May 17 2024 Newsletter

Dear friend,

Yesterday, I was joined in the Legislature by the brother and mother of Soleiman (Soli) Faqiri. We held a press conference, and afterwards, they stayed for Question Period. Soli was a beloved brother, son and community member. He also had schizoaffective disorder. He was killed by guards in an Ontario jail while in the midst of a mental health crisis. 

Soli needed care, care that his family and other guards advocated strongly for but that he never received. His family visited him four times over the eleven days that he was incarcerated before his death. They knew that he was scared and needed support. But they were forbidden from seeing him. 

A coroner's inquest into Soleiman’s death ruled that it was a homicide. It also yielded 57 recommendations for systemic change directed at the Provincial government. The first recommendation was that the government, within 60 days, “develop and issue a public position statement within 60 days of [the] verdict, recognizing that correctional facilities are not an appropriate environment for persons in custody experiencing significant mental health issues.”

It has now been six months, and the Ford Conservatives have said nothing. 

This government must act. That is why, on Wednesday, I tabled the Justice for Soli Act, which, if passed, would force the government to act on the coroner’s inquest's first recommendation and stop criminalizing mental health. This is the bare minimum that the government must do, and frankly, as an Ontarian, I am embarrassed that they have failed to act. 

Solieman’s brother Yusuf Faqiri said it best: “Imagine what it feels like to fight for an inquiry for almost seven years. Imagine that the inquiry provides you with the agonizing truth that your loved one was killed in prison by guards at the institution. And then silence. The Premier, who claims to care for ‘ordinary’ Ontarians, does not even acknowledge your loved one’s death. This is my family’s story, dealing with a government that has abdicated their responsibility to vulnerable Ontarians.”

After failed attempts from the Faqiri family to engage with the government, they are now demanding a formal apology from Doug Ford for the homicide of Soleiman during his time in government custody. That is the least that they deserve. In Question Period on Thursday, I asked the Premier if he would apologize to the family. Not only did he deflect the question to the Solicitor General, but the Solicitor General dodged the question and would not even look at me. This is shameful. 

You can watch me ask my question here: 

I am so grateful to the Faqiri family for their advocacy. They told me yesterday that they do this work for all of the other Soleimans who are still incarcerated and facing violence when what they need is medical care and mental health support. The way they honour Soli’s memory is inspiring and so full of love. 

Yours in community service, 

Kristyn

Kristyn Wong-Tam

MPP, Toronto Centre

• Pride and Politics Fundraiser
• Lydia’s Law - Conservatives Shut Down Debate 
  
• Stop Rising Antisemitism and Hate
• Rainbow Week of Action at The 519
• Ford Conservatives Vote Against Funding Our Public Schools
• Ontario Must Support Caregivers
• Save Ontario Place! 
• ACTRA Toronto We Rise Up Rally
• Town of York Historical Society - New Exhibit, Toronto’s Early Riots and Uprisings
• OLIP - Thank You Taylor!
• Local Community News

Pride & Politics Fundraiser

The Toronto Centre NDP Riding Association is hosting a joyful Pride & Politics fundraiser at the iconic Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Enjoy captivating drag performances by Messy Margaret and Amora, refreshments, and a chance to celebrate Pride while supporting the Ontario NDP! 

Join us Thursday, June 6, 2024, at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander Street, Toronto.

Buy Tickets HERE

 

Lydia’s Law - Conservatives Shut Down Debate

Queen’s Park was supposed to be flooded with hundreds of advocates and survivors on Wednesday evening for a debate on Lydia’s Law, a bill I co-sponsored. But Ford’s PCs callously cancelled the debate, leaving everyone shocked and angry. First, survivors didn’t get their day in court. Now, they lose their day in the Legislature.

Lydia’s Law is a bill designed to help the survivors of sexual assault seek justice. It is named after a young survivour who shared her story with MPP Catherine Fife and asked how we could improve the court system to be faster, less re-traumatizing, and more accessible for survivors of sexual assault and abuse. 

