Featured Past Events

Ward 13 Budget Town Hall

Save the Date and Register: Ward 13 Budget Town Hall February 9th, 2021, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. EST

Every year, the City of Toronto embarks on a lengthy consultation process to review our budget. This is where we decide which programs to fund, including the Toronto Police Services; the TTC; Housing and shelters, and youth and recreation programming, and how we intend to pay for them. A budget expresses our values. It should reflect a commitment to real community safety.

While Toronto looks to rebuild and recover, these conversations are critical in ensuring that no one is left behind. Now, more than ever, we have to be specific about how we direct our finances. How do we determine the health of our communities? How can we make sustainable investments for our future? How can we help take care of ourselves and each other? Community revitalization is not just about bricks and mortar. Successful community revitalization is one where both the physical infrastructure and social development receive equal commitment and focus. Looking towards the future, this is how we can make our priorities known.

On February 9, 2021, join Councillor Wong-Tam and guest speaker, Anthony Ng, as they present the upcoming 2021 City of Toronto Budget. They will discuss key learnings from our Making Cents speaker series, as well as explore how you would spend your tax dollars with a new tool called Citizen Budget. There will also be an opportunity for you to ask any questions.

The Aftermath: COVID Recovery

Since the pandemic began in mid-March, the City of Toronto has experienced significant financial impacts in the form of both added costs and revenue losses as a direct result of COVID-19. This pandemic has exposed and brought attention to a number of gaps in the system, and has applied significant strain on our social programs and community supports. We cannot look to recreate the same systems that failed us before the pandemic. We must emerge and create a new path forward, with an economic and social recovery that leaves no one behind.

In the fall, Toronto begins its budget planning process for 2021. We know that the City of Toronto is under immense financial pressure because of COVID-19. For our final panel held on Monday, November 23rd, we looked to the future and discussed a vision for our city that works for everyone. Building on each previous panel, we took what we’ve learned and considered what recovery looks like for the City of Toronto. What have we learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, and how can we move forward creating a City that works for everyone? How can our municipal budget evolve to support the creation of this new vision for our City? This panel explored these questions and more, as we look towards a recovery for all.

Below, find a recording and transcript of the Aftermath: COVID Recovery panel event.

Click Here to Download the Full Transcript

Equitable Cities

In 2019 we successfully campaigned for the creation of an Intersectional Gender Equity Strategy and Gender Equality Office, which was finally approved and funded as part of this year's budget. The Gender Equity Strategy and Gender Equality Office participates in our City budget process by analyzing and evaluating the budget through an intersectional budget lens. This work is important, but there is more we can do to ensure our city works for everyone. Throughout the pandemic we have received report after report after report which shows that marginalized and oppressed communities are experiencing the brunt of the issues related to COVID. When all members of our communities aren’t adequately supported, we all suffer.

On Monday, November 9th we came together to learn more about how and why it is important to apply an equity lens to our municipal budget, and where our municipal budget can address gaps in equity planning in our city. Joined by experts in the field and panelists with lived experience, we asked what an equity lens is and how it can be applied to our municipal budget, why an equity lens is critical to the budgeting process, and where our current funding gaps exist in the system and how we can fix it.

Below, find a recording and transcript of the Equitable Cities panel event. 

Click Here to Download the Full Transcript

Housing & Homelessness

Before the COVID-19 global pandemic, Toronto was already facing a homelessness crisis of massive proportion. During the pandemic, the crisis has become more visible and incredibly more acute. Advocates and frontline workers supporting encampments continue to ring alarm bells about inhumane conditions. Residents who live adjacent to the encampments and shelters are demanding that the City do more to find more appropriate and permanent housing solutions for people who are underhoused. Chronic underfunding and failed policies have created the housing and homelessness crisis that is before us. The homelessness emergency is a public health crisis that requires an intergovernmental funding response, and concentrated efforts to invest in permanent affordable and supportive housing. 

On Monday, October 26th we learned from panelists with a range of expertise and backgrounds about housing and homelessness. This panel discussed how our municipal budget can be used alongside provincial and federal funding to end the homelessness crisis and increase long term investments for permanent affordable and supportive housing in the City of Toronto.

Below, find a recording and transcript of the Housing and Homelessness panel event.

