Dear Neighbour,
This week, Doug Ford’s PC government released their 2024-2025 Budget. This could have been a budget of hope and investment for Ontario, but instead, it was an uninspired, business-as-usual document that failed to meet the moment.
I know the people of Toronto Centre are looking for better health care and homes they can afford. That is what you deserve from your leaders. Instead, you got an uninspired, business-as-usual statement from a government that is out of touch and out of ideas.
If you’re looking for hope and change, I’m sorry to say that Ford’s budget is not for you.
This budget was an opportunity for Ford’s Conservatives to finally deliver real solutions for Ontarians. I was ready for them to surprise me and make the necessary investments. But instead they chose to stick to the status quo and double down on their failed policies.
All of this just means that we have more hard work to do. The Ontario NDP has workable, common-sense ideas we have presented to the government over and over. I would have been more than happy to have them steal our homework, but I guess they are too proud. I made the short comedic video below summarizing how much of a let down Ford's new budget is.
An NDP budget would:
- Invest in Ontario’s publicly-funded and publicly-delivered healthcare system and provide immediate support for community mental health programs, long-term care, and home care
- Remove tolls for truckers on the 407 to reduce congestion on the 401
- Make strategic investments to recruit and retain health care workers
- Get the government back in the business of building homes with Homes Ontario and end exclusionary zoning
- Take on climate change and save people money with support for home energy retrofits and energy-efficient heat pumps.
- Address staffing shortages in public schools and reverse cuts to get kids the supports they need
- Keep our colleges and universities open with stable funding and increased operating grants
- Lift people out of legislated poverty by doubling ODSP and OW rates
- Help families get the childcare they need by funding the long-delayed $10-a-day childcare
Marit Stiles and the Ontario NDP will deliver the homes, health care, and hope that people are looking for.
That NDP budget is possible, but first, we have to elect an NDP government in Ontario. And one of the best ways to help with that is to make a donation to the cause.
March 31st is the deadline to meet our Q1 fundraising goal - will you chip in to help us reach it?
I hope that you enjoy a wonderful long weekend with loved ones and I want to share a special greeting to those celebrating Easter and the final week of Ramadan. I additionally wish everyone a happy Trans Day of Visibility on March 31.
Yours in community service,
Kristyn Wong-Tam
MPP, Toronto Centre
In this Newsletter |
- Court Backlogs Ruin Lives
- Fired PC Staffers on Sunshine List
- The Politicization of Ontario’s Tribunals
- Indigenous Languages Allowed in the Chamber
- Moss Park Community Info Fair
- TO Live Townhall
- Regent Park CHC on Strike
- Local Community News
Court Backlogs Ruin Lives |
Today I was joined at Queen’s Park by Cait Alexander and Emily Ager, two survivors of gender-based violence who never received justice due to Ontario’s broken court systems. They both bravely told their stories in a press conference, which you can watch here.
Both Cait and Emily took their alleged abusers to court. Cait told me that her ex-boyfriend brutally beat her, and Emily shared that she was sexually assaulted in her own home.
But neither received a full trial. Cait and Emily both had their cases tossed, not due to lack of evidence or merit, but because of lengthy court delays. In Cait’s case, eight charges were laid against her ex-boyfriend. All of the provincial charges have been stayed and all she has been able to secure is a peace bond.
Emily had one day in court, where she testified and was cross-examined, but that date was rescheduled twice before it took place. Both times it was cancelled due to a lack of adequately staffed courtrooms. After that first day in court, the judge decided the case had merit and should go ahead. However, the next available court date was over three months away, which meant that the case surpassed the 18-month Jordan timeline, and the case was tossed out.
Cait and Emily have said that their experiences have been re-traumatizing and dehumanizing.
Delayed court hearings ruin lives and threaten our communities. They rob victims and survivors of justice, allow violent offenders to walk free, and keep wrongfully accused people in pre-trial detention unnecessarily.
I was hopeful that the new budget would include new, adequate court funding. It didn’t. Court backlogs were not mentioned once. Bail was not mentioned once. Pre-trial detention was not mentioned once.
The horrific experiences of Cait and Emily are a shameful stain on Ontario and show that we need to get smart on crime to tackle these backlogs. Their stories have only served to reinvigorate me in my quest to end the backlogs and get Ontario’s justice system moving again.
Fired PC Staffers on Sunshine List |
The Narwhal has delivered incredible and political earth-shaking journalism over the last year, and I want to highlight this new article. With the Trillium, the Narwhal has uncovered that the two senior Ford staffers who resigned last year because of their involvement in the Greenbelt scandal received exit packages that paid a full-year's salary. You cannot make these headlines up. And thinking of our neighbours striking for fair wages at the Regent Park Community Health Centre -- this is an outrageous double standard. Ford is comfortable subjecting front-line health care workers to illegal wage restraints like Bill 124, but will give his buddies who lined developers pockets a year of free money.
The Politicization of Ontario’s Tribunals |
Unfortunately, it is not just Ontairo’s courts that are in shambles, tribunals are also struggling with debilitating backlogs. Over the past several weeks, this government has been dealing with the fallout from the public learning about how they are politicizing the court appointment process, but it is much worse in the tribunals system as there is no appointment committee process, the government simply appoints tribunal leadership directly.
