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Dear Neighbour, 

Happy Thanksgiving weekend! I wish everyone a peaceful weekend full of delicious food, time with loved ones, and a moment to reflect on what we have to be thankful for. If you are feeling lonely or hungry this weekend, there are several community events that would be enriched by your attendance! Please look for them at the end of this email. 

This was another busy week in the Legislature. The Ford government continues to be mired in scandals –  this time for possible illegal lobbying and expanding urban boundaries without consultation.

On Wednesday, I asked the government about potential illegal lobbying and conflict of interest under investigation by the Integrity Commissioner. The issue is with Mr. Amin Massoudi, who was hired as a speechwriter and communications consultant for the Premier under the name of the company he owns, Atlas Strategic Advisors. It was recently revealed that Atlas Strategic Advisors was registered to lobby the government on behalf of numerous companies while the company was under contract to the PC Caucus. When I raised this to Minister Paul Calandra, he stumbled over his words and tried to redirect me on a technicality. It is clear to me that he knows that the government is in the wrong. You can watch the full question here.

Yours in community service,

Kristyn Wong-Tam

MPP, Toronto Centre

Doug Ford and his government have not only been busy trying to sell off the Greenbelt for the benefit of their developer buddies; they have been doing the same types of favours for other “3rd parties”  as they work to expand the urban boundaries of many cities across the province, without proper consultation with the cities themselves or Indigenous communities, often against the express advice of planners within those municipalities.

Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles is calling this "Act II of the Greenbelt corruption crisis.”

She says that it is “yet further evidence that this government will stop at nothing to rig the system so long as it helps their close land speculator friends.” 

This internal government briefing note highlights “possible contentious issues” concerning the Conservatives’ April 2023 ministerial amendments to municipal official plans in Waterloo, Wellington County, Guelph, Barrie, Belleville, and Peterborough. 

The document shows the government knowingly overrode recommendations from regional planning staff by adding lands to municipalities’ urban boundaries proposed via “third-party requests,” neglected to consult with impacted First Nations, and forced urban boundary expansions that were at odds with the province’s own planning policies and housing targets.  

Ford and his government knew what they were doing was wrong. So they tried to hide it. They knew these plans would result in the loss and disruption of watersheds, farmlands, and critical habitats. They knew these decisions were not only not evidence-based but recommended against by experts. Yet they went ahead anyway, seemingly to please these unnamed “3rd parties”. I have a few good guesses about who they might be. I bet you do, too.

Nearly 500 tenants across five buildings in the York - South Weston area of Toronto are on rent strike to protest expensive above-guideline rent increases being imposed on them by their corporate landlords. 

Yesterday, I rose in the Legislature to ask the government when they will restore real rent control in Ontario and stop allowing huge corporations to price-gouge their tenants during a housing crisis. 

Watch my question here and sign the petition to bring back real rent control here.

I also attended No Demovictions TO’s protest on Tuesday. I am proud to stand alongside these tenants as they fight for their affordable homes and the community they love. Many of the apartment buildings slated for demolition do not need to be knocked down. They are aging and may need some repairs, but they should not be demolished just to make room for luxury apartments not covered by rent control. It is shameful that Doug Ford’s policies have made the displacement of these tenants easier and more profitable. 

Are you being demovicted? Get in touch with No Demovictions TO today!

A massive congratulations to Manitoba Premier-elect Wab Kinew, the entire NDP team, and the great people of Manitoba for making history this week. Manitoba elected the first Indigenous Premier in Canadian history! This is a very important day for Canada and Indigenous representation. I’m very excited to see the great things their majority government will accomplish! 

These election results are an incredible rebuke by voters of the social conservative dog-whistles their previous PC government made in desperate and shameful attempts to be re-elected.

Public Health Canada is in the process of approving updated COVID-19 boosters and vaccines. Here’s what you need to know:

• Almost all COVID sub-variants circulating in Ontario have mutations that have made our original and bivalent boosters less effective at preventing hospitalization and symptomatic infection.
• New boosters will soon be widely available in Ontario. These boosters are different. They are entirely targeted towards newer strains of COVID-19. They will offer significantly better protection. 
• Public health recommends for everyone who is eligible to get the new booster when it arrives. It will protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community. These new boosters offer the best available protection.
• COVID-19 numbers have been increasing across Ontario over the last month. 
• People at high-risk are being prioritized by local public health units to get new boosters first. Availability varies across Ontario, but you can call the provincial vaccine portal at 1-833-943-3900 for information about XBB booster availability in your area.
• I will share more information soon when I have clearer information about how you and your loved ones can get the new COVID-19 shot in Toronto.
• Toronto Public Health is providing free rapid tests. Learn more from Toronto Public Health here. 
• If you or a loved one tests positive for COVID-19, you may be eligible for Paxlovid. Paxlovid can reduce the risk of severe infection for people at risk. You can learn more from Toronto Public Health here. 
• Opening doors and windows, using MERV-13 HEPA filters, and wearing a high-quality mask (meaning an N-95, KN-95, etc) continues to reduce COVID-19 transmission.

It was an honour to join Pride Toronto & The 519 in recognizing Truth & Reconciliation Day this past Saturday with their community feast. As Canadians, it is vital we recognize the genocidal history Indigenous peoples survive and our crucial role in advancing Indigenous rights and self-determination. The Ontario government must do more to honour the treaties and negotiate with sovereign Indigenous nations in good faith.