Click Here to Download the Full Transcript

 

Community & Youth Services

Community centers and youth services are critical for building safe and healthy neighbourhoods. We know that investing in sports and arts programming prevent youth from engaging in violence, and help them prepare for a promising future with youth education and employment opportunities. With the City of Toronto facing a huge financial deficit, many youth programs, and centres designed to keep kids off the streets, and out of gangs face massive cuts to funding. Now more than ever it is critical to ensure that the City of Toronto budget reflects the needs and values of our communities. 

On Tuesday, October 13th we discussed how investments in our municipal budget create and sustain community and youth services. Our community and youth services offer vital supports which have been proven to reduce gun violence and gangs in young people. Some of these services provide employment opportunities, recreation, peer to peer mentoring and food security in downtown neighbourhoods. These programs have historically been underfunded despite their role in crime prevention and poverty reduction. Through a panel of experts and advocates, we asked how the municipal budget can prioritize supporting our most vulnerable young people, the impact of policing on black and racialized youth, and the role community and youth services play in keeping our communities and young people safe.

Below, find a recording and transcript of the Community and Youth Services panel event.

Click Here to Download the Full Transcript

 

Healthy Neighbourhoods

Everyday we walk through our own neighbourhoods and local streets, visiting parks, friends and businesses. We each travel the city in different ways; walking, cycling or taking public transit. What makes us feel safe as we visit friends, and businesses in our neighbourhoods? How do we get to our local coffee shop? Is there a public green space we can explore? If we feel sick, is there a nearby clinic? When we ask these questions, we consider the social determinants of health, including disability, food insecurity, access to healthcare, housing, gender and gender identity, to name a few. All of this and more contributes to our own wellness and that of our neighbourhoods. 

On Monday, September 28th we learned how our municipal budget can be used to create healthy neighbourhoods. What do healthy communities look like? What do our streets look like? How can our budget reflect the needs of our neighbourhoods? With a panel of experts, we examined how the City of Toronto budget can impact the health, safety, and wellness of our communities. 

Below, find a recording and transcript of the Healthy Neighbourhoods panel event.

Click Here to Download the Full Transcript

Corktown, St. Lawrence, West Don Lands

Regent Park & Cabbagetown

St. James Town, Bloor-East, Upper Jarvis, Winchester Park

McGill-Granby, Bay-Cloverhill, Church-Wellesley

Cabbagetown South, Garden District, Moss Park

Ward 13 Dog Off-Leash Area Meeting

Recognizing that the city-wide DOLA review is well underway and expected to be completed by the end of this year, I'd like to have conversations with you about how we can improve our dog parks specifically within Toronto Centre and ways in which we can improve the experience for everyone and every dog.

Learn More About Dogs in the City

Participate in the City-Wide DOLA Review Survey

Church Wellesley Community Safety Townhall

How to Build More Affordable Housing Now

The City of Toronto is consulting the public to help develop a new 10-year housing strategy. HousingTO: 2020-2030 Action Plan should address homelessness and housing affordability today and in the future.

Questions that we need to answer include:

• How to effectively define “affordable” housing in an expensive city like Toronto?
• How can we expand affordable housing today and not 10 years from now?
• What does “housing as a human right” look like in Toronto?
• How can we build more non-profit and co-operative housing?
• How do we get new affordable housing into every new development?

Join us for a presentation, panel discussion and community conversation. We are keen to hear from you. We need your input to consider what is real affordable housing, establish where it should be built, and how we can immediately get the best outcomes to address Toronto’s housing crisis.

Panelists include:

• Alyssa Brierley, Executive Director and General Counsel, CERA - Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation
• Deborah Cowan, Associate Professor, Geography and Planning, University of Toronto
• Joy Connelly, housing consultant& advocate
• Abigail Moriah, Senior Development Manager, New Commons

Moderated by Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam.

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/405343253391942/

Town Hall on Bill 108: The OMB is Back!

Doug Ford’s plan to bring back the OMB, sideline municipalities and marginalize local communities in the planning process is being fast-tracked for approval with almost no time for residents to respond. Cities, and towns across Ontario are grappling to understand the implications of Bill 108 and making their voices heard.

Join Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, Councillor Josh Matlow, Councillor Gord Perks, Councillor Paula Fletcher, Councillor Mike Layton, Councillor Joe Cressy, Councillor Ana Bailão, and Councillor Brad Bradford, along with Toronto’s Chief Planner Gregg Lintern, to learn about how Bill 108 will impact your community and how you can have your say before it is too late.

Transit Town Hall with Councillors Wong-Tam, Cressy & Layton

Join Councillors Joe Cressy, Mike Layton and myself for a transit town hall on the status of the subway upload and newly proposed plans from the Province.

