As I work to advocate for our communities, I will be sharing updates of my work through a continuation of my regular newsletter.
You can choose if you to receive local updates, provincial updates, or both!
March 23, 2023 Newsletter
March 17, 2023 Newsletter
March 8, 2023 Newsletter
February 15, 2023
February 10, 2023
Dear Neighbour,
It has been a dramatic week in Toronto Centre.
Yesterday the Toronto Star published an exclusive detailing that Ford’s Ministry of Transportation interfered with Metrolinx. The Ministry ordered Metrolinx to exclude MPP Peter Tabuns from public notices that trees would be clear-cut in Moss Park last Saturday.
Let’s be very clear about what this means: partisan staffers ordered non-partisan public servants in a non-partisan public body to specifically exclude NDP MPPs from a notice that other local representatives’ offices received.
By politicizing new transit construction, Ford's government risks delaying urgently needed new transit. These directives undermine public faith and trust in Metrolinx and in new transit projects.
MPP Tabuns and I immediately wrote to Ford’s Minister Caroline Mulroney demanding an explanation.
My team and I are looking into what other accountability and ethics measures are available to us about this.
You can read the letter Peter Tabuns and I sent Minister Mulroney here.
Expert Panel on Ontario Tribunals Next Wednesday
I am excited to share the list of panelists we have lined up for our panel on Wednesday, February 15, at 7 PM. I am excited to confirm that our guests will be:
Gilles Frenette
Gilles Frenette — if you are active on the Facebook group Ontario Tenant Rights, chances are that you have interacted with Gilles! Gilles is currently a member of the Mabelle Resident’s Association and Secretary of Unifor Local 25. An active volunteer for the last 20 years, his activities have included advocating for freedom of information, ethical recycling and bridging the technology gap for marginalized groups.
Kathy Laird
Kathy Laird has extensive experience in the administrative justice sector as an adjudicator and mediator at several Ontario tribunals, including the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, the Pay Equity Hearings Tribunal, and the Child and Family Services Review Board. She has served as counsel to the Chair of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario and as the executive director of the Human Rights Legal Support Centre.
Gary Yee
Gary Yee has served as full-time chair of three Ontario tribunals and part-time chair of a municipal tribunal. His administrative law career included being the founding Executive Director of the Chinese & Southeast Asian Legal Clinic; and senior positions at Ombudsman Ontario and the Immigration and Refugee Board. Gary has been on the Boards of CCAT (Council of Canadian Administrative Tribunals) and SOAR (Society of Ontario Adjudicators and Regulators).
Rally Against Ford’s Plans to Privatize Public Health Care
Show that Ontarians are united against Ford’s plans for private American-style health care. Toronto NDP MPPs are organizing a rally to show that Ontarians will not give up on our public health care system on Wednesday February 22, 2023 — the day when Ford is expected to introduce his legislation at Queen’s Park. We will be giving out free posters that you can then use as window signs!
What: Rally to Save Public Health Care
When: Wednesday February 22, 2023 at 5 p.m.
Where: Corner of University and College St.
RSVP: Click here to join the TCNDP contingent!
Other News:
- Thank you Councillor Chris Moise for voting to keep our most vulnerable and marginalized neighbours safe and warm this week. The outcome of the vote was absolutely shameful, but we are grateful for all the Councillors who fought the good fight.
- Community Skate in Regent Park! There will be a free community skate party on Sunday February 19 at the Regent Park Skate Rink (480 Shuter St.) from 1 PM – 4 PM
Yours in community & solidarity,
Toronto Centre