October 3, 2026 Newsletter

Dear Neighbour,

And just like that, we are now in the autumn month of October, when the temperature has dipped, the days are shorter and municipal election signs have popped up all around us.

I ask you to join me in re-electing Olivia Chow for mayor. Since winning her election two and a half years ago, she has been laser-focused on building new affordable housing and child care centres, making transit and groceries cheaper, reducing 911 wait times, and expanding library hours and recreational programs for all. 

After inheriting a $1.8 billion budget shortfall, Olivia has responsibly closed the gap with fiscal restraint while directing new investments to the most underserved communities. As a result of this careful financial management, Toronto now has a city-wide student nutrition program in every public school and targeted new capital for festivals and BIAs to promote tourism, create jobs, and support small businesses on main streets.

I have personally known Olivia for nearly 40 years, and she is truly one of the hardest-working people I have ever met. Clearly, there's more to do and even more to improve. Let’s keep choosing hope over fear and despair. Olivia is still the right person for the job and deserves to finish what she started.

Regular readers of this newsletter know that I live in Toronto Centre and walk my 7-year-old son to school every day along Yonge Street and through the Village. The stakes are high, and our neighbourhoods deserve a City Councillor who will prioritize community interests over self-interest. Someone principled enough to reject donations from big developers, fight illegal demovictions, and stand up for tenants over corporate slumlords.

In Ward 13 - Toronto Centre, we need a new City Councillor. A few of you have asked why I am not supporting Chris Moise this time. Aside from losing the confidence of the Toronto and York Region Labour Council representing hundreds of local unions and over 205,000 workers; quite honestly, fair-minded and progressive voters have a better and stronger choice this time. 

I wholeheartedly endorse Curran Stikuts, an energetic new candidate who won the coveted Labour Council endorsement and has the courage to take big swings at the solutions we need. He is principled and responsive. Curran is not running to manage decline, as his platform is packed with bold ideas on how to improve the safety, liveability and affordability of our neighbourhoods, while expanding public services. Visit Curran’s website to learn more or to donate. VoteCurran.ca

Curran is a natural collaborator, and local residents love the way he brings people together. So I am particularly pleased to invite you to a VIP reception this Sunday, October 4. Join former MPP and Deputy Premier George Smitherman and me as we co-host the “All In For Curran” VIP fundraising reception at Rayah at 507 Parliament Street. 

For TDSB Trustee, I hope you will join me in re-electing Dee Williams. She’s deeply committed to our students’ well-being, and despite the Ford government's chronic underfunding and political undermining of Ontario’s public school system, Dee has always fought hard to put Toronto Centre families first. Dee’s endorsed by the well-respected and longtime advocacy group, Campaign for Public Education.

Have a wonderful and safe weekend, and let me be the first to wish you and your family all the very best for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. 

Until next time, I remain yours in community service,

Kristyn Wong-Tam

 

In This Newsletter

• Cornell University and Being BRAVE
• Update on St. James Town Family 60 Days After the Fire
• Financial Accountability Office Raises The Alarm
• Changes in Rental Rules: Bill 60 and Bill 97
• Truth and Reconciliation 
• Grassy Narrows River Run
• Ethiopian Heritage Month at Queen’s Park
• Regent Park Community Health Centre AGM
• Peterborough Pride
• International Plowing Match in Walkerton
• Hike for Hospice
• Miles4AMiracle
• What’s Making Headlines
• Local Community Events

 

Cornell University and Being BRAVE

What do you say when a friend tells you they've been sexually assaulted?

This week's coverage of the Cornell University sexual assault case has renewed attention on sexual violence on campuses and on how friends, bystanders and institutions respond. Many of us are holding grief, rage and sadness in this moment, which I heard at the Take Back the Night Rally and March in Regent Park. 

You might have a survivor in your life who discloses in response to the news. I wanted to share a helpful resource and film directed by my spouse, Farrah Khan. Be BRAVE is an animated short film which teaches five simple steps to support a survivor. 

"When 16-year-old Camilla receives a text from her best friend Jordan disclosing that they were sexually assaulted, she freezes, unsure how to respond. Scrolling through social media, she's magically pulled into a vibrant world where whimsical characters guide her through, based on Farrah Khan's BRAVE Model™. Blending magic realism with heartfelt honesty, the film reminds us that when someone trusts you with their story, your response matters."