Thank you to the St. James Town Residents' Association for welcoming me to their corn roast! It was wonderful to come together for some great food and great conversations. Look at those ears!

I was thrilled to join the vibrant Mid-Autumn Festival celebration sponsored by the Chinese Workers Network and the Asian Canadian Labour Alliance. Thank you for having me — and for the mooncakes!

Join me this Sunday, October 8th, 2023, at 10:30 am at CRC 40 Oak St to celebrate Thanksgiving weekend with the Muslim Welfare Centre! A hot, takeaway meal will be served on a first-come, first-served basis.

Enjoy a delicious meal, the beautiful sunshine, and time in the community! 

Toronto's First Post Office will lead a quill-writing workshop on October 14th — write a letter as they did in the Town of York in the 1830s! The event is free with a Pay What You May donation option, and 100% of proceeds go to material costs for the program. Don't forget to bring an address!

RSVP here for a ticket, as spaces are limited. All ages are welcome.

Join the Friends of Regent Park next Sunday, October 15th, from 10 am-12 pm for a Community Clean Up of the Big Park at 620 Dundas Street East! 

No registration required; meet at the Bake Oven. 

The 519 is hosting a free self-defense workshop next Sunday, October 15th, from 1:00-4:00, facilitated by Chris James! Register here to join! 

This is part of their monthly self-defense workshop series; more information can be found on their website here! If you sign up and are unable to attend, please email [email protected]

Join the Friends of Regent Park for their annual October Funfest! 

Date: Saturday, October 28, 2023

Time: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Location: The bake oven in the "Big Park"

This event includes a halal BBQ, pumpkin carving, music, dancing, candy, and apple crisp from the bake oven.

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!

Apply here by October 18th!

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 in which they can excel.

Dear Neighbour, 

Queen’s Park returned this week and so did Doug Ford’s shenanigans. 

Despite promising to introduce legislation that would protect the Greenbelt ⁠— he has not done so yet. His government voted against Marit Stiles’ Greenbelt Restoration Act at first reading ⁠— something which is virtually unheard of.  Almost all bills pass first reading. Voting in favour of a bill at first reading simply recognizes that the bill is suitable for debate and not offenssive. 

The Greenbelt Restoration Act Marit Stiles put forward would:

• Repeal the Ford Conservatives’ 2022 Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve Repeal Act and restore provisions in the DRAP Act, 2005.
• Amend the 2001 Oak Ridges Conservation Act so lands the Ford Conservatives removed from the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan by regulation are again a part of the Oak Ridges Moraine Area and the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan.
• Amend the Greenbelt Act, 2005 to protect the lands that the Ford government removed by regulation in 2022.
• Helped mitigate any potential liabilities that the government may incur through the change in policy.

Ford is embarrassed and scared. His government is backpedaling while the sharks in his caucus taste blood in the water. 

To keep the pressure on Doug Ford, Marit Stiles moved a motion for a special committee to investigate Ford’s Greenbelt Grab.

As Marit Stiles said, “I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again – we are going to use every legislative tool available to us to get to the bottom of the Ford Conservatives’ corruption scandal and restore trust, transparency, and accountability at Queen’s Park.”

People have lost trust in this government. Too many questions remain. Who in the government tipped off speculators to the Greenbelt changes? Who made the decision to change policy direction? We’ll keep asking questions until we uncover the full extent of the government’s all-too cozy relationships with well-connected speculators.

A prior Select Committee helped uncover misconduct in the former Liberal government’s gas plants scandal, which led to the former Premier’s chief of staff sentenced to four months in jail. The creation of that Select Committee was supported by MPPs from all parties.

As you might expect, I was excited to return to Queen’s Park swinging at the Ford government. 

On Monday, I demanded that Ford apologize to educators and Trans Ontarians for his inflammatory language that is actively making schools unsafe for 2SLGTBQI+ students. You can watch and share my question here.

And earlier today I had the chance to call attention to heart-breaking criminal cases that the Ontario Superior Court dismissed due to ‘inexplicable’ delays. Everyone who has been following the administration of justice in Ontario knows that the delays are not inexplicable: they are the direct, predictable consequence of this government’s chronic underfunding and meddling with appointments.

While the bar is low for the quality of the answers this government provides, this answer was particularly egregious. I asked the Minister about a stabbing and shooting in Toronto Centre this week that stems from his failure to fix our bail system.  But his final answer to "our criminal justice system is collapsing and victims aren't getting justice" was essentially "you're welcome". Shame. 

Finally, beginning this Friday, community members and organizations will recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. There will be many events taking place in our community to help you recognize this important day and show support for local Indigenous organizations. 

Beginning tomorrow, the Indigenous Legacy Gathering at Nathan Phillips Square is organized by Council Fire. Friday and Saturday will be busy with a full schedule of events from 7 AM on Friday to 8 PM on Saturday. You can see the schedule here.

Additionally, Friday, September 29, will be the Mid-Autumn Festival! I hope that everyone celebrating can gather with their families to enjoy good health and prosperity.

Yours in community service,

Kristyn Wong-Tam

MPP, Toronto Centre

Health care is not for sale! It was an honour joining labour and community advocates from across Ontario this week calling for an end to Ford's privatization plan. We saved the Greenbelt ⁠— now let's save public health care! 

