Dear friend,
This week, history was made at Queen’s Park. My friend and colleague, Ontario NDP Deputy Leader Sol Mamakwa, delivered his speech in Anishinaabemowin, the Indigenous language of the Anishinaabe people, also known as Oji-Cree, in the chamber. Until recently, the Standing Orders of the Legislature only allowed English and French to be spoken in the chamber. However, thanks to his advocacy, the list has been expanded to include Indigenous languages spoken in Canada.
MPP Mamakwa’s speech was incredibly moving. He shared how speaking his language connects him to community, culture, and family and is an act of resistance against colonial structures. One of my favourite parts of this historic moment was when he spoke about learning the language from his mother, who shared teachings with him as they enjoyed and lived on their land together. Kezia Mamakwa was in the chamber to watch her son make history, and I can only imagine her enormous pride that day, especially since she was also celebrating her 79th birthday! The Mamakwa family was joined by over 100 guests in the chamber, who were there to hear Sol speak. Many traveled from remote and northern communities to hear their Indigenous language spoken in the legislature. It was an incredible moment to bear witness to.
MPP Mamakwa leveraged this golden media opportunity to secure a big win for his community. During question period, as he has done before, he asked Doug Ford if the Conservatives would finally fund an expanded long-term care home in Sioux Lookout, something they have promised to do since 2018. This time, Ford made a clear commitment to fund the necessary 76 beds. The Ontario NDP will still need to hold the government accountable for delivering on this promise, but it is a positive step forward that we should be proud of. Elders in Sioux Lookout should not be forced to move hours and hundreds of kilometres away from their families and communities just to receive care.
You can watch MPP Sol Mamakwa’s speech here in Anishinaabemowin with English subtitles.
As Pride Month begins on June 1, let me be the first to wish you a Happy Pride Month! To mark this fabulous time of the year, the Toronto Centre NDP has created a special Pride event to bring us all together in song, dance and glitter.
Our Pride and Politics fundraiser at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, featuring magnificent drag artists Messy Margaret and Amora, is coming up in less than a week! Special fabulous guests include Marit Stiles and the Ontario NDP caucus. Tickets are selling fast, and I can’t wait to see you all there!
When: Thursday, June 6
Time: 6 - 9 PM
Where: Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander St
Yours in community service,
Kristyn
Kristyn Wong-Tam
MPP, Toronto Centre
| In This Newsletter |
- Pride Flag Raising and Picnic at Queen's Park
- Pride Weekend Volunteers Needed
- Fix Ontario Court Delays
- NEW Canary District Residents Association
- Designated Safe Zones in Rafah are Bombed
- Childcare Day of Action
- Happy 135th Anniversary Trinity St Paul’s!
- News about Glad Day
- Backspot Film Out Today!
- Local Community News
|
Pride Flag Raising and Picnic at Queen's Park |
Everyone is invited to the Pride Flag Raising at Queen's Park this Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at 12:15 PM in front of Queen's Park. There will be a celebratory picnic on the front lawn immediately after! I am thrilled to be collaborating with the Ontario Public Service and the Legislature on this event.
| Pride Weekend Volunteers Needed! |
Come and celebrate pride with us and connect with your community. The Ontario NDP will be running a table all Pride weekend and walking in each major parade! You can sign up for a volunteer shift at the links below. You can choose to help with the NDP booth, walk in one of the parades that weekend or both! See you there!
Friday June 28th:
Walk with the Ontario NDP in the Trans March (Friday June 28)
Table for the Ontario NDP on Friday Evening
Saturday June 29th:
Walk with the Ontario NDP in the Dyke March (Sat June 29)
Table with the Ontario NDP on Pride Saturday June 29th at 1PM
Table with the Ontario NDP on Pride Saturday June 29th at 3PM
Table with the Ontario NDP on Pride Saturday June 29th at 4PM
Sunday June 30th:
Walk with the Ontario NDP in the Pride Parade (Sun June 30)
Table with the Ontario NDP on Pride Sunday June 30th at 1PM
Table with the Ontario NDP on Pride Sunday June 30th at 3PM
Table with the Ontario NDP on Pride Sunday June 30th at 4PM
| Fix Ontario Court Delays |
Justice stalls when Ontario courts crawl, and under Ford's mismanagement, we've seen a historic decline in access to justice due to record-high case backlogs. This past week I asked the government if they were proud of the headlines coming out about our clogged courts. They dodged the question as usual.
Ford must listen to court and tribunal staff and victims of crime and work hard to clear the backlogs in our courts expeditiously. The time for action was 2018, the year they formed government.
I met with the Ontario Bar Association, Ontario’s largest law association, this week. They presented several common-sense and straightforward recommendations to speed up our courts without compromising the justice system's integrity. I look forward to working with the OBA to bring their recommendations to the government.
