Dear friend,
Yesterday was a momentous day in Canadian history. NDP Pharmacare moved one step closer to becoming a reality in our country. Thanks to the tireless work of the Federal NDP, their pharmacare bill officially passed through the Senate last night. The initial rollout of this bill, with more to come, means that Canadians not covered by a Group Benefits Plan will soon have access to free birth control and diabetes medication through their provincial health plans.
Provinces just need to sign on to the plan to provide this benefit to their population. The details of that process should be made public soon. Rest assured that the Ontario NDP caucus and I will hold the Ford government accountable so qualified Ontarians receive this benefit promptly as their doctors prescribe. British Columbia has already signed a memorandum of understanding with the federal government to implement the program, and most other provinces can be signed on by the spring.
This bill also lays the foundation for a future national pharmacare plan that would include bulk buying of medications by the federal government on behalf of Canadians, allowing them to negotiate lower bulk prices. I am so proud of the Federal NDP’s work on this file and their commitment to making life more affordable for everyday people. I am so excited to bring you more updates about pharmacare as it progresses.
Crews removing trees at Ontario Place’s West Island. - Nick Lachance, Toronto Star
This week my heart broke, along with the hearts of nature lovers across Ontario, as we saw 865 trees broken, bulldozed, and killed at Ontario Place. The reckless clearcutting images are hard to look at.
Hundreds of mature trees, specifically planted to create a rich habitat for native animals and plant life to thrive, have been destroyed. The corrupt Ford government did not provide any public notice for this work. They claim that the trees will be replaced, including a 6-to-1 replacement ratio for mature trees. Still, we all know that an important parcel of waterfront land with treelings, all planted at the same time, is no replacement for a thriving urban forest, full of beautiful mature trees. As I shared on the day the destruction happened, there is a Chinese proverb I often think of: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today.” Our predecessors had already made a wise decision, creating a beautiful public park in Ontario Place. The Ford government has destroyed that beautiful natural history, and we must live with their horrible choices.
But all is not lost. This week, Ontario Place Protectors filed a public interest court challenge to the work taking place at Ontario Place. You can read more about that here.
This week, Star Contributor Anna Fitzpatrick reminded us that we do not have to accept the enormous parking structure at Ontario Place as a foregone conclusion and that it is our duty to fight it. We need to move to a less car-centric culture, and Ontario Place is already well served by the TTC, GO train, and a new planned stop on the Ontario Line. This government could instead reroute that $20 million+ funding to create public infrastructure for everyone, not just spa visitors, to enjoy.
Vials of updated COVID-19 vaccines - Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press
Updated COVID-19 boosters are now available for high-risk and priority groups, including seniors, young children, and residents and staff of long-term care. The entire list can be found here. I encourage you to get vaccinated as soon as you are eligible, as this vaccine offers the best protection against the current COVID-19 variants circulating in our communities. Find a pharmacy offering the vaccine here, or speak to your primary healthcare provider.
MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam clearing dishes at last year’s Muslim Welfare Centre Thanksgiving Dinner.
I want to wish everyone celebrating this weekend a Happy Thanksgiving and meaningful Yom Kippur. I hope those marking Thanksgiving spend the holidays giving thanks with your loved ones and enjoying delicious food. And I hope all of our Jewish community members who are observing Yom Kippur tonight and tomorrow find time for reflection and spiritual closeness.
If you or anyone you know is hungry for food or community this weekend, the Muslim Welfare Centre and the Salvation Army host community dinners in Toronto Centre on Sunday that are open to everyone. I am a regular server at both dinners, and they are a highlight of my fall weekends each year. I know they will welcome you with open arms if you drop by.
Yours in community service,
Kristyn Wong-Tam
MPP, Toronto Centre
In This Newsletter |
- Health Care Telephone Townhall
- Workers Rights in Committee
- Year One of the RCMP Investigating Doug Ford
- Health Care Trojan Horse
- October 7th Anniversary
- Ontario Failing Children and Youth in Care
- Happy 150th Birthday Winchester Public School
- Happy Taiwan Day
- Centre for Social Innovation’s 20th Anniversary
- Your Feedback - Abuse Prevention Training
- This Week’s Headlines
- Local Community News
Health Care Telephone Townhall |
This Wednesday, October 16, at 7 PM, I will join the Ontario Medical Association’s CEO, Kimberley Moran, for a massive telephone town hall on health care. It’s an opportunity to learn about the crisis in our medical system and how to fix it.
If you would like to join in, you can call 1-877-295-7685 or join the online audio stream here.
My fellow MPPs, Peter Tabuns (Toronto Danforth) and Jill Andrew (Toronto St Paul’s), will also participate in the telephone town hall. I hope to see you there!
