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!
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!
Dear Neighbour,
This week, ONDP leader Marit Stiles and Housing Critic MPP Jessica Bell introduced a motion to call for rent control as a part of our party’s solution to the housing crisis in Ontario. Had it passed, this motion would have brought back real rent control on all housing units, ensuring we close the loophole that the Liberals and Conservatives supported. Our motion would have ensured all buildings would be rent controlled, including new residential buildings first occupied after November 2018; making rent gouging illegal between tenancies. I was proud to speak in support of this motion at the legislature on behalf of the residents of Toronto Centre.
Despite the ongoing housing crises, Ford conservatives opposed this motion, ignoring the needs of Ontarians.
Our leader Marit Stiles adds:
“Skyrocketing rent is pricing people out of their communities. This is why we are proud to advance a solution that will immediately help make housing more affordable for Ontarians and address one of the core issues propelling this crisis.”
We need real rent control in Ontario; we can no longer stand back and watch the skyrocketing rent prices in our cities. Please sign our petition and join me in adding your name to bring back Rent Control and Stabilization.
Click here to watch me challenge the Ford government on allowing rent gouging to happen in Ontario.
Stopping Bill 60 - Ford’s Two-Tier Health Care System |
Ford’s harmful health care privatization bill reached third reading last night. It has been an uphill fight to stop this legislation with a Conservative majority controlling the House. Once again, I spoke in support of our public health care system in the debate. I remain steadfast in my support of tens of thousands of nurses, doctors and other health professionals fighting against bringing American-style health care into Ontario.
Ontario has world-class hospitals. Our healthcare is the envy of most Americans. It is part of our national identity. As Canadians and Ontarians, we take care of each other—I ran as MPP to ensure that the government takes care of its people. Not a province that shuffles the rich to the front and leaves behind those who need help the most.
Join the fight to keep health care public - sign our petition HERE!
Drag Queen Story Hour in Spadina Fort-York |
Tomorrow, the Fort York Library will be hosting a Drag Queen Story Hour with the fabulous, Gila Münster. She will be doing an interactive program story hour beginning at 2PM, with readings of acclaimed and age-appropriate LGBTQ+ themed books and performing a few musical numbers. I encourage you to join if you have young children and are looking for something fun to do this weekend!
Please note that this is an in-person program for ages 0-6, and young children must be accompanied by a caregiver. Registration is required in-personal at the library, or by calling 416-393-6240.
Community Benefits Agreement Engagement Launch |
Regent Park Revitalization on Phases 4 and 5 is well underway, with a rezoning application now before City Planning. An important part of this revitalization is the $26.8 million community benefits package that I was pleased to support as the former Toronto Centre City Councillor. The funds will be directly invested into the TCHC tenant community in Regent Park, and it is up to the local community on how to spend it!
In April 2023, TCHC launched a community engagement process in Regent Park that was co-designed with the Community Benefits Oversight Working Group (CBOWG) and Tridel, facilitated by Monumental Consulting, specialists in equitable city-building and participatory design. One of the outcomes is a new survey that all TCHC tenants in Regent Park are encouraged to fill out before June 16, 2023. Community animators will be going door to door to speak with residents about their priorities shortly, so please make sure you have your say in what’s next for Regent Park.
I was pleased to join the Regent Park community for the launch of the survey and a celebration of the remarkable contributions of the working group. I will always fight for our residents to promote an inclusive and equitable outcome for all.
Congratulations to everyone involved. It’s one more step to a stronger and even more vibrant neighbourhood!
Ontario Legislative Assembly Page Program |
The applications for the Page program are now open until June 15, 2023. Each year approximately 150 grade 8 students from across Ontario are selected to participate in Ontario's Legislative Page Program. This unique educational program for students provides an opportunity to experience the provincial legislature in action and forge new lifelong friendships with peers from across the province. I encourage Toronto Centre residents to apply for this enriching opportunity. It will be my great honour to personally welcome you to the legislature.
The Great Outdoors Funding Programs |
As you know, climate change is one of the greatest challenges in our world. It is an issue that I care deeply about and strive every day to improve. This is why I am pleased to share an existing and environmentally positive initiative with you.
If you are interested in making this world a little greener and cleaner, check out The Great Outdoors Fund’s 2023 grant-giving programs. The purpose of the grants is to generate voluntary funding from the private sector to assist public agencies and their nonprofit partners, and use these funds to maintain the well-being of the great outdoors. They are dedicated to keeping the environment accessible to people from all walks of life, regardless of age, ability, or socio-economic status, and fostering enjoyment and appreciation of nature.
If you are interested in applying, both their Unsmoke Canada Cleanups grant and Nettoyages Finilaboucane Canada grant applications will be closing on May 6.
Tareekh Pe Tareekh: Know Your Employment Rights |
Interested in learning about your employment rights? The Tareekh Pe Tareekh – Know Your Employment Law Rights Public Legal Education Campaign is perfect for those who speak; Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali and Tamil. Created by the staff lawyers from the South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario (SALCO), in partnership with other community legal clinics, they now offer short and accessible videos on basic employment law rights in Ontario.
