Dear friend,
I was back in the Legislature this week for the first time in five months, and I oh man, was it busy! My staff joke that this week was a long year in politics. The building was full of community groups, professional associations, unions, and, of course, politicians. I am so happy to be back and able to challenge this government to their face, as well as share some of my own ideas that I have been working on over summer.
But before we get into all of that, we have to celebrate our Blue Jays! Tonight they play the first game of the World Series right here at home, and we are all rooting for them! This is an exciting moment for our city and Blue Jays fans everywhere who have been waiting for this since 1993. I know so many of us would love to be there in the stands, cheering on our team and seeing the action first-hand. But sadly, most fans are priced out. Not by the team themselves, but by ticket resellers, dynamic pricing, and bots. This is a consumer protection issue that has been plaguing us for years, but with Taylor Swift and now the Blue Jays, the problem has boiled over.
That is why on Wednesday — before Ford ran his mouth to the media — I tabled a new motion calling on the Ford government to update the Ticket Sales Act by banning the resale of tickets above their face value.
If Ford had acted when I first advocated this change in December of last year, Blue Jays fans would not be getting gouged today. But sadly, Ford chose to ignore my motion.
Nobody should be making money on the backs of fans, nor should regular people go into debt just to cheer on their team or see their favourite artist.
If Ford’s Conservatives don’t allow my motion to pass, then you can point your fingers at Doug for why all but the ultra-wealthy are priced out of the World Series. To learn more about the motion, you can watch my press conference about it here.
If not for Doug Ford and his Conservatives, we would not be in this mess. In 2019, Ford went out of his way to repeal laws limiting ticket resale prices. The law had not yet come into force, but if it had, it could have protected fans and put resellers out of business. But Ford sided with resellers and companies like Ticketmaster over regular folks looking for a fun night out. You may also remember that I tabled a motion, similar to my current one, back in November when Taylor Swift tickets were priced sky-high. Ford failed to seize that opportunity to protect consumers from gouging as well, instead enriching millionaires and shady resellers at the expense (literally) of everyday Ontarians.
This week, while dodging questions about Ontario’s jobs disaster and his Labour Minister’s shady dealings, Ford dangled the carrot of “maybe” protecting Ontarians from predatory ticket resellers. But we don’t need a maybe; we need clear protections now. Send a message to Ford that fans deserve fair pricing now!
But tonight, we will focus on cheering on our Blue Jays and enjoying the game, even if we can’t be in the stadium. The City is setting up a huge screen at Nathan Philips Square so that fans can join together to watch the action! Bars and restaurants will, of course, also be playing the game, so let's support local as we cheer on our team!
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Yesterday, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing tabled Bill 60, a massive omnibus bill. It has 16 schedules, and buried in the middle is a set of changes to the Residential Tenancies Act.
Rumours are swirling that this bill ends “security of tenure,” a provision in the Residential Tenancies Act that ensures that all tenants are able to stay in their rented homes perpetually as long as they follow the terms of the lease. This is why leases become month-to-month after one year, and a landlord cannot ask a tenant to leave after that first year. Residential leases do not expire in Ontario. This bill does not change that. Yet.
Government materials about this bill reference the fact that they will be holding consultations about the ending of security of tenure and the creation of “alternative options on lease agreement expiry.” This would be a disaster for housing stability in Ontario and effectively the end of rent control. Landlords could force tenants to move out for no reason other than that their lease has expired, forcing them to find new housing in a market that grows more expensive every year. Seniors and young families would be totally destabilized and unable to plan for their futures.
This proposed change is meant to cover up Ford’s failures at the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB). The LTB has been hobbling along for years, barely functioning, but Doug Ford has well and truly broken it since he took office. Applications about breach of contract filed by both landlords and tenants are taking 18 months or more to be processed, when they should take just 30 or 40 days. Landlords have every right to quick adjudication when a tenant fails to pay rent or damages property, just as tenants have the right to a safe and well-maintained home. Fixing the LTB is the real solution to the legitimate concerns of landlords, not the removal of security of tenure. But ending security of tenure is exactly what corporate landlords who want to jack up the rent want. And Ford is catering to them.
I am ready to fight tooth and nail against this policy, and I know many tenants and advocates are as well. We have to stay strong, remember that this legislation doesn’t exist yet, and that we still have time to fight against it. But we need to get organized now. A good first step is to email Doug Ford and the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing about your vehement opposition to the removal of security of tenure. You can do so by adding your name here.