Workers Rights in Committee |
MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam in Committee at Queen’s Park
On Monday, I participated in committee hearings on Government Bill 190, which tinkers at the edges of the Employment Standards Act without making substantive changes to support workers. Meanwhile, the Ontario NDP has been pushing worker-friendly policies for years, including 10 paid sick days, anti-scab legislation, equal pay, and properly classing app-based gig workers as employees.
At the committee, we heard from presenters, including the Workers’ Health and Safety Legal Clinic, OPSEU, and Waterloo Region Community Legal Services. They all flagged the exploitation rampant in Ontario workplaces, especially against truckers, hotel workers, farm workers, cleaners, and women and racialized workers in a variety of job classes. The issue of wage theft, unsafe working conditions, and workplace violence and harassment, among other flagrant violations of the Employment Standards Act.
One story they shared that blew up in the media afterward was that of Waterloo-region grocery chain Dutchie’s Fresh Market, which has been committing wage theft and non-payment of vendors for over ten years. The owner of Dutchie’s owes at least $469,000 in unpaid wages to employees that the Ministry of Finance has been unsuccessful in collecting. In March, four former Dutchie’s employees, all refugees from Ukraine, went public about the wage theft, but these wages are still outstanding.
I will continue to advocate for the broad reforms needed in Ontario to keep workers safe, respect their rights, and ensure they are paid in full and on time.
Year One of the RCMP Investigating Doug Ford |
Yesterday marked the one-year anniversary of the RCMP's investigation into Doug Ford and his cronies who tried to sell off the Greenbelt. So far, the RCMP’s Sensitive and International Investigations team has interviewed eight inner-circle political aides, along with countless bureaucrats and staffers.
I am proud to be part of Ontario’s strong Opposition MPP Caucus. Our strong leadership and the tireless work of our research department helped uncover Ford’s corruption, alongside incredible investigative journalists and the power of everyday people who smelled something fishy.
There is still so much we don’t know about this mess. Reports that the RCMP is investigating potential bank accounts in Europe show that the extent of this corruption may be bigger than anyone thought.
An apology is not enough; Doug Ford needs to come clean about his role in this scheme to rob Ontarians of the Greenbelt to enrich a wealthy few. I will accept nothing less.
Health Care Trojan Horse |
MPP Wong-Tam and Coalition members outside of Queen’s Park with the Trojan Horse.
Soon to visit 60 more communities across Ontario, the Ontario Health Coalition’s giant Trojan horse came to Queen’s Park to remind us about the dirty, sneaky ways Ford is privatizing healthcare under our noses.
If you want to get involved in public healthcare advocacy, please connect with the Ontario Health Coalition and join them in their advocacy!
October 7th Anniversary |
This past Monday was the one-year anniversary of the October 7th attack. I know this anniversary was a difficult one for many people in our communities, including my own family, as my sister was in Tel Aviv at that time. I hope that everyone affected was surrounded by love and care on that day.
I am very proud of the principled and humanitarian-focused response of the federal NDP, especially our International Affairs critic Heather McPherson and leader Jagmeet Singh. I want to share the Federal NDP’s entire statement on the anniversary here as I believe it captures the moment:
“October 7th marks one year since the horrific Hamas terror attacks in Israel in which 1200 people were killed, including eight Canadians. Over 250 people, Israeli, Palestinian, Jewish, Muslim, foreign nationals, and dual citizens were taken hostage by Hamas. This was the single deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust. One year later, over one hundred hostages remain in Hamas captivity. This anniversary is a painful reminder of the suffering endured by countless families who have experienced the devastating impact of those attacks. New Democrats and all Canadians mourn with Canada’s Jewish community and we reiterate our call for the return of all hostages.
Over the past year, Jewish Canadians have faced an alarming and unacceptable rise in antisemitism. The Jewish community is currently observing the High Holidays, and we know that synagogues and community centres have unfortunately required enhanced security measures given the rise in antisemitism. Jewish families live with worry for their safety here in Canada, and fear for family and loved ones living in Israel who are caught in the crossfire of violence they did not choose.
There is no justification or rationale for the horrific terror attacks of October 7th, and the significance of this day - not just for the Jewish community, but for all those who uphold the sanctity of international law - cannot and should not be minimized. This day stands on its own as a devastating blow for so many.
For many Canadians, the response to October 7th from Netanyahu’s extremist government, was the beginning of a brutal assault on the people of Gaza, who did not and do not deserve collective punishment. Palestinian, Muslim, and Arab communities in Canada are feeling the weight of immense suffering from the ongoing genocide by Netanyahu’s extremist government that has killed tens of thousands of innocent people, including children. Just as there is no justification for the brutal terror attacks on October 7, there is likewise no justification for the high number of civilian casualties and indiscriminate attacks on the people of Gaza.
