Dear Emma,
Yesterday, the Ford government tabled their lacklustre Fall Economic Statement. This is a “mini budget,” and this year it was smaller and more underwhelming than usual. The statement fundamentally fails to deliver the kind of plan that Ontarians need as the cost of living rises, the job crisis worsens, and the housing crisis deepens.
All anyone in Ontario wants is stability and a chance to get ahead. All we want is a government that supports individuals and families to meet their own needs. But instead, Ontario’s unemployment is the highest in a decade, and our housing starts are at their lowest over the same period. By every measure, this government is failing.
This failure is so frustrating to me. Ford has the opportunity to deliver policy and a budget that offers people hope: a real jobs plan, lower costs, and investments that strengthen our communities and public services. Instead, this government is cutting healthcare and education (simultaneously gutting public services and shedding jobs) while shovelling money out the door to their lobbyist friends through the Skills Development Fund (including companies that operate strip clubs).
Unemployment is at 7.8% and 1 in 5 young people are without a job, yet this government’s jobs plans are their scandal-ridden Skills Development Fund and tax cuts for big businesses. To weather this storm, we need bold ideas that put workers first and strengthen our communities.
I am proud to be a part of the Ontario NDP Caucus and stand behind the solutions we are putting forward. The Ontario NDP is urging the Ford government to prioritize:
- Protecting and creating good jobs by expanding supports for local manufacturing, small businesses, and Ontario’s critical resource sectors.
- Investing in social infrastructure such as housing, health care, education, and childcare, to attract and retain workers while creating jobs in those very sectors.
- Building economic security by increasing social assistance rates, expanding public pharmacare and mental health care, and investing in municipalities to prevent job loss and homelessness.
I will continue to push these priorities forward. Nothing is more critical than Ontarians accessing safe and appropriate housing, high-quality public services, and meaningful jobs.
It is upsetting to me that, instead of actually helping people, this government seems most interested in helping their friends, skirting accountability, and spending as little time in the legislature as possible. You can read more about their upsetting conduct below.
Yours in community service,
Kristyn Wong-Tam
MPP, Toronto Centre
| In This Newsletter |
- PCs Seize Control of Intimate Partner Violence Study
- When Will Minister Piccini Stop the Gravy Train?
- Bills 60 and 33 Rammed Through Without Consultation
- Join my Youth Council!
- Toronto Centre NDP Holiday Party - You’re Invited!
- Ministries of the Attorney General and Solicitor General Estimates
- Unelected School Supervisors Paid $350,000
- Parliament Street Rooming Houses Revitalization
- This Week’s Meetings
- What’s Making Headlines
- Local Community Events
| PCs Seize Control of Intimate Partner Violence Study |
This week was a rollercoaster on the intimate partner violence epidemic declaration front.
On Thursday morning, the government moved a motion to declare intimate partner violence (IPV) as endemic in Ontario. It passed. The NDP moved for the 5th time, our motion to declare IPV an epidemic. The government voted against our motion, defeating - yet again - an opportunity to declare IPV an epidemic, a declaration that organizations and experts have been calling for for years.
I am cautiously hopeful that this endemic declaration will be helpful to survivors and come with funding and increased government attention to the issue of IPV. I will continue to work with lawyers and feminists in the IPV-prevention sector to understand the implications of this new word and how we can continue to push the government. It is disappointing that the government has decided to turn its back on the 106 municipalities, 150+ community organizations, and numerous police forces that have declared this epidemic. The fact that they chose a different word makes it feel like they care more about blocking the NDP’s efforts than about the wishes of survivors and experts. This government was invited to join an established movement but chose not to. This is disappointing, but I am still looking forward to working with them.
Just before all of the above occurred, on Wednesday night, the government moved another motion to direct the IPV sub-committee to meet and consider a draft committee report. That is standard. However, what is not standard is that the report we are being asked to consider was written solely by PC MPP Jess Dixon. It is highly irregular that any MPP, let alone a government member acting alone, would write a committee report. That is a job reserved for non-partisan committee clerks, professional staff who are highly experienced at writing these reports in a balanced and non-partisan manner. I asked several clerks whether this had ever been done before. Not one of the legislative clerks could recall a time when an MPP had written a draft committee report.
I had the opportunity to speak to this motion in the Legislature, which you can watch here.
I have not yet seen this report. There is a possibility that it is balanced, however, there is a real risk that it is not and that worries me. All of the report consideration and editing will be done in committee “in closed session,” meaning that the public will not be able to observe and I will not be able to share anything about how decisions were made or what was altered from the original draft. This is typical of report writing, but remember that it is also typical that the report is written by non-partisan staff. I am concerned about this entire process being so removed from the public, especially since the committee is made up of a majority of government members.
I will continue to bring you updates on this process, sharing what I am allowed to share, over the next few weeks.
| When Will Minister Piccini Stop the Gravy Train? |
| Bills 60 and 33 Rammed Through Without Consultation |
This week Ford used a time allocation motion so that he can ram Bill 60 and Bill 33 through Queen’s Park. Time allocation motions drastically shorten the time that a bill is required to be debate. In this case, it will allow Ford to skip the public consultation and committee amendments process.