We all woke up this morning to the news that Donald Trump no longer wants to negotiate with Canada around tariffs because of Doug Ford’s anti-tariff ads on American television. Ford spent $75 million of Ontario taxpayers’ money on the ads and used audio from President Ronald Regan’s presidential address without authorization (the audio was in the public domain, but it is customary to seek permission from a president’s foundation).
Doug Ford was never Captain Canada, no matter how hard he tried to be. This just proves it. He spent all summer pulling press stunts to distract from his failures, but today he cancelled two press conferences because he is too embarrassed to face journalists. Of course, we know that Donald Trump is not a reasonable person, and he was likely looking for an excuse to call off negotiations, but it is frustrating that this massive use of public money has only served to hurt the people of Ontario. Rest assured, I will be holding Ford accountable for these choices next week in the Legislature.
Yours in community service,
Kristyn Wong-Tam
MPP, Toronto Centre
| In This Newsletter |
- Toronto Centre NDP AGM - Meet Federal NDP Leadership Candidates!
- You’re Invited: Childcare Townhall this Wednesday!
- Judge Throws Out Murder Case Over Jail Mistreatment
- Skills Development Fund Scandal Continues
- Mid Autumn Festival Celebration
- Islamic Heritage Month Reception
- Church Wellesley Community Victory over Developers!
- No Police In Schools Rally
- This Week’s Meetings
- What’s Making Headlines
- Local Community Events
| Toronto Centre NDP AGM - Meet Federal NDP Leadership Candidates! |
Want to meet the Federal NDP leadership hopefuls? Join me this Sunday for the Toronto Centre NDP Riding Association AGM to hear from candidates Tanille Johnston, Avi Lewis, Heather McPherson, and Tony McQuail!
At the meeting, we will also elect our new riding association executive, hear updates from me, Federal Candidate Samantha Green, and the outgoing executive, and have a chance to connect with fellow Toronto Centre New Democrats.
All are welcome, though only members in good standing who live in Toronto Centre (or have had their memberships transferred) will be able to vote. If you would like to check your membership status or sign up, volunteers will be available to help!
There is also a virtual option for those who cannot attend in person.
Time: registration opens at 12:30 PM, meeting called to order at 1 PM
Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025
Location: OPSEU Membership Centre, 31 Wellesley St E (across from Wellesley Station) or online
| You’re Invited: Childcare Townhall this Wednesday! |
My Childcare Townhall is happening this upcoming Wednesday, October 29, at 6 PM! If you are as fired up about the need for affordable and accessible child care as I am, I hope that you will join me and my special guests at the Regent Park Community Centre.
Child-minding and dinner will be provided! RSVP here to attend. RSVP is required to secure childminding.
|
Judge Throws Out Murder Case Over Jail Mistreatment |
First-degree murder charges were just stayed in Ontario directly because of Doug Ford’s failure to deliver timely justice and jails that live up to basic human rights standards. The staying of charges will effectively collapse proceedings against the accused, adding to the list of serious criminal trials that have collapsed on Ford’s watch.
The defense used the collective punishment of prisoners at Maplehurst Correctional Complex in late 2023 to argue that the charges against the accused should be stayed. The accused were part of the violent strip search and mistreatment of over 200 prisoners at Maplehurst following the punching of a guard by an inmate. Judge Clayton Conlan’s words are damning: “First-degree murder and attempted murder charges will not be tried on their merits. The victims and their families and close ones will not see the proceeding continue to its normal end. The community as a whole will not get the satisfaction of having a proper trial on the merits.”
With the support of Ontario NDP MPPs, I have repeatedly called for a public inquiry into collective punishment at Maplehurst earlier this year: demands that Solicitor General Michael Kerzner has ignored.
As unthinkable as today’s ruling is, every Ontarian should know that nothing is stopping this from happening again. Ford is still refusing to commit to a basic public inquiry. He's still refusing to invest in speeding up the courts and improving access to justice. Ford is still pretending that the collective punishment of inmates at Maplehurst isn’t a blaring red alarm for how our correctional system is crumbling because of chronic under-investment in the safety of corrections officers and inmates.
What's happening in our justice system is another reflection of Ford’s jobs disaster. He has failed to make correctional facilities safe for workers. He has failed to invest in the court staff needed to guarantee timely trials in Charter-required time frames. He is letting everyone in Ontario down and cannot admit when he is wrong.
| Skills Development Fund Scandal Continues |
We all know that Doug Ford and his Conservatives have been a jobs disaster for Ontario. Unemployment is at 7.9%, and the government could take meaningful actions to support workers: hiring desperately needed healthcare workers, supporting public colleges to save jobs for support workers, supporting workers in tariff-exposed industries, and committing to a Buy Ontario First procurement strategy. Instead, they are focused on protecting their friends and lobbyists who received millions from the Skills Development Fund despite submitting low-scoring applications.
