Dear Neighbour,
Today I joined activists for LGBTQ+ rights in Uganda at Queen’s Park for a press conference. We called on Ford to protect health care coverage for the uninsured that is scheduled to expire today — coverage which is helping undocumented residents including refugees fleeing a new homophobic and transphobic law in Uganda when they arrive here in Ontario. The Toronto Star published a powerful editorial on this issue which you can read here.
You can watch that press conference here.
And on Sunday at 3 PM, you can join a rally at Yonge and Dundas Square against the horrific anti-LGBTQ law that passed in Uganda to show solidarity with Ugandan Canadians.
Rally for Tenant Rights This Saturday |
Our neighbours at 25 St. Mary Street are facing one of the largest building demolition in the city of Toronto. Tomorrow I am joining their rally for tenant rights; to show that we need to fix Ontario’s broken planning laws which allow landlords to demolish decent and good apartment buildings with rent-controlled units. You can learn more here.
New Critic Portfolios |
I am honoured to have a new critic portfolio! In addition to my work as the Critic for 2SLGBTQI+ Issues and the Ministry of the Attorney General, I am the new Ontario NDP Critic for Small Business Issues. I cannot wait to get to work applying my first-hand experience owning a small business in Toronto Centre! Our mainstreets need support as they recover — supports that Ford is currently giving to his well-connected insider friends instead. You can read the full list of critic portfolios here.
Trans Day of Visibility |
Happy Trans Day of Visibility! Today we honour the achievements & resiliency of transgender individuals and communities. The Transgender Day of Visibility recognizes the generations of struggle, activism, & courage by transgender & non-binary people. I used my Member's Statement this week to celebrate today!
Federal Budget Recap |
Canada is building a bigger and better safety net thanks to wins New Democrats achieved in this week’s budget. I am pleased to see Jagmeet Singh using our leverage in Ottawa to secure expanded investments in dental care and inflation relief for low-income and working Canadians. You can read more about what is in the federal budget here.
Rogers – Shaw Merger |
Canadians are already gouged by telecommunications companies — and I am disappointed that the Federal government is making the matter worse by allowing Rogers and Shaw to merge. You can read what Jagmeet had to say about it here.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to building community. It is my honour to serve you.
Kristyn Wong-Tam
MPP, Toronto Centre