It is an honor to stand with First Nations Land Defenders and allies to call for justice and respect for First Nations. Ford is refusing to meet with Northern Ontario Chiefs, reinforcing his pattern of encroaching on Indigenous land without consultation. Grassy Narrows and all other nations have the right to Free Prior and Informed Consent!

The next economic downtown is ahead ⁠— if it isn't already here. The Federal government has been asked by the commanding majority of small business stakeholders to extend the loan forgiveness deadline for CEBA loans by a year. Not doing this will force thousands of small businesses to take out new loans at today's painfully high interest rates. This means small shops will close. Workers will lose their jobs. The Federal NDP publicly supports this change to save small businesses. You can read the Federal NDP's statement here.

Justin Trudeau must sit down with small business stakeholders and accommodate small businesses' needs in the middle of a downtown. Immediately. 

No Demovictions Toronto is hosting a rally against demovictions and renovictions this coming October 2 at 5 PM at City Hall. Tenants, this is your time to speak out!

This will be a public call to action to demand government prioritize affordable, purpose-built rental buildings in Toronto. We are seeing a record number of rental units being destroyed, leaving our affordable housing stock meager and forcing seniors, families, and low-income individuals into dire financial stress. 

You can see No Demovictions Toronto’s complete list of demands here — I’m looking forward to seeing you there!

Join Dixon Hall on Thursday Oct 5th, from 11 AM to  3 PM for their Hospitality and Food Industry Job Fair! This is a great chance to speak with prominent leaders in the sector, make connections, and even land a great job! 

To register, email [email protected]

The Downtown Yonge BIA has put out a survey to understand the community's concerns around safety and inclusion. If you can, please spare a few minutes to give your input on these essential neighbourhood questions. 

Please note that the Downtown Yonge is defined by Bloor Street in the North, Bay Street in the West, Richmond Street in the South, and Church Street in the East.

Follow this link to enter the survey! All respondents who complete the survey by September 30, 2023, can enter for a chance to win: 

• One (1) "Exotic Escape for Two Retreat" Elmwood Spa package;
• One (1) set of two (2) tickets to the musical "Chicago" at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre;
• Two (2) $200 Little Canada Giftcards;
• Two (2) $50 Hailed Coffee Giftcards;
• Three (3) $50 Le Genie Bakery & Espresso Giftcards and
• One (1) $200 Adega restaurant Giftcard

Ahead of Thanksgiving weekend, register for The Corner’s Thanksgiving meal on October 6, 2023, from 12 PM to 2 PM. 

Halal and vegetarian options will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Places are limited, so please register by calling 416-964-6657 or visit The Corner at 200 or 250 Wellesley St. East.  Find out more information here.

Did you have a great time at this year’s Cabbagetown Festival? I know that my team and I did! 

They are conducting a survey on how local businesses, residents, and visitors liked the festival. You could win 1-of-2 $100 gift cards for a local Cabbagetown shop! 

The deadline to complete is October 6 —  fill out the survey here.

Hope Leads is conducting a health and advocacy workshop to support women and gender-diverse community members to improve their understanding of the Canadian healthcare system, develop self-advocacy skills, and build capacity within the healthcare systems to sustain improvements.

To participate, you must: 

• Self-identify as a woman, non-binary, or gender-diverse person in Canada with lived experience(s) of barriers to healthcare and income inequality — we prioritize Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour, folks with disabilities, neurodiverse people, migrants, immigrants, newcomers, refugees, non-citizens, members of the Two-Spirit and LGBTQIAA+ community and those from under-served and under-represented communities that have access to less robust protections and fewer resources;
• are able to attend a live online class on Eastern time (The date will be shared with participants)
• are 18 years and older;
• are comfortable engaging in a closed online group setting with a camera and mic on;
• can provide GOOD TO BE GOOD with the information we need to ensure a successful session.

Visit the link here to fill out the form to sign up!

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)

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!

Apply here by October 18th!

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.

Dear Emma, 

I want to wish everyone celebrating a happy Rosh Hashanah! I hope that the year ahead of us brings everyone the best of health, happiness, and success.

This was another eventful week in provincial politics, with Global News publishing Ford’s mandate letters from 2018. CBC also reported that Ford spent over 1672 hours of Crown Attorney's time fighting their release. Ford’s mandate letters show a pattern we saw during his first term — he is fixated on cutting the public services we rely on. 

It is crucial to stress that Ford has not published his mandate letters from the current 2022-2026 term.

On a lighter note, I want to thank all our amazing volunteers and community members who came out for the St. James Town and Cabbagetown Festivals last weekend! The streets were packed, and our local shops were busy. In fact, our big orange NDP tent had so many visitors that we’ll need to re-order new swag to replenish our supplies. What a way to wrap up the summer!

To round out the busy week, yesterday I returned to Queen’s Park for Estimates Committee meetings, where I asked pointed questions to the Solicitor General and the Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery. The Estimates Committee is a standing committee where we review how the government is spending the money allocated in the budget and have the opportunity to question Ministers and government staff. 

I used this opportunity to draw attention to a series of news stories this week about the crisis in Ontario Courts. It was reported that Judges are refusing to sit in Ontario’s Milton courthouse because it is literally falling apart, while Liberal and PC governments have ignored courthouse workers calling for urgently needed repairs. You can see my CP24 interview here or listen to my interview on Newstalk 1010 here. 