Tribunals Watch Ontario has published a statement on this politicization of the tribunal appointments process. You can read the entire statement here, but the thesis of it is that this PC government is appointing their friends and allies, including former party staffers and candidates, who have run for the PCs to critical tribunal positions. These appointments are happening even though many of the appointed people have no expertise in the area of law they are supposed to be working within. This means that, despite being adequately staffed, the backlog is growing at an alarming rate as high-level staff and adjudicators learn on the job.
These tribunals are critical to the justice system in Ontario. This government is not only letting them erode but actively facilitating that erosion through bogus appointments.
I have brought this issue up time and time again, but the Attorney General has brushed me off. I will not stop raising the issue and proposing solutions.
TCNDP 2024 Annual General Meeting |
Join the Toronto Centre NDP Riding Association on Sunday April 7th at OPSEU (31 Wellesley St E) for our annual general meeting!
You’ll here from me on the work I and the Ontario NDP team are doing at Queen's Park to fight back against Doug Ford's agenda, as well as Trustee Deborah Williams on her work at the TDSB, and federal nomination candidates Brian Chang and Samantha Green on their visions for the riding. Outgoing executive members will provide updates on the work we've done over the past year to organize locally.
Meeting registration will open at 12:30 pm, and the meeting will be called to order promptly at 1:00 pm.
When: Sunday April 7th, 12:30 PM
Where: OPSEU, 31 Wellesley St E
One Hour Education Update |
The Ontario government has put school boards across the province in a very challenging position, forcing them to continue to make cuts year in and year out. Currently, the TDSB is projecting a $27.6M shortfall – the TDSB simply does not get enough funding from the province to cover its operating costs.
Join me and MPP Jessica Bell for a one-hour update with our School Board Trustee Deborah Williams, Education Critic Chandra Pasma, Elementary Teachers of Toronto President Helen Victoros to learn more about the budget, have your questions answered, and find out what the school community and community at large is doing to fix our schools.
I want our kids to get an excellent public-school education. The path to great schools is smaller class sizes staffed with caring teaches and educational assistants, well-maintained energy efficient schools, and real investment in special education to ensure every child can succeed.
Date: Tuesday, April 9
Time: 7pm-8pm
Location: Zoom, RSVP Here
Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic Act Debate |
Intimate partner violence is an epidemic in Ontario. THe government needs to recognize that.
Please join me at Queens Park on Wednesday April 10th at 4pm as the Ontario Legislature debates: Bill 173 Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic Act, 2024. This Bill is co-sponsored by MPP Lisa Gretzky, MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam, MPP Jill Andrew and MPP Peggy Sattler.
It is important to have survivors, families, advocates and community members come together and show this government how important and necessary it is for the province to declare Intimate Partner Violence(IPV) an epidemic in Ontario.
Where: Queens Park, 111 Wellesley St W
When: April 10, 2024
Reception: 4 PM - 5:30 PM
Refreshments will be served.
Debate: 6 PM
RSVPS are required in order to attend the debate and reception. Please also bring one piece of government ID to show at security when you enter the building.
Indigenous Languages Allowed in the Chamber |
Until this past week, Indigenous languages were not allowed to be spoken in the Legislature beyond a few words here and there. That is reprehensible.
But thanks to the advocacy of my colleague, MPP Sol Mamakwa, the Standing Orders of the Ontario Legislature have been amended to allow Indigenous languages spoken in Canada to be spoken in the chamber.
I am so proud of MPP Mamakwa and looking forward to healing Anishinaabemowin much more often in the chamber.
Moss Park Community Info Fair |
Thank you to everyone who attended the Moss Park Community Information Fair, organized by Neighbourhood Information Post. It was a major success! I saw many residents there connecting with local organizations that provide important community programs. It was great to connect with Moss Park residents who are passionate about their neighbourhood. Thank you to the Neighbourhood Information Post for putting this event together and the sponsors who make these community moments possible.
This event is where we also unveiled our newly designed Toronto Centre tote bag! It features the 506 Carlton streetcar covered in Toronto’s iconic and loveable raccoons. We will be giving them out at community events across the riding over the coming year so watch out!
Special thanks to our intern Samantha for her creative vision on this project. We wish her all the best as she starts a new chapter beyond the office next week.
TO Live Townhall |
It was an honour to attend TO Live’s “St Lawrence Centre Next” town hall this week. At this event, I learned from a dedicated group of architects about their bold new designs for the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts. This redesign will create a new cultural hub in the city that I can’t wait to visit. However, this project will need all hands on deck to succeed, including support from private donors, municipal, provincial and federal government. We must work together to build bold, innovative spaces like these.
Regent Park CHC on Strike |
Starving Community Health Centers of the funding they need hurts all Ontarians, yet that is what Doug Ford’s latest budget does. We deserve so much better.
