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 8, 2024 Newsletter
Happy International Women’s Day! I hope everyone takes time to acknowledge the incredible women in their lives and how the feminist movement has made our society better for everyone.
I am also extending Ramadan Mubarak to everyone observing the holy month, which will begin on Monday or Tuesday of next week, depending on the sighting of the new moon. I hope this month is rich with reflection, time spent with loved ones, and service to others. I know this Ramadan will be a difficult one as we watch horrors unfold in Gaza. I am holding all those in the region who are marking this holy month close to my heart.
This week, your Official Opposition NDP caucus obtained documents through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request showing the use of code words across thousands of pages of government records referring to the Greenbelt grab. NDP Leader Marit Stiles held the government to account with excellent questions during Question Period this week. You can watch one of her questions here.
Terms like “G*,” “Special Project,” and “SP” were found in several records, including correspondence between the ministry and the Premier’s office. In some emails, a reference to the Greenbelt had been replaced with “G.*
What these FOI-ed documents look like is intent to conceal—creative use of code words to evade public scrutiny for what this government clearly knew was wrong. For months, the Ford Conservatives claimed that there was nothing wrong with their Greenbelt grab. Clearly, they knew they had something to hide; otherwise, why would they go to such lengths to hide it?
The Narwhal’s reporter, Emma McIntosh, did an excellent in-depth report on this cover-up, which you can read here.
In other news, the vote on my Private Members Bill, the Gender Affirming Health Care Act, was held on Monday. Ford and his PCs voted it down. Based on their comments during last week's debate, I am disappointed but not surprised by this outcome.
During Question Period, immediately before the vote, I asked the Minister of Health whether she believes gender affirming care is life-saving. I also asked how Conservatives would vote on my bill. Instead of answering my questions, she belittled my bill, which was written in consultation with the Trans community. She defended Ford’s broken healthcare system by insisting Trans and gender diverse Ontarians already have adequate access to healthcare. Study after study after study confirms that they do not. You can watch my exchange with Health Minister Sylvia Jones here.
I will never stop fighting for transparent, ethical government that serves our communities.
In solidarity,
Kristyn Wong-Tam
MPP, Toronto Centre
In this newsletter |
- Declaring Intimate Partner Violence an Epidemic
- Higher Energy Costs, Climate Chaos
- 407 Tolls
- 150 Days of War on Gaza
- Local Community News
Declaring Intimate Partner Violence an Epidemic |
Yesterday, I tabled the Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic Act. This important bill is co-sponsored by MPPs Lisa Gretzky, Jill Andrew, and Peggy Sattler. It will be called up for second reading debate on April 9 by my colleague MPP Lisa Gretzky. 
If passed, this bill would declare intimate partner violence an epidemic in Ontario, compelling the Government of Ontario to take real action and support survivors, families and communities impacted by intimate partner violence.
Declaring this epidemic is the first of 86 recommendations made by the Renfrew County Inquest in 2022, which investigated the tragic and senseless murders of Carol Culleton, Anastasia Kuzyk, and Nathalie Warmerdam at the hands of their intimate partner. Today 94 municipalities across the province have declared intimate partner violence an epidemic. It is time for Ontario to join them.
Higher Energy Costs, Climate Chaos |
Ford’s Conservatives are trying to overturn the Ontario Energy Board’s decision and saddle current Enbridge customers with $300/year in extra fees to save developers the connection fees on new home builds that require new gas pipes to be laid.
This is not only preposterous but goes against advice from a public regulator that would save the average consumer money and be better for the environment. The OEB spent months coming to a conclusion in the public interest, and this government announced its intention to overturn the 147-page ruling in a matter of 15 hours.
The government’s argument is that distributing this cost among all Enbridge customers will lower the cost of new homes, but that relies on two assumptions that I am not convinced of:
- That a developer would automatically pass on these savings to new home buyers instead of selling the house for the largest profit they can manage.
- That all of these new homes even need gas hookups in the first place! With heat pumps, electric water heaters, and induction stoves, most new homes can be fossil fuel free quite affordably, especially when you factor in the cost of gas fittings.
In 2020, the OEB approved a $10 million pipeline proposal in North Bay, where existing ratepayers shouldered the cost, which averaged $65,000 per new home built. Despite the subsidy, a 2020 OEB report showed that these homeowners would still likely pay higher energy costs compared to if high-efficiency electric heat pumps were installed.
On Wednesday, along with MPP Sandy Shaw and the Citizens’ Climate Lobby, I sponsored a press conference to lay out the case for the OEB’s decision, arguing that it is not only the best choice for the environment but also for consumers' monthly bills. You can watch the full press conference here.
Remove 407 Tolls for Truckers |
On Monday, the Ontario NDP moved an Opposition Day Motion to remove highway 407 tolls for truckers. Ford Conservatives it down.
This move would not only make transportation of goods cheaper and more efficient, but would take heavy trucks off of other GTA highways and reduce congestion for commuters. This is also a change that could be implemented quickly and have a real impact on people’s lives, unlike the government’s proposed highway 413, which is an environmental disaster, would take 10 years and $6 billion to build, and according to new traffic studies, is not necessary. Every day it becomes more clear that this highway is a favour to Ford’s developer buddies, but this government keeps pushing it as the ultimate solution.
Truck drivers spend long, grueling hours on the road. It’s tiring and stressful to be behind the wheel for so many hours, let alone stuck in traffic. Meanwhile, Highway 407 remains underused because of some of the highest tolls in North America.
This motion was about saving Ontarians time and money, so they spend less time stuck in traffic and get home faster. This solution is a win-win, and it simply makes sense. It is unfortunate that the Conservatives didn’t see it that way.
150 Days of War on Gaza |
On Tuesday, I rose in the house to mark the 150th day of the war on Gaza. I asked Ontarians to reach out to their MP and urge them to support the NDP motion calling for an end to the war on Gaza and the release of all hostages. This motion is scheduled to be debated in the House of Commons on March 18. You can reach out to the Toronto Centre MP, Minister Marci Ien here, or find your MP here.
Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles and my caucus members also wrote a letter to the Prime Minister asking him and all MPs to support the motion and work swiftly to bring peace, security, and aid to the region. You can read the letter here:
Local Community News |
St Lawrence Centre for the Arts Transformation |
You’re invited to view the future of the transformed St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts!
The design team of Hariri Pontarini Architects and LMN Architects with Smoke Architecture and Tawaw Architecture Collective will present their inspired design concepts for STLC to become a multi-faceted performing arts destination. This bold reimagining includes two state-of-the-art performance halls along with creative spaces and studios, rehearsal rooms, and informal gathering areas. The team will demonstrate how the building extends an open embrace to the city to create an energized arts corridor and a new pulsing heart in downtown Toronto.
Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and share feedback. For those unable to attend in person, we invite you to join us via livestream at stlcnext.org. The livestream link will open 30 minutes prior to the start of the meeting on March 26.
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
6 pm – 8 pm (doors open at 5:30 pm)
St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, Jane Mallett Theatre, 27 Front St. E.
Cabbagetown Cares Fundraiser
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Announcing the Cabbagetown Cares Fundraiser! From March 1 to March 30, 2024, The Cabbagetown BIA is teaming up with Dixon Hall and Saint Luke's United Church to support our neighbours.
As food insecurity continues to rise in Cabbagetown, St James Town, and Regent Park, it's more important than ever to lend a helping hand. That's where YOU come in!
Simply shop at any of the 14 participating businesses throughout March, where a portion of proceeds from select items will be donated to the fundraiser. All donated proceeds will be split between the Dixon Hall and St Luke's Church meals programs. It's that easy!
Click here for the full list of business offers.
Cabbagetown Festival 2024 Vendor Registration |
The Cabbagetown Festival is one of Toronto’s longest-running and most beloved street festivals, and this year it will be returning, bigger than ever!
They are inviting over 75,000 locals and visitors across the GTA to enjoy a family-friendly, entertainment-packed weekend, including live music performances, fantastic food, Kid’s Zone, and over 200 unique vendors from Cabbagetown and beyond!
The Cabbagetown Festival is celebrating its 45th year - After returning with a bang last year, The Festival is primed to become one of the most-anticipated events in Toronto! Starting at $230 for the lowest vendor level for two days, they invite business owners to apply to join them as a vendor as we celebrate this milestone.
Dates: September 7 and 8
Location: Parliament Street and Carlton Street, Cabbagetown, Toronto
Apply and pay by May 31 to take advantage of this early-bird pricing! Prices go up June 1, as long as space remains available! CabbagetownTO.com @CabbagetownBIA
Exhibit Opening: Blueprint |
BLUEPRINT asks: “Who gets to be beautiful?”
This exhibit runs March 2-31, 2024 at 420 Queen Street East
BLUEPRINT is a collection of mixed media collages created by Zandra Jack, a Toronto-based digital artist who works under the pseudonym, UNKWNZJ.
With a passion for altering geometric and curvilinear forms, UNKWNZJ’s work is a unique departure from more traditional modes of portraiture that lean on being as naturalistic to the human form as possible. Her subjects often don enlarged facial features and intensely darkened skin, aspects that she further amplifies with her use of bold color and intricate patterns. UNKWNZJ’s distinct creations exist as a disruption to the prevailing standards of beauty. BLUEPRINT challenges the status quo by paying homage to the unconventional; the features of black beauty that are undervalued yet paradoxically commodified in society.
We would also like to extend a warm invite to audiences to take part in an in-person, interactive workshop that will be led by UNKWNZJ:
When: Saturday March 16, 12-4 PM
Where: 420 Queen Street East
Through hands-on activities and guided instruction, participants will create mixed media artworks by experimenting with various materials and collaging techniques to bring forth their own artistic visions. This event is free of charge, but space is limited. Please RSVP here.
FoSTRA Housing For All Webinar |
FoSTRA (Federation of South Toronto Residents Associations) warmly invites you to the next in a series of free educational events on the theme of Housing for All, which will be held: Thursday, 21 March 2024, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM
Franz Hartmann, Coordinator for the Alliance for a Liveable Ontario, presents “A Blueprint for Solving the Housing Crisis in Ontario.”
Check out more details below and in the attachment. Click here to register to attend and ask a question of Franz Hartmann before the webinar.
Regent Park Cafe is Officially Open! |
After the Regent Park Cafe launch, they are now open and operational every Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 8 PM. If you are near Daniels Spectrum at 585 Dundas St. East, pop in for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
Change Make-Her Program |
GOOD TO BE GOOD is pleased to announce a fifth cohort for the Change Make-Her program! This FREE interactive virtual program is for women and gender-diverse folks* interested in developing their entrepreneurship and leadership skills through mentorship-based training workshops, community building, peer support, resource-sharing, and other opportunities.
The program is a unique development opportunity explicitly created to extend the capacity of new and early entrepreneurs through a low-barrier, inclusive, and compassionate approach. Entrepreneurship is challenging to navigate—layering being a woman or gender-diverse with intersecting identities adds another path to navigate. We believe that entrepreneurism can be a meaningful pathway to confidence, community, and independence for women and gender-diverse people facing multiple barriers.
Each session provides participants with the fundamentals of growing a micro or small business in the mainstream economy on their terms while connecting them with other entrepreneurs and industry professionals in the community and accessible tools. We support participants by offering them several resources, wraparound supports (technology, internet, stress devices), and peer support. Successful participants will receive a micro-grant (up to $300) for their business needs. The seven-week program focuses on subjects related to entrepreneurship and leadership, such as essential business finance, business planning, community building, and marketing. All workshops are led by trained facilitators and Rochelle Ford-Wilson in a trauma-informed and anti-oppressive environment. Our guest mentors and speakers include Maggie Aurocco from bluboho, Nadege from IG Wealth Management, Chantaie from Ramsay & Co, Zehra Allibhai, and Opal Rowe from Stush Patties.
Participants must be available every Saturday morning (Eastern time) between April 6, 2024- May 25, 2024. Participants welcomed to join the cohort are asked to fill out a pre-survey before the program begins to gauge interests, needs, and goals. Participants will have the opportunity to meet for an orientation call prior to the first workshop.
Applications are now OPEN for the Change Make-Her program! The poster is attached to this email—please share and spread the word. To register, email Arezoo Najibzadeh at [email protected] or sign up by using this link: https://forms.gle/LuPLtsiWVDL5618u6. Please note that applications close Sunday, March 17.
February 29, 2024 Newsletter
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Dear Neighbour, Last night, my Private Member’s Bill, the Gender Affirming Healthcare Act, was called up for second reading and we had the opportunity to debate the Bill. The vote on whether the Bill would pass second reading and go to committee will take place this upcoming Monday directly after Question Period. The Ford government has not indicated any support yet so the Bill is not guaranteed to pass. This weekend, we're urging all of our supporters to call and email Doug Ford to pass Bill 42. Let him know that we need his government to deliver equal access to health care for gender-diverse Ontarians. You can call Ford at (416)-325-7635 or email him at [email protected].
We had an incredible turnout of supporters for the debate, including Trans trailblazers who have been working towards more equitable care for Trans folks for decades, parents of Trans kids, healthcare providers, labour leaders, and community members from all over Ontario. Thank you to everyone who came out! You can watch the full debate below:
You can also watch our two press conferences here, where incredible leaders shared their stories and reasons for supporting the Bill, including OPSEU President JP Hornick, CUPE Ontario leader Susan Gapka, OECTA Member, Catholic teacher and parent of a Trans child, Abby-Rose Follon:
On Thursday night, I also hosted a Community Assembly on Gender Affirming Care, where I was joined by Cheri Di Novo, Bilal Baig, Sil Hernando, Jordan Zaitzow, and a room full of community members. The conversation was incredible. We really got to the heart of what gender affirming care is — providing support and tools to patients to live their lives fully as themselves. That looks different for everyone and we need flexible, accessible healthcare options to meet the needs of our diverse community.
Yours in community service,
Kristyn Wong-Tam MPP, Toronto Centre
Black History Month Ford Tips the Scale of the Justice System NDP Delivers Pharmacare for Canadians Federal NDP Motion on Palestine KWT in Community Upcoming Local Community Events
Yesterday I was honoured to rise in the Legislature on behalf of my caucus to deliver Black History Month remarks. Black Ontarians have given so much to this province, and we must recognize their contributions and the inequities they face all year long. It was wonderful to be able to give special shoutouts to the communities of Regent Park and Little Jamaica, as well as Black business owners, healthcare workers, and local activists, who I am lucky enough to call my friends. Today also marks the start of Black Mental Health Week. The City of Toronto is hosting a variety of events that you can get involved with here.
Despite being mired in never-ending scandals, Ford’s Conservatives chose to appoint two former senior staff from the Premier’s office to the Justice Appointments Advisory Committee (JAAC, raising serious concerns about the impartiality of the judicial appointment process. But the Premier made it very clear that his government has no shame in making partisan appointments to these roles. Under this government, we have seen our court system spiral into chaos. We have seen serious cases get thrown out because of double-bookings and lack of resources, and survivors forced to re-live their trauma because of repeated delays. Instead of fixing the mess in our courts, the Attorney General is focused on using their majority to award partisan patronage appointments and erode people’s faith in our justice system. Yesterday, I asked the Premier why he thought appointing a registered gun lobbyist to the JAAC would keep our communities safer. Conservatives appointing more donors and lobbyists won't fix anything. Under his watch, Ford has underfunded the courts for 6 years. He has no plan to fix the court backlog or make Ontario safer. Add your name to fix our courts.