Yours in community service,

Kristyn Wong-Tam

MPP, Toronto Centre

This upcoming Sunday, September 17, is Regent Park’s newest Pride event, OUT LOUD!

This one-day block party is themed to promote equity and inclusivity. Join us on Regent Park Boulevard from 12 PM to 7 PM. You can register and find out more about this fantastic event here.

Our team will be there all day, so please come by to say hi! Look for our big orange tent, where we will be giving away more prizes. There will also be music, vendors, entertainers, arts & crafts, cotton candy, children's games, and even a cookie bar. Yes, you read that right, a cookie bar!

Happy 30th Birthday to Toronto's Performing Arts Lodge!

PAL provides invaluable housing and support to performing artists and arts workers. They were early pioneers of the St Lawrence neighbourhood and helped create a beautiful community.

PAL teamed up with Commfest to host a joyful block-long celebration on Market Street. I have been a champion of PAL and co-op housing my entire life and public career, and I couldn’t be prouder to celebrate this significant milestone with them!

Leader Marit Stiles and Ontario NDP have condemned new renderings of Ford’s Ontario Place scheme. MPP Chris Glover represents the riding of Spadina Fort York, home of the beautiful natural waterfront habitat that Ontario Place rests on. I want to share my colleague’s statement here, which I fully support: 

Ontario Place’s West Island is a mature forest that provides habitat to more than 125 species of birds, as well as mink, beavers, and foxes. It’s a precious greenspace in Downtown Toronto, where that is pretty rare. Just like carving up the Greenbelt, this is a real disservice to our environment and to future generations of Ontarians.
It shows how committed this government is to these shady backroom deals, especially in light of their Greenbelt corruption scandal. Here, they’re pushing forward with a backroom deal that emerged from a shady procurement process that gave a private corporation, Therme Group, control over some of Canada's most valuable public parkland.
The entire process surrounding the Ontario Place lease has been deeply flawed and shrouded in secrecy. This 'new' footprint is nothing but a regurgitation of their old, recycled plan. Ontario Place is public land cherished by generations of Ontarians. A 95-year lease that forces the public to pay half a billion dollars for a new parking garage while handing over public land to a private luxury spa is wrong.
Let's be clear - this is not what Ontarians want. Given this government's track record of scandals and questionable backroom deals, we have every right to be deeply troubled. The Ford Conservatives must cancel this lease and go back to the drawing board to engage in a fair and transparent process that truly respects the wishes and concerns of Ontarians."
The procurement process surrounding this luxury spa has been marred by flaws, including recent revelations from an FOI report that no fairness monitor was in place, raising serious concerns about transparency and fairness.

Amidst the Ford Conservatives’ corruption scandal, the Ontario NDP has filed an official complaint with Elections Ontario over questionable donations made to the Conservative Party.

The donations in question appear to be from Municipal Solutions, a lobbying company helmed by John Mutton, who multiple sources identify as the “Mr. X” from the Integrity Commissioner’s report.

Ford’s Conservative Party can’t say who paid for these donations, which were for tickets to a record-breaking $6 million fundraiser held behind closed doors. Official documents suggest Municipal Solutions purchased two $1,500 tickets to a Conservative fundraiser and gave them to municipal politicians.

The Conservative Party’s required donations disclosures to Elections Ontario do not include the names of Mutton, the two municipal politicians who used the tickets, or Municipal Solutions.

In a letter to Elections Ontario, Provincial Director Kevin Beaulieu asked the Chief Electoral Officer to investigate these – and other – donations made to the Conservatives.

Ontario’s Election Finances Act prohibits political parties from accepting corporate donations. Donations may also not be made on behalf of someone else.

Read Beaulieu’s full letter here.

Recently, the City of Toronto and the Toronto Transit Commission have announced two pieces of big news. First, all TTC subway riders will be getting cellphone service starting October 3rd! Torontonians will no longer have to be brought back to the stone age when they ride the subway. After over a decade, Mayor Olivia Chow and François-Philippe Champagne, Federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, have successfully ended Rogers’ hold over underground wireless coverage. 

More exciting news is that TTC service is restored to near pre-pandemic levels this fall. Aside from initial service cuts in 2020 due to the pandemic, previous Mayor John Tory again cut service on the TTC back in May of 2023. You can read more about how the TTC is returning to full service here, including in Scarborough. 

ACTNOW is hoisting a rally against demovictions and renovictions this coming October 2 at 5 PM at City Hall. Tenants, this is your time to speak out!

This will be a public call to action to demand government prioritize affordable, purpose-built rental buildings in Toronto. We are seeing a record number of rental units being destroyed, leaving our affordable housing stock meager and forcing seniors, families, and low-income individuals into dire financial stress. 

You can see ACTNOW’s complete list of demands here — I’m looking forward to seeing you there! 

Are you 17-29 years old and interested in a career in the trades? This information session hosted by BOLT, Tridel's charitable arm, is for you! Learn about the finishing trades, understand how to start your career, and enjoy a complimentary lunch. 

When: Wednesday, September 20, 12-3 PM

Where: Yonge Street Mission, 306 Gerrard Street East

The Downtown East Action Plan provides a set of actions to coordinate City services and address complex challenges in Toronto’s Downtown East related to poverty, homelessness, community safety, mental health, substance use, and the drug poisoning crises.

