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Dear Neighbour, 

Today a bold new progressive chapter begins in the history of our city. Olivia Chow was sworn in as Mayor. Her story resonates in Toronto Centre because she called our streets in St. James Town her first Canadian home after her family arrived. Our new Mayor grew up on Rose Ave.

Olivia’s story of growing up in St. James Town, supporting her family’s transition to a new country, and her first-hand knowledge of what it means to be a tenant, to ride the TTC regularly, and to overcome systemic barriers matters. And that lived experience ⁠— experiences shared by so many of us in Toronto Centre ⁠— means that her policies will reflect what people actually need. 

Needless to say, I was overjoyed to join her swearing in as Toronto’s new Mayor today. The long, cold, conservative winter in the Mayor’s office is over. 

In this newsletter, I want to cover recent political updates and share exciting local events taking place in our community.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of joining the St James Town Residents’ Council to their Summer Town Hall. We spoke about the pressing issues that are deeply affecting residents in St. James Town such as housing & affordability. It's an honour to represent this dynamic neighbourhood at Queen’s Park.

Street Haven is a multi-service agency that provides support to women experiencing or at risk of homelessness. They have locations in several communities including Toronto Centre and it was an honour to meet with their Executive Director, Siu Mee Cheng, and their clients Theresia and Florence. We learned how the Federal and Provincial governments can do more to address the refugee and homelessness crisis in our city. Among the many services, the Ontario NDP is calling for an immediate investment in homeless programs such as the Canada Ontario Housing Benefit and the re-instatement of the Physician and Hospital Services for Uninsured Persons program. The humanitarian crisis is worsening as shelters and refugee homes are full and new arrivals are being turned away daily.

Torontonians are still asking questions that Ford is ignoring about Ontario Place. This was illustrated in a comically bad interview by Infrastructure Minister Kinga Surma earlier this week that you can see here. Ford has launched an aggressive ad campaign to try and build excitement using the tax-payer money he pretends to want to protect ⁠— but journalists and Torontonians are not being fooled.  Furthermore an Ontario-based company named Thermea also initiated a law suit this week about if Therme’s name will cause legally problematic confusion. Our new Mayor has pledged to fight Ford’s suspiciously unprofitable spa plan with every tool ⁠— and we will be supporting all efforts to keep Ontario Place public. 

A story broke this week that a federal environmental report commissioned in March listed 29 federally protected species that live in the parts of the Greenbelt that Ford wants to bulldoze. This is not a nail in the coffin for his plans, but could pose additional challenges to his wetland giveaway plans.

After Ford restored a useless patronage title known as the King’s Counsel last week, he threw his Attorney-General under the bus saying that he never saw or approved who received the controversial designation. Be that as it may, Ontario’s Tribunals remain in crisis with no end in sight and I would argue that the real scandal facing both men is their failure to deliver Ontarians any semblance of access to justice.

Ontario's Ombudsman gave Ford a roadmap to fix the Landlord and Tenant Board (which has lessons applicable to many other Tribunals). Instead of getting to work, Ford's government is prioritizing divvying out useless patronage titles. 

Twitter was never known for being an oasis of self-care and assumed best-intent. But its new owner showed the world why every billionaire is a policy failure with historically painful clarity. It is important for me to be where my constituents are, so, like many of you, I begrudgingly downloaded another social media app and am on threads! You can follow me here: https://www.threads.net/@kristynwongtam 

On July 13, Toronto hospital workers, including frontline nurses, medical laboratory technologists, health care aides, cleaners, clerical staff and many more, will be holding city-wide rallies to protest against the privatization of hospital services.

What: Rally Against Health Care Privatization Outside St. Michael’s Hospital

Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM on July 13, 2023 

Address: 30 Bond St., Toronto (sidewalk at the corner of Queen St. and Victoria St.)

The Friends of Allan Gardens and Toronto Metropolitan University’s Office of Social Innovation are thrilled to present Sounds Like A Park, a free concert series that will take place from 5:30-8 PM every Thursday in July.