Both of these bills are incredibly flawed and require significant changes in order to actually benefit Ontarians. However, because of this undemocratic move by Ford’s PCs, they will be sent for final votes without any changes. To quote York – South Weston Tenants Union's founder Chiara Padovani, "The fact that the government doesn’t want to have the public consultations is because they know the public is adamantly opposed."
I will continue to speak up against these bills in the Legislature. If you have stories about how you or your loved ones would be affected by these changes to housing and education, please reply to this email. I would love to hear from you and share your story in the Legislature.
|
Join my Youth Council! |
Are you between the age of 17-25 with a passion for politics, policy, and community building? Apply to the Toronto Centre Youth Council to have your voice heard on provincial issues.
Join Our First Session - pizza provided!
Date: November 26, 2025
Time: 4:45-6PM
Location: 120 Carlton St, Unit 401
Apply now: kristyn.ca/youth-council
| Toronto Centre NDP Holiday Party - You’re Invited! |
Get ready for a fabulous Toronto Centre NDP Holiday Park with lunch, prize giveaways, entertainment, festive cheer, and, of course, surprise VIP guests!
Date: December 7, 2025
Time: 1 PM - 4 PM
Location: Regent Park Community Centre, 402 Shuter Street
All are welcome, including Santa’s little helpers. Please register here to reserve your seats.
|
Ministries of the Attorney General and Solicitor General Estimates |
This week, I attended Estimates hearings for both the Ministry of the Attorney General (responsible for courts and tribunals) and the Ministry of the Solicitor General (responsible for jails, policing, and first responders). Estimates is a time when the Ministries open up their budget books and show the public how much they are planning to spend, alongside how much they have historically spent.
Estimates hearings are excellent opportunities to hold Ministers directly accountable for the actions and priorities of their Ministries. They are something that I look forward to all year!
This year, I had the opportunity to interrogate the Attorney General about the unacceptable backlogs in our courts and tribunals, asking him how and where he was making investments to speed up processing times for tenants, landlords, human rights claimants, victims of crime, and those waiting in jail for their hearings. As usual I was given evasive answers, but I also got under the Attorney General’s skin. I am hopeful that I will continue to make him uncomfortable enough to take action on behalf of all of the people who are waiting for their hearing dates.
| Unelected School Supervisors Paid $350,000 |
Remember those unelected school board supervisors that Education Minister Paul Calandra installed in the TDSB, TCDSB, and other boards across Ontario? The ones with zero experience in teaching, education, or school board administration?
Recent estimates hearings have revealed that they are being paid $2,000 per day, three days per week. That means that they are being paid up to $350,000 a year by us, the taxpayers, to ignore parents and students. Meanwhile democratically elected trustees are no longer being paid at all and have been stripped of the ability to do their jobs.
What more, these “supervisors” don't respond to parent emails or phone calls, they don’t attend committee meetings, and they won't answer media questions. What are they doing all day?
It is shameful that they are collecting these lucrative salaries while refusing to engage with the people they’re supposed to serve. Ontario families deserve transparency, accountability, and local representation, not government buddies collecting six-figure salaries to silence local voices.
| Parliament Street Rooming Houses Revitalization |
What a milestone! On Tuesday, I was thrilled to celebrate Dixon Hall as they officially opened their newly renovated Parliament Street Rooming Houses. This revitalization includes the meticulous heritage restoration of four contiguous Victorian properties as well as wraparound supports to ensure that the vulnerable people housed here will be successful.
I visited the site last year and it was inspiring to see all the progress their team has made since then. It’s heartwarming to know community members will be able to step out of homelessness into safe, dignified, and supportive housing with the help and support of Dixon Hall. This is exactly what our communities need!
| This Week's Meetings |
- Ontario Trial Lawyers Association
- Innovative Medicines Canada
- Association des conseils scolaires des écoles publiques de l’Ontario (ACÉPO)
- Ontario Book Publishers Organization
- Better Way Alliance
- Ontario Nurse Practitioners Association
- Hospice Palliative Care Ontario
- Bellwood Toronto & EHN Canada
- Toronto Drop-In Network
| This Week's Headlines |
Toronto councillor, fire chief want regulations increased for lithium-ion batteries
Doug Ford quietly kills Toronto’s green roof bylaw
St. James Town apartment fire sends 3 to hospital
A look at Cabbagetown's newly renovated rooming homes
Toronto police release detailed data on intimate partner violence for the 1st time
Toronto mayor announces new plan to improve TTC safety
Fall fiscal update shows projections for new home construction slowing down in Ontario
| Upcoming Community Events |
| CWNA’s Welcome Winter Open House |
The Church Wellesley Neighbourhood Association (CWNA) invites community members to take part in their monthly executive meeting followed by the 2nd Annual Welcome Winter Open House this Saturday Nov 8th. All are welcome to attend.
Executive Meeting: 10 AM - 12 PM
To join, please email info@cwna to confirm your participation.