Join Fred Victor for their final Community Forum on Wednesday, September 20th, from 6 PM to 8 PM at the John Ines Community Center. Share your thoughts about the action plan, hear updates, and discuss practical next steps.

RSVP here!

Join Fred Victor, Friends of Regent Park, and Muslim Welfare Canada on Saturday, September 16, for their annual Harvest Festival. Celebrate Regent Park gardeners, enjoy a community meal, kids’s activities, a raffle, and more!

The event will be hosted in the Big Park Communal Garden at 620 Dundas Street East from 11 AM-1:30 PM.

If you have questions, email Ashrafi Ahmedat [email protected]. See you there!

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

Regent Park Film Festival is excited to host a special FREE community screening of the 1997 documentary Shooting Indians: A Journey with Jeffrey Thomas. Join them for this free event, followed by a talkback with the filmmakers! RSVP here, and tickets are first-come, first-served. 

When: Thursday, September 21 - doors open at 6:30 PM, movie starts at 7:00 PM.

Where: Imagine Cinemas Carlton Cinema - 20 Carlton Street

Dear Neighbour, 

The beginning of September signifies a return to school and the Labour Day long weekend. With the CNE in full swing, eager parents and students have a few days left to take it all in. 

This week, Artscape announced it has been placed into receivership. They are a cultural institution that has operated successfully in Toronto for over 30 years by providing creative spaces and residences for artists. Like many in Toronto Centre, I’m concerned for the future of those who live in Artscape's live/work apartments or rely on their community hub and services such as those in Regent Park. 

Over the years in conversations with Artscape staff, board members, and most recently with the CEO, I have expressed my support for dedicated and expanded arts funding. 

The Ford Conservatives have failed to invest in the arts and non-profit housing models similar to what Artscape has offered creatives for years. To create a truly vibrant and successful arts and cultural sector in Ontario, we need a provincial arts funding strategy, including inflation-indexed and sustained investment in the Ontario Art Council to reverse years of Conservative cuts.

On a personal note, this summer has been incredibly challenging as my wife is still receiving cancer treatment. Farrah is the bravest person I know and I’m incredibly proud of her. Recently, my father has been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer and as I support him and Farrah with their treatment plans, I’m in awe of the hardworking health care professionals who go above and beyond to take care of our loved ones. They deserve our deepest gratitude. As an MPP, watching firsthand the deficits in the health care system, I’m re-committed now more than ever to fight for real investments to ensure our healthcare system is strong, viable and stays public forever. 

Many thanks to the residents of Toronto Centre who have stopped me on the street to offer kindness or sent along their good wishes. It means more to me than you can ever imagine. I am so proud to represent you.

Read ahead for select community events and festivals that are free and fun for everyone.

Stay safe and enjoy the long weekend ahead.

Yours in community service,

Kristyn Wong-Tam

MPP, Toronto Centre

This week, we learned of another damning piece of the puzzle in the Ford government’s disturbing pattern of corruption. We learned that Steve Clark has been found to have breached two sections of the Member’s Integrity Act – an important code of ethics that all government members agree to follow when Ontarians trust us with public office.

With each new piece of information, we’re seeing how far up this corruption goes. Ontarians deserve nothing less than full accountability from this Minister who used his public position to benefit a select few ultra-wealthy developers. Ford must demand his resignation instead of protecting his minister.

The size of this scandal is outrageous. This Minister clearly broke the law with his involvement in these dirty deals.

However, Doug Ford is doubling down on his defence of Steve Clark, and even getting aggressive towards journalists ⁠— which you can watch here.

Ontarians deserve so much better than fake apologies. His words are meaningless without any action to back them up. Ford must step up, show some leadership, and kick Clark out of cabinet. Then get us all back in the Legislature so we can restore all of these lands back to the Greenbelt.

Background and Quick Facts:

• The Integrity Commissioner has found Minister Clark in breach of sections 2 (conflict of interest) and 3.2 (insider information) of the Member’s Integrity Act.
• He has recommended to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario that Minister Clark be reprimanded for his failure to comply with the Act.
• A complaint was filed by the Official Opposition on December 8, 2022
• Additional information was presented in the Auditor General’s special report on the Greenbelt changes
• The Official Opposition ONDP added to the complaint following the release of the AG’s special report on August 19, 2023

Public Pressure is Working

While Ford refuses to listen to Ontarians, common sense, or even the Integrity Commissioner, his team is clearly worried and potentially beginning to buckle.This week the government began to return two parcels of land to the Greenbelt after its owners’ listed the land as being for sale. This is not nearly enough to fix the mess he made ⁠— but coming from a Premier who refuses to fire a blatantly corrupt cabinet Minister, it shows how deeply anxious Ford’s team is right now.

To help keep up public pressure, the Ontario NDP launched a new website that I invite you to share with your networks ⁠— HasSteveClarkResignedYet.ca.   

Earlier this week, Ford’s Education Minister Stephen Lecce refused to commit to keeping Trans students safe at school. He was asked if Ontario would bring forward legislation that could force education workers to out Trans and non-binary students without their permission that could put students at further risk — even when their parents are anti-Trans. 

According to the Trans Pulse Health Survey, 35% of Trans Ontarians have seriously considered suicide in the last year, and 11.2% have attempted suicide. Social support — in places like schools — reduces that risk and keeps Trans students safe. We must recognize that in the schools and at homes, the safety of children and youth must come first - above all else. Minister Lecce is not better informed about the safety of home environments than the students navigating them in real-time.