The opening event will feature Toronto’s new Poet Laureate, Lillian Allen, and her Revolutionary Tea Party, Indigenous Collaborative Dancer Cotee Harper and Indigenous Collaborative Singer Theo McGregor.

They will be followed by Samba Squad on July 13, Counterpoint and Friends on July 20, and Thyron Lee Whyte & Band on July 27.

The Toronto Outdoor Picture Show is bringing Toronto Centre a screening of CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON directed by Ang Lee. There will be a short film Requiem for Romance, directed by Jonathan Ng. It takes place on Thursday, July 13, 2023 at the Corktown Common ⁠— enter at Bayview ave and Mill Street (155 Bayview Ave). The admission is Free/PWYC (no ticket required to attend) The event will begin at sun down, with eats and treats before at 7 PM. Guests are asked to bring their own blankets and chairs. The movie will have captions. 

The Regent Park CHC is having a free barbeque celebrating their 50 years of serving Toronto Centre communities this Thursday from noon to 4 PM. Join them for a live DJ, games raffles, zumba, dancing, and food!

When: Thursday July 13 from 12 PM - 4 PM

Address: Regent Park “Big Park” at 620 Dundas St East

This event might not be in Toronto Centre (it is at 33 King Street near Weston Road and Lawrence Avenue), the housing crisis is affecting Toronto Centre, and solidarity is a wonderful strategy to advance tenant rights.

Join me celebrating the launch of the Moss Park Photostory Exhibit at Neighbourhood Information Post. It will take place from 2:00 – 4:00 PM at 269 Gerrard Street East on the second floor.

The Theatre Centre is hosting Community Meal for Summer 2023. It takes place on Thursday July 27 and it starts at 12:30 PM at The Theatre Centre Café/Bar. RSVP here if you are interested!

Thank you for all that you to do. It is an honour to represent and organize for our communities. 

Kristyn Wong-Tam

MPP, Toronto Centre

Dear Neighbour, 

This week has been jam-packed and I am excited to share it with you. Keep reading to hear about issues with the Landlord and Tenant Board, an awesome local business owner helping Sudanese refugees, upcoming community events, and so much more!

The long-awaited Ombudsman’s report on the crisis at the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) was released yesterday. Housing Critic, MPP Jessica Bell and I, as the Critic for the Attorney General, held a press conference in response. 

The backlog at the LTB has grown from 20,000 in 2020 to 38,000 today and the Ford Government has no plan to address the problem. Simply put, the failure to quickly schedule LTB hearings to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants has made life impossibly stressful for many Ontarians.

The ONDP has been tirelessly advocating for years to depoliticize the appointment process and increase the number of adjudicators so that Ontarians can receive a fair and timely hearing. This report paints a clear and damning picture of the crisis. The Ford government must acknowledge their failing; then provide a detailed and costed plan with committed timelines to address the crisis. Otherwise, residents will never be freed from the misery of Ford’s broken tribunal system. 

Click here to watch our press conference.

During my recent visit to Moss Park and the Garden District, I was delighted to be welcomed by a large number of supporters of Esra's. The owner, Muna Elbadri, is a remarkable individual whose resiliency and strength are truly inspiring. Not only has she managed to create a beloved community hub, but she has also extended her support to Sudanese citizens who are struggling in their home country.

This Star story highlights the journey of this small Toronto shop that averted disaster and became a source of hope and support for many. Muna's story is a reminder of the power of community and how one individual can make a difference in the lives of so many.

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to meet Muna and the wonderful supporters of Esra's cafe and speal about their advocacy efforts to support Sudanese refugees. Their dedication to the community is truly remarkable, and I look forward to seeing their impact continue to grow!

Recently, Canada opened its humanitarian doors to Syrian and Ukranian refugees. Our nation has a proud history of standing up for human rights and providing sanctuary to those fleeing persecution and violence. I’m proud to lend my voice and join the call from Sudanese Canadians asking the Federal government to once again rise to the occasion of supporting refugees. We’ve done it successfully before and it’s time for us to do it again. To learn about the Sudan conflict, please consider this article.