Just yesterday, the Federal NDP tabled legislation, supported by the Liberal Government, that will deliver universal, single-payer pharmacare to Canadians. It will begin by covering prescription contraceptives and diabetes medications and expand from there. This will be life-changing for so many Canadians. I am incredibly proud of this work. A national pharmacare program for Canadians was one of the federal NDP’s key demands going into the confidence-and-supply agreement with the federal Liberals. It establishes a process by which Canadians can access essential medication and devices through single payer coverage. But the plan’s success is contingent on whether Ontario signs on. Canada is the only country in the world with a universal public health care system that does not have universal coverage for prescription drugs outside of hospitals. People shouldn’t have to choose between essential diabetes medication, contraceptives and food. It's pretty simple: universal healthcare must include pharmacare. That was always the intention, since it was first introduced by Tommy Douglas. Now, thanks to the NDP, Canadians who are struggling with the cost of prescriptions can finally breathe a sigh of relief. The question is whether the Premier will commit and stand up for Ontarians. I know that the rest of the Ontario NDP team and I will be relentless in our pressure to deliver pharmacare, a core Ontario NDP policy during the last two elections.
Since October 7, at least 30,228 people have been killed and 71,377 wounded in Israeli attacks on Gaza. The revised death toll in Israel from the October 7 attacks stands at 1,139.
I am incredibly proud of the strong and principled stance that the NDP has taken in their motion to combat the humanitarian crisis we are seeing unfold in Gaza and across the region. You can read the full text of the motion here, but the highlights are that the motion calls on the government to:
The motion will be debated, and a vote will be held on March 18. In the meantime, I encourage everyone to reach out to their Federal MPs and request that they support the motion.
Congratulations to the Chinese Workers Network on hosting another wonderfully successful Lunar New Year celebration. Deep gratitude for all the hard work they do to uplift the community all year round! |
Community Events & Info |
Birth Mark: Call for Donations |
Birth Mark is a wonderful local maternal and family health provider, offering free-of-charge, full-spectrum reproductive doula care and complementary perinatal support services. They also partner with food security programs, shelters, hospitals, and more to help all pregnant people and parents. You can see a full list of their programs by going to their website.
Unfortunately, Birth Mark has encountered severe funding challenges and has been forced to end some of their programming. As it operates as a charity, Birth Mark relies on donors' generosity to offer its services. Their main donor is redirecting its funds, jeopardizing the future of Birth Mark. Without this funding, thousands of patients have lost or will lose the care they need. If you are able, please donate, volunteer, and share their information with your circles.
International Women’s Day 2024 Rally and March |
Beginning at OISE at 252 Bloor St West, the International Women’s Day Rally & March will be on Saturday, March 2 at 11 AM.
March for a gender-equal world! A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.
Yonge Street Mission Community Impact Jam |
Yonge Street Mission is hosting a Community Impact Jam for community leaders to discuss how to improve their existing tools to better serve the needs within the Regent Park community. Make a difference by helping to shape the future of YSM’s community development strategy and claim your spot by emailing [email protected].
Please RSVP as soon as you can ensure that you can attend on March 6 from 5 PM to 8 PM at YSM’s Martin Centre at 306 Gerrard St. East.
Regent Park Cafe is Officially Open! |
After the Regent Park Cafe launch, they are now open and operational every Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 8 PM. If you are near Daniels Spectrum at 585 Dundas St. East, pop in for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
Change Make-Her Program |
GOOD TO BE GOOD is pleased to announce a fifth cohort for the Change Make-Her program! This FREE interactive virtual program is for women and gender-diverse folks* interested in developing their entrepreneurship and leadership skills through mentorship-based training workshops, community building, peer support, resource-sharing, and other opportunities.
Applications are now OPEN for the Change Make-Her program! The poster is attached to this email—please share and spread the word. To register, email Arezoo Najibzadeh at [email protected] or sign up by using this link: https://forms.gle/LuPLtsiWVDL5618u6. Please note that applications close Sunday, March 17.
Digital Media Literacy Skills in the Age of AI |
On Thursday, March 7, 2024, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. via Zoom, join Trustee Debbie King, Trustee Alexis Dawson, and Trustee Deborah Williams for a special virtual joint ward forum. It can be challenging to sort fact from fiction online, and an increase in hate speech, alongside ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence tools, have made it even harder. This virtual workshop, led by CIVIX and TDSB staff, is designed to help parents and caregivers learn simple skills for spotting misinformation in the context of social media platforms and AI.
All parents, guardians, caregivers, students, staff, and members of school communities in Parkdale-High Park, Davenport, Spadina - Fort York, University - Rosedale and Toronto Centre are welcome to attend.
REGISTER HERE to confirm your interest in participating via Zoom
February 23, 2024 Newsletter
Dear Neighbour,
The legislature resumed this week, and your Ontario NDP team hit the ground running, holding Doug Ford’s PCs to account and presenting solutions to make life better. My colleagues and I are focusing on offering solutions around housing, healthcare, and cost of living. I spent two days this week in Justice Policy Committee hearings, listening to stakeholders present tangible solutions that would improve access to justice and efficiencies in our courts.
I look forward to putting forward amendments to the government’s Bill 157 next week that would put many of these ideas into action, including increasing funding to legal aid clinics and victim compensation.
I am already looking forward to next week, when I will present my Bill, The Gender Affirming Healthcare Act, for second reading on Thursday, February 29, 2024. If you would like to attend the debate in person, you can RSVP here. It will also be streamed live on my Facebook page.
The day before, on Wednesday 28, 2024, I will be hosting a Community Assembly on Gender Affirming Care alongside some very special guests!
The Gender Affirming Healthcare Act is being brought forward at a time when social conservatives are using the rights and care of Trans people to start a culture war. Danielle Smith, Pierre Poilievre, and countless US lawmakers are announcing policies that take away the rights of Trans youth to be their authentic selves. These policies are founded on transphobia, hatred, and a fundamental disregard for science. Study after study concludes the same thing: trans folks' mental health improves when healthcare and social support honours their gender — the regret rates for gender-affirming surgeries are about 1%, dramatically lower than those for common surgeries like knee replacements.
Tragically, this anti-Trans rhetoric has serious consequences. CSIS just published a warning that the 'anti-gender movement' poses a threat of 'extreme violence.’ And we are already seeing that violence – many of you have probably heard about the heartbreaking death of Nex Benedict, an Indigenous, nonbinary teenager in Oklahoma who was beaten by peers in a school bathroom after the state passed a law saying that students must use the bathroom that aligns with the gender assigned to them at birth. Throughout next week, I will keep Nex’s memory in my heart as a reminder of what we are fighting for.
Yours in community service,
Warmly,
Kristyn Wong-Tam
MPP, Toronto Centre
In this newsletter |
- Killer of London Family Sentenced
- Petition - Restore funding to UNWRA
- Addictions Crisis Grows in Ontario
- Local Community News
Killer of London Family Sentenced |
This week, my heart has been with the extended Afzaal family, their loved ones, and the wider Muslim community of London and beyond. Yesterday, the sentencing for Nathaniel Veltman was held — which found that his actions constituted “terrorist activity.” Veltman was earlier found guilty of the horrific murder of the Afzaal family in 2021.
Naming Veltman’s actions as terrorist activity is not only clearly true, but a landmark decision. This is the first time in Canada that an action motivated by white nationalism and white supremacy has been declared to be terrorism by a judge.
Since 2021, London’s Muslim community, friends and family of the Afzaal family, and our broader community have been mourning the senseless loss of life of Our London Family. This hateful act has sent shockwaves across our province.
Over the past few months, we heard heart-wrenching testimonies from family members, friends, and the young, sole survivor of the attack — who lost his entire family in the blink of an eye.
Yesterday’s sentencing verdict is a step towards justice for our communities, the Afzaal family, and their loved ones. Nothing will ever make up for this immense loss and the irreparable hurt to our community. But accountability is vital for a future in Ontario where vicious hate like this has no place.
Petition — Restore funding to UNWRA |
The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to be horrific, as even the most basic aid is restricted from entering Rafah. This is unacceptable.
I am continuing to echo the words of my Federal colleague NDP MP Heather McPherson as she calls the Canadian government to restore funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNWRA) and answer calls for an arms embargo on Israel. UNWRA is the leading provider of essential supplies to keep Palestinians alive in the Gaza Strip. Cuts to their funding are a death sentence to millions of displaced Palestinians. The NDP supports an investigation into the 12 UNWRA staff accused of involvement in the horrific violence of October 7, 2023. However, UNWRA is a massive agency employing over 30,000 people — defunding UNWRA constitutes collective punishment. You can sign NDP MP McPherson’s petition to restore Canada’s funding to UNWRA here.
I am horrified and enraged by the news that the Netanyahu war cabinet has set a hostage release deadline coinciding with the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan. If the deadline passes, the Netanyahu war cabinet says that they will begin a ground offensive on Rafah. Every ground offensive thus far has disproportionately affected innocent civilians, especially children. Given how densely Rafah is populated with Palestinians fleeing violence, I can’t imagine that this time could be any different. The hostages held by Hamas must be released. Punishing and killing innocent civilians will put the hostages in harm's way.
A ground offensive on Rafah would be unacceptable at any time. Still, the timing of this with a month of prayer and reflection seems uniquely designed to further break the spirits of Palestinians and take place when Muslims around the world are busy with family obligations, faith practices, and community events.
Public pressure on our government is working. Canada finally signed on to international statements supporting a ceasefire because of the public pressure Trudeau Liberals are facing. I encourage you to continue signing petitions and reaching out to your federal representatives to enact an arms embargo, restore funding for UNWRA, and press all elected officials to let Gaza live.
Addictions Crisis Grows in Ontario |
In Toronto Centre, we are no strangers to the consequences of the opioid epidemic and the poisoned drug supply crisis. Many of us feel the strain of these crises in our communities, our hospitals, and our own families.
The crisis is worsening across Ontario and I am so proud of my fellow NDP MPPs for speaking up for their communities and beyond who are crying out for help to save lives. On February 8, the Mayor of Belleville declared a local state of emergency after EMS responded to 17 drug overdoses in just over 24 hours.
This past Wednesday, MPP Lisa Gretzky, our critic for Mental Health and Addictions, called for urgent support in Belleville after the province ignored the mayor’s request for addictions support in the wake of a local emergency.
“In the wake of a devastating series of overdoses, the Mayor of Belleville reached out to this government for urgent support to help prevent any further tragedies,” said Gretzky. “He asked for simple, meaningful solutions to ensure this never happens again. Incredibly, his calls were ignored by this government.”
On Tuesday, the Mayor of Belleville said that if the Province won’t help, they’ll have to find another way to open a community hub to help people. Why is the Premier leaving the people of Belleville to deal with this crisis themselves, when solutions have been presented clearly to his government?
I am joining my colleagues in calling on the Conservatives to immediately provide funding for this desperately needed service hub and detox centre and commit to reliable, ongoing support to address the addictions and mental health crisis. There’s no time to waste. We owe it to the people of Belleville and every municipality in Ontario to have their backs. Lives depend on it.
Dental Care Day of Action |
Join the Toronto Centre NDP for a Day of Action to talk to neighbours about how Jagmeet Singh and our NDP team in Ottawa is delivering dental care for Canadians.
When: Sunday, March 3, 2-5 PM
Where: David Crombie Park (Sherborne & the Esplanade, Southwest Corner)
No prior canvassing experience is required, and training will be provided for first-time canvassers.
We'll meet at David Crombie Park (Sherborne St & the Esplanade, on the Southwest corner) and then canvass in the surrounding area.
Be sure to dress warmly and wear comfortable footwear. See you soon!
Community Events & Info |
Strengthening Our Roots Youth & Community Mixer |
Stop by Daniels Spectrum tomorrow at 585 Dundas St. East for a Black History Month Youth & Community Mixer! The event is open from 12 PM to 5 PM to all who want to come! There will be food, performances, and other fun activities to honour Black Canadians and their legacy.
If you would like to volunteer, please contact [email protected] for more details.
TNG Repair Café
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The Neighbourhood Group and the St. James Town Community Centre are coming together for a Repair Cafe. You can learn how to fix computers, clothing, bikes, and more! Attend for free on February 24 from 12 PM to 4 PM at the Central Neighbourhood House.
They are also looking for handy volunteers with experience fixing items. Find out more here!
St. James Town Black History Month Celebration |
St. James Town Black History Month Celebration is happening next week on Wednesday, February 28, at the Wellesley Community Centre on the second floor, from 4 PM to 7 PM.
There will be Raffle prizes, food prepared by a local vendor, Alex the Chef, and performances by Black Canadian artists.
International Women’s Day 2024 Rally and March |
Beginning at OISE at 252 Bloor St West, the International Women’s Day Rally & March will be on Saturday, March 2 at 11 AM.
March for a gender-equal world! A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.
Yonge Street Mission Community Impact Jam |
Yonge Street Mission is hosting a Community Impact Jam for community leaders to discuss how to improve their existing tools to better serve the needs within the Regent Park community. Make a difference by helping to shape the future of YSM’s community development strategy and claim your spot by emailing [email protected].
Please RSVP as soon as you can ensure that you can attend on March 6 from 5 PM to 8 PM at YSM’s Martin Centre at 306 Gerrard St. East.
Regent Park Cafe is Officially Open! |
After the Regent Park Cafe launch, they are now open and operational every Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 8 PM. If you are near Daniels Spectrum at 585 Dundas St. East, pop in for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
Change Make-Her Program |
GOOD TO BE GOOD is pleased to announce a fifth cohort for the Change Make-Her program! This FREE interactive virtual program is for women and gender-diverse folks* interested in developing their entrepreneurship and leadership skills through mentorship-based training workshops, community building, peer support, resource-sharing, and other opportunities.
The program is a unique development opportunity explicitly created to extend the capacity of new and early entrepreneurs through a low-barrier, inclusive, and compassionate approach. Entrepreneurship is challenging to navigate—layering being a woman or gender-diverse with intersecting identities adds another path to navigate. We believe that entrepreneurism can be a meaningful pathway to confidence, community, and independence for women and gender-diverse people facing multiple barriers.
Each session provides participants with the fundamentals of growing a micro or small business in the mainstream economy on their terms while connecting them with other entrepreneurs and industry professionals in the community and accessible tools. We support participants by offering them several resources, wraparound supports (technology, internet, stress devices), and peer support. Successful participants will receive a micro-grant (up to $300) for their business needs. The seven-week program focuses on subjects related to entrepreneurship and leadership, such as essential business finance, business planning, community building, and marketing. All workshops are led by trained facilitators and Rochelle Ford-Wilson in a trauma-informed and anti-oppressive environment. Our guest mentors and speakers include Maggie Aurocco from bluboho, Nadege from IG Wealth Management, Chantaie from Ramsay & Co, Zehra Allibhai, and Opal Rowe from Stush Patties.