This week, Leader Marit Stiles, Education Critic Chandra Pasma and I as your 2SLGBTQI+ Critic held a roundtable with education stakeholders to discuss how to ensure schools are safe and welcoming for all students and staff in the rise of anti-2SLGBTQI hate. Here is our statement.

Ontario’s NDP will do everything in our power to fight anti-Trans legislation if the Ford government chooses to bring harmful new bills forward. We have already tabled legislation to expand Gender Affirming Health Care and create 2SLGBTQI+ Safety Zones in the last year.

Join Marit Stiles, Jagmeet Singh and our Toronto caucus as we take the streets with over 20,000 labour members to honour the past, present and future victories of the Labour Movement at this year’s annual Labour Day Parade. The NDP is the party of working people and we will never waiver in our solidarity with the labour movement. We will be in the lead section of the parade.

This year, the Toronto York Region Labour Council highlights our collective strength and solidarity with the theme,  "Year of the Union. Worker Power, Lifting Communities.” 

As we march through the heart of Toronto, we'll be showcasing the vital role that unions play in improving our workplaces, our neighbourhoods, and our lives. From workplace challenges to the cost of living crisis, it’s through our collective power that we can inspire positive change and uplift not only ourselves but also the communities we're a part of. When we stand together, we can uplift entire communities.

WHEN: September 4, departure at 9:30 AM sharp

WHERE: NDP contingent will meet at Queen & Simcoe at 9:15 AM

Let's march in solidarity, showing the world the true impact of worker power. Let's continue to advocate for fair treatment, better conditions, and a brighter future for all!

2023 has been a ‘Hot Labour Summer’ (to use a term circulating on social media) with many strikes and wins by workers united for fairness. 

This week, Unifor announced that Metro workers’ strike has ended with an agreement that secures historic wins for frontline workers. Toronto Centre New Democrats and I had the honour of joining Metro workers every week on the picket lines in Toronto Centre to show support for their demands. Congratulations! 

In additional good news, USW announced today that a second Starbucks in Ontario has successfully voted to unionize!

While good news abounds when workers organize, TVO workers’ strike is continuing. To quote my colleague NDP MPP Jill Andrew, “TVO is, and has been, more than a channel to us. More than a broadcaster. It educates us. It entertains us. In many ways, it helped raise us. This doesn't happen without its workers, who for too long, have been kept down with wage freezes or increases well-below inflation (equalling a cut), moving from temporary contract to temporary contract, all without benefits of permanent placement.” 

I look forward to greeting and encouraging TVO workers during the Labour Day Parade!

On a final note, the Toronto Centre NDP’s 2021 training on how to unionize your workplace remains relevant. You can share it with any family members, friends, or colleagues you know at this link. 

Yesterday I stood with community organizations including parents who lost their children to commemorate International Overdose Awareness Day. Last year in Canada 7328 died from overdose. That’s 20 people a day. 34% of deaths are in Ontario.

We know solutions to preventing overdose deaths include moving away from criminalization to remove the stigma, making drug-quality testing freely available to guarantee a safe supply, and funding affordable, supportive housing, and crisis beds for those seeking treatment.

I want to specifically thank the Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention, Women's College Hospital, META-PHI, FAR Canada, Africans in Partnership Against AIDS, and African and Caribbean Council on HIV/AIDS in Ontario for your vital work every day of the year.

To frontline harm reduction workers: when things finally change ⁠— and they will ⁠— it will be because of the difficult and life-transforming work you are doing today.

The St James Town and Cabbagetown Festivals are coming up!  Both are held on September 9 and the Cabbagetown Festival spans the whole weekend, including September 10. My team will be setting up a community table at the two events and we need your help to give away Back to School supplies and other cool swag.

Volunteering at these festivals is a great time to connect with the community, spread the word about important provincial issues, and enjoy a beautiful weekend with new friends.

Cabbagetown Festival ⁠— Volunteer with us! 

We have shifts at 11 AM, 2 PM, and 3:30 PM on Saturday the 9 and Sunday September 10.

 St James Town Festival ⁠— Volunteer with us! 

We have shifts at 2 PM, and 4:30 PM on Saturday the 9. When can you join us?

Mayor Olivia Chow announced on Monday that TTC Service will increase to 93% of pre-pandemic levels after Labour Day to accommodate an expected influx of riders. Service will be increased to 95% by November, with bus service at 99% of pre-pandemic levels

From Tues., Sept. 5, the TTC will be restoring 126 school trips for elementary and secondary schools, and will be increasing frequency on nine routes that serve post-secondary institutions. 

“More TTC service means more room on board, shorter wait times, and better reliability for all transit users,” said Mayor Olivia Chow. “By reinvesting some of the $60 million originally budgeted to operate Line 5, there will be 280,000 weekly customer trips with scheduled service improvements by November, with service almost back to pre-pandemic levels. Most of this investment will be in the bus network, where we know demand is greatest.”

By November, more Scarborough transit users will have a direct bus route to the subway, without needing to transfer to other buses.

For every dollar spent at a small business, 66 cents on average stays in the local community, compared to just 11 cents of every dollar from large multinational companies, according to new data from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). 