Take action now! Tell Ford he must clear the backlog and get Ontario’s justice system moving again. Sign the petition here.
| NEW Canary District Residents Association |
Last weekend, I proudly participated in the launch of the Canary District Neighbourhood Association, Toronto Centre’s newest neighbourhood association!
After many years of working with the West Don Lands Committee, I am thrilled to see this vibrant community come together and organize in one of Toronto's most innovative and exciting new landmark neighbourhoods. They have already fostered connections with surrounding communities, and I am excited to see how they will grow and work together. As always, I stand ready to help!
Do you reside in the Canary District and want to get involved? Learn more here.
|
Designated Safe Zones in Rafah are Bombed |
This week, I was honoured to join CUPE Ontario’s Convention to hear the ICJ High Commissioner from South Africa speak. His words, “Inaction in the face of ongoing genocide reduces our own humanity,” are powerful. One must reflect on them when reading the news about the Israel and Hamas war.
Days ago, we saw some of the deadliest violence inflicted on civilians living in Rafah. The outcry from the international community, including from Israel’s traditional allies, condemning the killing was quick.
An assault by Israel’s military forces on tents in Tel al-Sultan unleashed horrific consequences, murdering 40-50 civilians and injuring at least 200 more. This happened a week after Israel had dropped leaflets instructing civilians to move to Tel al-Sultan as a safe zone and two days after the International Court of Justice ordered Israel’s occupying forces to halt the assault on Rafah. Despite Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (who the International Criminal Court’s Chief Prosecutor is seeking a warrant for on account of war crimes and crimes against humanity) calling the event a “tragic mistake,” Israel’s military proceeded to bomb another designated safe zone — the Al-Mawasi refugee camp — two days later, killing at least 21 more people.
Canada’s NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh condemned Israel’s attacks on civilians, calling on Trudeau to support the International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court processes and impose immediate sanctions on Israel. He did so while also calling for the immediate release of hostages and a permanent ceasefire.
Israel’s reputation is becoming severely damaged as a result of their government’s plausible genocide. This was reinforced this week when Aryeh Neier, a human rights advocate whose family survived the Holocaust, and who founded the American Civil Liberties Union and Human Rights Watch, spoke on CNN, calling Israel’s war on Gazans a genocide. You can watch that interview here.
The suffering, violence and death must end. Those who have the power to stop the killing must understand that peace will not come from the launching of another missile. I will continue to pray for all those who have lost loved ones and call on the Canadian government to work towards a peaceful resolution for all people.
It is also tragic to see how acutely the war is affecting people in Toronto, both emotionally as we see mass death and devastation on our screens, but also through the acute increase in hate crimes we have seen since the conflict began. These hate crimes have largely been directed at Jewish, Muslim, and Arab people. The Toronto Star published a piece about this rise in hate that I encourage you to read. Now, more than ever, Ontario needs a robust anti-hate strategy.
| Childcare Day of Action |
Last Saturday, I was joined by Marit Stiles and passionate childcare advocates to share the Ontario NDP’s plan for childcare with the people of Cabbagetown and St James Town.
After sharing a coffee at Johnny G's Cafe, we gathered petitions signatures calling for a real childcare workforce strategy.
Let's ensure childcare workers and all families get the support they need! Add your name here.
|
Happy 135th Anniversary Trinity St Paul’s! |
On Monday, I joined the Trinity St-Paul’s United Church community to wish them a happy 135th birthday! TSP has centered the values of service, social justice, and love for their neighbour in everything they do. They have been an affirming spiritual home for so many Two-Spirit, Queer, and Trans Ontarians for decades. I cannot wait to see them grow over many more decades, especially with the unstoppable Rev. Cheri DiNovo leading them into the future.
| News about Glad Day |
As you may have heard, Glad Day Bookshop on Church Street is in financial trouble and have reached out to the community for support. You can learn more about their situation and how to support them here.
Glad Day Bookshop is the oldest Queer bookstore in the world. I first discovered them as a gay teenager, looking for stories and books reflecting my lived experience.
Over the past fifty-five years, they have evolved beyond book sales and are a bonafide cultural treasure. We can not afford to lose them. Today, Glad Day Bookshop is a non-profit community cultural space struggling through the affordability crisis we all face.
I am calling on the government to do much more to protect rare and unique cultural spaces like Glad Day from rising costs. Rising rent, insurance, and loan expenses are knee-capping small businesses and non-profit organizations across Ontario. We must find solutions. Glad Day and the Queer community need to know the government has our back 365 days a year and not just during Pride.
| Backspot Film Out Today! |
Calling all movie buffs, queer film lovers, and sports enthusiasts!
Starting today at the Yonge-Dundas Cineplex, you can watch Backspot, an incredible queer film about the brutal world of competitive cheerleading. Backspot was created by local filmmakers and features our beloved local Drag King Manny Dingo as himself!