Please pick up a helpful discussion guide for additional support at highschooltoo.ca

 

Update on St.James Town Family 60 days After the Fire

In August, I shared a heartbreaking story about a growing family of four who lost their St. James Town apartment when a massive fire destroyed their home and all their belongings. 

Nahom Asfrat, the husband and father, ran back into the raging inferno to rescue his daughter and, as a result, suffered smoke inhalation, a collapsed lung and second-degree burns. He was the sole income earner, and as a result of his injuries, he will need time to heal and recover, making it very difficult to secure a market-rate apartment. The waitlist for affordable housing and subsidies is years long. So the family is desperately stuck in a broken housing system.

I have stayed in touch with Ubah Adan, the wife and mom, who is now in labour and expected to deliver her third child any moment now. This week, I visited her at a friend's apartment where she is temporarily staying. Ubah sadly told me that her family of four, including her two children, are now separated and couch-surfing in four locations. Each is staying with friends and chosen family. This situation is truly heartbreaking. 

I'm supporting them as best I can, but Ubah, who is now in labour, will be focusing on delivery, which will undoubtedly slow the search for a new home to reunite the family.

If you have already donated to her GoFundMe campaign, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. And if you can donate once more, please join me in doing so. 

 

Changes in Rental Rules: Bill 60 & Bill 97

Several changes to the Ontario Residential Tenancies Act came into full force last week. This includes shorter deadlines for tenants who fall behind on rent according to their landlord; tenants now have to pay half the rent they allegedly owe to raise their own issues at an eviction hearing at the Landlord and Tenant Board.  The Ministry of Housing still has not revealed how tenants can recover the money they paid before a hearing if it’s found they don’t actually owe it.

These changes will exacerbate the already severe backlog at the LTB and the Divisional Court. 80 percent of evictions are already no-fault. Ford and his government have paved the way for wealthy corporations to drive even more working people, families, seniors into poverty and homelessness. Sign the petition!

 

Truth and Reconciliation

This week, I participated in events across Toronto Centre to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. On September 30, we honour survivors of the residential school system, remember the children who never returned home, and confront the horrifying legacy of colonialism and genocide against Indigenous peoples.

I had the honour of joining the Anishinabwe Health Centre in an evening of reflection, learning and connection. I also attended the Orange Shirt Day Family Event at the 519 and the Toronto Fire Council’s Indigenous Legacy Gathering at Nathan Phillips Square. 

Reconciliation requires more than remembering this history for one day each year. I encourage everyone to take the time to learn from Indigenous-led resources, such as the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. We must reflect on our responsibilities in advancing truth and reconciliation in our communities as an active part of our everyday lives. 

 

Changes in Rental Rules: Bill 60 & Bill 97

Last week, I joined thousands from across Ontario in expressing solidarity with Grassy Narrows First Nation. We marched to demand justice for the mercury poisoning that continues to affect the Grassy Narrows community, with devastating impact on people’s health and livelihoods. Ford and his government continue to shut down opportunities for consultation with Grassy Narrows. 

It’s time for the Ford government to take accountability for their unacceptable approach to the Great Bear Project engagement thus far, change course and firmly respect Grassy Narrows First Nation’s right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent.

 

Ethiopian Heritage Month at Queen’s Park

The Ethiopian Heritage Month reception at Queen's Park was an important and moving celebration. The community shared a friendly and important reminder with all of us: the passing of Bill 38, the Ethiopian Heritage Month Act, is about much more than a month of significance; it is a warm welcome to future generations of Ethiopian-Canadian children here in Ontario, rooted in communal care, ancestral pride, and recognition of identity. It was an honour to share this evening with the Ethiopian Association for the GTA and surrounding region, ONDP Leader Marit Stiles, MPP Fatima Shaban, and all community members.

Happy Ethiopian Heritage Month!

 

Regent Park Community Health Centre AGM

I had a wonderful time attending and speaking at the Regent Park CHC Annual General Meeting. They are a cornerstone of Regent Park, serving thousands of residents each year through primary healthcare, harm reduction work, social development services, and a wide range of community programs. This includes Pathways Regent Park, which has served over 25,000 kids since its inception 25 years ago, in 2001!

 

Peterborough Pride

Pride festivals and marches are different in every single town and city in Ontario. In Peterborough, they thoughtfully celebrate pride by honouring Indigenous and grassroots community resilience, and local advocacy for human rights and 2SLGBTQI equality.

