years old, was in this state because of a lack of regular maintenance and repairs. Additionally, several wealthy scientific innovators have come forward to express their love for the Science Centre and pledged hundreds of thousands; one individual even offered up to a million dollars for repairs to the beloved building.
We also can’t forget that the Science Centre was designed by renowned Japanese-Canadian architect Raymond Moriyama, who was held in the horrific Japanese internment camps in British Colombia with his family during World War II. This building holds incredible historical and architectural significance and deserves to be preserved. Moriyama’s architectural firm has also offered its services free of charge to the government to oversee the repairs.
Since last Friday’s heartbreaking announcement by Ford, love and generosity have been pouring out for the Science Centre from every riding in Ontario. It is crystal clear to me that the Science Centre is a treasured cultural and scientific landmark worth much more than just a static budget line. I deeply regret that Ford may never come to understand this. It’s up to us to change his mind, as we have done before when we successfully reversed his Greenbelt grab. Until then, please keep emailing him and add your name to my petition to save the Science Centre here.
Goldie Ghamari is out. After meeting publicly with known far-right Islamophobe, convicted stalker, and fraudster Tommy Robinson, she has been ousted from the Conservative caucus and will now sit as an independent. Honestly, I am surprised that it took this long for her to face consequences for her views and attitudes. Her actions – and especially her posts online – are routinely Islamophobic, combative, and not conducive to productive dialogue. Goldie Ghamari was the chair of the Justice Policy Committee, so we have been in many rooms together. I am not sad to see her go to the independent bench.
This weekend is Pride Weekend in Toronto, one of the year's biggest weekends! The festivities have begun (keep reading below to hear about the events that have already been held this week), and I can’t wait to celebrate with all of you all weekend long.
Along with the leader, I will be at the Trans March, Dyke March, and of course the big parade on Sunday. If you see me, come and say hi! The Ontario NDP also has a fabulous booth in the community fair where you can get some great swag, talk policy, and meet up with friends! If you want to volunteer at our community fair booth this weekend, click here!
Please note that my Constituency Office will be closed Monday-Wednesday next week as my staff take a well-deserved post-Pride break. They will be happy to serve you starting on Thursday.
Wishing everyone a safe, happy, and joyful pride weekend,
Kristyn Wong-Tam
MPP, Toronto Centre
| In This Newsletter |
- Millions Unaccounted for in the Premier’s Office
- AIDS Candlelight Vigil
- Green Space Festival
- Street Haven Pride Barbecue
- Sherbourne Health Food for Good Cafe Grand Opening
- Transformations at Trinity St. Paul’s
- Homeless Connect Toronto’s 10th Anniversary
- This Week’s Headlines
- Local Community News
| Millions Unaccounted for in the Premier’s Office |
This week, my colleagues, Ontario NDP Finance critic Catherine Fife and MPP Terence Kernaghan, raised concerns about almost five million dollars of unaccounted-for spending by the Premier’s office.
The Premier’s numbers simply don’t add up, which is deeply concerning.
For the 2023-24 budget year, the Premier submitted information to the estimates committee that showed spending on staff salaries in the Premier’s Office would be $2,007,100. However, the 2023 Sunshine list totals the Premier’s office spending on salaries was $6,965,299.78. How did almost five million dollars for staff suddenly appear?
So far, we don’t have the answers, but I know that MPPs Fife and Kernaghan are working on it. You deserve this transparency.
| AIDS Candlelight Vigil |
For 40 years, the AIDS Candlelight Vigil has been a beautiful gathering where our communities can hold space for everyone we have lost and everyone living with HIV/AIDS. This event is one of the most moving parts of Pride for me personally, which I always attend to reflect on the unwavering strength of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. I’m proud to carry grief and rage alongside my joy and pride. It means I will never stop fighting for and loving my community, and this means extending OHIP coverage for universal access to PReP, PeP, HPV vaccines and take-home cancer kits. Show your support and sign the petition here.
The AIDS Candlelight Vigil reminds us that people might have been infected by a virus, but it is stigma that kills. May we remember those we have lost and recommit to building a world where everyone is free from stigma and protected from disease.
|
Green Space Festival |
On Wednesday, Marit Stiles and I attended the 519's iconic Greenspace Festival and was treated to a performance by one of my favourite queens, Sasha Velour!
Greenspace runs throughout the weekend at Barbara Hall Park, with incredible DJs and performers each night. It's a ton of fun and a key fundraiser for the 519 Community Centre. I hope you stop by!
| Street Haven Pride Barbecue |
Street Haven at the Crossroads’ Pride Events ensure that people who need Pride the most—people surviving housing insecurity—experience acceptance, support, community, and joy!
I was thrilled to attend their Pride BBQ and enjoy the celebration. Showing up for women and nonbinary people surviving homelessness is what Pride is all about. Toronto Centre is so blessed to have Street Haven showing up for Queer and Trans communities all year round!
Streethaven is also holding a fundraiser for their critical work. I encourage everyone to give generously here!
|
Sherbourne Health Food for Good Cafe Grand Opening |
I attended the grand opening and ribbon cutting this week for Sherbourne Health Centre’s exciting new Food for Good Cafe. This wonderful addition to our local and award-winning health centre will go a long way in addressing food insecurity in the Downtown East community. The Food for Good Cafe will provide nutritious food and create job opportunities, strengthening our community and sharing deliciousness. Congratulations to the staff, board, volunteers and donors for bringing this significant project to life!
| Transformations at Trinity St. Paul’s |
It was an honour to join Trinity-St Paul's United Church and the Centre for Faith, Justice and the Arts for their second annual gathering, “Transformations.” This event brought together Trans, Non-binary, and Gender queer folks and their allies to discuss how we can change politics to be more truly inclusive. It was wonderful to speak with the participants, share my personal experience, and encourage everyone to get involved in political organizing to protect and advance human rights for the 2SLGBTQI+ communities.
As always, my dear friend Rev. Dr. Cheri DiNovo deserves a huge thank you for bringing people from across the political spectrum together for this important event. After years of advocacy and hard work, she remains a relentless advocate for Trans-inclusive futures.
| Homeless Connect Toronto’s 10th Anniversary |
For over a decade, Homeless Connect Toronto (HCT) has done incredible work and supporting them has always been a priority for me.
Seeing this powerful grassroots initiative celebrate a 10-year milestone anniversary was thrilling. Over those years, HCT has grown into an innovative resource for homelessness with one-stop-shop events, a 24/7 Everyday Connect portal, Peer Support Training, and a Step-Up Employment Program.
Ending homelessness requires deep systemic change. Grassroots innovation by groups like Homeless Connect Toronto shows how our communities can realize that change. I deeply appreciate all of the work done by the incredible staff and volunteers. I hope you will support them with sponsorship or by getting involved with them here.
| This Week's Headlines |
| Upcoming Community Events |
| Rastafest Community Launch |
Rastafest is coming to Regent Park this year! As we await details, why not get prepared by attending the Rastafest Community Launch at Studio M? Enjoy a crafts market at 3 PM, health and wellness workshops, and live performances at 6 PM!
When: Saturday, June 29
Where: Studio M - 1672 Eglinton Avenue West
More information: [email protected] or Rastafest.tv
|
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