This week, the Ontario NDP hit the Conservatives hard in Question Period, asking them why the Minister of Labour went to Paris for a lobbyist’s wedding and then gave that very same lobbyist’s clients millions from the Skills Development Fund. Minister Piccini refused to answer. We asked why high scoring applications, assessed by impartial public servants, were ignored while low-scoring applications with ties to the government were sent to the front of the funding line. The question was ignored.
Minister of Labour? More like Minister of Favours. He isn’t looking out for working people or the little guy. He is in it for his friends, using the public purse like his own personal slush fund. Minister Piccini must resign over this flagrant misuse of taxpayer dollars and the missed opportunities to support credible job creators. You have my word that the Ontario NDP will continue to push on this issue.
|
Mid Autumn Festival Celebration |
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! Today I had the joy of celebrating the festival season with hundreds of Chinese and Asian seniors from across our riding, featuring lots of hearty food, fun, and, of course, an abundance of mooncakes and lanterns! Thank you to Neighbourhood Information Post and TCHC for helping us organize this event! Holidays are always sweeter with community. I am wishing everyone a safe, happy, and prosperous Mid-Autumn Festival season! 中秋節快樂
| Islamic Heritage Month Reception |
October is Islamic Heritage Month, so of course we had to celebrate! The Ontario NDP hosted hundreds of community members at the Legislature for dinner, beautiful music, and lively conversation. I am so grateful to everyone who attended for sharing their faith and culture with us.
Every October, we recognize the significant political, economic, social and cultural contributions the Muslim community has made here in Ontario. It is also an important opportunity to centre Muslims and work together to tackle rampant anti-Muslim hate and work towards a safe and equitable Ontario for all. I look forward to working on these priorities this month and all year long.
| Church Wellesley Community Victory Over Developers! |
On Tuesday, I was proud to join the Church Wellesley Neighbourhood Association to celebrate a rare and hard-fought victory at the Ontario Land Tribunal. KingSett Capital's proposal would have taken over 505, 507 and 509 Church St. and 68, 72 and 76 Wellesley St East. This included the William McBean Terrace building, the iconic 1878 heritage-designated structure in the heart of the Village. Thank you to CWNA and City Planning for standing up for responsible development, tenant protection and respectful heritage integration in Canada’s oldest established 2SLGBTQ+ communities.
| Policing Free Schools Petition |
Students are safest in well-funded schools surrounded by caring teachers and education workers. We do not need expensive police in schools to criminalize our Black, Indigenous, and racialized students. We need real investments in public education.
I am very thankful to Policing-Free Schools for their tireless advocacy to keep all students safe in schools and provide the resources that students and education workers really need. This week, I was proud to table their petition and attend their rally to keep police out of schools and fund real supports for our public education system.
| This Week's Meetings |
- Ontario Medical Association
- Canadian Bankers Association
- Ontario Legislative Intern Program
- Ontario Architecture Association
- Canadian Cancer Society
| What's Making Headlines |
What a 50-year-old neighbourhood development can teach us about solving Canada’s housing crisis
PhD student pores over evictions data, finds better tenant protections needed
Casey House shutters harm reduction vending machines
'Once in a lifetime': Blue Jays fans prepare for first Toronto World Series game in decades
Woman charged after being found with homicide suspect linked to Niagara Falls Amber Alert
Air Canada makes ‘difficult decision’ to cut hundreds of management jobs
| Upcoming Community Events |
| Regent Park October Funfest |
The Friends of Regent Park are busy preparing for October Funfest! Join this festival on October 25 from 1 PM to 3 PM at the Bake Oven in Regent Park’s “The Big Park.”
The afternoon will be spent carving pumpkins, listening to music, dancing, and many other activities!
| Boo Barn at Riverdale Park! |
Riverdale Farm is hosting a Halloween Boo Barn! This will take place on Saturday, October 25 and Sunday, October 26, from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM at 201 Winchester Street.
There will be so many fun activities like face painting and crafts, and pumpkin carving! For more information, please call 416-392-6794 or email [email protected].
| Halloween on Church |
Halloween on Church in The Village is back on October 31st from 6:30 PM to midnight! Prepare for a night of wicked fun, eerie surprises and unforgettable festivities.
