March 20th, 2026 Newsletter

Dear Emma,

On Monday, the Legislature returns after Ford imposed a 14-week winter break. I have spent the last three and a half months in our riding, travelling from neighbourhood to neighbourhood hearing from you about the priorities you want me to champion as your MPP.  Thank you to everyone who met with me at local coffee shops and opened their doors for the heartfelt conversations. I have heard you loud and clear. 

You want a provincial government that works for you. Not for their rich friends, lobbyists or for themselves, but for everyday, honest and hardworking people. Ontarians expect a government that is transparent and accountable. This is not too much to ask. 

You want an Ontario where every jobseeker is able to find meaningful employment that suits their skills and education and betters their community. I have spoken to countless constituents from all walks of life who have sent out hundreds of job applications and have not heard back even once. The Ford government has failed to invest in the economy to create the good jobs needed to bring prosperity for all.

You want to be able to afford your rent or mortgage payment every month, and to be able to find an affordable home if you need to move. Nobody should have to worry that they will become homeless due to ballooning housing costs and greedy and unchecked corporate landlords. Your government must invest in homes that people can afford. 

You want to be able to buy groceries without going into credit card debt. Ford’s inaction to stop Loblaw’s price gouging forces families to rebalance their personal budgets every time they go grocery shopping. This government could establish price caps on core essential groceries, like the Province of Manitoba has done for milk. 

You want timely access to healthcare, including emergency rooms, family doctors, and specialists who are there when you need them. Ford promised to end the Liberal disaster of hallway medicine and after almost eight years in power, it’s only gotten worse. With the right investments, we can end hallway healthcare and ensure everyone is connected to primary care. 

You expect high-quality public education for all young people at our public school and post-secondary institutions. Our students deserve respect and funding to reach their full potential and become the next generation of leaders. 

You, rightly, expect to live in a community where everyone feels safe and where everyone can access a fair justice system that works in a timely manner. If our government truly cared about safety, they would invest in housing, community programs, and fix Ontario’s court and tribunal backlogs. 

And above all, you want to live in an affordable province where everyone belongs. That is exactly the kind of Ontario where my family and I want to live too. We will build up Ontario’s economy and prosperity together. 

Doug Ford and his government, who have very different priorities, will not be part of the solution. 

Next week, the Ford government will table their 2026 Budget. It will lay out the government’s priorities for the year and tell us what they think is worth investing in. For the past week they have been teasing what the budget will include. 

Doug Ford and the PC’s priorities are: 

• Cutting OSAP funding for students just trying to get a solid start in life
  • If you are as fired up as I am about this, come to Queen’s Park on Tuesday, March 24th to stand with the Canadian Federation of Students!
• Gutting the Freedom of Information Act to shield himself from accountability and reduce the public’s ability to understand government decisionmaking
  • Take action to maintain government transparency here: ReleaseDougsTexts.ca 
• Expropriating Billy Bishop Airport from the City of Toronto against the city’s wishes
  • Sign my petition to stop Ford’s takeover of Billy Bishop Airport here
• Taking over school boards and legislating school board trustees, our local voices at the board, out of existence

The priorities of our communities and this government couldn’t be less aligned. I am looking forward to returning to the legislature to fight as hard as I can against Ford’s cuts and efforts to insulate his government from accountability. 

Next week, when the budget is released, the Ontario NDP will release a “Budget Report Card.” Will Ford make the grade? Watch this space to find out!

I want to wish everyone celebrating today a joyful and family-filled Eid al-Fitr. Today is a day to come together with loved ones, eat delicious food, and reflect on the ending of the holy month of Ramadan. I am looking forward to celebrating with my friends and family tonight. Eid Mubarak!

This weekend, Christians will also celebrate Passion Sunday, the beginning of the two weeks of Passiontide. I wish everyone marking the Lenten season a reflective and spiritually fulfilling 40 days.  

Persian Ontarians across our province are celebrating Nowruz, the new year, and welcoming spring by gathering with loved ones, setting the Haft-Seen table, sharing meals, visiting elders, and honouring traditions that symbolize growth, healing, and new beginnings.