With tens of millions spent and years invested in developing Toronto's transit plan, these changes risk a complete reset and could cost transit riders years. This town hall will be an opportunity for residents to hear from their downtown Councillors, experts and advocates, provide feedback on these developing issues, and learn how to mobilize for the transit investments you need to see now.

When: Wednesday, May 1 at 6pm
Where: Metro Hall, Rotunda – 55 John Street

Speakers include:
Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam
Councillor Joe Cressy
Councillor Mike Layton
Vincent Puhakka, TTCriders.ca
Carlos Santos, President of the Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 113

Resist Ford Cuts

Premier Ford's slash and burn of Ontario's vital public services has been devastating. We will not back down. On May 1st, 2019 at 12pm, wherever you are, walk roll, and stroll out. Take a photo, make a video, flip Doug Ford a message and #ResistFordCuts.

Please print this poster and display in your window, circulate on local community boards, post at your place of work. We will not back down! (PDF high resolution version).

Councillor Wong-Tam's 2019 Community Environment Day

Join us at beautiful Allan Gardens for a fun-filled day of activities! Our yearly Environment Day event connects residents with City services and community organizations that are vital to creating healthy, livable neighbourhoods. We will be hosting a special lunch and various activities for parents and children!

What: Councillor Wong-Tam's Community Environment Day
When: Saturday, April 20, 2019, 10am to 2pm
Where: Allan Gardens, 19 Horticultural Ave., along Carlton St.

We will be joined by:

• Cycle Toronto
• Friends of Allan Gardens
• MPP Suze Morrison
• Toronto Community Housing
• Toronto Water
• Toronto Hydro
• TCDSB Trustee Norm Di Pasquale

Cycle TO will be joined by bikeSauce who will be offering free tune up station for bicycles! Free community lunch!

Visit any time between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to donate and recycle, get your kitchen compost and garbage containers, show off your crafting skills, connect with the community, and more.

We look forward to seeing you there!

David Crombie Park Revitalization Design

The City of Toronto invites you to learn more about proposed improvements to David Crombie Park. Staff are hosting a public information workshop to:

• Present draft concept plan options
• Receive public input
• Identify community preferences and priorities
• Discuss next steps.

Councillor Joe Cressy, Ward 10 - Spadina-Fort York & Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, Ward 13 - Toronto Centre, will be in attendance during the evening meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Register for this event on EventBrite.

Date: Tuesday, April 2, 2019
Times: 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm OR 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Please choose a session that best suits your schedule.
Location: St. Lawrence Community Centre 230 The Esplanade, Multi-Use Room

ASL interpreters may be provided, if available. Please contact 311 in advance of this meeting if interpreter is needed.

 

Gender & Equity Responsive Budgeting Town Hall

Join us on Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at the Regent Park Community Centre for our 2019 Gender & Equity Responsive Budgeting Town Hall. Interactive digital voting by Data on the Spot technology will be used at this town hall to solicit feedback and identify key investment priorities for City Council. Light refreshments will be served. ASL interpretation will be available.

In 2016, 2017, and 2018, City Council approved motions by Councillor Wong-Tam to include an intersectional gender equity lens in the City budget. These motions are a major opportunity to join cities across the world that already promote gender equity, by rethinking how spending and revenues impact Toronto’s families – especially diverse women and girls in the city.

Since putting forward these motions, the City of Toronto has established an Equity Responsive Budgeting process to provide an equity impact analysis of changes in the staff recommended Operating Budget. Equity impact analysis identifies: equity seeking groups that are impacted, with an emphasis on women and persons with low income; barriers to equity that are affected (e.g. access to services); and level of impact.

It is important that everyone has fair access to city resources, and that we work together to ensure these resources are creating a City where everyone can prosper! We need your participation and input to improve Toronto's budget. From recreation services to child care subsidies to TCHC housing repairs, your voice matters!

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/2086875154936572/

King-Parliament Secondary Plan Review

The City of Toronto is holding an open house to kick off the King-Parliament Secondary Plan Review. Please drop by, take in a presentation, and join a discussion with your neighbours and City staff about the future of your community.

The King-Parliament Secondary Plan Review will build on the Downtown Plan, and provide specific direction on built form, the public realm and heritage. The Review will also consider the north side of Queen Street East, in the area generally between Sherbourne and River Streets.

Our public meeting locations are wheelchair/mobility device accessible. Other reasonable accommodation or assistive services for persons with disabilities may be provided with adequate notice. Please contact Lillian D’Souza, at 416-392-9435 or [email protected] with your request. The City of Toronto is committed to taking the necessary steps to insure compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.

