Chris Glover

Dear Neighbours,

We won!

We forced the federal and provincial governments to walk back their plans to expand the Billy Bishop Airport. This is a victory for everyone who signed a petition, attended a rally, wrote or met with their MP or MPP, or came on our Trek to Ottawa. In a time when our democratic rights are being eroded, and our sovereignty as a nation is under threat, this is a victory. We’ve shown what we can do when we band together and exercise our power. 

We stood together and reminded our governments that they work for us, not for American banks like JP Morgan. We need to do this more often. Too often our taxes are being squandered on luxuries for politicians, and our assets and services are being handed over to corporations so that they can make a profit selling them back to us.

We need to restore the democratic control of our government. 

While we celebrate, I am also aware that Ontario's Minister of Transportation, Prabmeet Sarkaria, has issued a statement that, “We look forward to continuing to work to advance the expansion of Billy Bishop Airport.”

The Supreme Court confirmed in 2025 that airports are the sole jurisdiction of the federal government. It is unclear what Minister Sarkaria is speaking about, but I will continue to watch for developments.

What we need now:

1.   The Ford Government needs to repeal Bill 110. I support Mayor Chow’s call for the Ford government to restore Toronto’s lands. Now that Billy Bishop is not being expanded, there is no reason for the province to retain control of Little Norway Park and the Toronto Islands. We can also restore the city’s role in managing the airport. Bill 110, gives Premier Ford the power to sell, develop, or give away any portion of the Toronto Islands to anyone he chooses. We don’t need our beloved islands to become the site of the next real estate scandal.

2.   The federal government needs to abandon its plans to privatize our air and seaports. The Billy Bishop expansion was dreamed up by JP Morgan, an American Wall Street bank, that bought the Billy Bishop terminal in 2015. When that turned out to be a losing investment, they hired lobbyists and got the Ontario and federal governments to buy into the plan to expand the airport. If we sell our airports, as the federal government currently threatens to do, then our air and seaports no longer function for us – they function to generate profits for an all-too-often, American corporation. With the sovereignty threat from Trump, we should not be handing over important strategic assets to American corporations.

3.   The Ontario and federal governments need to repeal Bills 5 and C5: Premier Ford threatened to use the Billy Bishop expansion as the test case for Bill 5, a bill that allows the Ontario government to break any provincial or municipal law – labour, safety, environmental laws – on any project in any part of the province it chooses, without having to change those laws in the legislature. Bill C5 gives the federal government similar powers. Governments can change laws – that’s what we elect them to do – but they have to do it through a transparent process of debates and votes in parliament. In a democracy, the Premier or Prime Minister should not have the power to determine what laws apply to one person, but not another, or to one project, but not another. 

We’ve won an important victory, but there is still a lot of work to do.

Thank you to everyone who played a role in this victory. Let’s take a breath, drink in the moment, and remember the lesson from this fight – when we stand together, we can make our governments work for us.

Sincerely,

Latest News

Concerns at Queen and Bathurst

Over the past several months, many residents have contacted my office to share their concerns about what they’re seeing around Queen and Bathurst. There are concerns about an increase in open drug use, overdoses, discarded needles, and individuals experiencing serious mental health and addiction crises in public spaces. Many families and local businesses are worried about safety, and these concerns deserve to be heard.

At the same time, many of the people struggling in our community are facing immense challenges. The lack of accessible mental health and addictions treatment, the toxic drug supply causing an increased number of overdoses, and the shortage of supportive and affordable housing have left too many people without the help they need.

Our community deserves both safe neighbourhoods and compassionate care. Residents should feel safe in their neighbourhoods, while people experiencing addiction or mental illness should have access to timely treatment, stable housing, and the supports they need to recover.

There are no simple solutions to this complex crisis. Recent changes to Ontario’s approach to addiction services, including the closure of supervised consumption sites, have not been matched by sufficient expansion of treatment, supportive housing, mental health services, and recovery programs. As a result, these gaps in care have greatly impacted our community.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to write, call, or speak with my office about these issues. We will continue working with our local organizations, Parkdale Queen West CHC and West Neighbourhood House, as we advocate for some lasting solutions. I will be requesting an update from the Ministry of Health on the current status of its HART (Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment) Hubs, including the implementation and effectiveness of their new strategy.

For anyone who missed the June 17th Community Check-in Meeting hosted by and West Neighbourhood House and Parkdale Queen West CHC, you can access the video at:

https://www.westnh.org/queenbathurst/

Below is contact information if you have questions or concerns:

Parkdale Queen West CHC

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 416-703-6190

Fred Victor Community Outreach & Safety Team

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 416-707-4233

Important Auto Insurance Changes Take Effect July 1st

Significant changes to Ontario’s auto insurance system will take effect on July 1, 2026. Several no-fault statutory accident benefits that were previously included automatically in every policy are now optional, meaning some drivers could have less coverage if they choose to opt out of these benefits. Optional coverages include income replacement, caregiver benefits, death and funeral benefits, and several other protections that can provide important financial support after a serious collision.

