As I work to advocate for our communities, I will be sharing updates of my work through a continuation of my regular newsletter.
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September 22, 2023 Newsletter
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Dear Emma, Congratulations! All of our organizing, protesting, petitioning, and activism worked, and we saved the Greenbelt. After months of denial and dodging, Doug Ford was forced to backtrack fully and apologize to Ontarians for his Greenbelt Grab.
I am incredibly proud of everyone involved, but especially all of you who joined ONDP Leader Marit Stiles and the Ontario NDP Caucus in fighting back against the corruption in the Ford government. We knew something stunk and didn’t stop digging until we found the answers. I also want to thank the many talented investigative journalists who once again demonstrated that independent and truthful media is essential in promoting and protecting our democracy rights. The resignation of two senior PC staff and two cabinet ministers would not have happened with the truth-revealing work of Ontario’s Auditor General and Integrity Commissioner. It never should have taken a series of scandals from this government for the Premier to undo the damage he's done. It shouldn't have taken Mr. Ford and his ministers getting caught making shady backroom deals with speculators. This whole scandal has pulled back the curtain on a corrupt Conservative government all too comfortable making backroom deals. While people are struggling with a housing crisis. Ford has wasted people's time rather than implementing actual solutions to the housing crisis - something this Greenbelt grab was never about. Ford still has a lot more questions to answer. Two ministers have resigned. Conservative staff have resigned. There’s a potential RCMP investigation. And all roads lead back to the Premier’s office. This Greenbelt victory shows us that organizing works! And that the work that the ONDP caucus and party staff do is making a real difference in Ontario. But we can’t do it without your support. This is just one fight of many we are facing in Ontario. And we need to make sure that we have the organizing money power to continue to keep the pressure on Ford. Will you help us?
Kristyn Wong-Tam MPP, Toronto Centre
Today Ontarians learned that Monte McNaughton, the current labour Minister, will be leaving his role as a Minister and an MPP for the private sector. David Piccini, the current Environment Minister, will become the new Labour Minister. Andrea Khanjin, the current MPP for Barrie-Innisfil, will become the new Environment Minister. Todd McCarthy will be replacing Kaleed Rasheed as the Minister for Public and Business Service Delivery after MPP Rasheed was removed from the PC caucus because he accepted inappropriate gifts from developers during a trip to Las Vegas. David Piccini’s track record does not bode well for workers. After suddenly realizing the importance of the Greenbelt, why has Mr. Ford appointed a labour minister whose greatest hits as environment minister include: being radio silent as the government took away the power of conservation authorities, hiding a damning climate report from Ontarians for eight months, looking away from the Mimico Creek spill, and saying next to nothing on the Greenbelt? Premier Ford has wasted a whole year that could have been spent implementing real solutions, delivering affordable homes for the hard-working people of our province instead of on this nonsense that eroded Ontarians’ trust in government and potentially left taxpayers on the hook for decisions he made in the interest of land speculators and donors. Now, the Premier has a new cabinet two days before the Legislature returns for session. Ontarians are left asking: is this government serious about solving the issues facing Ontarians? Or are they too busy reorganizing the deck chairs?”
Doug Ford is a bully. Ontarians paid that price this week when so-called “hands off our kids” rallies took place across Ontario. The rallies were rooted in misinformation that radical conservatives have been spreading about 2SLGBTQI+ families and our public education system.
Starting from the Church Wellesley Village, I marched alongside the (larger) counter-protest to Queen’s Park. I want to thank everybody who showed up and helped organize this important counter rally. Parents, students, school trustees, faith leaders, teachers, education workers, health care workers, business leaders, union members, The 519 and a broad rainbow coalition of community organizations and social agencies that stood strong against misguided hate. Parents are telling me their concerns about a so-called “gender ideology” being taught in schools. This is a fake label created by conservative politicians and religious fundamentalists in 2017 to describe social advancements in gender equality, reproductive health, and 2SLGBTQI human rights. Loving, well-intentioned parents are being misled by radical conservatives. They are told that their children are being “indoctrinated” with “gender ideology” and encouraged to keep their gender identity a secret at home. This is NOT true. Ontario schools and teachers are only following specific education guidelines set out by the Ford Conservative government. Doug Ford has a responsibility to correct the record and instead chooses to join in the chorus of misinformation. We have to put this situation into perspective: what we are disagreeing about is the minority of situations, where a Trans child or youth has felt safe enough to express their gender at school but not at home. We should be celebrating that Ontario’s schools and education workers offer those safe spaces. We should be increasing the supports offered to 2SLGBTQI+ families, not forcing them to make the often impossible decision of either expressing themselves at school or staying safe at home. 2SLGBTQI+ communities are feeling hurt and afraid. But Ontario does not even have a plan to combat growing radicalization against our communities. The fear and trauma that Two-Spirit, Queer, and Trans Ontarians are feeling is Doug Ford’s fault. Ontario’s NDP has called for a strategy to combat hate crimes, we have tabled legislation to combat rising threats, and this government has refused to lift a finger. Doug Ford needs to own up to his own education curriculum and let Ontarians know—by his actions — which side he is on now.