Participants must be available every Saturday morning (Eastern time) between April 6, 2024- May 25, 2024. Participants welcomed to join the cohort are asked to fill out a pre-survey before the program begins to gauge interests, needs, and goals. Participants will have the opportunity to meet for an orientation call prior to the first workshop.
Applications are now OPEN for the Change Make-Her program! The poster is attached to this email—please share and spread the word. To register, email Arezoo Najibzadeh at [email protected] or sign up by using this link: https://forms.gle/LuPLtsiWVDL5618u6. Please note that applications close Sunday, March 17.
February 19, 2024 Newsletter
Dear Neighbour,
Please consider this your formal invitation to my Community Assembly on Gender Affirming Health Care!
We will be gathering on Wednesday, February 28, starting at 6 PM, at Trinity St Paul’s United Church on Bloor Street for an energizing community conversation.
The evening will be hosted by me and queer advocate Rev. Dr. Cheri DiNovo, who is the force behind many of the robust 2SLGBTQIA+ protections we have in Ontario today.
Joining us on the panel will be Bilal Baig, the creator of Sort Of on CBC, Monica Forrester from Trans Pride Toronto, Sil Hernando of Rainbow Health Ontario, and Jordan Zaitzow from Trans PULSE Canada.
Our panelists will discuss the state of gender affirming care in Ontario, how it can be improved, and how trans folks and allies can use their stories and voices to make change in their communities.
I hope that you'll be able to attend. Please share this invite with your communities, and let's pack the house!
Additionally, I want to wish you and all of your loved ones a wonderful and love-filled chosen family day. Family has meant more to me than ever this year. I hope you are able to spend time with your family and loved ones today.
Warmly,
Kristyn Wong-Tam
MPP, Toronto Centre
In this newsletter |
- Action to Save Lives in Gaza
- Chosen Family Day
- Legislature Resumes Tuesday
- Bill 124 Ruled Unconstitutional
- Mourning Alexey Navalny
- Shingles Vaccine Extension
- Faqiri Inquest Deadline Missed
- St Bartholomew’s Childcare Centre Needs a New Home
- Community Spotlight: Birthmark
- OneFare System Coming Soon
- Local Community News
Action to Save Lives in Gaza |
Like so many in our community, I am horrified by reports that the Netanyahu war cabinet plans on attacking Rafah – a town in the Southernmost part of the Gaza Strip.
As the Executive Director of Medicins Sans Frontiers (MSF), Avril Benoît, has said: “Rafah is the end of the line. There is nowhere else to flee. Even if displaced people return north, they will find no homes to go back to, and no supply lines to bring in food, water, medicines, or any other essentials. The consequences of a full-scale assault on Rafah are truly unimaginable. We cannot stand by and wait for this to unfold. A ceasefire in Gaza has never been more urgent.”
MSF made a powerful video documenting the flow of people into Rafah since the violence escalated after October 7, 2023. I encourage everyone to watch it.
Simply: attacking Rafah – the civilian centre that Netanyahu’s forces ordered civilians to flee to – would contradict the International Court of Justice's measures requiring Netanyahu's government to prevent acts of genocide. This assault must not happen. It will not help living hostages return home or lay the groundwork for future peace. This must stop.
NDP Foreign Affairs Critic MP Heather McPherson has a petition with Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East that I encourage everyone to sign calling for an arms embargo on Israel.
I want to share MP Heather McPherson’s Statement as she fights for the Liberal government to release documents on Canada’s arms exports to Israel:
“The Minister has an obligation under the Arms Trade Treaty not to approve export permits for military goods and technology where there is a substantial risk of human rights abuses. It is astonishing that Canada isn’t working to prevent genocide in Gaza – but may be complicit in serious crimes because of its ongoing arms sales.”
Chosen Family Day |
I want to recognize another Day of Significance. In three days, on Feb 22, Chosen Family Day recognizes all of the Ontarians who have created families outside of traditional legal definitions, providing love, support, and care for each other.
Chosen families are particularly common within 2SLGBTQIA+ communities since Queer and Trans folks have historically experienced high rates of separation and lack of acceptance from their families of origin. But these families were not only forged out of tragedy and necessity. They have also been forged out of joy, love, and a shared commitment to take care of each other through the seasons of life. Often Queer and Trans folks don’t have relatives in their families of origin who are like them, so they turn to elders in their wider community for support and guidance. Drag families are another fabulous expression of chosen family.
However, chosen families are not exclusive to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. People of many cultures and backgrounds create chosen families. Veterans, survivors of childhood abuse and immigrant communities often come together over shared backgrounds to provide support and understanding when families of origin are unsafe, far away, or simply don’t understand.
Chosen families, just like many families of origin, are vital and life-affirming. They make people feel seen, loved, and cared for in good times and in bad. Chosen families are true families.
The Ontario NDP is proud to champion Chosen Family Day and work towards it becoming officially recognized as a day of significance in Ontario.
Ontario Legislature Resumes Tuesday |
Next Tuesday, February 20, the Ontario Legislature resumes. I am excited to return and present real solutions to the housing, health care, and cost of living crises while holding Ford’s Conservatives accountable. I always want to hear your feedback and ideas. You can reach me at [email protected]
People across our province are facing real challenges right now. They are waiting hours for basic healthcare, are stuck with sky-rocketing housing costs, and their bills are not getting any lower. I know these are your priorities.
But this government is too wrapped up in its never-ending scandals to develop real solutions that matter to Ontarians.
We've taken on a corrupt Conservative government and forced them to reverse course on countless bad decisions. Now, they’re under a criminal investigation for selling off the Greenbelt to the highest bidder and were forced to walk back wage-suppression policies after losing twice in court. Every climbdown and policy reversal is proof that when we work together, we can win.
I will champion real solutions in the legislature, from targeting the staffing shortage in hospitals and underused public hospital resources, to expediting housing—including deeply affordable housing.
Bill 124 Ruled Unconstitutional by Appeals Court |
Last Tuesday, Ontario’s Court of Appeal ruled that Bill 124, the PC’s wage suppression legislation, was unconstitutional. The decision concluded that the Bill unduly interfered with workers’ rights to collective bargaining.
This is a huge win, a win that belongs to the workers, unions, and advocates from across the province who stood firm against the Conservatives’ unconstitutional attack on their rights.
Bill 124 hurt our province. It forced health care and education workers out of the profession, cut people’s wages during an affordability crisis, and eroded people’s trust in their government.
It is unconscionable that this government wasted many years and untold taxpayer dollars fighting workers in court to uphold an unconstitutional Bill and take away wages. Thankfully, the government has stated that they will not challenge this ruling at the Supreme Court and will repeal it in full. But that is not enough.
This government has to make up for lost time and wasted energy and start fixing their mess by hiring health care workers into our public system and paying back workers for lost wages.
I am proud to always stand with workers and I celebrate this win alongside them.
Mourning Alexey Navalny |
Like so many people across Canada and the world, I am mourning the recently reported murder of Alexey Navalny by the Putin regime. Alexey Navalny’s life defied the odds – he survived deadly poison, he stood up to and inspired millions of Russians to stand up to Putin, and he gave people in Russia and across the world hope that Russia could one day embark on a path unlike the totalitarian vision of Vladimir Putin. Putin is a murderous coward who is unfit to lead.
I am dismayed by Pierre Pollievre’s milquetoast statement on Navalny’s death. Everyone who believes in democracy should be outraged by what any reasonable observer knows was a Kremlin-orchestrated murder. Putin’s murder deserves nothing less than full-throated condemnation.
Navalny lived accepting that this could happen. In the documentary on his life, he was asked what his message to Russians would be if Putin has him killed: “If they decide to kill me, it means that we are incredibly strong. We need to utilize this power. To not give up. We are an incredible power that is being oppressed by these bad dudes. We don’t realize how strong we actually are. The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing. So don’t be inactive.”
Navalny was 47.
One way you can show your opposition to Navalny’s murderer is to join the Ukrainian Canadian Congress is organizing a rally at Nathan Phillips Square at 3pm on Saturday February 24, 2024. You can show solidarity with Ukraine and everyone resisting Putin on the second anniversary of Putin’s illegal invasion. I encourage everyone to join.
OneFare System coming to GTA in February |
Starting February 26, Ontario's One Fare Program will allow transit riders to pay only once when connecting to and from the TTC and GO Transit, Brampton Transit, Durham Region Transit, MiWay and York Region Transit.
This is an exciting development that will let people across the GTHA connect more affordably and encourage transit ridership. I am thrilled that this dream is now a reality - thank you to all of the community advocates who have been pushing for this for years!
How Ontario's One Fare Program works:
- For trips connecting between TTC and GO Transit, the TTC component of the trip will become free, regardless of travel direction (cost of TTC trip is discounted from overall trip cost).
- For trips connecting between TTC and local transit systems, the second portion of the trip will become free (first payment will enable a two-hour free transfer across all systems).
- PRESTO automatically calculates a 100 per cent discount and applies it to a PRESTO card, credit or debit card or PRESTO in Google Wallet. Transit riders must tap on and off with the same card.
- Transfers are valid for two hours for trips started on local transit and within three hours of the start of a GO Transit trip.
- The payment method used to tap and pay a fare is a customer’s proof of payment. Riders approached for fare inspection will need to tap the card, phone or watch used on the inspection device.
FREE Shingles Vaccine Extension |
Since 2020, Ontarians age 65-70 years old have been eligible for a FREE two-dose shingles vaccine from their family doctor.
Recently, the program was extended until the end of 2024! I encourage everyone who is eligible to receive the vaccine to speak with their family doctor or other healthcare provider. Shingles is a painful and often preventable disease with proper immunization.
If you do not qualify for the publicly funded Shingles vaccine, you can purchase it from a participating pharmacy with a prescription from your primary care provider. Some private insurers may cover all or part of the cost of the vaccine. You should check with your insurance company for more information on your coverage.
Faquiri Inquest Deadline Missed
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Last Friday marked 60 days since the Ontario government received the results of the Coroner’s Inquest into Soleiman Faqiri’s death in an Ontario jail in 2016. The inquest jury made 57 recommendations to the Ontario government that would prevent this tragedy from recurring.
The first of the 57 recommendations was to Develop and issue a public position statement within 60 days of this verdict, recognizing that correctional facilities are not an appropriate environment for persons in custody experiencing significant mental health issues.
The government failed to acknowledge the deadline, let alone issue a statement.
The Faqiri family is hurting. Their loved one was killed when he needed compassionate support. The least that this government could do to honour Soleiman Faqiri’s memory would be to implement the jury’s first recommendation on time and work towards a corrections system where people in mental health crisis receive support and treatment, not violence.
Despite multiple appeals, this government has not given any indication that they are attempting to meet the deadline for these recommendations. Their silence shows a pattern of failing to follow the advice of experts and Coroner's Inquest recommendations.
I will keep pushing for justice for the Faqiri family and everyone else living with mental health concerns in Ontario’s corrections system.
Birthmark — Call for Donations |
Birth Mark is a wonderful local maternal and family health provider, offering free-of-charge, full-spectrum reproductive doula care and complementary perinatal support services. They also partner with food security programs, shelters, hospitals, and more to help all pregnant people and parents. You can see a full list of their programs by going to their website.
Unfortunately, Birth Mark has encountered severe funding challenges and has been forced to end some of their programming.
As it operates as a charity, Birth Mark relies on donors' generosity to offer its services. Their main donor is redirecting its funds, jeopardizing the future of Birth Mark. Without this funding, thousands of patients have lost or will lose the care they need. If you are able, please donate, volunteer, and share their information with your circles.
St. Bartholomew’s Children’s Centre Needs a New Home
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St. Bartholomew’s Children’s Centre, located in Regent Park, is one of only 2 stand-alone licensed school-age daycares in Toronto. Their caring staff have been dedicated to serving the children of Regent Park for over four decades, providing before- and after-school programming and full-day care when school is not in session. They take pride in having nurtured and graduated over 1,000 students during this extensive period, including tailored support for children with higher needs.
Recently SBCC was served notice from their landlords (St. Bartholomew’s Anglican Church) that they must vacate their home of 40 years to accommodate structural renovations to the foundation of the church. This work could take up to 30 months.
The staff of SBCC are currently working to find new space and are reaching out to the community for help. If you have any leads on a space for them please reach out to me!
Here are their requirements:
1. A total of 835 sq. ft. of unobstructed floor space
2. A separate area for: toileting, food preparation, retention of records, staff rest area, outdoor space
Community Events & Info |
Moss Park Quarterly Community Meeting
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Join Moss Park residents at their quarterly community meeting this Tuesday, February 20, at 6:15 PM. You’ll be able to meet your Moss Park Neighbourhood Community Officers (NCOs), receive updates on critical incidents, and ask questions.
Black History Month at CL&D
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The Centre for Learning and Development is hosting a Black History Month event on February 23 from 6 PM to 8 PM at 540 Dundas St. East. Learn more about Black history with their speaker, Jemmelia Morgan. Jemmelia is a seasoned Child & Family Therapist specializing in empowering racialized communities. She is a dedicated professional at SickKids CCMH, where she passionately champions mental health and safer communities.
Get your tickets here!
Rumours of a River
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Did you know there's a river buried under Church Street? The Church Wellesley Village BIA & Lost Rivers Toronto present Rumours of a River — a neighbourhood walking tour. This tour will start at 1:30 PM on Saturday, 17 February, at The ArQuives (34 Isabella Street). If you are interested in 2SLGBTQ histories and present-day stories, RSVP for the event here.
TNG Repair Café
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The Neighbourhood Group and the St. James Town Community Centre are coming together for a Repair Cafe. You can learn how to fix computers, clothing, bikes, and more! Attend for free on February 24 from 12 PM to 4 PM at the Central Neighbourhood House.
They are also looking for handy volunteers with experience fixing items. Find out more here!
2024 LunarFest |
Tomorrow, February 17, at 12 PM, LunarFest will begin at the Varley Art Gallery of Markham. To enjoy the Lunar New Year festivities and celebrate the Year of the Dragon, RSVP here.
Tenant Union Meet & Greet |
The Toronto Centre Tenant Union is having a meet and greet on Tuesday, February 20, from 6 PM to 7:30. Head to Glad Day Bookshop at 499 Church St. to chat with other tenants. And follow their great work on Instagram at to.centre.tenants!
January 25, 2024 Newsletter
This week, Federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced that he would be implementing a cap on international students in Canada.
This move scapegoats international students and immigrants as a major driver of the housing crisis in Canada when it is clear that every level of government should be much more active in building public housing and that housing investors and developers are driving the crisis.
These regulations should not be made purely for press releases and sound bites. They should come from consultations with cities, provinces, and the people helping newcomers start their lives in Canada. These regulations should not be made for press releases. I absolutely hear that constituents are concerned that more people are arriving in Canada than we have homes being constructed. By implementing arbitrarily determined caps, the federal government is avoiding their duty to invest in building new homes for all Canadians.
International students at our public post-secondary institutions deserve quality education - they're some of our province's future nurses, construction workers, and teachers.