This week I stood in solidarity with striking workers at the Regent Park Community Health Centre. Their benefits have been frozen for 30 years and their recent wage increases do not align with inflation. Many cannot afford to live on their income while supporting some of Toronto Centre’s most vulnerable. These workers save lives every day, and their working conditions are unacceptable. They continue to strike for better working conditions and I will continue to support them in their quest for a fair contract.
Local Community News |
No Demovictions Toronto - City Hall Committee |
An important Toronto Planning and Housing Committee meeting is coming up on April 5th and No Demovictions Toronto wants a contingent of supporters to attend!
Motions at this meeting (if passed) will slightly improve displacement for demovicted tenants and hold developers accountable for ensuring the long-term stock of rental housing in Toronto.
But City Planning stands against these motions and does not want them to pass.
Join No Demovictions Toronto on April 2nd @ 12 PM at Toronto City Hall if you think that passing these motions is crucial!
When: Tuesday, April 2nd, 12 PM
Where: Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West
Click here for all of the details.
Toronto Intergenerational PartnershipsYard Work Help |
Spring is in the air!
If you are a senior or know one who needs help with outdoor work like grass cutting, leaf raking, or light gardening, Toronto Intergenerational Partnerships can help!
Toronto Intergenerational Partnerships is a non-profit service agency that has been in existence since 1986. For more information, visit their website here.
St. Lawrence Market Arts at the Market |
Arts at the Market celebrates the unique talents of local artisans who offer high-quality handmade goods for sale at the St. Lawrence Market. These artisans will fill the outdoor spaces of the Market with fresh, new, lively, and creative energy from April through October, animating and adding vivacity to the Complex.
Are you an artist, craftsperson, or designer? Do you want to sell your high-quality handmade goods at one of the world’s top markets? If so, we’d love for you to be part of Arts at the Market!
Apply by April 1 for early admission to the 2024 program.
Applications and details available here.
Cabbagetown Cares Fundraiser
|
Announcing the Cabbagetown Cares Fundraiser! From March 1 to March 30, 2024, The Cabbagetown BIA is teaming up with Dixon Hall and Saint Luke's United Church to support our neighbours.
As food insecurity continues to rise in Cabbagetown, St James Town, and Regent Park, it's more important than ever to lend a helping hand. That's where YOU come in!
Simply shop at any of the 14 participating businesses throughout March, where a portion of proceeds from select items will be donated to the fundraiser. All donated proceeds will be split between the Dixon Hall and St Luke's Church meals programs. It's that easy!
Click here for the full list of business offers.
Cabbagetown Festival 2024 Vendor Registration |
The Cabbagetown Festival is one of Toronto’s longest-running and most beloved street festivals, and this year it will be returning, bigger than ever!
They are inviting over 75,000 locals and visitors across the GTA to enjoy a family-friendly, entertainment-packed weekend, including live music performances, fantastic food, Kid’s Zone, and over 200 unique vendors from Cabbagetown and beyond!
The Cabbagetown Festival is celebrating its 45th year - After returning with a bang last year, The Festival is primed to become one of the most-anticipated events in Toronto! Starting at $230 for the lowest vendor level for two days, they invite business owners to apply to join them as a vendor as we celebrate this milestone.
Dates: September 7 and 8
Location: Parliament Street and Carlton Street, Cabbagetown, Toronto
Apply and pay by May 31 to take advantage of this early-bird pricing! Prices go up June 1, as long as space remains available! CabbagetownTO.com @CabbagetownBIA
Exhibit Opening: Blueprint |
BLUEPRINT asks: “Who gets to be beautiful?”
This exhibit runs March 2-31, 2024 at 420 Queen Street East
BLUEPRINT is a collection of mixed media collages created by Zandra Jack, a Toronto-based digital artist who works under the pseudonym, UNKWNZJ.
With a passion for altering geometric and curvilinear forms, UNKWNZJ’s work is a unique departure from more traditional modes of portraiture that lean on being as naturalistic to the human form as possible. Her subjects often don enlarged facial features and intensely darkened skin, aspects that she further amplifies with her use of bold color and intricate patterns. UNKWNZJ’s distinct creations exist as a disruption to the prevailing standards of beauty. BLUEPRINT challenges the status quo by paying homage to the unconventional; the features of black beauty that are undervalued yet paradoxically commodified in society.
We would also like to extend a warm invite to audiences to take part in an in-person, interactive workshop that will be led by UNKWNZJ:
When: Saturday March 16, 12-4 PM
Where: 420 Queen Street East
Through hands-on activities and guided instruction, participants will create mixed media artworks by experimenting with various materials and collaging techniques to bring forth their own artistic visions. This event is free of charge, but space is limited. Please RSVP here.
Ward 10 Forum: Supporting Student Literacy and Numeracy |
DATE: Thursday, April 18, 2024
TIME: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
LOCATION: Virtual/Online via Zoom
Please join Trustee Williams for a Ward 10 Forum with Trustee Williams to discuss the ways we can support student literacy and numeracy. TDSB staff will make elementary school and secondary school presentations. They will also have updates from the Trustee and Superintendents.
Everyone is welcome.
How to Register: Please Sign Up Here to confirm your attendance.
We look forward to seeing you there!