Doug Ford is actively making the climate crisis worse — most recently, by attempting to carve up the Greenbelt — and Ontario’s climate change impact assessment is an inconvenient reminder of the risk that climate change poses to Ontarians’ health, livelihoods and property.
The report was presented to the government in January and quietly released August 25, with no announcement from the government, as the Premier and his ministers have attempted to cover up their Greenbelt corruption scandal. It outlines the frightening impacts of climate change that Ontarians are likely to face, from worse floods to longer droughts to bigger fires. These impacts will result in higher insurance bills, greater property damage, and increased food insecurity. “The Premier is focused on one thing, and that’s doing favours for insider developers and speculators while not just ignoring the climate crisis, but actively making it worse,” said MPP Peter Tabuns, the Official Opposition NDP critic for Climate Action. “The assessment makes clear what Ontarians already know: the climate crisis is here and it’s frightening. We need a government that takes real action to mitigate the impacts, protect people, and prevent further damage, instead of this deliberate neglect," said MPP Sandy Shaw, NDP critic for the Environment, Conservation, and Parks. The NDP will continue to push for real leadership on the climate crisis.
Long-term, market rent-paying tenants from 30 Charles Street East are being forced out of their homes because of Ontario's outdated Residential Tenancies Act and the predatory behaviour of short-term rent companies. MPP Jessica Bell, Fair BnB Canada, and I spoke on this issue to hear how a simple change in ownership has been devastating to tenants.
Tenants at 30 Charles St. E. are facing harassment, hydro and heat being cut off unexpectedly, ignored maintenance requests, and construction outside of municipal guidelines. All of this intimidates tenants to move so that Harrington House can add to their short-term rental supply and skirt provincial laws. They have waited months for a hearing at the LTB. As they wait, their tenant rights are being ignored. A law is only as good as its enforcement.
Happy Ganesh Chaturthi everyone! Thank you to the Toronto Sri Mahaganapathy Temple for the warm welcome for all your festivities. I wish everyone celebrating the utmost prosperity and joy!
Join the Ontario Health Coalition on the first day of the new legislative session to send a strong message to Doug Ford and his government — healthcare is not for sale and needs massive public investment to serve Ontarians appropriately. RSVP here When: September 25, 12 PM Where: Queen’s Park South Lawn
Do you live in Regent Park in a market-rate apartment or condo? The Regent Park Neighbourhood Association is looking for two new members just like you! Have a voice in your community, meet your neighbours, and increase social cohesion and inclusion! If you are interested, send your resume and cover letter to [email protected]
Need to polish up your resume? Join Times Change Women’s Employment Services and learn how to create a resume that will stand out! When: September 25 via Zoom 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM OR book an appointment to work one-on-one with a career counsellor, email [email protected] *If you are already a client, please contact [email protected] and specify which workshop you would like to register for.
Families in Regent Park are invited to “Borrow a Grandparent” and spend time with older adults in the community and enjoy storytelling, games, music, button making, and reading. When: Saturday, September 30, 2-4pm Where: Daniels Spectrum Community Living Room (585 Dundas St East)
On September 27th, at noon five First Nations from Northern Ontario will come to Toronto to lead a march calling on Premier Ford to end unwanted mining activity on our Territories. These five strong First Nations have formed a historic alliance to protect our lands and waters in the face of mounting concerns about encroachment on our territories by mining exploration companies who the Ford Government has enabled.
ICON Talent Partners is now accepting applications from interested candidates for their 2023-2024 Fellowship class. Their Fellowship is a comprehensive 6-month program whereby they expose top BIPOC talent to competitive careers in sectors such as banking/finance, management consulting, venture capital, private equity, technology/innovation, startups, sports/entertainment and much much more! This completely FREE program strives to expose BIPOC high school students, university students, graduate/professional students and young professionals to the multitude of opportunities and careers that exist and which they can excel. |