New Democrats also mourn with these Canadians who have experienced an alarming rise of anti-Palestinian hate and Islamophobia over the past year. And as we witness another war in Lebanon, their pain – and indeed, the pain of so many Canadians - has only increased.
New Democrats stand in solidarity with all Canadians who yearn for peace and justice for all people. As we mark this terrible anniversary and grieve the losses that have come before us and the losses that continue to mount, we reiterate the need to hold space for each other, to privilege dialogue and compassion over hate and violence.
We also remember that war is political, genocide is preventable, and Canada and the international community have a responsibility to act to end this horror.
There is no possible military solution to this decades-long conflict. We reiterate the actions Canada must take now: Work for a hostage deal and immediate ceasefire; sanction all those who violate international law, whether Hamas or Netanyahu’s extremist government; impose an arms embargo while the atrocities continue; recognize the State of Palestine alongside the State of Israel and work to end the decades-long illegal occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem; and support international court efforts to bring all perpetrators to justice.
To the many Canadians feeling pain and trauma on this tragic anniversary: New Democrats stand with you. We will continue to work for our common humanity, for justice, and for peace.”
Ontario Failing Children and Youth in Care |
I, like many of you, have been following the reports about Children’s Aid Societies across Ontario housing children in incredibly inappropriate places, including hotels, AirBnBs, and the floors of offices.
This week, the government launched a review of Children's Aid Societies instead of stepping up funding for a sector that has been cut and underfunded for decades. They are trying to distract from the mess they have created in Children’s Aid Societies across the province following reports of vulnerable children placed in unsafe situations.
We need investments, not distractions. Ford’s ‘review’ does nothing about decades of government underfunding, it does nothing about the crisis brewing in the system, it is simply an abdication of responsibility from a government that is choosing to look away from the crisis. They have been “reviewing” for five years, but what do they have to show for it? Is this the best we can do after having hundreds of children lose their lives in our broken system? What does this review do for children like Neveah and Katelynn?
Instead of another do-nothing “review,” we need sustainable solutions that meet the needs of vulnerable children and families across the province. Children’s Aid Societies need proactive front-loaded funding to continue to protect our most valuable investment – our children.
Children and youth in our care system cannot wait until a report comes out in 2025. They need help now, and they need the system to work for them now. We cannot keep failing these children. We cannot look away in Ontario another day.
Happy 150th Birthday Winchester Public School |
MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam with Councillor Moise, TDSB staff, Winchester PS Principal DeAndra Mitchell, Trustee Williams and Minister Ien
Happy 150th Anniversary to Winchester Public School! Last weekend, I was thrilled to join current and former students, staff, and families of Winchester to celebrate this incredible milestone with them.
Education is the cornerstone of our society, and I am so happy to have celebrated alongside so many educators who make learning possible every day. Here’s to many more years of inspiring the next generation!
Happy Taiwan Day |
MPP Wong-Tam with guests at the Taiwan Day celebration
Last Friday, I was delighted to join Director General Madame Chen and other esteemed guests at Taiwan's 113th-anniversary celebration. Our Canada-Taiwan friendship and trade partnerships remain strong and true, benefitting us all. Taiwan is a vibrant nation with an inclusive culture, rich history, and delicious culinary offerings. It was a gift to share such a remarkable evening with friends.
Centre for Social Innovation's 20th Anniversary |
MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam with MPP Glover and past and present CSI leadership
Last night, the Centre for Social Innovation celebrated its 20th anniversary! Celebrating with them and so many old friends was so much fun. I was one of the original founding tenants of the first CSI building at 215 Spadina Avenue, and watching it grow over the years has been a joy.
The Centre for Social Innovation is a first-of-its kind collaborative office space for organizations and businesses with a social mission to collaborate with others and receive mentoring to grow their operations. We are so lucky to have them here in Toronto, and I can’t wait to see them grow and evolve over the coming decades!
Your Feedback - Abuse Prevention Training |
Recently a constituent shared with me that she and several others attended or spoke with people who attended an Abuse Prevention training aimed at personal support workers/attendants and nurturing assistants for people living with disabilities. The training was hosted by the Abuse Prevention Provincial Advisory Committee of Ontario and the Centre for Independent Living Toronto and held from April 9-11, 2024. The constituent told me that she was very excited about this training because it is so incredibly necessary and trainings like this are uncommon.
However, there were some discussions of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) during the training that raised serious concerns with some community members.
If you attended or heard about this training or trainings like it and would like to offer your feedback, please reply to this email answering the following questions or sharing your feedback in a different format:
- Did you attend the training in question?