This constituency week, I went door-to-door canvassing to speak with the residents of Regent Park and St James Town about their most pressing issues. We discussed topics like the need for affordable housing and how the unfavoured privatization of healthcare will impact residents. We had Toronto Centre swag to give away along with information on how my constituency office can be of assistance.

If you are interested in joining the next canvass, click here to sign up! We will be visiting every neighborhood in the riding, so watch out for us — better yet, join us!

Cabbagetown’s Forsythia Festival is returning this coming Sunday, May 7. The parade will begin at 10 AM at the intersection of Sumach and Winchester Street, while the festival will take place at Wellesley Park from 11 AM. to 3 PM, featuring a variety of fun activities, including a bouncy castle, mechanical bull, magician, beer garden and BBQ. Many thanks and congratulations to the Cabbagetown Residents Association for hosting this wonderful festival once again.

If you are planning to attend the Forsythia Festival, don't forget to wear yellow to join us in celebrating spring!

Many enthusiastic residents from the Bay Cloverhill Community and I are joining Councillor Moise and City staff to unveil the new Dr. Lillian McGregor Park this coming Tuesday, May 9 from 3 to 4 PM at 25 Wellesley Street West. 

It is difficult to to imagine that it was over 11 years ago when the BCCA and I first asked Premier McGuinty and Infrastructure Ontario to sell the land to the City of Toronto to allow us to build a new park. They said "no" many times, but the community, City Planning and Park staff and I insisted. Now look at what has been accomplished together — a new 1.6 acre park and dog off-lease area.

Toronto Centre residents desperately need and deserve more green spaces. Accessible public parks are important for our communities' collective health and wellbeing. I had always hoped that with enough community effort we could turn this abandoned lot into an urban park for generations to come.

The new park is named after Dr. Lillian McGregor, who belonged to the Whitefish River First Nation. She was a devoted nurse and a revered community leader, acknowledged for her tireless efforts to promote Indigenous culture and education. Her remarkable achievements were recognized with numerous accolades, including the prestigious City of Toronto Civic Award, the National Aboriginal Achievement Lifetime Award, and the Order of Ontario —  and now she is honoured through this remarkable Toronto park. 

If you are interested in knowing more about how this project came to be, check out the Bay Cloverhill Community Association’s article here. This is a big community win and BCCA was there from the very beginning.

I am excited to support Youth Week Toronto, an annual event that showcases the talents and abilities of young people from diverse communities across Toronto. Youth Week runs between May 1-7 and  the event celebrates youth engagement in civic activities, recreation, arts, and sports.

Toronto's youth play a crucial role in shaping our city's social, cultural, and economic landscape. Youth Week provides a platform for young people to participate in free events that promote personal development, visual and performing arts, and community engagement. There will be multiple events across the city throughout the week. If you are interested in attending and supporting our youth, click the link to get more info! 

Queen Street is now closed between Bay Street and Victoria Street, which started on May 3, 2023. Metrolinx initiated the closure due to the construction of two new subway stations for the Ontario Line Subway project. 

This closure is expected to last for five years and is quite disruptive for pedestrians and businesses on Queen Street. As we have seen with Eglinton LRT, we cannot afford to bet on Metrolinx to deliver on time. Metrolinx has been instructed by the Ford government to wilfully hold back information from the public in the past, which resulted in public mistrust from our residents and businesses in Toronto. I will continue working with neighbouring MPP Chris Glover and our local BIAs to make sure Metrolinx information is delivered in a more timely and detailed fashion.

Please give yourself more time to commute and plan accordingly. You can find updates for TTC riders here.

Downtown businesses will continue to remain open and ready to serve. Please visit and support, as many businesses will be impacted due to the street closures. Let’s shop local together!