This bill was incredibly important to many survivors, especially those who did not even get their day in court because of massive delays. Many survivors were excited to finally feel heard and have their concerns raised directly to the Conservative government. 

Instead, the government used procedural tricks to cancel the debate and move the bill directly to second reading. The Conservatives did this because this bill is embarrassing for them. They don’t want anyone to know just how many cases Ontario Courts throw out or how many guilty parties are walking free just because courts are understaffed. 

Ford likes to say that he’s tough on crime, but he has created a system where the perpetrators of violent sexual assaults continuously walk free. We can’t let this continue. For anyone who is the survivor of an assault, I hear your story, and I stand with you. The Ontario NDP stands with you. We won’t rest until our justice system actually brings justice for all.

Lydia’s Law would increase transparency and accountability in the handling of sexual assault cases in Ontario by adopting key measures, which include:

• Ensuring the Attorney General monitors criminal cases pending for 8+ months and documents the reasons for these delays
• Making the Independent Legal Advice Program more accessible to survivors
• Launching a review of the Victim Quick Response Program to ensure it is meeting the needs of survivors

 

Stop Rising Antisemitism and Hate

When hate crimes are on the rise, we need our government to show compassionate leadership that unites Ontarians against all forms of hate. This week, I dedicated my Member’s Statement to discussing how Ontarians need compassionate leadership to tackle rising Antisemitism and hate head-on.

 

Rainbow Week of Action at The 519

Today is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOTB). Ontario's NDP will always stand in solidarity against hate. 

Yesterday I joined the Rainbow Momentum rally in Toronto at Barbara Hall Park in support of Queer rights and Queer refugees. Thank you to the 519, Queer Momentum, the Canadian Centre for African Refugees, Rainbow Railroad, and Pride Toronto for supporting this event. Being a part of such a strong show of unity against rising hate was powerful.

To every Queer and Trans Ontarian, you are loved, we support you, and we will never back down. 

 

Conservatives Vote Against Funding Our Public Schools

On Tuesday, the Ontario NDP introduced a motion calling on the government to increase funding for public education by $1,500 per child. I was proud to speak to it. $1,500 is the bare minimum that students need—it would only bring funding in line with 2018 levels when accounting for inflation.

But the Conservatives voted it down. 

Voting against quality education and a better deal for our classrooms is shameful. Why won’t this government make our children a priority?

Our students deserve so much more than this government's callous cuts to education, to the tune of $1,500 per student per year. Students deserve the best we can offer them, including comprehensive learning and mental health supports. Toronto Centre teachers like Chelsea deserve to be able to support their students’ learning without burning out. Yet this government disagrees. 

Want to raise your voice about increasing education funding? Sign the petition here. 

 

Ontario Must Support Caregivers

The day after Mother’s Day, Ford Conservatives voted against creating a caregiver benefit for the unpaid labour of so many Ontarians. Over 3.3 million Ontarians self-report providing unpaid care for their loved ones, spending an average of 10-20 hours a week on caregiving tasks. 

Caregivers are the backbone of so many families. I know this intimately as a caregiver myself and as part of a family that has relied immensely on caregivers over the past year as my wife underwent cancer treatment. I want to thank all of my friends and family members, especially my mother and mother-in-law, who have stepped up for our family in profound ways. 

I want to thank MPP Wayne Gates for moving this motion and recognizing that we should compensate caregivers for their hard work and sacrifices. You can watch me speak to the motion here. 

Add your name to show this government that caregivers matter! Sign the petition here. 

 

Save Ontario Place

Amir Remtulla, a long-time Ford insider, lobbied for the De Gasperis Greenbelt grab. As the Chief of Staff for the late Mayor Ford, he led Ford’s failed efforts to build a mega downtown casino. Now he’s lobbying for Therme. Suspicious? 

Add Your Name: Save Ontario Place

Therme also made headlines last week for announcing that their “spa” will have an “immersive sky” feature where you can experience projected images of nature on top of devastated wildlife.