This time of community celebrations is also a reminder that community care means showing up for each other, especially in times of hardship. This year, many families are celebrating Eid, Nowruz, and the Lenten season while worrying about loved ones affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Staying connected and supporting one another is incredibly important, now more than ever.

Until next time, I remain yours in community service, 

Kristyn Wong-Tam

MPP, Toronto Centre

• Putting Fans First - Stop Ticket Price Gouging
• Endometriosis Awareness Town Hall
• Coffee with Kristyn: St. Lawrence Market
• Serving Meals with Muslim Welfare Canada
• Safer Consumption Sites Cuts Cost Lives
• Metrolinx Coverups Continue
• Canvassing in Scarborough Southwest
• Iftars in Regent Park: Mental Health Matters, RPIRC, Mothers of Peace
• Touring Ontario Steamship Lines
• Celebrating IWD with the Ontario NDP
• Church Wellesley Neighbourhood Association AGM 
• What’s Making Headlines
• Local Community Events

Today Doug Ford finally shared that he may be taking aim at ticket resellers. If it is true, it would be welcome news. Today, I spoke to journalists at Queen's Park about this government's too-late strategy. You can watch the press conference here. 

I am proud to be part of the Ontario NDP Official Opposition team that called for a ban on the resale of tickets above face value in October, while fans were being priced out of the Toronto Blue Jays’ return to the World Series. 

Supporting your team or seeing your favourite artist shouldn’t be a major financial decision. But in Ontario it sadly is. Doug Ford has left Ontarians vulnerable to a system rife with fraud, automated bots, and predatory resellers, while we have consistently called for a complete ban on resale above face value. 

Blue Jays fans had to pay ridiculous prices to see the World Series, and now FIFA World Cup attendees face the same reality. The Ford government must take meaningful action, and provide a solution that can’t be circumvented by ticket resellers. Ontarians deserve a government that will protect them from exploitative pricing.

The Premier taking action on predatory ticket resellers — especially since he removed all limits on resellers in 2019 — is long overdue. 

I’m glad that the Conservatives have finally heard our recommendations, but any solution can’t be a half-measure, like the previous Liberal government’s 50% above resale cap. 

The issue of ticket re-sale rip-offs even predates the Raptors’ championship run. If the Ford government had taken it seriously, Ontarians would have been protected from price-gouging during the recent World Series. If they’re serious about looking out for Ontario consumers, they’ll make sure there are no loopholes, and strong enforcement mechanisms in place to keep Ontarians’ hard-earned money in their pocket.

Endometriosis is a disease where uterine tissue grows outside of the uterus, often causing debilitating symptoms including extreme pain, heavy bleeding, and fertility struggles. The condition is still not well understood and treatments are often difficult to access and lack effectiveness. 

People with endometriosis deserve so much better and they need our support!

Join Lesley Stoyan, five amazing advocates, and me for a powerful virtual town hall to understand endometriosis, why treatment is so hard to access, and what we can all do to push for greater awareness and research around women and gender-diverse people's health.

Dr. Jill Andrew, Former MPP & Community Advocate

Natalie Mehra, Ontario Health Coalition

Dr. Grace Liu, American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists

Michelle Withers, Peer Health Navigator

Kate Wahl, EndoAct Canada

Date: Monday, March 23, 2026

Time: 7 PM

Location: Virtual, on Zoom - RSVP for the link

While spring in Toronto is still chilly, our Coffee with Kristyn days always warms me up! On Thursday, I met friends in the St. Lawrence neighbourhood at Au Pain Doré for coffee and freshly baked treats. I am so thankful to Coco and the rest of the staff for their warm hospitality!

I first visited Au Pain Doré at 81 Front Street East in early summer 2023, when this grab-and-go French café was making its way into Old Town Toronto. It was so nice to welcome constituents to join me in this space, connect on issues, and hear directly from them about what matters most in their community.

The conversations I had with community members were wide ranging, spanning Ford’s Trumpian exploits, reckless development, grocery and housing affordability, supports for seniors, and how our provincial government can work for everyday families. 

I absolutely love hosting these conversations. Keep an eye out for me coming to a coffee shop in your neighbourhood soon!

This past weekend, Marit Stiles and I rolled up our sleeves to help prepare hot meals with Muslim Welfare Canada Food Share at the Fred Victor Community Food Centre here in Regent Park!