Shopping local is more fun, often more convenient, and keeps our local economies humming. Support a local business this weekend and post about it using #ShopLocal and #SmallBusinessEveryDay

Join Fred Victor, Friends of Regent Park, and Muslim Welfare Canada on Saturday, September 16 for their annual Harvest Festival. Celebrate Regent Park gardeners, enjoy a community meal, kids’s activities, a raffle, and more! The event will be hosted in the Big Park Communal Garden at 620 Dundas Street East, from 11 AM-1:30 PM. If you have questions email Ashrafi Ahmedat [email protected]. See you there!

Join the SLNA’s Waste Reduction Group for their 8th Annual ReMarket to recycle your unwanted items, repair broken items, get your bike repaired, or bring home some new (to you) items from the Free Market. This event runs Wednesday September 20 from 10 AM-7 PM and  Thursday, September 21 from 11 AM to 3 PM. Different services are offered each day so be sure to visit the SLNA’s website for full details. 

The City of Toronto is hosting a series of public consultations as they carry out an Implementation Review of the City’s Noise Bylaw. Your voice deserves to be heard.

Consultations are taking place in-person and virtually between September 12 to 21 - sign up here. 

Email SubmissionsYou can also submit your feedback by emailing [email protected]. Deadline to submit feedback is October 15, 2023.

Starting September 5, 2023, Dixon Hall Employment Services offers an eight-week FREE computer training followed by 3 months of assistance for employment or Literature and Basic Skills training.

This initiative is open exclusively to unemployed women.

Services will be delivered in hybrid mode (in person at the Regent Park Community Centre with one-on-one support, and via virtual platforms).

The first cohort of 10 women will start the program on September 5, and our instructors will deliver the following modules: Basic Computer Skills, How to use a Smart Phone at work, Creative Writing, etc. Wrap Around Coaching, Building Resilience and Career Development, Canadian Workplace Culture, Job search workshop, Professional Communication, In-Depth Resume Writing, and Cover Letter sessions are built in as well in this training.

Learn how to deliver great customer service and boost your career in hospitality.

Working in hospitality and tourism requires great customer service skills. This free, in-person, two-day program was developed by OTEC and gives you a hands-on approach to learning how to deliver good customer service, including customer service essentials, stress management, and emotional intelligence.

The program is being held on two upcoming weekends, September 23 and 24, as well as October 21 and 22.

This has been another full week of news about the Greenbelt and this government’s corrupt handover of billions of dollars to their favoured developers. In this newsletter, I will continue to keep you updated on this scandal as it develops. 

We are also in the thick of festival season in Toronto Centre! Keep reading for details about The 519’s Back to School Bash, Freedom Fest, Summer Chill Fest, the St James Town Festival, and the Cabbagetown Festival! 

Doug Ford’s backroom Greenbelt deals are starting to rot from the inside out. Two of the Housing and Municipal Affairs Minister’s staffers have resigned and just this morning the government backtracked on the removal of one large parcel of Greenbelt land in Caledon. This is a huge victory! And it’s a reminder that our pressure on the government is working - we have to keep it up! Please continue to email the Minister, share information, and get involved with local groups fighting for our greenbelt. Minister Clark needs to resign in disgrace over this colossal scandal. 

I also want to echo what our leader Marit Stiles had to say about Minister Clark’s Chief of Staff’s resignation:

“This is the bare minimum of accountability for one of the most serious breaches of public trust in Ontario’s history. The Auditor General’s report was very clear—this staffer obviously didn’t act independently. 

Now it’s time that the Minister take responsibility, do the right thing, and step down; time that the government recall the Legislature so we can restore these lands to the Greenbelt for protection; and time for the Conservatives to start providing Ontarians with the transparency and accountability they deserve. 

Mr. Ford needs to face the music.” 

I also join my colleague Catherine Fife in calling for the Ontario Legislature’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts to prioritize the Auditor General’s Greenbelt report, so it is the first order of business when the Committee resumes.

The Ontario NDP will use every available legislative tool to get to the bottom of this scandal and end corruption at Queen’s Park. It is sickening but not shocking that Ford Conservatives continue to disregard due process, accountability, and transparency. Instead, they seem to be actively encouraging and perpetuating corruption to the tune of billions of dollars and thousands of hectares of priceless protected land.

MPP Fife’s letter to the committee cited precedents to prioritizing the Auditor General’s Special Reports, including those on the Liberal government’s Ornge and gas plants scandals.

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts can conduct public hearings, calling representatives from the government and the broader public sector, with the goal of providing analysis and recommendations to the Legislature. 

The Official Opposition NDP has also formally requested that the Legislature be recalled immediately to return the lands to the Greenbelt for protection.  

Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles delivered a passionate speech to assembled delegates at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) conference on Monday. In that speech, she reiterated the ONDP’s commitment to supporting municipalities and being a partner to them in building housing.

I am proud to be part of a caucus that is proposing solutions that don’t involve giving massive incentives to developers over struggling Ontarians or making land speculators rich by ignoring the environment. Here are just some of the positive and expert-backed housing solutions that the ONDP has and will continue to put forward in the Legislature:

• Real rent control
• Building truly affordable housing (including non-profit, public, co-op, and supportive housing)
• Cracking down on land speculation
• Establishing inclusionary zoning to build homes within existing neighbourhoods, near transit, and other key infrastructure.