I thought Therme Canada's 'Immersive Sky' ad could use a reality check and made this parody video:

ACTRA Toronto We Rise Up Rally

It was an honour to attend ACTRA Toronto’s We Rise UP rally at Queen's Park this past week to show my support for ACTRA members, who have been locked out by the Institute of Canadian Agencies (ICA) for two years. 

Meanwhile, Ford PCs continue to deal primarily with the ICA when crafting their government ads, keeping scab labour on the government payroll and continuously undermining unionized ACTRA members. 

Official Opposition NDP Culture and Heritage critic Jill Andrew, Labour critic Jamie West, and MPP Peter Tabuns stood alongside me in solidarity with ACTRA Toronto members as they marked two years of being unlawfully locked out by the ICA in the middle of an affordability crisis. 

As Jill Andrew said: “Ontario’s creative and arts industry deserves a government that will work for them, not against them. It’s time to take a stand and rise up with ACTRA Toronto members against this unlawful lockout.”

 

Town of York Historical Society - New Exhibit

I had a fantastic time at the Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant Recognition Event at Toronto's First Post Office. I'm amazed by their innovative work to share our community's historical knowledge through new digital education. What a well-deserved award! 

If you get a moment these next few weeks, please visit their new temporary exhibit, Uprisings & Upsets: Toronto’s Early Riots. This exhibit showcases significant uprisings and disturbances in York and Toronto during the 18th and 19th centuries, highlighting their outcomes and the lasting societal and political transformations they brought. A very timely exhibit given our current events! Learn more here!

 

OLIP - Thank You Taylor

I attended the annual Ontario Legislature Internship Program reception at Queen’s Park earlier this week. This was the first year I had taken on an OLIP Intern in my office, and I am thrilled to have been matched with Taylor Pizzirusso! Taylor has been an incredible asset to our team, bringing legislative skills and camaraderie every day. If every OLIP Intern is as amazing as Taylor is, the future is in good hands. Thank you,, Taylor, for all of your incredible work in our office and in the OLIP program itself. 

I highly recommend this program to all young leaders. To learn more about how you or someone you know can get involved, please click here.

 

Federal Dental Care Program

Starting in 2023, the Federal Dental Care Program (CDCP) was introduced in Canada. Canadians with a household income of less than $90,000 and no private dental insurance coverage can access the plan by application.

Already, Canadians across the country have been able to access desperately needed dental care and improve their health. 

Residents become eligible for the plan throughout 2023-2024 according to age:

May 2024: Age 65+

June 2024: All Canadians with a Disability Tax Credit certificate

2025: All ages

Note: If you are covered under the provincial dental plan (OSDCP), you can still qualify for federal coverage under the CDCP. Your coverage will be coordinated between the two plans to prevent duplication and gaps in coverage.

To apply online and for more information about the CDCP, click here or call 1-833-537-4342.

 

Local Community News

 

BC has been busy. From establishing an agency to build housing for middle class renters on public land, to clamping down on short term rentals in investment properties, to proactively and comprehensively changing zoning rules to speed up the construction of missing middle housing and apartments in towns and cities, the BC government is showing leadership on addressing one of the defining issues of our time; the high cost of housing.

When: May 25, 11:15 AM - 1:00 PM

Where: Allan Gardens, Toronto

Flora's journey to motherhood was filled with both joy and challenges, shining a light on the importance of mental health support during the perinatal period. Despite her unwavering determination and the love of her family, Flora tragically lost her battle with prenatal mental health just weeks after our Doula services ended. Her story serves as a poignant reminder of the need for perinatal mental health awareness and the impact of Doula support during this critical phase.

Learn more and register here. 

Foundation for Environmental Stewardship, is a youth-led, youth-serving Canadian non-profit that aims to empower youth to create a more sustainable and prosperous future for all. They have officially opened up our grant application for Cycle 2 of funding! Funding for Net-Zero offers $2,500 - $15,000 grants to student-led projects across Canada, that reduce emissions at their schools (grades 6-12).

At its core, this project aims to connect students with educational and hands-on experiences for a net-zero ‘now’. The programs focus on enhancing youth climate education and action—so students can be the leaders and changemakers of a great transformation starting in their own schools.