Muslim Welfare Canada does remarkable work feeding hundreds of thousands of people across the country, having served over 153,000 hot meals in Regent Park alone. Their services span far and wide; in fact, they are the largest charitable organization serving the Arctic Circle up in Inuvik!

This Ramadan, they are running a wide range of ‘Ramadan Giving’ programs you can support, alongside their year-round regular food banks, clothing drives, and water exploration and school revitalization initiatives. Please visit their page to learn how you can get involved.

Dr. Robin Lennox, Ontario NDP Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Addictions with responsibility for Primary Care, issued the following statement after reports the Ford government is ending provincial funding for supervised consumption sites on June 13, including Moss Park and Fred Victor in Toronto.

This is a deadly and irresponsible decision. Cutting off funding for supervised consumption sites will make our communities less safe. These sites provide a safe and monitored space for people using substances. Removing them means we will see more drug use and overdoses occurring in public spaces, including parking lots, restaurant bathrooms, libraries, or public transit.

Let me be perfectly clear: this will not make Ontario’s toxic drug crisis disappear, it will only make things worse. Family members, friends, and co-workers are grieving while the Premier and the Minister of Health dismantle services proven to save lives.

Supervised consumption sites save lives. Full stop. We have more than 30 years of evidence from across Canada and around the world showing these services reduce overdose deaths, reduce the spread of HIV and hepatitis C, and connect people to care.

Anyone can be impacted by substance use. Everyone deserves the support they need to live a safe and fulfilling life.

We are already hearing from the city of Hamilton, which no longer has any supervised consumption sites. Their public libraries are overwhelmed with the fallout and paramedics are responding to the highest numbers of overdoses they have ever recorded. Our already overburdened health system in Toronto cannot absorb the impact of these incredibly reckless and callous policy decisions. 

Our hospitals and paramedics are already stretched thin, and this will drive more overdoses into the street and into emergency rooms. What we need is a government that leads with evidence and compassion, not stigma. They must listen to municipalities, health experts, and front-line workers who are pleading for action.

We have all had enough of Metrolinx’s secrecy. They had already lost our trust after years of secrecy and lies surrounding the Eglinton Crosstown. But this week, my remaining goodwill has again been challenged: the Trillium revealed that the current state of its GO Train fleet is grim.

Just over a month ago, Metrolinx’s report to the board gushed about the ‘strong performance’ of its fleet. Then a leaked report surfaces, saying that the current state of the fleet is poor. This isn’t just a spin: it’s a lie.

All of this comes in the wake of mysterious derailments, and near misses where people could have been killed. Metrolinx’s secrecy is no longer just keeping Ontarians in the dark — it’s putting their safety at risk.

Ontarians deserve safe and reliable public transit, and above all, they deserve transparency. The Ford government has allowed Metrolinx to operate with no accountability, while their endless roster of overpaid executives continuously fails to deliver.

The only way to get the clarity we need, and the answers Ontarians deserve is through a full public inquiry into Metrolinx.

We are gearing up for a provincial by-election in Scarborough Southwest! My team and I, alongside other energetic volunteers, had a great canvass on Monday! The community has been represented at Queen’s Park by the Ontario NDP for the past 8 years and we look forward to continuing this representation.

After our strong canvass, we popped into Lageez Authentic Indian Cuisine for delicious Indian food. If you are in the neighbourhood you have to check them out!

We have more shifts coming up with Ontario NDP caucus members in the coming weeks. Sign up with the Scarborough Southwest NDP here to be a part of the movement!

As Ramadan came to a close this week, culminating in the celebration of Eid-al-Fitr today, I was honoured to be personally invited to the final community iftars in Regent Park. 

I want to thank the Regent Park Islamic Resource Centre, Regent Park Mothers of Peace, and Mental Health Matters for organizing iftars that brought the community together to break fast, pray, and enjoy each other’s company. They are long-established community groups who do so much year-round to provide support and community to the people of Regent Park. 

Regent Park Mental Health Matters is an organization run by remarkable young women, who demonstrated their amazing leadership skills by meticulously organizing one of the largest iftars I’ve seen in Regent Park, with such care and attention to detail. Thank you to Alif Ashraf and her team of organizers for such a warm welcome!