Thank you to the Peterborough-Kawartha NDP riding association for inviting us to participate and march with you. MPP McKenney and our families had a wonderful time and are grateful to see their great work in action. We hope to come back again next year. Happy Pride Peterborough! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

 

International Plowing Match in Walkerton

From Toronto streets to Bruce County roads. It was a joy to attend the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo (IPM) with the ONDP caucus, where I saw the incredible skill, heritage, and hard work that feeds Ontario and beyond.

As an urban MPP, I know Ontario’s cities' strength is directly tied to the success of rural communities. The Ontario NDP is committed to building a province where no community is left behind. For rural and agricultural communities, this means protecting farmland, strengthening local supply chains, investing in rural infrastructure, building affordable housing and rural healthcare, bringing down the cost of fertilizer and energy, and, of course, the cost of living.

We have the smartest, most creative and hardest-working people in the world living here in Ontario. Everything is possible by working together.

When rural Ontario thrives, all of Ontario thrives. Cities should always be proud to stand with farmers and rural families!

 

Hike for Hospice

I was pleased to join the 24th Annual Toronto Partners Hike for Hospice at Riverdale Park West. 

Hospices provide critical palliative care for people facing end-of-life illnesses. I have seen firsthand how the volunteers, PSWs, nurses and doctors relieve physical pain and emotional stress for loved ones and their families. 

We need the Ontario government to step up and invest more in hospice and palliative care. Until then, fundraisers like Hike for Hospice will be necessary. Thank you to all the organizers, sponsors and participants who made it all possible!  

 

Miles4AMiracle

I joined Kim and Joe Gesuladi on their Miles4AMiracle walk from London to Queen’s Park. This family walked over 200 km for their daughter Sydney because she can't make the journey. Unless Doug Ford grants her government coverage for the lifesaving surgery needed, Sydney may not see her 25th birthday.

Sydney's life changed in an instant, and she is now forced to live with Craniocervical Instability (CCI). Her surgery is unavailable in Canada but available in New York, but OHIP has denied her Out-Of-Country (OOC) Funding request, forcing the Gesuladi family to pay almost $ 500k out of pocket to save Sydney's life.

This is so shameful to see. Crowdfunding and international travel should not be normalized parts of Ontario’s healthcare system. The Ford government needs to ensure Ontarians' safety and health are always prioritized. Ontarians should never be denied life-saving medicine or surgeries due to indifference and policy gaps.

As a parent, I say to Doug Ford, imagine if Sydney was one of your daughters. Now imagine what you wouldn't do to save her life. All levels of government need to act now and fast-track care as soon as possible. 

 

This Week's Headlines

• Wait times increasing for some medical procedures being outsourced to private, for-profit clinics in Ontario

• Fifteen ER nurses leave Ontario hospital over overcrowding concerns

• Ontario’s $66 million Staples deal puts Ford government’s “Buy Canadian” message under scrutiny 

• Ontario on track to lose 2,500 nurses and 2,400 hospital beds

• Carney details plans to open up Canada’s four largest airports to private investments

Upcoming Community Events

 

PinkDot TO 2026: A Celebration of Queer and Trans Asian Communities

PinkDot TO is back! 💗

Join a fun filled evening celebrating the diversity, talent, and resilience of Toronto's Asian 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

Enjoy an exciting lineup of drag queens, drag kings, and more!

Whether you're queer, trans, straight, or an ally, everyone is welcome. Come connect with community, celebrate visibility, and show that everyone deserves the freedom to love.

Tickets available here!

 

Sumac Apple Festival

October Funfest

Bring the whole family out for an afternoon packed with fall festivities! Activities include pumpkin carving, face painting, apple crisp, cookie decorating, treat bags, plus a DJ and dancing!

• Date & Time: Saturday, October 24, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
• Location: Big Park (620 Dundas St E) – Bake Oven
• Organizers: Brought to you by Friends of Regent Park, Toronto Community Housing, and Fred Victor.

Saving the Youths

Saving The Youths provides opportunities for youth through sports, mentorship, volunteering, community programming, events, and outreach initiatives.

This Thanksgiving dinner is being organized to bring youth, families, volunteers, and community members together to share a meal, build relationships, and celebrate the importance of community.

Date: Sunday, October 11, 2026  |  Location: Scadding Court Community Centre, Toronto

Doors Open: 3:30 p.m. | Dinner: 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Information here