I am proud to stand in solidarity with TVO workers who are on strike. They are fighting for wages that reflect the cost of living after years of wage freezes and caps. They are also fighting for permanent jobs, not precarious contracts, for the licensed teachers who deliver curriculum content on TVO. This content is part of TVO’s organizational mandate, but the Minister of Education has directed the organization to hire only contract workers for those positions. This is why collective bargaining and strikes are such important tools for workers. Together they can take on the big bosses and Ministers that one worker alone could not. 

On Monday Mayor Olivia Chow announced that 1,350 more people in Toronto will be supported to pay for housing through $13.4M of new funding to the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB) program, which supplies individuals and families in need with rent supplements. This one-time top-up funding consists of contributions from both the City of Toronto and the Province of Ontario. 

This infusion of emergency cash will help people experiencing homelessness, including asylum seekers, secure safe, permanent housing while they get back on their feet or establish themselves in the city for the first time. This will also relieve pressure on the shelter system, which is routinely over-capacity and not a permanent housing solution for anyone. 

I am glad that the Provincial government came to the table at this critical moment and grateful to Mayor Chow for getting this deal done. It has been so disappointing to see the Federal government leave Toronto behind during this crisis. 

On Monday, August 28, from 4 PM to 5 PM, MPP Jessica Bell, MPP Chris Glover and I are hosting a virtual Small Business Forum with special guest Aaron Binder from Better Way Alliance.

We will be discussing:

• Implementing a standard commercial lease,
• Commercial rent control so there’s a cap on how much the rent can be raised between tenancies,
• Creating a dispute resolution mechanism like a Commercial Tenant Board.

You can RSVP for our Zoom forum here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. More information can be found here, and if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please email me at [email protected] or MPP Jessica Bell’s office at [email protected]. 

The St James Town and Cabbagetown Festivals are coming up. Both are held on the weekend of September 9 and 10 and Kristyn’s team will be setting up a community table at the two events. 

These festivals are a great time to connect with the community, spread the word about important provincial issues, and enjoy a beautiful weekend with new friends.

Cabbagetown Festival - Volunteer with us! 

We have shifts at 11am, 2pm, and 3:30pm on Saturday the 9th and Sunday the 10th. When can you join us?

St James Town Festival - Volunteer with us! 

We have shifts at 2pm, and 4:30pm on Saturday the 9th. When can you join us?

Residents of Church-Wellesley, St. James Town, Regent Park and Moss Park are invited to The 519’s 7th Annual Back to School Bash. This free event is being held this Saturday, August 26, 11 AM - 4 PM at Barbara Hall Park.

Celebrate as we get set for the new school year with:

• delicious food, live DJ, and performances
• bouncy castle, games, and school photos
• haircuts for kids and youth
• backpacks with school supplies for kids and youth attending
• books for children attending
• children's catch-up vaccinations available on site
• dental cleaning
• educational pop-up stations
• interactive art installation, and much more!

Freedom City Ministry presents their 9th Annual FreedomFest this Saturday August 26, 1 - 6 PM at the Greenspace behind 200 Wellesley Street East.  

FREE food, music, clothes, essentials, household items, kids stuff, fun, festivities & community!

This Saturday is the new basketball court official dedication & revitalized green space opening at 325 and 375 Bleecker Street.  Youth United Basketball League from the Wellesley Community Centre is hosting a FREE community BBQ, a 4on4 basketball tournament & back-to-school giveaways this Saturday August 26 from 2 - 4 PM.

This upcoming Sunday head to the St James Cathedral Lawn for an interfaith summer celebration hosted by the Anglican Diocese of Toronto. 

Summer Chill will be held on Sunday, August 27, from 12 -2 PM, outside St. James’ Cathedral. This free, family-friendly event will combine fun activities for kids (including a free ice-cream truck and a visit from Santa on vacation!) with information on issues faced by people experiencing homelessness and the need for expanded respite capacity.

Calling all fashion fans! Join your neighbours in a showcase of diverse one-of-a-kind pieces created by community members! The event will include music, snacks and the main show. Come celebrate the creativity of Regent Park!

This event will take place on Thursday, August 31st from 5-9pm in the Daniels Spectrum Courtyard (585 Dundas St E). RSVP here! 

We love the annual St James Town Festival, a fun-filled community event that brings out all the neighbours. Head to the Greenspace behind 200 Wellesley St East to enjoy live performances, activities, and food vendors from 2-7 PM on Saturday, September 9. And don’t forget to stop by our MPP community table for spin-the-wheel prizes and popular swag giveaways!

The Cabbagetown Festival is back! I am excited that this treasured annual festival is coming back to Parliament Street. Come by on August 9 and 10 for live entertainment, food vendors, a kids zone, and showcases by local businesses and artisans. We’ll be there with our community table under the bright orange banner for the entire weekend with spin-the-wheel prizes and popular swag giveaway!

Learn more and sign up to volunteer with the Cabbagetown BIA here.

The Downtown East Action Plan provides a set of actions to coordinate City services and address complex challenges in Toronto’s Downtown East related to poverty, homelessness, community safety, mental health, substance use, and the drug poisoning crises.
I know many of you are deeply affected by these crises and it is important that the Action Plan is informed by your experiences and ideas. Fill out the survey and stay connected to the Action Plan’s work here.

Yours in community service,

Kristyn

Kristyn Wong-Tam

MPP, Toronto Centre