Post-secondary institutions in Ontario have been dramatically underfunded for years, especially by Ford’s PCs, who froze tuition and cut funding to public colleges and universities in 2019. Tuition must be affordable, but this government cut grants and free tuition for low-income students at the same time that they implemented the freeze. Per-student funding to institutions in 2021 was $8,647, compared to the national average of $12,215.
This dramatic underfunding has made our public colleges and universities over-reliant on unregulated and sky-high international fees to stay afloat and avoid bankruptcy. In 2022, Laurentian University declared insolvency, and Queen’s University recently began cuts to avoid the same. This is an unfair burden to place on international students and puts our educational institutions in precarious financial situations. A federal policy change around visas should not push our public colleges and universities close to bankruptcy.
The lack of regulation around international tuition fees has paved the way for private 'strip mall' career colleges, some of which exploit international students. Many private colleges rake in high profits while providing education of dubious quality, often virtually, as they don’t have classroom space to accommodate their thousands of students, sent to them by profit-driven recruiters around the world.
Our province must invest in our public colleges and universities and ensure these new visa measures focus on cutting visas granted to students entering private, for-profit colleges, not our public institutions.
Yours in community service,
Kristyn
Kristyn Wong-Tam
MPP, Toronto Centre
In this newsletter |
- Toronto Council: Fund What Matters Most
- Greenbelt Corruption Runs Deep
- PCs Point Fingers at Ottawa Pre-Budget Consultations
- OPSEU Workers Win Against Bill 124!
- IMIRT App
- Save the Date for Trans Health Care: February 29, 2024
- Local Community Events
Toronto Council: Fund What Matters Most |
On Friday, there will be a key vote about the City of Toronto's budget. So much is at stake.
You have seen me work tirelessly to get the funding for the services we need. I care so much about seeing this moment — a progressive Mayor's first budget — realized to its fullest potential.
This is that moment - join the call for City Hall to invest in what matters most.
We have a script that you can use to call our City Councillor and the Mayor's Office. You can see it here:
Greenbelt Corruption Runs Deep |
The Ontario NDP has revealed new evidence showing further involvement from the Premier’s Office in the Greenbelt scandal.
Emails obtained in response to a Freedom of Information request suggest a timeline that is ten days earlier than indicated in testimonies provided by Ryan Amato (former chief of staff to the former Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing) and Patrick Sackville (former principal secretary and current chief of staff to the Premier) under oath, and that the Premier’s office knew about the land swaps much earlier than they claimed. This new evidence shows that the two staffers exchanged emails detaining a “list of criteria for removals” of 7,400 acres of the Greenbelt and that they used their personal instead of government email addresses to communicate.
We are calling for the Premier to start being transparent with Ontarians about what really happened. This e-mail shows that the Premier’s office was far more involved in the Greenbelt land removals than Ford claimed. The Conservatives are trying desperately to make this scandal go away, but it is becoming increasingly clear that they cannot hide from their corruption.
With each new piece of evidence, we are seeing more cracks in the narrative that the Premier and his insiders have been trying to spin. But the truth is becoming clearer every day – Ford was not in the dark about his government’s corrupt Greenbelt decisions.
It’s time for the Conservatives to come clean about how they deceived Ontarians with this Greenbelt fiasco. If they don’t, I’m confident the RCMP will.
PCs Point Fingers during Pre-Budget Consultations |
Yesterday, the PC government held their Ottawa Pre-Budget consultation. My colleagues MPP Joel Harden and MPP Chandra Pasma attended and were saddened but not shocked by the stories they heard from people on ODSP and local community organizations. Years of government underfunding has left them depleted. They are running out of resources to support themselves and their communities with the most essential of services. People and organizations running on fumes and struggling to meet basic needs should not be where we are in Ontario. We are a prosperous province and should invest so that our communities can thrive and live full lives beyond basic survival.
I want to share the words of my colleague MPP Chandra Pasma:
“Throughout the last two days of consultations, every sector we heard from told us how people are struggling because of this government's choices. From families grappling with homelessness due to a lack of real rent control to the heart-wrenching stories of those on ODSP, the undeniable truth is that people simply cannot afford to live in this province. Instead of offering solutions, Conservative members today pointed fingers and blamed the city of Ottawa for provincial issues. These consultations are designed for solutions, not deflection. Ford could save the day today, but a lack of accountability and real investment has set this province decades behind."
But there is good news - solutions to these problems exist! We heard them in these very consultations. With the proper investments, we can end waitlists for mental health services, seniors support, disability programs, and affordable housing, as well as help our beleaguered hospitals and schools.
I am proud to be part of an Official Opposition team that continues to call for an immediate doubling of ODSP & OW – as a start – and for the Conservatives to prioritize public services instead of their pet projects. I will never stop pushing for these priorities at Queen’s Park.
OPSEU Workers win against Bill 124! |
Bill 124, the horrendous wage-limiting legislation introduced in 2019 by Ford’s PCs, was declared unconstitutional in 2022 by an Ontario court. The government is now appealing that decision. However, in the meantime, unions that included “reopener” clauses in collective agreements signed between 2019 and 2022 are renegotiating their compensation to receive the pay that they deserve, even if it comes years late.
This week, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) won a major retroactive wage increase of 6.5% over two years, for their workers, whose wages have been unconstitutionally capped at 1% since the passing of Bill 124.
I am so proud of OPSEU members, union staff, and those at the bargaining table for securing this deal for workers. OPSEU president J.P. Hornick said it best: "This government may think that their majority means they hold all the power, but this win is proof that when we build worker power and solidarity, workers have the power to fight for what they deserve."
IMIRT App - report Islamophobia |
A new app, the Islamophobia-Motivated Incident Reporting Tool (IMIRT), has just been launched! We have seen a concerning rise in Islamophobia over the past year, and we know that folks who are victims of this hate often have understandable concerns about reporting hate-motivated crimes to police or other government institutions.
For this reason, the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, the National Council of Canadian Muslims, and the Dar Al-Tawheed Islamic Centre in Mississauga came together to create IMIRT. In this app, users can report incidents of hate. This data will be invaluable in determining trends and making safety plans within the community and in collaboration with government.
Thank you to everyone working to make our communities safer in the face of hate.
Save the Date for Trans Health Care: February 29, 2024 |
I recently submitted notice to the Clerk at Queen’s Park that I will call up the Gender Affirming Health Care Act for my first ballot date at Queen’s Park. This will be the Gender Affirming Health Care Act’s second reading. I will have more details for you soon — if you are interested in helping lobby the government and advocate for this bill, you can sign up here.
Community Events & Info |
Community Rally for the Ontario Science Centre |
Save Ontario's Science Centre, along with MPP Peter Tabuns, is holding a rally on Saturday, January 27, starting at 12 at Riverdale Park East!
Save OSC has been successful in bringing much needed attention to the ill-advised Ford plan to relocate the Ontario Science Centre to Ontario Place, but we can't let the message disappear while the govt is in recess!
The move to a half-size 'OSC LITE' would not only cost Ontario taxpayers $300-$400 million over the cost of refurbishment and well-paying jobs but also deprive a vulnerable neighbourhood of an important element of their community fabric.
Save OSC’s goal is to maintain a full-size, fully funded, interactive and immersive science experience for Ontarians at the iconic Raymond Moriyama-designed facility in Flemingdon Park.
Victim Service Award of Distinction |
The Victim Services Awards of Distinction deadline has been extended to January 29, 2024, at 11:59 pm!
Click here to nominate a local leader!
This awards program recognizes the leadership, expertise, and commitment of local volunteers, professionals, and organizations who dedicate their time to ensuring those who have experienced victimization can access critical support and services. It also honours those that have been personally impacted by crime and are now working to bring awareness to victims’ issues in Ontario.
City of Toronto Community Champion Awards |
The City of Toronto, in collaboration with United Way Greater Toronto, is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the Toronto Community Champion Award 2024 program.
In March 2023, the City recognized 25 organizations from across Toronto at the inaugural award ceremony. Due to the resounding success of this program, Toronto City Council agreed to continue this exciting program as an annual initiative.
The Toronto Community Champion Award recognizes and acknowledges the extraordinary contributions that community organizations make to support the health and solidarity of the residents of the City of Toronto, particularly those from Black, Indigenous, and other equity-deserving communities.
We encourage you to share the Toronto Community Champion Award nomination form with your constituents and community partners. The website is now open for Toronto residents to nominate organizations known for their “community collaboration.” The deadline to nominate is Sunday, February 4, 2024 at 11:55 p.m. Recipients will be announced in May 2024 and honoured at an award ceremony.
For more information on the Toronto Community Champion Award, including criteria and eligibility, and to access the nomination form, please visit the program’s webpage.
If you have any questions, please let us know. In the meantime, we are grateful for your support in getting the word out to encourage nominations in your riding.
Jagmeet Singh at TMU |
Bring your questions for New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh, who returns to the Democracy Forum at TMU to discuss how his party applies pressure to the Liberal government through its supply and confidence agreement in a minority Parliament. From domestic to foreign issues, Singh’s left-leaning NDP has been at the centre of a political balancing act.
Sponsored by the Dais, this free event is open to all students and the general public, with advance registration required.
When: Friday, Feb 2, 1 PM - 2 PM
When: Toronto Metropolitan University Student Learning Centre, 341 Yonge St
January 19, 2024 Newsletter
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On Monday, Marit Stiles and I joined business leaders in the historic St. Lawrence Market for a press conference to call on the Federal government to fix the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) program. Understanding that many small businesses, including those in Toronto Centre, are still struggling to get past significant COVID-related financial setbacks, I have personally written to and called on the Prime Minister to extend the deadline for the forgivable portion of the CEBA loan until the end of December this year.
During the height of the pandemic, CEBA was a lifeline for small businesses. CEBA allowed small businesses to stay solvent, pay rent, and keep their staff employed. I watched with deep disappointment yesterday as CEBA’s repayment deadline passed, and the Prime Minister confirmed that he would not extend it. The Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses' survey warns that this could worsen the crisis on main streets across the country. Their data reports that one-third, or approximately 100,000 businesses, will be forced to take out a bank loan at today’s high interest rates to make their loan payment, and a further 100,000 businesses (one-third of all surveyed) have no means to secure a loan at all. Maintaining a deadline that two-thirds of small businesses cannot meet is not an acceptable government policy when our country verges on a recession. Before becoming an elected official, I was a small business owner. I owned a coffee shop on Church Street and an art gallery in the Queen West neighbourhood. I know how tough it is to run a successful business at the best of times – and I never had to contend with a global health pandemic. It is beyond comprehension that the federal and provincial governments let this deadline pass, knowing that thousands of small business owners are now out in the cold and will have to lay off employees. Instead of supporting small businesses, Ford’s Conservatives are rewarding big retailers and their already wealthy CEOs at Shoppers, Staples, and Walmart. It’s shameful that Ford did not use his immense political voice to firmly and vocally call on the Prime Minister to demonstrably support small businesses with a repayment extension. He showed us once again that Conservatives are only interested in supporting their political donors and corporate friends with big bank accounts. An Ontario dominated by big box stores and empty main streets is not an Ontario that I want to live in. I will never stop fighting for the small businesses that make our communities unique and vibrant. Yours in community service, Kristyn
Kristyn Wong-Tam MPP, Toronto Centre
Every year around this time, the Ontario government hosts pre-budget consultations across the province. Government officials and MPPs travel to communities to hear from local governments, businesses, community organizations, and residents about their priorities and what they want to see in the budget. This practice is admirable and keeps our democracy strong. However, this year, the Conservative government decided not to hold any pre-budget consultations in Toronto. ZERO in our province’s largest city. This is unacceptable and a clear message that this government is afraid to face the consequences of their backroom deals that have so profoundly affected Torontonians.
Yesterday, the Ontario NDP Caucus hosted our own pre-budget consultation for Toronto. We heard from housing, community, and environmental organizations about what they need from their government. It was an honour to listen to these groups’ stories and understand their needs. I am excited to bring their requests to this government in the upcoming Legislative session.
Ford is falling behind on his housing goals and failing to meet the targets that his own government set for themselves in 2023. This week, Global News revealed that the province is now even further behind in its goal of building 1.5 million homes by 2031. The Conservatives only continue to worsen the housing crisis by prioritizing backroom deals they are later forced to backtrack on when their corruption is revealed. If they were genuinely committed to building housing, they would be hitting their targets and focusing on building affordable housing in the places that people want to live.
This week, the West Don Lands Committee wrapped up their 26 years of devoted service to our developing waterfront communities. The committee has fostered and supported many vibrant neighbourhood associations in the waterfront communities that were created over the committee's lifetime, and they feel confident in passing on their work to these capable associations. I can’t wait to see how the committee's work lives on in this new iteration. I particularly want to thank co-chairs John Wilson and Cindy Wilkey, who guided the committee for so many years. Thank you for your leadership, friendship, advocacy, and love for our communities. The committee accomplished so much in its 26 years. Still, two personal highlights for me are their advocacy for the preservation and recognition of the First Parliament site and their work alongside the St Lawrence and Corktown communities to save the Foundry.
I recently submitted notice to the Clerk at Queen’s Park that I will call up the Gender Affirming Health Care Act for my first ballot date at Queen’s Park. This will be the Gender Affirming Health Care Act’s second reading. I will have more details for you soon — if you are interested in helping lobby the government and advocate for this bill, you can sign up here.
The Toronto Centre NDP is organizing a canvass to call on the Federal government to give Toronto a fair deal. On Sunday January 21, 2024, you can join Toronto Centre volunteers as we gather petitions for a day of action to talk to our neighbours about how we're calling on the federal government to support the City of Toronto. No prior canvassing experience is required, and training will be provided for first time canvassers. Be sure to dress warm and wear comfortable footwear!
The position of Associate Chair of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) is vacant for the fifth time in five years. This role is effectively the chair of the tribunal and reports directly to the Chair of Tribunals Ontario. They are responsible for the recruitment and training of new members, management of the case load, development of procedural rules, as well as adjudicative and policy leadership. This is a critical job that requires expertise in human rights law, as well as management experience. This type of experience isn't just suggested, it is legislatively mandated in the Human Rights Code. However, appointments to the HRTO by the Ford government have rarely followed these requirements. This lack of experience in leadership positions has been compounded by the refusal of the government to reappoint many experienced human rights adjudicators (seemingly only because they had been appointed by the previous government). This lack of experience and high turnover has resulted in huge delays and many fewer hearings than was previously normal. In the past couple of years, the number of final merit decisions released by the HRTO has fallen by more than 50%. At the same time, the tribunal is dismissing an unprecedented number of applications at the early stages and an alarming increase in abandoned applications. Often applicants wait more than a year to move forward before abandoning their cases. I am joining Tribunal Watch Ontario in calling on the government and Tribunals Ontario to commit to a full and transparent recruitment and appointment process to fill the very important position of Associate Chair of the Human Rights Tribunal and to ensure that the process complies with the applicable legislation.
The St James Town Community Corner is seeking community ambassadors! Eligibility:
What is involved?
