Dear Emma,
I have to be honest - as someone who believes in justice and equity, it has been a really hard week in politics.
Many people are feeling let down, scared, and angry about the results of the American election. I am too. Electing a Democrat president would not have solved everything. Progressive Americans still would have had to a lot of organizing to empower communities. But that challenge would have been smaller and less difficult than it is now.
We also can’t get smug or complacent just because we are Canadians. Populist politicians and far-right groups are funding and operating in plain sight. The possibility of Pollievere as our next Prime Minister alarms me. The possibility of Ford winning a third term should alarm all of us. To turn these trends around, you and I will need to organize, talk to our families and neighbours, and get everyone out to vote at election time.
One of the best ways to flex your political power and combat feelings of hopelessness is to get involved with local organizing. I am out knocking on doors three times a week and would love to have you join me! It is one of the best ways to meet your neighbours, keep your finger on the political pulse, and spread the word about progressive causes – plus its a ton of fun!
We are also looking for apartment and condo residents to sign up with us as building captains! Building captains are the head organizers for the NDP in their specific buildings, speaking to neighbours about issues that matter, keeping my office informed about any concerns in the building, and assisting with building canvasses. Becoming a building captain is a great way to be involved in a hyper-local way!
This week Ford conservatives were back at it with their insider deals and lack of transparency. They fast-tracked three of their bills by using time allocation motions, a legislative procedure that allows them to shorten debate times and skip the committee process. This allows them to escape almost all public accountability and quickly pass controversial bills like the one limiting the ability of cities to install new bike lanes and empowering the Ford government to rip out existing ones. Time allocation motions are supposed to be for emergencies so that critical funding and legal changes can be acted on quickly when a delay would cause harm. But this government loves to use them willy-nilly so that they can pass controversial legislation without giving the public much of a chance to learn about it, let alone submit their comments and concerns.
On top of their legislative games, more news also came out about the Premier’s former chief of staff and lead Greenbelt scandal negotiator, Ryan Amato. Tenacious journalists have recently revealed that Mr. Amato also worked on the Bradford Bypass and Highway 413 projects. However, he did most of that work through his personal email address, so we don’t know what those communications were or who they were with. He has been asked twice by the Integrity Commissioner to turn over his emails, but so far has not complied. And since he did not use a government email address, the emails can’t be accessed through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, though the Toronto Star did try. Missing documents, a lack of clear process, and clouds of mystery are a trend in Ryan Amato’s work. Multiple FOI requests turned up less than ten documents about Highway 413 connected to Mr. Amato. However, these issues don’t seem to be unique to Mr. Amato, who told the Integrity Commissioner that senior bureaucrats created protocols that purposefully resulted in “not a lot of document creation.”
The government should not be able to operate like this. It reminds me of the Liberal gas plant scandals. At the bare minimum, we deserve transparency and clear processes when our elected officials and their staff embark upon billion-dollar infrastructure projects. It is infuriating that we are not getting even that.
Yours in community service,
Kristyn Wong-Tam
MPP, Toronto Centre
| In This Newsletter |
- Opposition Day Motion: Homes Ontario
- Survivors Deserve Justice, Not Cuts
- Remembering Murray Sinclair
- Victory in Don Valley West
- Street Haven’s Walking Home Walkathon
- Dixon Hall’s Music For Life Gala
- Ford Sat on CAS Crisis Report for Over A Year
- This Week’s Meetings
- This Week’s Headlines
- Upcoming Community Events
| Opposition Day Motion: Homes Ontario |
While the Ford government is focused on helping out their developer friends get richer, Marit Stiles and the Ontario NDP used our Opposition Day Motion slot to move forward the Ontario NDP’s plan to get the government back into the business of building truly affordable homes in the neighbourhoods people want to live in.
I am incredibly proud of our Homes Ontario plan, which will be the most ambitious home-building program that the province has seen in generations. Our all-hands-on-deck approach will bring the government, non-profits, co-ops, developers to the table so we can double the supply of affordable non-market homes, get people housed faster and create good, sustainable union jobs in the process.
But the government voted the motion down. This is unsurprising since Ford and his PCs have a track record of failing on housing. They have wasted the last six years ignoring expert advice, and despite their corner-cutting policies, housing starts are down.