Many of you will recognize the star, Devery Jacobs, as the face of the hit TV show Reservation Dogs. The film, produced by Elliot Page, also features a standout performance by Evan Rachel Wood.
| Upcoming Community Events |
| Toronto Public Wifi Strategy Consultation |
The City of Toronto is kicking off consultations for an expanded free public wi-fi strategy!
Beginning Thursday, May 30, the City of Toronto will hold a series of public consultations to inform an expanded Free Public Wi-Fi Strategy based on considerations including how residents use free public Wi-Fi, which City spaces could benefit from it, steps the City can take to enhance the experience of getting online and ways to monitor quality and identify areas for improvement. In addition to public consultations, the City is working with community organizations across Toronto to facilitate in-depth discussions with people with lived experience in the digital divide.
Consultations
Virtual consultations will be held on:
- Tuesday, June 18, from 1 to 2 PM
In-person consultations will be held on:
- Tuesday, June 4, from 2 to 4 PM at the Driftwood Community Recreation Centre, 4401 Jane St.
- Thursday, June 13, from 6 to 8 PM at the Heron Park Community Centre, 292 Manse Rd.
Participants have the option to join virtual consultations by phone. More information about timing, locations and dial-in details for virtual consultations can be found on the City’s website.
|
Children’s Book Bank Drag Queen Storytime |
The Children's Book Bank is hosting Drag Queen Storytime with Gila Münster this Saturday!
Date: Saturday, June 1, 2024
Time: 1:30 PM
Location: Daniels Spectrum - 585 Dundas St. E, Suite 260
The Children's Book Bank is also open Monday-Thursday in Regent Park, providing free books for kids!
Open Monday-Thursday from 10am-6pm and Friday-Saturday from 10 AM -3 PM
Where: 585 Dundas St E Suite 260
All children and families welcome! Adults must bring a child with them.
| Regent Park Summer Safety Jam! |
Daniels, TCHC, Tridel & Community Safety Partners are busy preparing for Summer Safety Jam 2024! My office will also have a table at the event!
Date: Saturday June 1
Time: 12 - 6 PM
Location: Big Park (Regent Park, 600 Dundas St. E.)
Come and enjoy:
- Halal & Veg BBQ
- Bouncy castle
- DJ & live band
- Giveaways & raffle
- Community & Revitalization updates
- Bazaar
- Kids activities
- Cotton candy & snacks
| The Village Quarterly Community Meeting |
Join the Conversation with the Toronto Police’s Quarterly Meeting in the Village. It is an opportunity to meet your neighbourhood community officers, receive updates on critical incidents and ask questions.
When: Tuesday June 4, 7 - 8 PM
Where: 518 Church Street, 2nd Floor (O’Grady’s)
| Don Yard Community Open House |
Metrolinx will be hosting an in-person community open house specifically for the work happening in the Don Yard as part of the Ontario Line project. This event offers an opportunity for the wider community to learn about the upcoming construction in the Don Yard, including the building of a new bridge that will carry the Ontario Line tracks over the DVP and Don River, as well as the cut-and-cover tunnel and portal. Additionally, you'll have the chance to meet the project constructor for the Don Yard.
Date: Wednesday, June 5
Time: 6 - 8 PM
Location: Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane
| Dixonlicious |
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 ticket and join the fight against food insecurity here.
| National Day Against Gun Violence |
This year marks the second annual National Day Against Gun Violence in Canada, which takes place on the first Friday of every June. Gun violence has devastating impacts on our neighbourhoods and no family is ever the same if a loved one is killed by a firearm. Central to ending gun violence and getting firearms off our streets is stopping gun violence well before it starts, this happens with prevention, community investments to address the root causes of violence.
Join us in Regent Park at Daniels Spectrum at 585 Dundas Street East on Friday June 7 for a day of reflection, conversation and education on how we can work together to end gun violence and heal for good. There will be a rally and march starting at 1 PM followed by workshops, performances and a film screening.
To reserve your spot, please click here.
| Canvass with Kristyn for the Toronto-St. Paul's By-Election |
As you may know, there is a Federal By-Election happening in Toronto St. Pauls right now after the retirement of former Minister Carolyn Bennett. Canada's NDP is running an amazing candidate, Amrit Parhar, who is a long time community organizer at the Institute for Change Leaders. I will be joining Amrit's team on Saturday June 14th at noon to help with the advanced polls. Click here to sign up and join me. You can also help our on June 8th for their day of action, or sign-up to volunteer at other times here.
|
45th Toronto International Storytelling Festival |
Storytelling Toronto's 45th annual Toronto International Storytelling Festival, Many Voices Tell A Story, will run from June 9-17, 2024, at many venues across Toronto, including Regent Park.
Storytelling Toronto is partnering with the Friends of Regent Park to host an event at the Regent Park Community Centre on Sunday, June 16, from 10:30 AM - 5 PM. Find out more here.
Kristyn Wong-Tam
Kristynwongtam.ca