The last date for submissions is Wednesday, 24th January Contact [email protected] or visit us @ The Corner, 200 Wellesley St. E
Where: Central YMCA, 20 Grosvenor Street, Toronto, or virtually by Zoom When: Saturday January 20, 10 am – 4:30 pm & Sunday January 21, 9 am – 12:30 pm Note: this is a paid conference - tickets can be purchased here. The Ford government is trying to close and diminish our local public hospital services. They are privatizing and deregulating the health care workforce. They are privatizing our core hospital services, long-term care, home care, primary care, and public health. They are also building the infrastructure for private for-profit hospitals. Now, more than ever, we need fearless, strong, ambitious action to stop privatization and force the rebuilding of our public health care. Each year, the Ontario Health Coalition invites everyone who believes in Public Medicare and wants to defend and improve it to join together in a major strategy session. Join them for an important and fun weekend of briefings, speakers, report-ins, and strategizing on January 20 & 21.
The Victim Services Awards of Distinction deadline has been extended to January 29, 2024, at 11:59 pm! Click here to nominate a local leader! This awards program recognizes the leadership, expertise, and commitment of local volunteers, professionals, and organizations who dedicate their time to ensuring those who have experienced victimization can access critical support and services. It also honours those that have been personally impacted by crime and are now working to bring awareness to victims’ issues in Ontario.
The City of Toronto, in collaboration with United Way Greater Toronto, is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the Toronto Community Champion Award 2024 program. In March 2023, the City recognized 25 organizations from across Toronto at the inaugural award ceremony. Due to the resounding success of this program, Toronto City Council agreed to continue this exciting program as an annual initiative. The Toronto Community Champion Award recognizes and acknowledges the extraordinary contributions that community organizations make to support the health and solidarity of the residents of the City of Toronto, particularly those from Black, Indigenous, and other equity-deserving communities. We encourage you to share the Toronto Community Champion Award nomination form with your constituents and community partners. The website is now open for Toronto residents to nominate organizations known for their “community collaboration.” The deadline to nominate is Sunday, February 4, 2024 at 11:55 p.m. Recipients will be announced in May 2024 and honoured at an award ceremony. For more information on the Toronto Community Champion Award, including criteria and eligibility, and to access the nomination form, please visit the program’s webpage. If you have any questions, please let us know. In the meantime, we are grateful for your support in getting the word out to encourage nominations in your riding.
Are you beginning to pave your career path? Do you have an interest in civics and current affairs? Are you actively involved in your community? Do you have aspirations to seek public office or want to know what it's like to be a political representative? The Legislative Assembly of Ontario’s Women’s Forum will bring together 124 young women and gender-diverse individuals from across Ontario for a full-day program in Toronto to promote active citizenship and public engagement through education and empowerment. One individual between the ages of 18-30 will be selected from each provincial riding to represent their community and experience parliament in action, meet prominent Ontario women and key parliamentary figures, and gain a behind-the-scenes perspective of Ontario’s Parliament. Applications are being accepted until TOMORROW, January 21, 2024.
The SLNA Waste Reduction Group is holding its 9th REmarket, a two-day event to collect unwanted items. A totally free market (FreeMarket) will also be held. Guests can donate and take items for free (not for commercial resale). Bring your own bag. Repair Café Toronto will be fixing clothing, jewelry, computers, home electronics, small appliances, housewares, and toys, while CultureLink Bike Hub will be doing minor bike repairs and safety checks. Full event details and guidelines can be found here. Please email [email protected] with any questions.
Bring your questions for New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh, who returns to the Democracy Forum at TMU to discuss how his party applies pressure to the Liberal government through its supply and confidence agreement in a minority Parliament. From domestic to foreign issues, Singh’s left-leaning NDP has been at the centre of a political balancing act. Sponsored by the Dais, this free event is open to all students and the general public, with advance registration required. When: Friday, Feb 2, 1 PM - 2 PM |
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January 12, 2024 Newsletter
Dear Neighbour,
I write this newsletter thinking about health and how it connects every one of us.
My family entered 2024 with incredible news. My wife Farrah is free of her small-cell cervical cancer. She is the strongest person I know and after months of gruelling treatments, this was hardwon and deeply joyous news. Our family is not out of the woods yet with breast cancer treatments ahead — but thanks to medical advances, the remaining cancer is substantially less threatening.
I want to thank the Princess Margaret Hospital medical team, our family and friends, and everyone in our community who stopped us on the street to wish Farrah well. Everyone’s care, love, and prayers mattered. Thank you.
While my family is grateful for the years we have to look forward to, all Canadians are looking back on the years we had with Ed Broadbent, who passed away yesterday. Ed Broadbent led the NDP from 1975 to 1989. He fought for a just society and taught us that good government promotes unity and citizens who are creative and cooperative. These are lessons we need now more than ever.
We will miss you Ed.
Yours in community service,
Kristyn Wong-Tam
MPP, Toronto Centre
In this newsletter |
- Save the date for Trans health care: February 29, 2024
- Toronto left out of Ontario's pre-budget consultations
- Toronto’s budget crisis and day of action
- Public dollars to renovate Staples?
- Local Community Events
Save the Date for Trans Health Care: February 29, 2024 |
I recently submitted notice to the Clerk at Queen’s Park that I will call up the Gender Affirming Health Care Act for my first ballot date at Queen’s Park. This will be the Gender Affirming Health Care Act’s second reading. I will have more details for you soon — if you are interested in helping lobby the government and advocate for this bill you can sign up here.
Pre-Budget Consultations |
Ontario's pre-budget consultations matter. Every year, the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs tours Ontario to let people and organizations tell MPPs directly what they need in Ontario's next budget.
Ford left Toronto out of Ontario's budget consultation process this year. This is not normal.
It's saying two things: first, that he wants to avoid hearing from those he disagrees with, and second, that his $1500+-a-plate fundraisers in Toronto are the only pre-budget consultations that Torontonians can expect. My NDP colleague Catherine Fife moved to include Toronto on the pre-budget consultation schedule — and Ford PCs voted 'no.'
To make up for Ford's lack of leadership, your Official Ontario NDP Opposition is organizing a budget consultation on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Queen's Park so that you can have your chance to tell the government what you want to see in our budget.
Earlier this week, I was in Oakville for a day of pre-budget hearings with MPP Catherine Fife. We heard a consistent message from organizations: Ontario must fund health care and social services. There is nothing left to cut after decades of chronic underfunding by Liberal and Conservative governments — barebone programs are cracking.
This message was re-affirmed by news this week that Toronto Schools are seeing some of the worst staffing shortages we have ever seen. I want to echo what NDP MPP Bhutila Karpoche said that this did not happen overnight. Our kids need the government to invest in programs to recruit, train, and retain education assistants and support workers.
Toronto's Budget Crisis |
While I am no longer a City Councillor, Toronto is still my city. I am sure many of you are wondering what my take is on how Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow announced this week what Toronto’s property tax increase might have to be if the Federal government doesn’t step up with funding for Toronto.
Funding cities primarily through property taxes is absurd. The Federal government must step up to the table with fair funding, or this property tax increase will be a Trudeau tax. In the long run, cities deserve real revenue tools, such as a share of HST revenue, to ensure that the city we love can love Torontonians back.
The Toronto Centre NDP is organizing a canvass to call on the Federal government to give Toronto a fair deal. On Sunday January 21, 2024, you can join Toronto Centre volunteers as we gather petitions for a day of action to talk to our neighbours about how we're calling on the federal government to support the City of Toronto. No prior canvassing experience is required, and training will be provided for first time canvassers. Be sure to dress warm and wear comfortable footwear!
Public Dollars to Renovate Staples? |
Media reports are confirming the Ford Conservatives will be footing the bill with taxpayer money to retrofit Staples locations with ServiceOntario outposts.
I want to echo the words of my NDP colleague Tom Rakocevic that "it’s looking like Ford's Conservatives handed a sole-sourced contract to a large American corporation, allowing them to profit off of delivering key government services.”
“Again, we’re seeing this government refuse to be transparent about their backroom deals. We’re seeing them hand over more of our government services to mega corporations, using taxpayer dollars to help a private company’s bottom line.”
A job posting on Staples’ website shows the company is looking to hire ServiceOntario workers with the goal of “monetization of ServiceOntario traffic” and delivering “sales and profit results related to ServiceOntario traffic.”
People are already waiting too long to access basic government services. Now, the Ford government is letting Staples profit off of Ontarians while they wait. The Premier needs to come clean about why he is giving an American company a sole-sourced deal and how that will help people in Ontario.
It is not lost on me that schools, many public housing units, and courts across Ontario are in disrepair, but only corporations are being offered funding to renovate their properties.
Community Events & Info |
City of Toronto Community Champion Awards |
The City of Toronto in collaboration with United Way Greater Toronto is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the Toronto Community Champion Award 2024 program.
In March 2023, the City recognized 25 organizations from across Toronto at the inaugural award ceremony. Due to the resounding success of this program, Toronto City Council agreed to continue this exciting program as an annual initiative.
The Toronto Community Champion Award recognizes and acknowledges the extraordinary contributions that community organizations make to support the health and solidarity of the residents of the City of Toronto, particularly those from Black, Indigenous and other equity deserving communities.
We encourage you to share the nomination form for the Toronto Community Champion Award with your constituents and community partners. The website is now open for Toronto residents to nominate organizations known for their “community collaboration”. The deadline to nominate is Sunday, February 4, 2024 at 11:55 p.m. Recipients will be announced in May 2024 and will be honoured at an award ceremony.
For more information on the Toronto Community Champion Award, including criteria and eligibility, and to access the nomination form, please visit the program’s webpage.
If you have any questions, please let us know. In the meantime, we are grateful for your support in getting the word out to encourage nominations in your riding.
Invite an Amazing Young Woman in Your Life to a Remarkable Assembly! |
Are you beginning to pave your career path? Do you have an interest in civics and current affairs? Are you actively involved in your community? Do you have aspirations to seek public office or want to know what it's like to be a political representative? The Legislative Assembly of Ontario’s Women’s Forum will bring together 124 young women and gender diverse individuals from across Ontario for a full-day program in Toronto to promote active citizenship and public engagement though education and empowerment.
One individual between the ages of 18-30 will be selected from each provincial riding to represent their community and experience parliament in action, meet prominent Ontario women and key parliamentary figures, and gain a behind-the-scenes perspective of Ontario’s Parliament.
Applications are being accepted until January 21, 2024.
THE GREAT PAUSE |
You are invited to THE GREAT PAUSE. This FREE event is a musical archive of how the pandemic impacted the Community Music Schools of Toronto (CMST) students in Regent Park and Jane Finch, and the ways that they made meaning of this unusual time.
Featuring both solo and ensemble performances by CMST students and faculty, this 13-song snapshot of our school community is based directly on interviews with parents, students, teachers and members of the immediate neighbourhoods.
Join us as we explore both the challenges and the beauty of what our communities made of THE GREAT PAUSE of our lifetime.
Saturday Jan 20, 2024 from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Employment and Education Information Fair |
Learn about the education and employment opportunities available to you!
Speak to recruiters from universities and colleges in the GTA, and meet job developers who can help you find meaningful employment supports and career opportunities
January 19, 2024 from 1:00– 4:00 p.m.
Metro Hall, 55 John Street, Toronto
Rooms 308 & 309
St. Lawrence REmarket |
The SLNA Waste Reduction Group is holding its 9th REmarket, a two-day event for the collection of unwanted items.
A totally free market (FreeMarket) will also be held. Guests can donate and/or take items for free (not for commercial resale). Bring your own bag.
Repair Café Toronto will be fixing clothing, jewelry, computers, home electronics, small appliances, housewares, and toys, while CultureLink Bike Hub will be doing small bike repairs and safety checks.
Full event details and guidelines can be found at: www.slna.ca/remarket-guidelines
Please email [email protected] with any questions.
December 8, 2023 Newsletter
Yesterday, the corrupt Ford government unexpectedly adjourned the legislature for an extended winter break, effectively shutting down further debate and accountability for their many offenses. The next sessional day at Queen’s Park will not be until February 20, after Family Day, and a whopping 76 days later.
This early break coincides with the release of yet another scathing annual report from the Auditor General, which raises more concerns over this government’s many, ever-deepening scandals.
Doug Ford knew that if he and his government had to attend even one more Question Period with our strong NDP Official Opposition, he would face heavy scrutiny and be forced to answer more scorching questions about Ontario Place, his government’s underfunding of healthcare, education and preferential treatment of connected PC insiders.
I am grateful for the Auditor General’s thorough work, which paints a rich picture of a corrupt Conservative government abusing their legislative privileges to justify their deal-making schemes to enrich select insiders. Ford’s PCs are lurching from one terrible decision to another with complete disregard for the consequences. They don’t have a plan to help people who are struggling right now amid an affordability crisis.
The big takeaway from this report is that the Conservatives, like the scandal-riddled Liberals before them, keep getting caught in lies and cover-ups, forcing them to reverse course. These cover-ups and reversals have wasted a year of time and money. This behaviour is unacceptable, especially when Ontarians need a stable and solution-focused government more than ever. As the Official Opposition, we have worked hard to expose the deep rot in the Ford government. With your ongoing support, we have forced them to reverse some of their deceitful policies in a matter of weeks, including their Greenbelt grab and controversial urban boundary expansions.
The AG’s report highlights many failings and gaps from the Ford government, but the largest and most concerning are:
ER closures: between July 2022 and June 2023, there were 203 unplanned ER closures. Patient wait times to see a doctor have increased to two hours over the past decade.
Ontario Science Centre: the government failed to consult key stakeholders on the Science Centre move and made the decision based on ‘incomplete’ and insufficient information, driven by the need to justify a publicly-funded parking garage for a private luxury spa company
Northern Healthcare: 10 Northern hospitals closed their obstetrics/maternal health services between July 2022 and September 2023. Four remain closed, and three were closed for more than a year.
This government shows every day that they think they don’t need to consult with anyone or provide proper care for Ontarians as long as it makes their own wealthy insiders even richer.
Despite Ford shutting down the Legislature to hide from his horrible record of corruption and incompetence, you have my word that the Ontario NDP will keep working hard every day on the issues that will make life better and more affordable for everyone.
I am wishing a very happy Hanukkah to our Jewish community members who began celebrating the Festival of Lights last night, a celebration that continues until next Friday. The story of an enduring light at the darkest time of the year at the heart of this festival is something that we can all learn from to honour the survival of the Jewish people and the resilience of humanity.
Over two thousand years ago, Jews lit the Temple menorah even though they knew it couldn't possibly burn long enough. Over the next eight nights, they witnessed a miracle. I think we could all use a reminder of that hope and light right now. Happy Chanukah and Chag Sameach!
Thank you for your resilience. It is an honour to serve you.
Kristyn Wong-Tam
MPP, Toronto Centre
You’re Invited: TCNDP Holiday Party! |
Join your neighbours and proud New Democrats at the 519 Community Centre on Thursday, December 14, for the TCNDP Holiday Party.
Get ready for a fabulous dinner, prize giveaways, entertainment, festive cheer, and, of course, surprise VIP guests!
Date: Thursday, December 14, 2023
Time: 6 PM - 8:30 PM
Location: The 519 Community Center, 519 Church Street, Ballroom
All are welcome, including Santa’s little helpers. Please register here to reserve your seats.