The only thing this government has achieved on the housing file is worsening encampments and rising homelessness in every single community in our province.
Ontario could be so much more, it’s time for a government that brings bold, ambitious solutions for Ontario’s generational housing crisis.
Click here to support the NDP’s Homes Ontario plan!
| Survivors Deserve Justice, Not Cuts |
Last week I told you all about the Ford government legislating a $500 million or 9% cut to Ontario’s justice system. This week, I asked the Premier why he would make such a callous cut when survivors of intimate partner violence have had their cases routinely thrown out. Accused rapists and murderers are walking free without a trial, no matter the quality of the evidence against them. You can watch me ask this question here.
We need to urgently declare IPV an epidemic and fund supports for survivors, including investing in our justice system to speed up legal processes.
|
Remembering Murray Sinclair |
This week we lost a giant. Senator Murray Sinclair was an Indigenous hero, who spent his life working for justice for residential school survivors, their families, and the ones who never came home. He chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, creating a space for Indigenous people to share their experiences and move towards a more just and caring Canada for all who live here.
The best way to honour Murray Sinclair’s legacy is to continue his work - learn the truth and work toward true reconciliation and a nation-to-nation relationship between Indigenous people and settlers in Canada.
Ken Coates and Karen Restoule wrote a beautiful reflection on Murray Sinclair’s impact on our society for The Star. I encourage you to read it here.
| Victory in Don Valley West |
On Monday, Rachel Chernos Lin, former TDSB trustee and chair of the TDSB board, was elected as the City Councillor for Don Valley West in a by-election, decisively defeating far-right agitator Anthony Feury. Her victory was critical to maintaining the progressive balance at City Hall. If Feury had won, it would have been much more difficult for Mayor Olivia Chow to pass her agenda, so I am very pleased to have supported Councillor Chernos Lin. I am excited to see how she makes the position her own, stands up for her constituents, and champions progressive values.
|
Street Haven’s Walking Home Walkathon |
This weekend I was so proud to join the Walking Home Walkathon with Street Haven at the Crossroads again this year! Street Haven continues to be a crucial support for women facing homelessness and a strong advocate for lasting solutions. Street Haven has been an invaluable collaborator of mine for the past several years, and I look forward to partnering with them for years to come to platform the issue of homelessness among women at the province.
| Dixon Hall’s Music For Life Gala |
MPP Wong-Tam with Dixon Hall Executive Director Mina Mawani and Street Haven Executive Director Sui Mee Cheng
It was a joy to attend Dixon Hall’s Music for Life Gala this past Tuesday. Dixon Hall’s Music School is more than just a place to learn an instrument — it’s a life-changing experience for children in Toronto Centre. Through nurturing relationships and the transformative power of music, they are helping young people build confidence and a sense of belonging. The impact these programs have on our community is priceless. You can learn more about these programs here.
| Ford Sat on CAS Crisis Report for Over A Year |
New reports revealed this week that last year – long before the report was made public - the Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services knew that vulnerable children were being placed in hotels, Airbnbs, and even CAS offices due to a lack of suitable placements in the community.
This government has had this report for over a year and continued to let the crisis grow. In that year, children have been displaced, and some have died. This is entirely unacceptable behaviour from this government. Why has it taken over a year for this government to take notice?
An audit is not going to make one child safer tonight. It will not put a permanent roof over even one child’s head. The real question is, what will this government do to protect vulnerable children today and stop leaving kids behind?
| This Week’s Meetings |
MPP Wong-Tam with representatives of the Nurse Practitioner Association of Ontario
This week I met with:
- Association of Consulting Engineering Companies
- PeerWorks
- Economic Developers Council of Ontario
- Nurse Practitioner Association of Ontario
- Canadian Cancer Society
- Human Rights Legal Support Centre
- Canadian Civil Liberties Association
| This Week's Headlines |
Workers owed $60M in unpaid wages Ontario failed to collect since 2017
Content Warning: Descriptions of extreme violence: Girl, 16, recovering in Ottawa hospital after vicious attack
Dundas-Sherbourne Neighbourhood Revitalization Plan – City of Toronto
Sweeping rent strike in York South-Weston comes to an end after both sides reach settlement
4 things about Ontario youth-led climate case
| Upcoming Community Events |
| Baobab Arts West African Dance & Drum Festival |
Baobab Arts is hosting its 5th edition of Sommet/Mandingue/Summit: West African Dance & Drum Festival in Regent Park!