Regent Park Mental Health Matters is a grassroots non-profit organization dedicated to supporting at-risk youth by promoting mental health and well-being through a range of programs. Please check out their page to support this wonderful organization!

Regent Park TV created a wonderful video spotlighting the Iftar that I had the honour of hosting alongside the community at 150 River Street. You can watch it here. 

All aboard! I had a great time touring one of Canada Steamship Lines’ vessels docked at Port Toronto with CSL Group. They showed me the incredible technology and teamwork behind Ontario's maritime industry that connects workers via the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence shipping. The ships in our ports are nearly 230 m long — that’s almost half the height of the CN Tower!

Shipping across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence in Ontario generates over 50% of our cross-border trade. Marine transportation not only strengthens Ontario’s role in the global supply chain but also generates thousands of jobs for local workers.

As CSL continues to focus on building self-unloading vessels with highly efficient unloading rates and lower environmental impacts, we need all hands on deck to ensure Ontario’s marine transportation sector remains sustainable and innovative for generations to come.

There is nothing more empowering than sharing a room with and celebrating some of the most inspiring and trailblazing women in our political and organizing communities. It was an honour to join Marit Stiles and Alexa Gilmour for our Ontario NDP caucus’ International Women’s Day celebration right in the heart of Toronto Centre at Daniels Spectrum!

We had the privilege of honouring Sistering’s Dr. Volletta Peters, YWCA Toronto’s Heather McGregor, the Women’s Committee at the Ontario Federation of Labour, and the leaders of the Equal Pay Coalition for their incredible contributions to advancing women’s rights and gender equity. These women have championed women’s rights for decades, and it’s important they receive their roses!

A special thank you to one of our favourite Toronto Centre women-owned small businesses Carousel Cafe and Bistro for the delicious pastries, hors d’oeuvres, and drinks!

The Church Wellesley Neighbourhood Association (CWNA) held their 16th Annual General Meeting this week! For the past 16 years, they have been a vital part of The Village, helping preserve the history of one of Canada’s oldest and most vibrant 2SLGBTQI+ communities, while continuing to build a neighbourhood rooted in safety and care. 

The contributions of everyone connected to the CWNA have helped shape The Village into the welcoming and inclusive community so many call home today. It is a joy to have travelled this journey alongside so many community members from the beginning and to have the opportunity to speak to all that the community has accomplished. Here’s to many more years of community, pride, and progress ahead!

Science Centre's 'hazardous' roof still fine while new TTC station next door rains indoors

Doug Ford acknowledges transparency clamp-down is to protect his personal phone

ANALYSIS: Can anything solve Ontario’s homelessness crisis?

A Toronto landlord bought a 53-unit building in 2023. It has issued at least 56 eviction notices since

Ford government to end funding for supervised consumption sites, advocates say — including two in Toronto

The Friends of Allan Gardens and Mozhdeh Hashemian are hosting Allan Gardens 3rd Annual Nowruz Celebration! This is a public event for people of all ages, and backgrounds focused on sharing Iranian culture and celebrating our community's shared love for the spring and its accompanying blooms! Enjoy the beautiful spring blooms in the Temperate Show House, a beautiful greenhouse cared for by City of Toronto Parks Staff!

More Info:

Posted online here.

This event is run by Friends of Allan Gardens volunteers.

Special thanks to Mozhdeh for organizing the festivities!

$5 or pay-what-you-can donation would be welcome to cover the snacks and materials.

Early registration for spring recreation activities is now available at 24 centres. Early registration for CampTO starts March 24 at 7 a.m. at 33 centres.

Early Local Registration (ELR) makes it easier to register for recreation programs at 35 community centres in Toronto. Residents living near free centres may be able to register one week early for recreation and CampTO programs.

ELR uses data to create zones based on population, physical access, and social factors to make participating in recreation programs easier for residents. This registration process applies to registered activities at participating free centres and does not apply to:

• Drop-In Programs with or without Reservations
• Adapted and Inclusive or Accessible Recreation Programs
• Afterschool Recreation Care Programs
• Aquatic Leadership Courses
• Access to Recreation Swim Program 

For help to pay for the cost of recreation programs with fees, apply for the Welcome Policy recreation subsidy today.