RAISE Grants Should Include Queer Businesses |
On Tuesday, I sent a letter to Minister for Citizenship and Multiculturalism outlining the concerns of many Indigenous and racialized queer business owners, especially those in the Church-Wellesely Village. These business owners should be eligible for the Government of Ontario's RAISE Grant. Still, many are worried about their eligibility because their businesses, from pharmacies to clothing and specialty retailers, include references and products relating to sex, sexuality, and sexual orientation. The Ford Conservatives need to grow up and stop codifying sex-negative attitudes. You can read my letter here.
I also spoke to the CBC about the issue and how it is affecting Indigenous and Racialized queer business owners - you can read that interview here.
No Demovictions Press Conference |
On Wednesday, MPP Jessica Bell and I joined No Demovictions Toronto members and tenants at 25 St Mary Street to introduce a new NDP motion calling for a moratorium on demolishing purpose-built rental buildings.
I have spoken to Ontario renters living in purpose-built rentals and worry that a developer will soon purchase their home to demolish it, given the speculative nature of the housing market. These rent-controlled buildings are some of the last affordable housing options in the province, but they are disappearing at alarming rates, with unaffordable investor-driven condos replacing them. In Toronto alone, there are currently more than 80 large buildings, accounting for 3,225 rental homes slated for demolition. In the middle of a housing crisis, this represents thousands of families who face an uncertain future with no place to go. Across Ontario, the picture becomes even more bleak, with even more families and their homes under threat and living in cities with local tenant protection laws that are weaker than Toronto's.
The Conservatives need to protect Ontario families and their homes - not bulldoze them over.
The proposed moratorium on demovictions would remain in effect until the provincial government guarantees fair compensation for tenants during construction so they can rent an apartment nearby during the entire construction period and permit the tenants to return to their rent-controlled home once construction is complete.
These strong renter protections exist in other fast-growing cities around Canada, like Burnaby, BC, and should be the policy here. Development should not be a zero-sum proposition. We can meet our housing supply needs and protect renters at the same time.
Remembering Ron Ellis |
Frequent readers of this newsletter will know that I work closely with Tribunals Watch Ontario, a citizen watchdog group made up primarilty of retired tribunals workers and adjudicators who are dismayed and fired up about the erosion of tribunals infrastructure.
One of those incredible activists was Ron Ellis, described by his colleagues as "the heart and soul of our Tribunal Watch Ontario Steering Committee". Ron passed away last Sunday.
Alec Farquhar, another incredible member of Tribunals Watch, wrote a moving tribute to Ron. I would like to share part of it here:
Ron Ellis was a giant in the field of administrative justice, especially around adjudicative tribunals. He was the founding Chair of the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Tribunal, now WSIAT. But he was so much more to worker advocates, to the legal community, and to all those who support access to justice in our country. We offer our deepest condolences and support to Ruth Ellis and the rest of Ron’s family and to his many friends and colleagues who mourn his passing.
Always at the center of Ron’s work was a belief that everyone deserved an administrative justice system which would provide an expert, fair, transparent and independent process to all those with claims or appeals. This was of course a reasonable expectation for those who need to resort our adjudicative tribunals, but the reality has often fallen far short of this, as Ron documented in his important book called Unjust by Design.. And Ron spoke truth to power on these issues, sometimes at great personal cost. He took a stand in 1997 for the independence of WCAT and that ended his term as Chair.
Ron combined intellectual rigour and a mastery of public policy with the ability to structure and lead major institutions. His work ethic was extraordinary. And he was a marvelous human being, in his family life and relations with friends and colleagues, with a lively enquiring mind and a great sense of humour.
We strive to honour Ron with our own continuing advocacy for the integrity and independence of adjudicative tribunals in Ontario, and especially for the principle that those most vulnerable, such as injured workers, have a right to access to justice.
Community Events & Info |
Toronto Queer Market - Holiday Edition |
Toronto Queer Market is back indoors in The 519's ballroom for their two-day long Holiday Market on Dec 9th and 10th! We have an amazing roster of 40 vendors exhibiting their wares from 11 AM - 4:30 PM on Saturday and 11 AM - 3:30 PM on Sunday in the beautiful ballroom of The 519 Community Center.
There will be a drag show from 2-3 PM with Gay Jesus, Lucinda Miu, and Ryder Toole; drinks, food and so many goodies to come see! And best of all, admission is free!
Make a day of it! We’ll also be at STACKT market (28 Bathurst St) from 1-6 PM on Saturday and Sunday as well with 25 different vendors each day. So head on over after to continue your shopping spree!
RSVP and receive updates about the market here!
Regent Park CC Pancake Breakfast |
Join the Regent Park community for the City's annual pancake breakfast at Regent Park Community Center!
Enjoy pancakes and beverages, a visit from Santa Claus, kids crafts, and family games.
When: Saturday, December 9th (tomorrow!) 10 AM - 2 PM
Where: Regent Park Community Center, 402 Shuter Street.
Yonge Street Mission Toy Drive |
Join Yonge Street Mission in bringing the magic of Christmas to over 450 families & 950 children facing hardship through YSM’s Toy Market
Donate online, mail in your toys, or drop them off in person. The deadline for donations is Wednesday, December 20.
Donate new toys in person or lend a helping hand at YSM’s Toy Market from Dec 14, 15 & 18-20 at 306 Gerrard Street East. Let's make this holiday unforgettable for every child!
Learn more about the toy market, preferred donations, and how to get involved here.
Support Corktown Businesses and Win! |
Be one of four people to Win 2 General Admission Tickets to Illuminarium Winter Wonderland at the Distillery. Compliments of the Distillery District Winter Village and the Corktown Residents and Business Association (CRBA).
From Berkeley to River, Front to Shuter Streets: Historic Corktown main street businesses look forward to your visit and are ready to greet you.
Contest Details:
- Follow @CorktownTO Instagram page
- Snap a picture of your favourite decorated Corktown storefront (Berkeley to River Street) and tag @CorktownTO
- Be notified via DM if you are the winner! Winners will be notified by December 18th, and tickets are valid until January 7th.
Questions? Email [email protected] for more information.
51 Division Toy Drive |
Get into the spirit of giving with the 51 Division toy drive! Please bring new, unwrapped toys to be given to children in need in our communities.
Donations can be dropped off to 51 Division Police Station at 51 Parliament Street any time during the holiday season.
Friends of Regent Park Community Skate |
Join Friends of Regent Park for their Community Skate!
When: Saturday, December 30, 1 PM - 3 PM
Where: Regent Park Ice Rink, 480 Shuter Street
FORP have reserved the City's skate lending library. Skates and helmets will be available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis.
Are you Ontario’s Next Poet Laureate? |
The Legislative Assembly of Ontario is seeking nominees to fill the role of Poet Laureate of Ontario. Created in 2019 and named in memory of the late Gord Downie, this appointment is subject to the Poet Laureate of Ontario Act.
Ontario's Poet Laureate will be appointed for a two-year term as an Officer of the Legislative Assembly.
COVID-19 Testing |
The spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses is increasing as the weather gets colder and people stay indoors. Learn more about testing options near you here
December 1, 2023 Newsletter
This week, you likely heard about the “New Deal for Toronto” that Mayor Olivia Chow struck with Doug Ford. This historic agreement will go a long way to fixing the City’s budget shortfall and making long-overdue investments in Toronto. Mayor Chow secured new investments for transit, housing, and the unimaginable — uploading the Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway to the province. The upload alone will save the city $1.2 billion in expenses over just the next three years. Previous Mayors have not been able to get a deal like this done. It is a testament to the strength of Mayor Chow that she has secured this victory for the City.
If you would like to learn more about the New Deal for Toronto, you can read the joint press release, the full terms of reference document, and CBC’s thorough coverage.
But it wouldn’t be a week at Queen’s Park without Ford Conservatives trying to cover up their questionable dealings with controversial legislation. And so, the government tabled Bill 154, the “New Deal for Toronto Act,” on Monday.
You might reasonably think that this proposed act codifies into law the recent terms of reference of the deal or the details broadly reported in the media. Alarmingly, Ford's Bill 154 confirms absolutely no new funding and makes no reference to uploading the highways.
Instead, this bill has two schedules. Schedule 1 requires that the Government of Ontario and the City of Toronto further discuss the themes of the New Deal for Toronto. It does not commit to anything, nor does it set out any agreements. You may be wondering, “Does the government need a bill passed in order to have a discussion?” The answer is, of course, no. Schedule 1 is window dressing meant to distract Ontarians from the actual point of the bill, which is Schedule 2.
Schedule 2 gives this government extraordinary powers to sidestep and even break its own laws without any consequence in order to build a private luxury spa at Ontario Place. It also gives itself the power to limit the City of Toronto’s ability to sell or make other changes to the small part of Ontario place that the city owns. This confirms what we already knew: The fight for Ontario Place has always been at Queen’s Park.
Bill 154 sets a dangerous precedent for how far Ford’s Conservatives will go to exempt themselves from provincial laws and avoid legal accountability. The bill focuses entirely on allowing Ford’s Conservatives to bypass various laws to fast-track the Ontario Place redevelopment while exempting themselves from any legal ramifications for damages they may cause.
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This bill exempts Ford's Ontario Place scheme from:
- Environmental Assessment Act
- Ontario Heritage Act
- Environmental Bill of Rights
- It also prohibits lawsuits against the government with respect to anything done under this bill – including government misrepresentations, misconduct, misfeasance, bad faith, breach of trust or breach of fiduciary obligation
- Bill 154 gives the Minister of Infrastructure Kinga Surma the ability to issue Ministerial Zoning Orders, a planning-by-fiat power currently limited to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
I will be fighting this draconian and anti-democratic bill every step of the way. I debated against it in the Legislature yesterday and will continue to do so.
I would love to hear your reactions to this bill as well as any stories you may have about Ontario Place. Please reply to this email with your stories – I will do my best to share them in the legislature.
Its an honour to serve you,
Kristyn Wong-Tam
MPP, Toronto Centre
You’re Invited: TCNDP Holiday Party! |
Join your neighbours and proud New Democrats at the 519 Community Centre on Thursday, December 14, for the TCNDP Holiday Party.
Get ready for a fabulous dinner, prize giveaways, entertainment, festive cheer, and, of course, surprise VIP guests!
Date: December 14, 2023
Time: 6 PM - 8:30 PM
Location: The 519 Community Centre, 519 Church Street, Ballroom
All are welcome including Santa’s little helpers. Please register here to reserve your seats.
Ford’s PCs vote NO on Free Birth Control |
Yesterday, Ford’s Conservatives voted against giving Ontarians universal contraception. The bill, tabled by my colleague, MPP Jennie Stevens, was a common sense measure to lower barriers to accessing vital health care for so many, and a clear way to help lower costs amidst an affordability crisis.
Despite this setback, the fight for universal contraception access doesn’t end here. Your Official Opposition NDP team will keep advocating for this important measure until everyone in Ontario has access to the health care they need.
You can watch me speak in the Legislature about the importance of universally accessible contraception here.
Kitchener Centre By-Election |
Yesterday was election day in Kitchener Centre and voters overwhelmingly rejected Doug Ford and his corrupt politics.
Our Ontario NDP candidate Debbie Chapman ran a strong campaign focused on the issues that mattered. Our NDP team from across the province turned up to support her, and we saw a huge number of students and university clubs come out because they all believe in Debbie and her values.
There’s always work to be done. As a team, we will reflect on the campaign. But the message from Kitchener voters is clear: After more than five years of Doug Ford, life has become harder and more expensive for everyone, except for his select insiders.
Kitchener said no. They also said no to the Liberals, who held Kitchener Centre for 15 years before it went NDP orange in 2018. The Liberals fell to fourth place in yesterday’s by-election.
I join Debbie in congratulating Aislinn Clancy on her by-election win and look forward to meeting her in the Legislature soon.
World AIDS Day |
Today is World AIDS Day, a chance to celebrate everyone working on the frontlines of HIV/AIDS and to recommit to do better for everyone living with HIV/AIDS. This World AIDS Day follows a year of rising homophobia and transphobia that has shown how tenuous gains towards social inclusion can be. Appropriately, the theme ‘Let Communities Lead’ stresses the importance of ensuring that the vulnerable communities overrepresented in the transmission of HIV/AIDS are the ones leading the delivery of service.
World AIDS Day reminds us that AIDS is not over. HIV/AIDS survivors deserve better public health education and ongoing mental, social, and medical support. People at risk need better access to testing and publicly funded pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
Many communities need our government to do a better job at stepping up to mitigate and treat HIV/AIDS. Two-Spirit, Black, racialized, Trans communities, as well as women living with HIV/AIDS deserve better. Harm reduction advocates continue to struggle to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS without adequate government funding.
I, along with our whole Ontario NDP team, want the HIV/AIDS prevention community to know that we will continue to fight for you to get the funding and services you deserve. Thank you for all that you do and for all the lives you have saved.
Community Events & Info |
Holiday In the Patch |
Cabbagetown is an amazing community, so let's celebrate it! The Cabbagetown BIA is proud to present a day to celebrate the people and businesses that make Cabbagetown so special. We will be inviting the community to join us once again on Saturday, December 2nd, for Holiday in the Patch - a day of caroling, live music, photos with Santa, and lots of fun for the whole family!
This fun FREE event takes place Saturday, December 2nd, 12 PM - 4 PM across The Cabbagetown BIA, along Parliament Street!
Riverdale Farm Holiday Tree Lighting |
Visit Riverdale Farm for their annual holiday tree lighting tomorrow, Saturday, December 2nd, at 7 PM!
Light refreshments and abundant holiday cheer will be served.
Lights Across the Legislature |
Enjoy an evening at Ontario’s Parliament Building! Enjoy guided tours, festive refreshments, merry meet-and-greets, holiday story time, and crafts. Take a photo by the trees and shop at the Legislative Assembly Gift Shop.
Monday, December 4, 2023, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Free. Registration required - click here to register now!
Questions? Email [email protected]
Are you Ontario’s Next Poet Laureate? |
The Legislative Assembly of Ontario is seeking nominees to fill the role of Poet Laureate of Ontario. Created in 2019 and named in memory of the late Gord Downie, this appointment is subject to the Poet Laureate of Ontario Act.
Ontario's Poet Laureate will be appointed for a two-year term as an Officer of the Legislative Assembly.
Warming Center Peer Job Fair |
Date: December 6th, 2023
Time: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Location: Daniels Spectrum
Do you have lived experience of homelessness? Interested in peer work but don’t have training or experience?
This winter, Dixon Hall and the Toronto Shelter Network are expanding their peer work program at Warming Centers. They have partnered with TSN’s Pipeline Project to offer free, low-barrier, paid training for anyone interested in working as a peer with warming center visitors. Once training is complete, participants will be able to work at Warming Centre this season.
To apply, simply attend the job fair on December 6th at Daniel’s Spectrum. Staff will help you fill out an application and answer any questions you may have. You do not need any prior training or experience to apply.