Applications are open NOW until September 12! They’re encouraging anyone who wants to receive updates about our funding and free resources to sign up for our sign up for their mailing list.

Don't miss this chance to be part of an unforgettable evening of delicious food and drinks in support of Dixon Hall's food programs!

When: June 6, 6 -9 PM

Where: Daniel Spectrum, 588 Dundas Street East

Get your tickets here and join the fight against food insecurity.

If you're on the Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) Housing Centralized Waiting List (CWL) or need help applying for RGI housing, we have great news for you!

Councillor Chris Moise’s office is collaborating with Access to Housing and Housing Help Centres to host MyAccesstoHousingTO Sign-Up Clinics for Ward 13 residents from May 9 to May 31. They are also collaborating with Social Development, Finance & Administration (SDFA) staff on two dates to provide additional services.

During these clinics, staff from Access to Housing and Housing Help Centres will be present to assist you with the following:

• Sign up on the new MyAccesstoHousingTO system to maintain your application and receive important updates;
• Assist you with application updates and explain the choice-based housing offer process and how to express interest and 
• Help you with your housing application.

To best help you, please bring the following if you need help with registering your current application in the MyAccesstoHousingTO online portal:

• Proof of status in Canada for all household members;
• 2022 or most recent 2023 Notice of Assessment for all household members over the age of 16 and are working full or part-time; and
• Your housing file number.

Additional staff from Social Development & Finance Administration’s Human Services Integration will be on site on Saturday, May 11 at the Wellesley Community Centre and Thursday, May 30 at the Regent Park Community Centre to assist with the following subsidies:

• Welcome Policy recreation fee subsidy;
• Fair Pass Transit Discount Program;
• Child Care Fee Subsidy; and
• Medical benefits (incontinence supplies, hearing aids, mobility aids and more).

To learn more about the dates for these housing clinics, click here. 

Calling all community members in Regent Park! Have a knack for naming streets? TCHC needs your help naming a new street that will be built as part of Phase 4 of the revitalization, connecting Oak Street and Gerrard Street East. 

Here’s your chance to leave a lasting mark on your neighbourhood! Review the City’s naming guidelines and submit your suggestion with a brief explanation to [email protected] by May 24, 2024. 

Then join us at our annual Summer Safety Jam for an informal “dotmocracy” vote!

The 519's Health Justice Hub is hosting Workshop Wednesdays on Housing Rights and Tenant Organizing every Wednesday from 6 PM to 7:30 PM. Learn more and register here. 

Join Regent Park community members for their Pride Community Block Party on June 14th from 3 PM - 9 PM on Regent Park Boulevard! 

There will be live music and entertainment, local vendors, crafts and kids activities, ice cream, and a cookie bar! 

My First Pride is coming back for its 3rd year!

Is this your first time celebrating Pride? Want to make it memorable? Looking to meet new friends? Join Pride Toronto in celebrating with My First Pride, and be a part of one of the world’s largest Pride parades.

Pride Toronto’s My First Pride Contingent is a place for anyone celebrating Pride for their first time, and who want to participate in Pride Toronto’s Pride Parade. Whether you’re a newcomer to Canada, or a new member of the 2SLGBTQI+ community, find fun, excitement and friends within this welcoming group.

Register HERE! 

Exciting news: this year's Songs from The Journey is set to grace the stage of The Royal Conservatory of Music’s Koerner Hall on June 21st! As always, the association is committed to ensuring that Regent Park residents have the opportunity to attend. To facilitate this, we're offering complimentary tickets for community members, alongside round-trip transportation between Regent Park and Koerner Hall on Friday, June 21, 2024.

The attached flyer provides information on the availability of free tickets for pickup at Daniels Spectrum starting Tuesday, May 14, 2024.

I was thrilled to join Corktown neighbours at the Little Trinity Good Food Market launch at 425 King Street East last week. This program runs every Wednesday from 5 to 7 PM. They offer affordable groceries, which are hard to come by these days. Thank you to Little Trinity Church & FoodShareTO, for teaming up to tackle food insecurity.