Registration is available:

• Online at toronto.ca/OnlineReg
• By phone at 416-396-7378
• In-person at your participating early registration site

Parents, caregivers, and school council members are invited to attend a Ward 10 community outreach event with PIAC representatives Mark Unger and Rahel Gittu, and Toronto District School Board Elected Trustee Deborah Williams.

This is an opportunity to connect with other families, share your experiences, and discuss the issues affecting our local schools. Everyone is welcome.

Date: March 25, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Rosedale Heights School of the Arts, 711 Bloor Street East (Room 213)

Light refreshments and on-site childcare will be provided. If you have interpretation or accessibility needs, please indicate them on the RSVP form.

Please RSVP here.

Is your family expecting a baby this summer? Roots of Empathy is recruiting families with babies who will be 2-4 months old in October for their classroom program. Roots of Empathy teaches elementary school students emotional skills by connecting with their “tiny teacher” and their parents. The program is proven to increase empathy, kindness, and inclusiveness, while reducing aggression and bullying.

Families are matched with a local classroom and visit nine times over the school year to connect with students.

To learn more visit their website here, or email Tahmina Khatun at [email protected]. 

Sick Kids Hospital is hosting a mental health drop-in at the St James Town Community Corner! 

This program’s child and family therapists support families from the prenatal stage through 18 years of age, assisting with pregnancy, parenting, and child development questions, behaviour concerns, school readiness, and access to resources. 

Drop-in Details:

Day and Time: Wednesdays, 10 AM to 12 PM

Location: The Corner, 200 Wellesley Street East

Contact: 416-924-1164 extension 8724 or [email protected]

Sick Kids Hospital, the Canadian Prenatal Nutrition Program, and TNG Community Services are hosting a free pregnancy nutrition program at the Wellesley Community Centre! 

Program participants will learn about nutrition from registered dietitians and other healthcare providers, meet other parents-to-be, receive grocery gift cards, and be connected to other free resources and supports. To register, call  416-924-1164 extension 8724 or email [email protected]. 

Program Details:
Day and Time: Thursdays, 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM

Location: Wellesley Community Centre, Room B2

Contact: 416-924-1164 extension 8724 or [email protected] 

The FWC26™ Youth Career Summit is a free, one-day event taking place at St. Lawrence Market North on March 27, 2026, from 9:00am to 3:00pm. There will be a DJ, food, workshops, and a day of exploring industries related to sports and large scale events!

• Group registration via Eventbrite is required.
• Organizations may register up to 9 youth plus one staff/chaperone per submission (additional registrations can be completed if needed). Registration will ask for chaperone details (for those under 18), dietary restrictions, accessibility needs, and total tickets required.

 For questions, contact [email protected].

The Order of Ontario is the province’s highest civilian honour, recognizing individuals whose excellence and achievements have left a lasting impact locally, nationally, and globally. You can nominate someone excelling in any field, from business, healthcare, education, arts, sports, science, and more. Nominees must be long-term or former Ontario residents, living at the time of nomination, and have made a major contribution to society.

Deadline for nominations is March 31. Details here.

Vendor applications for the 47th annual Cabbagetown Festival are now open! Click here to sign up! The festival runs from September 12-13, 2026 at Parliament and Carlton. 

This year’s festival will feature a new Rainbow Market,  spotlighting 2SLGBTQI+ makers and businesses! If your business is 2SLGBTQI+-owned or your products/services align with this space, apply now—Super Early Bird rates are on. 

Last year the festival welcomed 100,000+ guests and 250+ vendors. Come meet your future fans!

Dates and Times:


• Saturday, September 12, 11 AM – 8 PM
• Sunday, September 13, 11 AM – 7 PM

Apply: Visit cabbagetownto.com/festival-call-for-vendors

Do you know a phenomenal leader in your community who deserves recognition?

Kristyn Wong-Tam will present six people with the prestigious Toronto Centre Leadership Award in June 2026.

This honour recognizes individuals who have made a profound and lasting contribution to the Toronto Centre community in any field. This can include the arts, politics, community building, healthcare, and beyond!

Submit your nominee here!