Participants Needed - Long-Covid Study |
Do you or someone you know have long-COVID or never had COVID-19? Consider joining Sunnybrook’s Neurocovid study by completing the pre-screening survey here! Contact them at [email protected] or [email protected] with any questions.
COVID-19 Testing |
The spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses is increasing as the weather gets colder and people stay indoors. Learn more about testing options near you here
November 24, 2023 Newsletter
Wednesday was National Housing Day and we had an incredible and action-packed day at Queen’s Park.
My colleagues MPPs Jessica Bell, Chris Glover, and I were joined at the Legislature by more than 80 clients, workers, and advocates from affordable housing and shelter organizations. We held a press conference calling for the government to invest in deeply affordable housing, which you can watch here.
During question period, the Ontario NDP caucus themed our questions around housing, asking about housing affordability, non-market housing solutions, and domestic violence shelters. You can watch me ask the government how they let the Landlord Tenant Board fall into crisis here.
It is frustrating that this government is continuing to push the financialization of housing and cutting costs for for-profit housing providers without a dedicated plan to help non-profit or co-op housing organizations. Housing is a human right, not just an investment. We know that we need a mix of housing options that include deeply affordable, supportive, co-op, and non-profit models. We also need real rent control and to at least double ODSP and OW payments.
So many of the pressures that we are experiencing in our communities and on our social services would be lessened if more of our most vulnerable and marginalized neighbours had secure housing and were lifted out of poverty. My ONDP colleagues and I will keep pushing for these proven solutions and lifting up the voices of experts like the ones we were joined by on Wednesday.
Dreaming of housing and justice for all,
Kristyn
Kristyn Wong-Tam
MPP, Toronto Centre
SAVE THE DATETCNDP Holiday Party |
Please save the date to join the Toronto Centre NDP for our annual holiday party on the evening of Thursday, December 14th.
I will share details soon, but until then, get ready for great food, giveaways, festive cheer, and of course, excellent conversations with neighbours!
Election Day in Kitchener Centre |
There is a provincial by-election happening in Kitchener Centre right now and election day is this Thursday, November 30th!
This is an NDP seat, but the race is going to be close. We need all the help we can get to keep Kitchener Centre Orange and elect Debbie Chapman.
If you can make it down to Kitchener or make some phone calls from home for even an hour or two on Thursday it would be a huge help. If you need a ride please let me know by replying to this email.
Election Day in Scarborough Southwest |
There is a municipal by-election happening in Scarborough Southwest right now! Advance polls are open this weekend and election day is this Thursday, November 30th!
This race is incredibly important - it will decide whether the progressives and our mayor, Olivia Chow, hold the balance of power in at City Council. Our progressive champion in Scarborough Southwest is Kevin Rupasinghe. Kevin is an exciting young progressive who will be a strong voice for Scarborough.
If you can make it to Scarborough or make some phone calls from home for even an hour or two this weekend or on Thursday it would be a huge help.
Trans Day of Remembrance Flag Raising |
On Monday, a wonderful group of trans folks and their allies came to Queen’s Park to mark Trans Day of Remembrance by raising the Trans flag. On this solemn day, we remember those gone too soon and recommit to creating a world where every Trans person is valued and safe.
You can watch the flag raising here:
The Ontario NDP will always fight for the rights and respect our Trans community deserves.
Thank you, Toronto Pflag, Cheri DiNovo, and our other guests for joining us. Your message of parents protecting Trans kids with love and support is more critical than ever.
Watch me ask Doug Ford to take action and protect trans communities here:
Justice for Soleiman Faqiri |
Soleiman Faqiri died while in the custody of the provincial correctional system after a mental health crisis. He was beaten, pepper sprayed, and restrained face-down, leading to his death. This violence is unacceptable and heartbreaking. His family is still waiting for truth and justice in his case.
Ontarians deserve systemic change in our justice systems. And people in mental health crisis deserve help, not violence. You can watch me ask Doug Ford to fix our justice system so that another tragedy like this doesn't happen again here.
Fill Judicial Vacancies |
Internal government documents show that on November 19, 2021, the Attorney General was notified of an imminent judicial vacancy in Cornwall. Two years later, that vacancy is still not filled. Is the Attorney General stalling because his conservative candidate choice was not on the list of qualified recommendations?
This government has a shameful record of placing their less-than-qualified friends in cushy political appointments. It is frustrating to see this continue even after multiple bombshell scandals from this government.
You can watch me ask the Attorney General why he hasn't filled this vacancy here.
Renovictions at 30 Charles St E |
Tenants at 30 Charles Street East are being renovicted and harassed by their horrible landlord. I was proud to join my colleague, MPP Jessica Bell, to stand alongside tenants and their call for justice.
If you see Harrington Housing — a "student" housing provider — start to take over units in your building, contact my office at [email protected]. Harrington Housing is abusing tenant rights AND city bylaws — we must hold them accountable!
Watch a video of the demonstration outside of 30 Charles St E here.
ONDP Plan for Free Contraceptives |
I am thrilled that on Thursday, our Leader, Marit Stiles, shared the Ontario NDP’s plan to expand OHIP to cover prescription contraception and remove cost barriers that limit people's ability to choose their reproductive health and family planning.
Do you have a story about how access to contraception affected your life? Or the impact that free contraception would have made for you? Share your story here!
Sign the petition to support access to free contraception here!
I couldn’t agree more with Marit when she said, “This is an exciting and long overdue initiative that I’m so proud our NDP team is putting forward. This is a truly non-partisan and common-sense way to ensure that everyone who needs it has full access to reproductive planning and choices.”
NDP MPP Jennie Stevens tabled this motion for International Women’s Day in 2023, which will be debated at Queen’s Park on November 29, 2023. Stay tuned for updates!
If enacted, this change would follow in the footsteps of the provinces of British Colombia and Manitoba. BC launched their program recently, and in the first six months, it was accessed by thousands. Manitoba announced their plan just last week, and I am excited to hear about their outcomes. So many incredible advocates are working to make sure Ontario joins this leading initiative, and the Ontario NDP is standing with them to make it happen.”
Community Events & Info |
Holiday In the Patch |
Cabbagetown is an amazing community, so let's celebrate it! The Cabbagetown BIA is proud to present a day to celebrate the people and businesses that make Cabbagetown so special. We will be inviting the community to join us once again on Saturday, December 2nd, for Holiday in the Patch - a day of caroling, live music, photos with Santa, and lots of fun for the whole family!
This fun FREE event takes place Saturday, December 2nd, 12 PM - 4 PM across The Cabbagetown BIA, along Parliament Street!
Toy Drives |
Get into the spirit of giving with toy drives happening in our communities. Please bring new, unwrapped toys to be given to children in need in our communities.
Drop off new, unwrapped toys to 51 Division any time during the holiday season.
OR
Support the CP24 CHUM Christmas WISH toy drive to bring a little extra joy to children in our community this holiday season.
Help Santa and his elves by donating a new, unwrapped toy at Queen's Park Circle and Berczy Park during The Original Santa Claus Parade on November 26th.
Regent Park Film Festival |
The 21st annual Regent Park Film Festival is finally here! The festival runs from November 23 - 26, so get out and see a film this weekend.
See their full lineup and schedule and get free tickets through their website here.
Queer East Social Fa-la-la-bulous Festive Market |
On November 29th, join Café ZUZU for the Queer East Social Fa-la-la-bulous Festive Market will bring together local Queer & Trans organizations to mingle with like-minded individuals and support Queer owned and/or operated businesses while having fun!
Complimentary: Polaroid Photo Room & local Queer DJ spinning pure honey.
On the Beats: DJ ThirdEye
Special Drag Performance: Miss Renona & Miss Shay Dee
Artist Selection: Draw-A-Dot Programmed
Market open: November 29, 4 PM - 10 PM
Social & bar open: November 29, 6 PM - 10 PM
Location: Café ZUZU at 555 Dundas Street East
12+ artists, retailers, bespoke crafts-people, paired perfectly for the gifting season
Event is Rain or Shine
Register for a free ticket here!
Assaulted Women's Helpline |
November is Women's Abuse and Family Violence Prevention Month. If you or a woman you know is facing violence, the Assaulted Women's Helpline does incredible work to support women who are in violent or abusive situations. You can visit them at AWHL.org or by phone at 416-863-0511
Intimate Partner Violence has been declared an epidemic in 30+ municipalities, and I am working hard to have it declared Ontario-wide. If you have stories that you would like me to share in the legislature please reply to this email.
November 17, 2023 Newsletter
Dear Friend,
There are only four weeks left in this legislative session before the government recesses the Legislature for the winter holidays. This is always a chaotic time. The government is trying to get as many bills passed as possible in the next few weeks and I am concerned about what they will contain. They often save their most controversial and problematic legislation for this time of year because they know Ontarians are distracted by family and community commitments. During this time I will be using this newsletter to keep you updated on what the government is proposing and share ways that you can take action, so watch this space!
The issues that have been keeping me up at night recently are public safety and the crisis in Ontario’s courts. In the past few months, we have seen multiple serious cases with a high degree of merit be thrown out because the trial was delayed for too long, and the accused was denied a decision within a reasonable timeframe (usually 18 months in Ontario). The cases thrown out include the sexual assault of a woman named Emily, who has bravely spoken out publicly, a sexual assault of a minor, and a drunk driving charge. This is unacceptable. Survivors who come forward are already re-traumatized by the legal process, and now they are enduring that trauma without the closure of a resolution to their case. If you would like to learn more about these cases and this issue, journalist Abby O’Brien has thoughtfully covered this story. Please note that some of the details of these cases are very upsetting.
Court staff have been calling out this crisis for years, citing the amalgamation of courts into the Ontario Court of Justice Toronto, the lack of safety measures in the building, and especially inadequate staffing, as the reasons for these delays. Court workers have been telling the government for years that staffing would be a problem at the new courthouse, and the government is making investments to improve the issue, but it feels like a too-little-too-late reaction that should have started long ago.
I cannot overstate how important it is for people to have trust in their justice system. When people do absolutely everything right, like Emily did, and their case concerning the most brutal moments of their life is thrown out due to lack of staff and closed courtrooms, that trust begins to erode. This is wholly unacceptable and something I will continue to fight in the Legislature as your Attorney General critic.
It is terrible that all of this is happening against a backdrop of rising hatred in our communities, especially as we all contend with the ongoing violence in Palestine and Israel. I continue to call for a ceasefire, peace in the region, and hope for the safety of everyone caught in between.
Instances of Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, Transphobia, anti-Arab violence, and more are at record-high levels. And yet, the Ford government has no specific plans to counter the spread of hate in Ontario. Every impacted community should have their own unique action plan from this government, and those plans should be integrated to work together. We know that many of the disparate types of hate that are rising in our province stem from the same alt-right and radical conservative forces and that people’s intersecting identities often open them up to multiple types of hate at once. We need strategies that reflect those realities.
I know many of you are experiencing rising hate in your communities. Doug Ford needs to hear about this. He will not take real action to address rising levels of hate unless he receives massive public pressure to do so. Please email him and CC my office with your stories, concerns, and calls to action.
If you witness a hate crime, it is crucial that you report it. If instances of hate are not counted, action will not be taken. If you witness an emergency or life-threatening situation, please call 911. For anonymous, non-emergency reporting, you can create a report with Crime Stoppers. The City of Toronto has also helpfully consolidated many resources for countering hate here.
We keep each other safe and must speak up when we see discrimination. Thank you to everyone supporting their communities during this challenging time. It is critical work.
In solidarity,
Kristyn Wong-Tam
MPP, Toronto Centre
Trans Day of Remembrance Flag Raising |
This upcoming Monday, November 20, is the Trans Day of Remembrance. It is a day to remember our Trans siblings who are no longer with us and to re-commit ourselves to the task of ending transphobia in our communities.
The Ontario Legislative Assembly is holding a flag-raising at noon to mark the occasion, followed by a reception hosted by the Ontario NDP Caucus and PFLAG.
The public is welcome to join the flag raising, taking place at the flag poll to the west of the Legislative Assembly’s main doors. If you would like to join us for the reception afterward, please RSVP here.
Celebrating Trans Awareness Week |
I am grateful to Jagmeet Singh for supporting Trans Awareness Week by joining community members at the 519 on Wednesday. His commitment to amplifying these vital conversations is so uplifting. I know that together, we will create safer spaces, advocate for inclusive policies, and promote acceptance and respect for transgender and non-binary people.
For Trans Awareness Week, White Ribbon Canada launched a powerful new campaign, Short Life Stories, which focuses on the intersection of transphobia and gender-based violence.
70% of trans youth report experiencing some form of sexual harassment or violence. I’m proud to support White Ribbon and its mission to end all forms of gender-based violence while promoting gender equity, healthy relationships, and a new vision of masculinities. Learn more about the movement here.
Prayer-Time Parking On Parliament Street |
Free parking along Parliament Street during prayer times has been a long time coming, and now it is here!
Thanks to collaborative efforts with Councillor Moise, mosque attendees at Masjid Omar Bin Khatab and Masjidur Rahmah will no longer have to worry about getting a parking ticket while practicing their faith. This victory makes our city more equitable, as Christians have enjoyed free Sunday parking near their churches for many years. Congratulations to the community for your successful advocacy.
Louis Riel Day |
On Thursday, we marked Louis Riel Day. We remembered his legacy and his contribution to Canadian history and the North-west Resistance for the Métis peoples. I was honoured to participate in the Métis Flag Raising at Toronto City Hall alongside Mayor Olivia Chow and representatives from the Toronto & York Region Métis Council and the Provisional Council of the Métis Nation of Ontario. Thank you for welcoming me so warmly.
Dr Gordon Chong Parkette Unveiling |
It was a genuine honour to witness the name unveiling of the new Dr. Gordon Chong Park at 60 Howard Street in St James Town. Dr. Chong was a veteran politician and community leader. Sharing this occasion with his family, friends, community members, Park staff, and Councillor Moise was especially meaningful.
Upcoming Community Events |
Queer East Social Fa-la-la-bulous Festive Market |
On November 29th, join Café ZUZU for the Queer East Social Fa-la-la-bulous Festive Market will bring together local Queer & Trans organizations to mingle with like-minded individuals and support Queer owned and/or operated businesses while having fun!
Complimentary: Polaroid Photo Room & local Queer DJ spinning pure honey.
On the Beats: DJ ThirdEye
Special Drag Performance: Miss Renona & Miss Shay Dee
Artist Selection: Draw-A-Dot Programmed
Market open: November 29, 4 PM - 10 PM
Social & bar open: November 29, 6 PM - 10 PM
Location: Café ZUZU at 555 Dundas Street East
12+ artists, retailers, bespoke crafts-people, paired perfectly for the gifting season
Event is Rain or Shine
Register for a free ticket here!
Artist Mentorship Showcase: Gélédé Queens |
Inspired by the West African festival which is a masked performance in veneration of the society’s ancestral mothers, "Gélédé Queens" is a multi-media experience that emphasizes gender-bending, “African Drag” and Vogue as an artistic expression. Using documentary, fashion and performance, Destinie Adélakun rebuilds and explores the truths that have been denied and the apparency of gender nonconformity in West-African mythologies. The work celebrates self-expression and the commonalities of the diaspora that were lost in the oceans during the Trans-Atlantic slave trade.