TTC is seeking feedback from riders to help create plans for improving their services. The plans include the 2024 Annual Service Plan, which will focus on how the TTC can best provide service in areas affected by construction, the 5-Year Service Plan for strategic direction from 2024 to 2028. The TTC is seeking input on potential service improvements and how to allocate funding. Customers are invited to take a survey to provide feedback; final plans will be completed by early 2024. This is an opportunity for our community to voice our needs and concerns to the TTC. 

Click here to fill out the survey and take action!

The City is working with Regent Park residents and users of recreational facilities to improve the programs and services offered in the area. 

Join the information session on May 9, between 7 PM and 8:30 PM and share your opinions on what changes you want to see in Regent Park services!

I was disturbed by the recent protest at the Fort York Public Library targeting a Drag Queen Story Hour event planned for families in Toronto. The protest was an act of desperation and hate, and it demonstrates a clear lack of understanding and respect for the 2SLGBTQ+ community and drag artists. 

Drag Queen Story Hour is an event that has been embraced by communities across Canada. These events are a beacon of community for Queer families, an opportunity for children to experience the fun of gender-expansive expression. It is unacceptable for a small group of individuals to try to silence this important initiative and instill fear in the hearts of families who simply want to enjoy a fun and educational activity.

I once again urge the Ford government to pass my Bill, the Keeping 2SLGBTQ+ Communities Safe Act. As the fear mongering against the 2SLGBTQ+ community rises, the Ontario government must take steps to ensure the safety of drag artists. 

I condemn the violence and hate against drag artists in Ontario and across Canada.

Sign my petition to support the Keeping 2SLGBTQ+ Communities Safe Act!

Don't miss out on the opportunity to have your voice heard! Sign up now for the joint Virtual Town Hall Meeting with MPP Tom Rakocevic and MPP Jessica Bell. Taking place on Monday, May 8 at 7PM, this meeting will focus on improving condominium laws in Ontario. 

Condominiums are an important part of the housing market in Ontario, and it is crucial that our laws and regulations are fair and effective. By participating in this town hall meeting, you will have the opportunity to share your concerns and ideas on how to improve the laws that govern condominiums.

Register now and join the conversation on how we can work together to make positive change.

In community work, 

Kristyn

Kristyn Wong-Tam

MPP, Toronto Centre

Dear Neighbour,

This week, ONDP leader Marit Stiles and Housing Critic MPP Jessica Bell introduced a motion to call for rent control as a part of our party’s solution to the housing crisis in Ontario. Had it passed, this motion would have brought back real rent control on all housing units, ensuring we close the loophole that the Liberals and Conservatives supported. Our motion would have ensured all buildings would be rent controlled, including new residential buildings first occupied after November 2018; making rent gouging illegal between tenancies. I was proud to speak in support of this motion at the legislature on behalf of the residents of Toronto Centre.

Despite the ongoing housing crises, Ford conservatives opposed this motion, ignoring the needs of Ontarians.

Our leader Marit Stiles adds:

“Skyrocketing rent is pricing people out of their communities. This is why we are proud to advance a solution that will immediately help make housing more affordable for Ontarians and address one of the core issues propelling this crisis.”

We need real rent control in Ontario; we can no longer stand back and watch the skyrocketing rent prices in our cities. Please sign our petition and join me in adding your name to bring back Rent Control and Stabilization.

Click here to watch me challenge the Ford government on allowing rent gouging to happen in Ontario. 

Ford’s harmful health care privatization bill reached third reading last night. It has been an uphill fight to stop this legislation with a Conservative majority controlling the House. Once again, I spoke in support of our public health care system in the debate. I remain steadfast in my support of tens of thousands of nurses, doctors and other health professionals fighting against bringing American-style health care into Ontario.

Ontario has world-class hospitals. Our healthcare is the envy of most Americans. It is part of our national identity. As Canadians and Ontarians, we take care of each other—I ran as MPP to ensure that the government takes care of its people. Not a province that shuffles the rich to the front and leaves behind those who need help the most.