Experience a vibrant mix of dance and percussion workshops, a film screening, cultural demonstrations, and an electrifying performance showcase.
Dates: Friday, November 8, 2024 - Sunday, November 10, 2024
Location: Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas St. E)
For more info and event times, click here.
Many events are free, but Regent Park residents can attend paid events for free using the promo code “RegentPark.”
|
"Home is Regent Park" Mural Project |
Are you interested in art? Toronto Community Housing and ArtHeart invite you to participate in designing and creating a mural for the ground floor of the new building at 175 Oak Street.
Workshop dates and times:
-
Saturday, November 9, 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
- Location: 150 River St.
-
Thursday, November 14, 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
- Location: 246 Sackville Ave.
For more information, contact [email protected] or (416) 995-8270.
| Community Network Summit |
The City of Toronto is hosting their annual TSNS Community Networks Summit on Saturday, November 9, 2024!
The TSNS Community Networks Summit will offer space for networking, participation in interactive workshops, and connect with other members of TSNS Community Networks. Please register online here to attend.
| Cabbagetown Remembrance Day Ceremony |
The Cabbagetown BIA invites the community to its Annual Cabbagetown Remembrance Day Ceremony on Monday, November 11, 2024, starting at 10:15 a.m. This event reflects on the importance of peace and justice worldwide. A moment of silence will be observed at 11:00 a.m. at the east corner of Carlton Street and Parliament Street in Cabbagetown, Toronto.
For more details, click here.
| TDSB Learn For Life - Winter Registration Opens Wednesday |
Looking for something fun to do this winter?
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) offers a wide range of Adult General Interest and Seniors Daytime classes through the Learn4Life program. These classes provide an excellent opportunity to learn new skills, stay active, and connect with others in your community.
Led by expert instructors, Learn4Life offers courses in Arts, Business, Computers, Cooking, Crafts, Dance, Finance, Fitness, Languages, Music, Sports, Sewing, and much more!
Registration opens on November 13th. Visit learn4life.ca to learn more.
| STEAM & Story Time |
The Children's Book Bank on Sherbourne invites children aged 4-12 to STEAM & Story Time, a free program featuring engaging story sessions and hands-on STEAM activities.
Program Details:
- When: Every Wednesday, from September 25 to December 18, 2024
- Time: 4:00 – 4:45 p.m.
- Where: 561 Sherbourne St., Level P3, Toronto, ON M4X 0A1
Families are welcome, and no registration is required. Plus, each child receives a free book with every visit!
For more information, contact 416-925-1230 or visit childrensbookbank.com.
| Ontario’s Legislative Page Program - Applications are Open! |
The Ontario Legislative Assembly is inviting students in Grades 7 and 8 to apply for its Legislative Page Program. This unique opportunity allows approximately 150 high-achieving students to gain hands-on experience in government operations, meet key parliamentary figures, and develop leadership skills. The program is designed for students who have demonstrated responsibility and leadership within their schools and communities.
The application periods are April 15 to June 15 and September 15 to November 15. Click here for more information and how to apply.
| Moss Park Community Cookbook Launch |
Neighbourhood Information Post is excited to invite you to the launch of the Moss Park Community Cookbook to sample delicious dishes featured in the cookbook. Hear personal stories behind the recipes, and enter a raffle!
Location: Toronto Public Library (Parliament Street Branch), 269 Gerrard Street East, 2nd Floor.
Date: Saturday, November 16, 2024
Time: 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
For more information, contact Rasana at 416-924-2543 x 0 or email [email protected].
| Regent Park SDP Listening Sessions |
Throughout November, Regent Park will host a series of Listening Sessions to provide a safe and inclusive space for community members to share ideas on fostering a vibrant, connected neighbourhood. These discussions will explore ways to strengthen social cohesion and inclusion, with all voices welcomed to help shape the future of Regent Park.
Listening Session Dates & Locations:
- November 8, 2024: Grassroots Organizations – 150 River Street
- November 22, 2024: Open to All – Regent Park Community Centre, 402 Shuter Street
- November 26, 2024: Youth – Dixon Hall, 51 Wyatt Ave
For more details and to participate, sign up here.