It is more important than ever for policyholders to understand what their policy includes and whether it reflects their family’s needs. At renewal, carefully review your coverage and speak with your insurance broker or insurer before making any decisions, as declining certain benefits could leave you with reduced financial protection following an accident.

Ontario drivers pay some of the highest premiums in North America, even though drivers here are among the lowest in per capita accidents. Now, the government is changing the law to allow insurance companies to take away mandatory coverages to save drivers dollars a month while still getting gouged.

Ontario Tenants Can Finally Install Air Conditioners

After delaying this measure for three years, I am relieved that the government is finally allowing tenants to install air conditioning in their units. 

On July 1st, Ontario tenants may install a window or portable air conditioner if their landlord does not already provide air conditioning. The change is part of updates to the Residential Tenancies Act and come into effect as Ontario faces increasingly hot summers.

Tenants must notify their landlord in writing before installation, and the unit must be installed safely and comply with municipal and building regulations. If the landlord pays for electricity, they may recover reasonable additional electricity costs through a rent adjustment, where permitted. While landlords generally cannot prohibit air conditioners, limited exceptions may apply under the legislation.

ODSP Increase Still Falls Short

As of July 1st, Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) rates have increased by 1.9%, bringing the maximum monthly payment for a single person to $1,436.

Below is the highest monthly payment for 2026:  

• single and living alone  

• living with a spouse who does not have a disability

While this annual inflation adjustment is automatic, it doesn’t come close to addressing the affordability crisis. No one should have to choose between paying rent, buying groceries, or filling a prescription.

New Democrats have consistently called on the Ford government to substantially increase both ODSP and Ontario Works (OW) so that people with disabilities and everyone receiving income support can live with dignity—not in deep poverty.

If you need help applying for ODSP or appealing a decision, contact your local community legal clinic for free legal assistance.

East-West Water Shuttle Pilot Officially Launched

The East-West Water Shuttle is a new program that will test demand for travel along Toronto’s waterfront to help inform future marine transit planning. The service will have three stops along the inner harbour: Portland Slip (at the base of Dan Leckie Way); Yonge Slip (near Harbourfront Centre); Ookewemin Minising (on the west side of Biidaasige Park).

Initial service hours are 11 am to 7 pm, with shuttles departing hourly, and each vessel accommodates up to 12 passengers. Regular fares are $15 with reduced $5 fares available on World Cup match days.  Details here.

Ontario Autism Survey Now Open

If you are an autistic self-advocate, parent, caregiver, or family member navigating services in Ontario, we want to hear from you. Whether your experiences involve the Ontario Autism Program (OAP), diagnosis, education, respite, adult services, housing, employment, or other supports, your voice matters.

This survey helps document the real experiences behind the statistics and build a community-driven picture of what is working, what isn’t, and what needs to change.

Please complete a survey for each family member accessing or attempting to access services. The results will be shared with the autism community, media and community partners, elected officials, and the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.

Complete the Survey

Provide Feedback for Ookwemin Minising

Toronto’s newest island, Ookwemin Minising (“place of the black cherry trees”), is taking shape where the Don River meets Lake Ontario following one of the world’s largest flood protection and river restoration projects. The island is home to Biidaasige Park and will eventually welcome more than 21,000 residents and create 2,900 jobs as a vibrant new waterfront community.

Planning is now underway for the island’s streets, parks, and infrastructure, with construction on the first residential blocks expected to begin in 2027 and the first residents anticipated in the early 2030s. Residents are encouraged to help shape the future of this exciting new community by participating in the City’s public survey on the vision and early design plans.

Take the Survey

Seniors and Persons with a Disability Property Tax Exemption

If your home has been renovated, modified, or specially built to accommodate a senior (65+) or a person with a disability, you may qualify for a property tax exemption on a portion of your home’s assessed value.

Eligible properties include renovated homes, custom-built accessible homes, and approved garden suites that support seniors or persons with disabilities. The exemption remains in place as long as eligibility requirements continue to be met.

To learn more or to apply, visit mpac.ca/MyTaxExemption or call 1-866-296-MPAC (6722).

MPP Scrolls for Special Occasions

Turning 30, 40, 80, 90 or 100? Celebrate a significant birthday with a certificate from my office.

Is there a new addition to your family? Send the name of your baby, the parents’ names and other relevant information and we’ll send a “Welcome to the World” certificate to celebrate this special event.