Join the fight to keep health care public - sign our petition HERE!

Tomorrow, the Fort York Library will be hosting a Drag Queen Story Hour with the fabulous, Gila Münster. She will be doing an interactive program story hour beginning at 2PM, with readings of acclaimed and age-appropriate LGBTQ+ themed books and performing a few musical numbers. I encourage you to join if you have young children and are looking for something fun to do this weekend!

Please note that this is an in-person program for ages 0-6, and young children must be accompanied by a caregiver. Registration is required in-personal at the library, or by calling 416-393-6240.

Regent Park Revitalization on Phases 4 and 5 is well underway, with a rezoning application now before City Planning. An important part of this revitalization is the $26.8 million community benefits package that I was pleased to support as the former Toronto Centre City Councillor. The funds will be directly invested into the TCHC tenant community in Regent Park, and it is up to the local community on how to spend it!

In April 2023, TCHC launched a community engagement process in Regent Park that was co-designed with the Community Benefits Oversight Working Group (CBOWG) and Tridel, facilitated by Monumental Consulting, specialists in equitable city-building and participatory design. One of the outcomes is a new survey that all TCHC tenants in Regent Park are encouraged to fill out before June 16, 2023. Community animators will be going door to door to speak with residents about their priorities shortly, so please make sure you have your say in what’s next for Regent Park. 

I was pleased to join the Regent Park community for the launch of the survey and a celebration of the remarkable contributions of the working group. I will always fight for our residents to promote an inclusive and equitable outcome for all. 

Congratulations to everyone involved. It’s one more step to a stronger and even more vibrant neighbourhood!

The applications for the Page program are now open until June 15, 2023. Each year approximately 150 grade 8 students from across Ontario are selected to participate in Ontario's Legislative Page Program. This unique educational program for students provides an opportunity to experience the provincial legislature in action and forge new lifelong friendships with peers from across the province. I encourage Toronto Centre residents to apply for this enriching opportunity. It will be my great honour to personally welcome you to the legislature.

Click here to apply!

As you know, climate change is one of the greatest challenges in our world. It is an issue that I care deeply about and strive every day to improve. This is why I am pleased to share an existing and environmentally positive initiative with you.

If you are interested in making this world a little greener and cleaner, check out The Great Outdoors Fund’s 2023 grant-giving programs. The purpose of the grants is to generate voluntary funding from the private sector to assist public agencies and their nonprofit partners, and use these funds to maintain the well-being of the great outdoors. They are dedicated to keeping the environment accessible to people from all walks of life, regardless of age, ability, or socio-economic status, and fostering enjoyment and appreciation of nature.

If you are interested in applying, both their Unsmoke Canada Cleanups grant and Nettoyages Finilaboucane Canada grant applications will be closing on May 6.

Interested in learning about your employment rights? The Tareekh Pe Tareekh – Know Your Employment Law Rights Public Legal Education Campaign is perfect for those who speak; Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali and Tamil. Created by the staff lawyers from the South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario (SALCO), in partnership with other community legal clinics, they now offer short and accessible videos on basic employment law rights in Ontario. 

Employers may take advantage of employees, using this as an opportunity to exploit those with language barriers or who do not know their rights. These videos are perfect for spreading awareness and beginning conversations about employment rights within Ontario’s South Asian community. You can find the videos either on: 

• Twitter at @tareekpetareek 
• TikTok at @tareekhpetareekh1 

West Toronto Ontario Health Team is offering free mental health workshops, beginning May 9!  The workshops are designed to help you learn and develop skills to manage your mental health effectively. It is structured in a four-part series, where each week, you will learn to manage stress, live mindfully, overcome burnout, and discuss self-care. At the end of the four sessions, you will receive a certificate from the WTOHT and CMHA–Toronto.

Anyone over 18 years of age is able to register! 

Yours sincerely,

Kristyn 

Kristyn Wong-Tam

MPP, Toronto Centre