Defend Our Democracy Town Hall with Kristyn, Chris & Suze

Toronto has been shocked by Premier Doug Ford’s move to slash Toronto City Council from 47 to 25 councillors in the middle of a municipal election, without any notice or consultation. Even now, Bill 5 is working its way to a third reading at the Ontario Legislature and could be law within weeks.

Our downtown neighbourhoods have been intensifying at unprecedented rates, without the investments needed to serve a growing population and address the crises before us. Now Doug Ford is mandating that Torontonians have less representation and less access to City Hall. Toronto deserves better and now is the time to meet and discuss what happens next.

Join your local representatives - Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, TDSB Trustee Chris Moise, and MPP Suze Morrison - for a town hall on Bill 5 and how we fight for Toronto’s democracy.

PLEASE NOTE: There is limited capacity in the space booked at the 519. If that capacity is reached unfortunately we will have to start turning people away. To be sure that you are able to participate in the event please arrive early! We will also be live streaming the event on the Kristyn Wong-Tam facebook page if you are not able to make it out in person.

Open Streets TO 2018

2018 Community Environment Day

Join Councillor Wong-Tam at beautiful Allan Gardens for a fun-filled day of activities! Our yearly Environment Day event connects residents with City services and community organizations that are vital to creating healthy, livable neighbourhoods. We will be hosting a special lunch and various activities for parents and children!

What: Councillor Wong-Tam's Community Environment Day
When: Saturday, July 14, 2018, 10am to 2pm
Where: Allan Gardens

Visit any time between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to donate and recycle, get your kitchen compost and garbage containers, show off your crafting skills, connect with the community, and more.

Program includes:

• Gentle Park Yoga @ 10:30am
• Children's Story Time with Toronto Public Library @ 11:00am
• Community Lunch from Out of this World Cafe @ 12:00 noon
• Children's Story Time Toronto Public Library @ 2:00pm
• All-day crafts table for kids!

Meet the following organizations: Councillor Wong-Tam, TDSB Trustee Chris Moise, Tower & Neighbourhood Revitalization, Solid Waste, Toronto Police, Fire, EMS, 311 Toronto, Toronto Hydro, Social Housing, Grace Church, Toronto Community Housing, Garden District Residents Association, STEPS Initiative and Friends of Allan Gardens.

What You Can Bring:

Click to enlarge.

 

Building a Healthy & Liveable City in a Post-OMB World

On April 3, 2018, the new replacement for the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB), the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT), will begin hearing appeals of new zoning by-law and official plan amendments.

Toronto has long struggled with the OMB. The board has been accused of favouring developer interests over the local community, with countless examples of City Council decisions being overturned for development that does not address local community needs and has resulted in what can simply be called, bad urban planning.

Toronto's Downtown is growing rapidly with development exceeding growth targets by decades.  We are also facing an affordable housing crisis; unseen homelessness rates; Canada's highest child poverty rates; and an opioid crisis. 

In this brave new world of municipal land use planning, the policies of the city’s official plan are expected to be even more crucial to follow if the city is to defend itself at the new tribunal.  What considerations have traditionally been left out of the city planning process that should now be raised? And if the city’s goal is to build healthy, inclusive and complete communities, does Toronto have the right policies it needs?

Join Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 for a candid discussion on what the city needs to build healthy and liveable communities in a #PostOMBWorld.

When: Tuesday, May 29, 2018, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Where: Innis Town Hall, University of Toronto, 2 Sussex Ave., Toronto, Ontario

Panelists:

Gregg Lintern, Chief Planner and Executive Director, City of Toronto
Cheryll Case, Planner, CP Planning
Shauna Brail, Director and Professor, Urban Studies Program, University of Toronto
Cyndi Rottenberg-Walker, Partner, Urban Strategies Inc.
Zahra Ebrahim, Co-Lead, Doblin Canada and Founder of archiTEXT

Smart Cites Challenge: Innovation and the Indigenous District

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/176620302941864/.

Infrastructure Canada has announced a $50 million prize for Smart Cities Initiatives that will improve the liveability of cities.