Welcome Winter Open House: 1 - 3 PM
Help usher in the season with hot chocolate, coffee, treats, and community cheer, while supporting a wonderful local initiative.
Donate new children’s mittens and hats to decorate the Mitten Tree — all gifts will go to students at Church Street Public School.
CWNA is also collecting gently used adult winter outerwear to share with neighbours in need.
Last year, the community donated over 130 pairs of mittens and hats — let’s make this year’s event even warmer!
|
Remembrance Day at the St James’ Cemetery |
Join the Cabbagetown community as they come together to honour and remember those who have served and sacrificed for our country. The annual Remembrance Day Ceremony will take place at St James’ Cemetery, featuring a traditional service with music, hymns, readings, and the laying of wreaths.
Date: Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Location: St. James’ Cemetery, 635 Parliament Street, Toronto ON
Doors: 9:45 AM
Ceremony: 10:00 AM - the ceremony will begin promptly.
This meaningful community gathering offers a moment of reflection and gratitude, uniting neighbours, veterans, and local representatives in remembrance.
Following the ceremony and wreath laying, historian Gilles Hout of the Cabbagetown Preservation Association will lead a guided walking tour of veteran graves within St. James’ Cemetery. Attendees will be invited to place poppies at individual headstones as a personal act of remembrance.
Complimentary coffee, tea, pastries, and cookies will be available for attendees, generously provided by Daniel et Daniel Catering & Events and McDonald’s.
| The Children's Book Bank Story Soirée |
The Children's Book Bank is inviting you to their Story Soirée on November 13, from 5:30-8:30PM. This fundraiser event will celebrate 17 years of impact and support the continued growth of Book Bank locations across the city.
This elegant fundraiser features:
- CBB Champions Awards Ceremony
- Live musical performances
- Engage with children’s authors and illustrators
- Food and drinks
- Live silent auction
With a goal of raising $50,000, your ticket helps bring books and literacy programs to children across our communities.
Story Soirée Event Details:
Date: November 13, 2025
Time: 5:30 - 8:30pm
Location: Ada Slaight Hall, 585 Dundas St E
| Little Trinity Christmas Market |
Little Trinity Church invites community members to join in the holiday spirit at the second annual Little Trinity Christmas Market, held in collaboration with the Good Food Market.
Enjoy an evening filled with festive cheer, local treats, and holiday shopping:
- Live Music: Come enjoy seasonal performances by Dr. Ben!
- Free Goodies: Take a load off and enjoy complimentary hot chocolate, apple cider, and yummy treats!
- Unique Gifts: Do your holiday shopping and pick up some unique hand-made gifts for your loved ones!
- Groceries: Stop by our regular produce market, offering high quality fruits and veggies at wholesale prices!
All proceeds will go to Good Shepherd Ministries, a local organization that serves over 1000 meals a day to those in need.
Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Time: 4:30 - 6:30 PM
Location: Little Trinity Church
| Regent Park Youth Safety & Well-Being Forum |
The Regent Park Youth Safety & Well-Being Forum is a community-driven initiative that fosters a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space for young people in Regent Park to engage in open conversations about safety, security, and mental health.
This forum encourages self-reflection, community connection, and helps youth access real-world support systems to promote overall well-being.
Date: Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM
Location: Regent Park Community Centre, 402 Shuter Street
Open to all youth residents of Regent Park.
| Ontario Legislative Page Program |
The recruitment period for the Spring 2026 session of the Legislative Page Program is now open until November 15, 2025.
Each year, high-achieving, community-oriented Grade 7 and 8 students from across Ontario are chosen to serve as Legislative Pages. This unique opportunity in Toronto allows selected students to become involved in Ontario’s parliamentary process, meet key figures, and make lifelong friendships with like-minded peers.
More information can be found here.
If you have any questions, please contact the Page Program at [email protected] or by phone at (416) 325-7457.
| Apply for $5,000 to support your community-led project! |
As a part of the Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy (TSNS), they are providing the opportunity to apply for a grant that supports resident-led projects. These projects can encourage local activation and focus on the five domains of TSNS – economic opportunities, healthy lives, participation in civic making, physical surroundings, and social development - across all neighbourhoods.
The Local Leadership Grant prioritizes the leadership and participation of Indigenous, Black and equity-deserving groups within Neighbourhood Improvement Areas, Emerging Neighbourhoods, and other communities of focus.
Find out more by clicking here!
| Rosemary Brown Racial Justice Awards - Nominations Open |
Nominations for the 2026 Rosemary Brown Racial Justice Awards are now open until January 15. If you know a changemaker in your community who deserves recognition, please consider submitting a nomination using this form.
Who Can Be Nominated:
There are four categories: Individual, Group, Women, and Youth (under 25). Any Ontario resident, or Ontario-based organization, group, or initiative may be nominated. This includes educators, writers, community workers, social and political activists, social action groups, trade unions, youth organizations, multicultural organizations, schools, coalitions, professional associations, media, and service clubs.
The award ceremony will be held in March 2026.