Because of the massive success of Halloween on Church, the Church and Wellesley BIA has expanded to Saturday, November 1st, from 7 PM to midnight as well. Make sure you bring your spirit and your monster mash moves to Canada's biggest Halloween bash. Find out more here.
| Samhain in Corktown: Pumpkin Parade |
On November 1, from 6:30 PM to 8 PM at the Sackville Playground, the Corktown Neighbourhood Association is hosting another Pumpkin Parade!
This free event is for everyone! So come out, don your scary costumes and masks and let’s all celebrate Samhain!
| Environmental Impacts of New AI Data Centres in Ontario |
The Environmental Registry of Ontario is inviting public feedback on the proposal “New Requirements for Data Centres Seeking to Connect to the Electricity Grid in Ontario” — open until November 4, 2025.
This consultation seeks input on the types of data centres that would be subject to new requirements, including those with large electrical connections (over 50 megawatts) and facilities located in areas where the electricity grid may be constrained or have surplus capacity.
Learn more and provide feedback through the Environmental Registry of Ontario: ERO Notice 025-1001. You can also learn more from The Narwhal’s in-depth article here on data centres and whether or not they are a potential threat to the Great Lakes.
| Newcomer Women’s Program |
Pathway to Possibilities is hosting a Newcomer Women Program. This is designed to support newcomer women in setting meaningful goals and strengthening their employability skills, while also providing the opportunity to earn micro-certificates.
This program runs from October 20 to December 12, 2025. Apply by filling out the form here.
| 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. 4
Find out more by clicking here!
| Staying Isn’t Choosing Campaign |
The Staying Isn’t Choosing campaign is now live!
This campaign was developed by Timmins and Area Women in Crisis (TAWC) and Ellevive in Northern Ontario. At the centre of this initiative are five powerful videos that raise awareness, dispel harmful myths, and highlight the systemic barriers that make leaving unsafe relationships so difficult.
This campaign addresses the complexity of abuse — including coercive control, emotional, psychological, sexual, and physical abuse — and was designed to resonate widely across communities.
- Explore the campaign and videos: stayingisntchoosing.ca
- Follow the campaign on social media: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
| Senior Assistance Home Maintenance Program |
Calling all people with disabilities and seniors who need help with snow clearing, lawn cutting, leaf raking, and other yard tasks! Sunshine Centres for Seniors is here to help with their Seniors Assistance Home Maintenance Program.
Sunshine Centres is also looking for casual, part-time workers to join their Home Maintenance Program Team. If you are interested, send your resume to Kevin at [email protected].
For more information and to register, contact Kevin at [email protected] or (647) 687-7322
|
WomenACT Petition |
WomanACT has prepared a petition asking Amazon to remove the Term “Wife Beater” from Its Product Descriptions.
The concern is that Amazon is continuing to use the term “wife beater” to describe men’s undershirts on its website, despite a ruling by Canada’s Ad Standards Council that this descriptor violates the advertising Code by displaying indifference to violence against women. Amazon has defended its decision by arguing that the term is “common” and accepted in popular culture. But normalization does not excuse harm.
Sign their petition telling Amazon to remove the term “Wife Beater” from its product descriptions!
| Pumpkin Carving Drop-In |
Allan Gardens is hosting three family events. On Saturday October 25, pumpkin carving happens from 10 AM to 2 PM. On Wednesday October 29 and Thursday October 30, it’s an after-school events from 4 to 7 pm. Mini pumpkins and carving tools are supplied. Parental supervision is required. It’s free but a $5 donation will be appreciated. Find then at Allan Gardens Children’s Conservatory at 19 Horticultural Lane! Find more information here.
| Halloween on the Promenade |
Kids are invited to go door-to-door to businesses along the Front Street promenade, between Bayview and Cherry, on Halloween from 6 PM to 7:30 PM. Businesses will have goodies to give away. There’ll be a dog-costume parade with prizes at 5:45 pm and a parade at 6 pm - assemble at the Water Guardian at 474 Front East! There’s lots of information here.
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Cabbagetown Pumpkin Walk |
| Movies at Stout Irish Pub! |
Weekly free movie nights at Stout Irish Pub at 221 Carlton Street. The lineup features family movies so bring your kids. On this Sunday, October 19, it’s “Hocus Pocus” and on October 26, “Ghost Busters”. There’s free popcorn!
Movies begin each Sunday at 5:30 PM. Please contact Erin to save your spot at (647) 344-7676 or by email at [email protected].