We think that Indigenous District is the ideal, made-in-Toronto submission for this exciting competition. With one of the largest and fastest growing Indigenous populations in Canada, right here in Toronto, we have the opportunity to dramatically shift the urban conversation as it relates to reconciliation, entrepreneurship and social inclusion. We are currently developing a 16,000 square feet Indigenous business incubator in the Downtown East. This extraordinary initiative will be the catalyst for a future Indigenous District, soon to be an international visitor destination anchored with Indigenous cultural and entrepreneurial ingenuity both traditional and contemporary‎ in its pursuits. We will leverage and utilize data, technology and community strengths to uplift and bring Toronto another step closer to being a truly inclusive Smart City.

Supported by The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, the Indigenous Placemaking Council, and the Toronto Aboriginal Social Services Council.

We want your feedback and hope you can join us for a special presentation on January 25, 2018 from 2-4pm at MaRS Discovery District, Room CR3 to learn more about the Indigenous District and #SmartCityTO.

 

Town Hall on Gender Responsive Budgeting

Join us on January 18, 2018 for Councillor Wong-Tam's Town Hall on Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB). The evening will feature a fireside chat with Canada's Finance Minister Bill Morneau, expert panelists and facilitated round-table discussions on how Toronto can improve programs and services needed to build a more inclusive city.

Childminding and ASL interpretation will be available. If you expect to need childminding, please email Councillor Wong-Tam's office at [email protected].

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/202176137067643/.

Background

In 2017, Councillor Wong-Tam hosted Toronto's first public forum on Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB). We discussed the many benefits of incorporating an intersectional gender equity lens when developing city budgets.

By placing a gender equity lens over the city budgets, we can ensure resources are more fairly allocated to serve ALL residents. Better budgets equal better services.

The truth is, despite the many commitments to equity, Toronto City Council has never adopted a woman-friendly budget. The waitlists for accessible childcare, recreation services, shelter supports, affordable housing and other essential services continue to grow.

Community members gather for Councillor Wong-Tam's first ever Town Hall on Gender Responsive Budgeting in 2017. 

Cities across the world have created different forms of gender-responsive budgeting with the purpose of advancing gender equity. Even the 2016 federal budget contained a historic Gender Statement outlining the main challenges and economic inequalities facing Canadian women.

It's time for Toronto City Council to put talk into action.

Councillor Wong-Tam is working closely with diverse community advocates from across Toronto to ensure the city incorporates an intersectional gender equity framework over its budgets. This framework analyses the social, cultural and economic identities different women and men face and seek to redress disparities through careful allocation of public resources.

Gender-responsive budgeting encourage decision-makers to think about the multiple ways both men and women experience city services, which include municipal policy areas such as transit, housing, capital spending on roads and infrastructure, taxes and user fees.

It is important that we have fair access to the city budgets. Let's work together to build a Toronto where everyone can prosper and thrive.

Dance the Village

On Saturday, December 16, come out and celebrate our amazing Church-Wellesley Village.

Everyone is invited to come dine, dance, and have a night of fun in the community.

 

Healthy Neighbhourhood Summit

Community health and safety has been top of mind for Councillor Wong-Tam. We know that you have invested a significant amount of time and resources in community efforts to improve the sense of safety in your neighbourhood, through the participation of community safety audits and walks or by events to animate our parks and open spaces.

Despite the significant efforts to improve our neighbourhoods, the impacts of systemic problems due to a lack of affordable housing, sufficient social and health supports for individuals living with mental health and addictions are taking a toll on our neighbourhood. As you know, these systemic challenges are felt most heavily in our downtown parks and streets.

Join us on November 15, 2017

Join Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam on November 15, 2017 for the first-ever Healthy Neighbourhoods Summit with expert panelists, facilitated round-table discussions, and action planning. Expert panelists from Toronto Police Services, local Business Improvement Areas, and the mental health sector will present on current findings and neighbourhood needs.

Facilitated round-table discussions will provide an opportunity for you to voice concerns and identify key resources that will help support your community. There will be opportunity to share key learnings to the audience and identify ways we can work together to create stronger and healthier communities.

Make your voice heard and help build a safer, healthier, and more inclusive downtown Toronto. RSVP below!

Panelists

• Uppala Chandrasekera, Director, Public Policy, Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario
• Pauline Larsen, Senior Economic Development Manager, Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area
• Constable Melissa Huntley, Neighbourhood Officer, Toronto Police Service, Division 51, FOCUS
• Susan Davis, Executive Director, Gerstein Crisis Centre
  
  

Thank You To Our Community Sponsors

• Ryerson University
• Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area
• Church-Wellesley Business Improvement Area
• Covenant House
• Toronto Public Health
• Toronto Police Services
• City of Toronto

Join the conversation online: #HealthyDowntown