Employers may take advantage of employees, using this as an opportunity to exploit those with language barriers or who do not know their rights. These videos are perfect for spreading awareness and beginning conversations about employment rights within Ontario’s South Asian community. You can find the videos either on:
Mental Health Workshop |
West Toronto Ontario Health Team is offering free mental health workshops, beginning May 9! The workshops are designed to help you learn and develop skills to manage your mental health effectively. It is structured in a four-part series, where each week, you will learn to manage stress, live mindfully, overcome burnout, and discuss self-care. At the end of the four sessions, you will receive a certificate from the WTOHT and CMHA–Toronto.
Anyone over 18 years of age is able to register!
Yours sincerely,
Kristyn
Kristyn Wong-Tam
MPP, Toronto Centre
Dear Neighbour, I am ecstatic to throw my full support behind Olivia Chow for Toronto’s next mayor! I have known Olivia for almost all my life… She has been not only a significant member of the Chinese Canadian community but also the City of Toronto. My parents repeatedly told my sisters and I that Olivia always fights for the "little guys." For years we saw her fight for our city as a City Councillor and Member of Parliament, and she's ready to do it again as a Mayor. Yesterday, I was proud to endorse Olivia Chow, a progressive mayoral candidate for the City of Toronto, alongside Gil Peñalosa in front of City Hall. Watch Gil Peñalosa, and I endorse Olivia!
Yesterday in the legislature during Question Period, I reminded Ford it has been five years since he promised to address the surgical wait times in Ontario. I introduced him to the innovative British Columbia government website that publishes a public list of surgical wait times for transparency. Residents of B.C. can quickly reference and rely on a snapshot of scheduled surgeries that were completed in the most recent 3-month time period available. Since the Ontario government failed to reduce the surgical backlog, I asked Ford, “Will you do the bare minimum, and create a surgical wait time portal for Ontario patients, just like the B.C. government?” Ford dodged this simple question and passed the buck to the Minister of Health to make excuses for their failed policies. Click here to watch the exchange.
Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) has announced that more than 155,000 public servants have gone on strike after the federal government's failure to reach a fair agreement. The PSAC strike will go down in history as one of the largest in Canadian history. PSAC members have been voicing their legitimate demands for fair wages, job security, and a safe working environment since the beginning of the pandemic. After months of skyrocketing inflation, government workers are pushing for higher wages, protections around remote work, more inclusive anti-racism and harassment training, and ending the expensive and unsustainable contracting out of public services. The Ontario NDP and I stand in solidarity with these workers and their demands for a fair deal. Picket lines are being set up across Canada. I encourage you to join the picket lines — not cross them. Support PSAC workers by signing our petition!
Everyone in our community is invited to join MPPs Jessica Bell, Chris Glover, and I for a free Dim Sum Social on Saturday, April 22, at 11 AM at University Settlement. This is our first Dim Sum Social, and I’m very excited to see you all there. It’s even been rumoured that MPPs Bell, Glover and I will be singing a classic Cantonese ballad for our special guests! If you would like to attend, please make sure you RSVP here, or call me at the community office — (416) 972-7683.
Getting out to connect with returning and new community members is one of my favourite parts about being an elected official. Which is why I am especially pleased to invite you to join MPP Chris Glover and I for coffee at Arvo Coffee, on Friday, April 21, between 9:30 AM and 10:30 AM. Sign up to have coffee with us here!
Community Environment Day and Earth Day are two significant days that bring neighbourhood residents together to protect our planet. My son is almost four years old, and I think of him and all children when I take social action to make a positive impact on our environment, not just on Earth Day but every day! These occasions provide a unique opportunity for us to raise awareness about environmental issues and showcase the importance of taking action to preserve our natural resources, like the Greenbelt. As we continue to face the challenges of climate change in Ontario and all over the world, it is more important than ever that we work together and protect our beautiful green planet for future generations. I encourage you to participate in Community Environment Day and Earth Day events in our great riding of Toronto Centre. Let’s demonstrate our commitment to building a sustainable and resilient community together. Community Environment Days is one of many ReduceWasteTO programs and initiatives supporting the City’s Long Term Waste Management Strategy. This program helps reduce the amount of reusable or recyclable waste going to landfills and allows for the safe disposal of household hazardous waste. In 2023, there will be 45 Community Environment Days held across the city from April 15 until September 24. There will be a community event at Regent Park on Saturday between 10 AM - 2 PM if you are interested to participate! Click here to learn more about the Community Environment Days.
See below for some of the Community Clean Up events happening in Toronto-Centre:
From my family to yours, Farrah and I are sending the warmest wishes to all those celebrating Eid al-Fitr! As we mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan, let us reflect on the values of compassion, generosity, and community that this remarkable month instills. Such benevolent values are universal, so let’s cherish them together. Eid Mubarak!
The Speaker’s Book Award recognizes non-fiction works by Ontario authors who reflect the diverse culture and rich history of the province and of its residents. The winning book is featured at the Legislative Assembly Gift Shop and in the Legislative Library. A monetary prize is awarded to the recipient. Please share this award opportunity broadly in your communities, as it's a great way to promote Canadian literature and, more specifically, local authors. Click the link to learn more about the application process and the eligibility criteria.
Kristyn Kristyn Wong-Tam MPP, Toronto Centre |