When: Wednesday-Saturday until December 30, 2023, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Where: The Market Gallery 95 Front St E, 2nd Floor
Cost: Free
Journaling Workshops |
Join the Toronto History Museums as Jenn Forgie (Métis/Settler woman, artist, writer and coach born and living in Tkaronto) leads you in a journal-based workshop aimed at giving you the tools to express your thoughts, emotions, dreams and fears in meaningful, nurturing ways. The practice of journaling is a sacred one. It supports our mental, physical and emotional well-being and it can be the reminder, companion, confidante we need for honouring our own light within, especially during the darker times of life. This workshop is for anyone who wants to tap into their creativity and build confidence...all through journaling by handwriting. All levels are welcome.
Toronto History Museums delivers a series of programs from November 1, 2023, to January 8, 2024, designed to embrace the spirit of light, love, joy and celebration through light-based public art activations, music, workshops, food, culture, storytelling, and events as part of the Lots of Light programming
When: Thursdays, November 30 and December 7, 2023
Event Time(s): 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Where: The Market Gallery, 95 Front St E. 2nd Floor
Cost: Free
Reservations / Advance Tickets are required
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (416) 392-7604
The Next Surgeon - TCHC Youth Mentorship |
Are you a high school student living in TCHC housing? Do you want to work in medicine or cardiac surgery? Register for TCHC’s high school mentorship program that supports the next generation of students in grades 10-12 who see themselves as future surgeons!
Register for the info session or apply directly before the deadline.
When: January 6 to February 17, 2024.
Where: Virtual and in-person at St. Michael’s Hospital
Info session: Saturday, December 2, 2023, 1 PM - 2 PM
Registration contact: Stacy Golding - 416-989-6932
Application Deadline: December 15, 2023.
Unity Roots Workshops |
Unity Roots is a group of people from minority communities that come together, participate, collaborate, build connections through educational workshops, and to discuss issues that arise in our communities.
Drop-in programs run from November 3 to December 22, 2023, on Fridays from 10 AM - 11:30 AM at 40 Oak Street, Toronto.
For more information, call or email Isharelle McIntosh at 647-4234 x 274 or [email protected]
November 3, 2023 Newsletter
Just yesterday, the Ontario Government tabled their Fall Economic Statement. It was incredibly underwhelming and does nothing to meaningfully address the cost of living, housing, and healthcare crises that we find ourselves in. It maintains the status quo when what people in Ontario need are bold solutions to help us through these tough times.
Instead of making investments in our schools, hospitals, public housing, or social supports, Ford decided to add $2.5 billion to his contingency slush fund, bringing the fund up to $5.7 billion.
Ontarians expect and deserve more from their government, and this budget simply doesn’t meet the moment.
I, along with my colleagues in the Ontario NDP, will continue bringing positive solutions to the Legislature to show this government what is possible with political will and the wellbeing of Ontarians in mind.
In Solidarity,
Kristyn Wong-Tam
MPP, Toronto Centre
Calling for a Ceasefire in Palestine |
The horrors and violence persist in Palestine and Israel this week. I have spent this week watching the images pouring out of the region with grief, rage, and a heavy heart. This week, I spent many hours speaking with constituents who called my office to share their thoughts on the conflict and personal connections to the region. My thoughts are with everyone with family and friends in Israel and Palestine. I can only imagine what it is like to fear for the safety of your loved ones every day, let alone receive horrible news, and live with that pain from so far away.
I am very proud of my Federal NDP colleagues who have taken the boldest, most humanity-first stance on this conflict, calling for a ceasefire since October 11. The NDP remains the only major party in North America to do so. I continue to echo their calls, including their most recent ones, that the Federal government do the following:
- Call for an immediate ceasefire
- Demand unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza
- Ensure all Canadians can safely leave the region
- Support ICC and ICJ investigation into the situation in Israel and Palestine
- Halt arms sales to Israel and work with partners to end illegal arms transfers to Hamas
- Advocate for an end to the occupation of the Palestinian territories and work toward a two-state solution
- Continue to work with partners to counter-terrorism in the region
- Invest in building a just and sustainable peace for Palestinians and Israelis
Email the Prime Minister and all Conservative and Liberal MPs to demand that your voice be heard. In Toronto Centre, our local MP is the Hon. Marci Ien.
My Ontario NDP colleague, Deputy Leader MPP Doly Begum called for a ceasefire – I encourage you to watch her heartfelt message here also released an excellent letter to Justin Trudeau today that I wholly echo. Here is just one part of the powerful letter:
“As a country, we have a responsibility to acknowledge the current and violent campaign of collective punishment against innocent men, women, and children in the Gaza Strip. Doing so would allow us to address the decades of suffering under an illegal occupation in Palestine. Israelis and Palestinians have a right to live in peace and mutual self-determination, and as peace-loving Canadians who enjoy democracy and freedom, we have an obligation to be a voice of reason and work towards lasting peace in the region and an end to the ongoing and decades-long siege of Gaza.”
By this time, many of you will have seen the resignation letter published by the Director of the New York office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. I am deeply concerned about what Mr. Mokhiber had to say and we should all strongly heed his words. I am encouraged to see so many of my constituents engaged on this issue and I hope that you continue to raise your voices for a ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian aid, immediate release of hostages, safe passage home for all Canadians, and more.
We are also seeing the ripple effects of this violence right here in Ontario, where Jewish, Arab, and Muslim communities have seen a rise in hatred. There is no excuse for harassment and targeting of Jewish-owned businesses and community members. Muslim residents, especially women, should never have to worry about harassment while walking in their neighbourhoods. Mosques and synagogues must be defended equally against threats of violence. Reports of hate speech and hate crimes must be stopped and not allowed to spread. As Ontarians, we must stand together against antisemitism, anti-Palestinian racism, and anti-Muslim hate. Thank you to everyone who is doing their part during this horrific time.
Update on MPP Jama |
I know many of you are feeling hurt and confused about the removal of MPP Sarah Jama from the Ontario NDP Caucus. She brought crucial perspectives to our caucus that deserve to be heard, and I would encourage a facilitated way forward that would be agreeable to all involved. A week is a long time in politics, and anything can change when good people sit down to work on solutions together. Teamwork is always based on the foundational principles of trust and mutual respect.
I want to clarify that MPP Jama was removed from caucus because she broke trust with the Leader, not because she called for a ceasefire, as the provincial caucus joined the Federal NDP in those calls. Despite repeated best efforts to work together, and with continued support from the Leader, her senior staff, and the house team, MPP Jama acted independently of them, which had a detrimental impact on our collective work as a caucus.
MPP Jama will continue to represent Hamilton Centre as an Independent MPP in the legislature, and she should be allowed to speak in the parliamentary chambers. It’s why our entire caucus voted against the Conservatives’ extreme motion of censure. We do not believe the government should use its majority to strip MPP Jama of her right to speak on behalf of her community. Not a single provincial Liberal voted to oppose MPP Jama’s censure. The Ontario NDP caucus is the only one who voted to protect MPP Jama’s right to speak. MPP Jama does not deserve what Doug Ford and his Conservative government did to her.
I will continue speaking honestly with constituents, party members, and friends about this issue to understand their concerns and share more about my understanding of the situation. That work is ongoing and I understand that the harm caused by this persists. Ford's Conservatives want to see our party divided and distracted from their corruption. They will be disappointed, as we will work hard daily and without rest to ensure New Democrats and our supporters know our caucus will strive to improve and build upon the strong foundation of our party's founders and contributing members.
7,000 Pages of FOI Documents - All Roads Lead back to Doug Ford |
This week, 7,000 pages of internal documents were obtained by an FOI filed by Environmental Defence and Ecojustice. These documents show an alarming level of political involvement in land use planning policies in Ontario. They also question the Premier and former Minister Clark’s testimonies to the Integrity Commissioner and Auditor General. These documents prove that a culture of corruption and collusion prevailed in the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to appease developer requests.
From the beginning, I and your Official Opposition NDP, have said that the rot goes all the way to the top. Unfortunately, these documents bear that out.
These documents show stunning evidence of political staff – not bureaucrats – directing Greenbelt land removals and land-use planning policies against the advice of planning experts and the desire of municipalities. This is an incredibly inappropriate level of political involvement in land use planning decisions.
The Premier’s hand-picked Chief-of-Staff, Ryan Amato, instructed senior Housing Ministry staff to “keep their mouths shut” as media began reporting on Greenbelt land removals. It is absolutely clear that there is no way Mr. Amato did what he did without the Premier’s knowledge or authorization. This scandal lies at the feet of the Premier.
This massive trove of documents raises many questions. The most important one is: Did Doug Ford or his former Housing minister lie to the Integrity Commissioner and the Auditor General under oath?
Auditor General’s Probe into Ford’s $650M+ Luxury Spa |
In more government scandal news, the Ontario Auditor General just announced that they are conducting a value-for-money audit on Ford’s $650M+ luxury spa plan for Ontario Place. The audit was requested by Ontario Place For All, Waterfront For All, and Architectural Conservancy Ontario. I am proud that the Ontario NDP wrote to the Auditor General in support of this request.
I agree with my colleague Chris Glover that the news of the audit means the site preparation underway should be paused. The Conservatives must immediately halt the destruction of more than 850 trees and critical habitats for species-at-risk. All bulldozing must be halted until the audit is complete.
Toronto Expanding Community Crisis Service Citywide |
I am thrilled that after a year of successful pilots, Toronto Community Crisis Services is expanding to cover the whole city by the end of 2024, becoming the fourth municipal service, along with Fire, Paramedic, and Police services.
This innovative program launched in early 2022, the TCCS is a non-police-led alternative model of crisis response for Toronto residents. The 24/7 service provides a response that is community-based, client-centered, and trauma-informed, to support non-mental health crisis calls and wellness checks.
Key first-year TCCS program data includes:
- Successfully diverted 78% of calls received from 911, with no police involvement.
- Crisis teams completed 2,936 post-crisis follow-ups with clients and connected approximately 40% (1,160) of service users with ongoing case management supports.
- 95% of clients were satisfied or very satisfied with the service they received when the TCCS responded.
- 90% of clients indicated that the service positively impacted their perception of community safety and wellbeing.
Thank you to aloof the community members who lobbied and organized for this critical community service to be created!
No Demovictions Toronto Press Conference |
Last week I joined No Demovictions Toronto to call on Doug Ford to stop the mass displacement of tens of thousands of working-class tenants across Toronto and Ontario.
The Conservatives, through Bill 23, have made it easy for speculators to demolish perfectly good apartments, evict thousands of people, and replace them with luxury condos. Demolitions are not solving the housing crisis; they’re making it worse.
Watch the press conference and hear directly from tenants here.
Ford Must Fix Provincial Bail |
Bail is broken in Ontario, and Ford won’t fix it. This week, I stood up in the Legislature to share how a more robust and well-funded provincial bail and justice system would improve community safety and access to justice in Ontario.
Ford loves to blame the Federal government for our poor bail system, instead of implementing provincial solutions that have been laid out for him
Stop billing ODSP and OW Recipients for Ambulances |
People on ODSP, OW & GAINS receive an expensive bill in the mail every time they use an ambulance. It is unjust for some of the poorest people in our province to be paying for this service.
Thank you to fellow Toronto Centre resident, Katias Yee for organizing and collecting signatures for the petition. It was important to share your story and advocate for vulnerable people punished by an indiscriminate system.
Declare IPV an Epidemic in Ontario |
Last week, 4 people including 3 children aged 6, 7, and 12, were fatally shot in an act of intimate partner and family violence.
I stood up in the Legislature twice this week to ask Doug Ford why he won’t listen to survivors & adopt the Renfrew Inquest recommendations by declaring intimate partner violence an epidemic TODAY. Already 63 municipalities have done so. Ford must follow their lead.
Permanent, Sustainable Funding for Pride |
Last week I asked the Ford government to increase permanent, sustainable funding for Pride festivals across Ontario. Prides bring joy, community, and significant economic gains to their host regions, and yet are forced to deal with unpredictable and inadequate funding year to year.
Permanent and sustainable funding is needed now more than ever as we see the rise of 2SLGBTQI+ hate across the province.
Upcoming Community Events |
Bloor East Neighbourhood Association AGM |
Calling all Bloor East residents. The Bloor East Neighbourhood Association is hosting it’s annual AGM virtually on November 8 at 7 PM. All are welcome and I look forward to speaking with you then.
Join BENA and hear from Toronto Center and University-Rosedale politicians, as well as updates from Post Media Place, Rogers. St. Andrews United Church, and the BENA President (e.g. neighbourhood projects, including redevelopment)
AGM details and documents are posted on the BENA website
Want to submit questions or comments? Please email them to [email protected].
Cabbagetown BIA’s Remembrance Day Ceremony |
The Annual Cabbagetown Remembrance Day Ceremony will be held by the Cabbagetown BIA next Saturday.
Date: November 11, 2023
Time: 10:15 AM (ceremony to begin promptly at 10:30 AM)
Location: East corner of Carlton St. and Parliament St. in Cabbagetown, Toronto
Program: Readings, Trumpet performances, and moment of silence, followed by light refreshments.
Following the ceremony, Gilles Huot of the Cabbagetown Preservation Association will invite those interested on a tour of military graves at the Toronto Necropolis, where people can respectfully dispose of their poppies on the graves of fallen soldiers.
I will be participating in another Remembrance Day event at old City Hall at the same time, where I will be laying the Ontario wreath at the cenotaph. However, you choose to honour the fallen soldiers and those in service please do take a moment on November 11 to give gratitude and reflections to their sacrifice. Lest we forget.
Legislative Assembly Youth Arts Program |
The Ontario Legislature’s Youth Arts Program celebrates the incredible artistic talents of young Ontarians aged 12-18.
Each year, youth from across the province are invited to display their works of art throughout the Legislative Building, showcasing their creativity and diverse artistic abilities. Artwork submitted consists of various media, including photography; sculptures; ceramics, and pottery; drawings in ink, pencil and charcoal; acrylic, oil and watercolour paintings.
Applications will be accepted from October 10 to November 8, 2023.
Met Radio Fund Drive |
From November 6 to 12th, Met Radio is holding their annual Fund Drive to raise funds to support new and creative live programming at the station. With your help, they will be able to provide workshops, training, and additional support to volunteers who create this programming as well as honorariums to artists who perform at the station. You can learn more and donate at funddrive.ca, and tune in to 1280 AM or at metradio.ca all week long to hear lots of special live radio programming!
Canadian Association for Girls in Science Volunteer Opportunity |
Do you enjoy working with and inspiring youth? Are you passionate about building equitable STEM futures? The Canadian Association for Girls in Science is recruiting volunteers to support its STEM programs.
CAGIS is an award-winning not-for-profit organization that supports interest in Science, Technology, Trades, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) among girls and gender-diverse youth, ages 7-17. CAGIS Volunteers are parents, teachers, post-secondary students, STEM professionals, and other interested members of the community. They support our work by helping to plan, organize, and run our programs.
Find out more and sign up HERE