- What did you like about the training?
- What did you dislike about the training?
- Was there mention/discussion about MAiD in the training? What form did that take?
- What was missing from these provincial trainings, if anything?
All responses will be kept private, and no names will be shared publicly unless explicit consent is given.
This Week's Headlines |
Opinion: The Ontario Place spa is a costly extravagance we’ll be subsidizing forever | TVO Today
Doug Ford’s government releases details of Ontario Place lease with Therme spa
Ontario lowers mammogram self-referral age to 40 from 50, bookings can now be made
Free RSV shots now available for Ontario infants: ‘A very big deal for child health’
Upcoming Community Events |
Free Pumpkin Giveaway at Rosar-Morrison |
Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: Rosar-Morrison, 467 Sherbourne St, Toronto, ON
Rosar-Morrison invites the community to a free pumpkin giveaway. Families are welcome to stop by and pick up a pumpkin, with a limit of one per family while supplies last.
Ward 10 Forum: Revitalizing Ward 10 Schools |
Date: Thursday, October 17, 2024
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Central Toronto Academy, 570 Shaw St, Toronto, ON M6G 3L6
Trustee Deborah Williams invites parents, guardians, caregivers, school councils, teachers, and community members to the Ward 10 Forum. This forum will explore efforts to transform school grounds, creating more sustainable, engaging, and environmentally friendly outdoor spaces. An update on the 2024-2033 Long Term Program & Accommodation Strategy will also be shared, focusing on balancing school enrolment, improving access to programs, and ensuring equity for all students.
Childcare will be provided onsite.
For interpretation or accessibility needs, or to RSVP, contact: [email protected] or 416-395-8787.
Climate Resilience: Peer Support Group |
Good To Be Good is collaborating with the Green Resilience Project to host an in-person workshop focused on gathering community feedback related to climate change and social justice. This workshop is open to local women and gender-diverse individuals from BIPOC and marginalized communities, providing a platform to share your priorities and concerns about climate issues.
This workshop will take place on October 17, 2024 from 6:30 PM to 8 Pm at the Toronto Public Library, Bloor/Gladstone Branch in the Community Room. Space is limited to 20 participants, so make sure to register early ! Each participant will receive a $50 Visa gift card as a token of appreciation for their time and contributions.
CIVILIZED: A Thought-Provoking Comedy |
Dates: October 16-27, 2024
Venue: Buddies in Bad Times Chamber, 12 Alexander Street, Toronto
CIVILIZED is a one-act play that tackles Canada’s troubling history with Indian Residential Schools through a biting, comedic lens. Set in 1907, the play features William Blank, a character representing Canadian bureaucrats who justified the ongoing harm caused by these schools. Played by Métis actor John D. Huston, Blank uses charm, wit, and a touch of trickster energy to convince the audience that the ends justified the means.
Inspired by historical reports, including Dr. Peter Bryce’s damning findings about the deadly conditions in these schools, CIVILIZED combines poetry, song, and humor to challenge audiences to reflect on the cost of being "civilized."
Directed by Paul Hopkins and designed by 2Spirit multi-media artist Jay Havens, the play offers a unique mix of research, theatricality, and social commentary.
Tickets: Available starting September 18, 2024
Box Office: Up to 20% of proceeds will support Kawenni/Gaweni School. For more information, visit kgschool.ca.
Learn more and get tickets here.
Regent Park October Funfest |
The Friends of Regent Park invite everyone to join them for their annual October Funfest on Saturday, October 26, 2024. This exciting event will take place from 1 PM to 3 PM at The Big Park at 620 Dundas St East, near the Bake Oven.
Celebrate the fall season with pumpkin carving, cookie decorating, music and dancing and delicious apple crisp and treat bags.
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.
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.
MASH! ... Make Art Speak Heart! |
Every Tuesday from October 2 to November 6, The Corner at 240 Wellesley Street East will host Make Art Speak Heart from 6 PM to 7:30 PM.
This opportunity is free for children ages 8 to 16.
For more information please email [email protected] or call (416) 964-6657.
Homeless Connect Toronto’s One-Stop Shop |
On October 27, Homeless Connect Toronto will be hosting it's 11th Annual One-Stop-Shop event! It will take place at the Mattamy Athletic Centre, located at 50 Carlton Street. For over a decade, Homeless Connect Toronto has been dedicated to organizing one-stop-shop events that connect individuals impacted by homelessness with essential support services.
This year’s event will offer a range of vital services to Torontonians affected by homelessness, including housing and employment support, financial assistance, hearing and eye assessments, haircuts, dental care, foot care, and many more. All services will be provided free of charge in collaboration with local community agencies and businesses. Live music and a warm meal is also provided at the event.