Dear Neighbours,
We’re heading to Ottawa today to fight for our waterfront! Premier Ford may have recessed the legislature early, but we’ve been busy. This morning, I was joined by my colleagues, MPP Alexa Gilmour (Parkdale–High Park) and MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam (Toronto Centre), and dozens of concerned residents, on a bus to our nation’s capital to fight for our waterfront.
The agenda includes attending Question Period in the House of Commons, and we have set up appointments to meet with several Federal Members of Parliament. The goal is to ensure that Prime Minister Carney hears directly from Toronto residents and understands why so many of us believe the federal government should reject any proposal to expand the airport.
MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam, MPP Alexa Gilmour and me on the bus to Ottawa
News of our bus trek prompted the Prime Minister to open up a public consultation until July 24, 2026.
Submit written feedback! The most effective way to provide your feedback is by sending your comments in writing:
Via Email
Email: [email protected]
Subject Line: Consultation – Future of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
Via Mail
Attention: Consultation – Future of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
Transport Canada, Air Policy
Place de Ville, Tower C
330 Sparks Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0N5
What’s Missing from the Survey?
The online survey is now live, but I’m concerned with how the questions have been framed. The survey largely assumes expansion is moving ahead and focuses on what conditions would make it acceptable. There are no clear options to oppose expansion, jets, or increased airport activity altogether.
Also missing from the survey: ownership and control of the airport, impacts on downtown traffic and quality of life, the connection to Pearson’s expansion, and how responses will be protected from organized lobbying campaigns.
Despite repeated claims from local federal Members of Parliament that they’re still waiting to see a business case, the survey promotes job creation and economic benefits. If the evidence isn’t available yet, those outcomes should not already be presented as facts.
If you have concerns, contact your federal Member of Parliament directly. Find your MP’s contact information at www.ourcommons.ca/members.
The JP Morgan Connection
Last week, a Toronto Star report revealed a company closely connected to American corporate investment firm JP Morgan is behind the push to expand Billy Bishop Airport.
Premier Ford ran on a promise of protecting our province from Donald Trump and threats from the United States. Our sovereignty has repeatedly been threatened by the United States, yet the Premier appears prepared to support a proposal backed by an American investment bank that would significantly reshape our waterfront, with jets landing approximately every two and a half minutes.
Prime Minister Carney and his Toronto MPs need to take a stand and stop this expansion. He has the opportunity to stand up for Canadians against American interests. Canada and our waterfront are not for sale.
There are amazing things happening in our riding this summer! Be sure to check out my updated list of Fun Things to Do.
As always, it is an incredible honour to serve as your Member of Provincial Parliament.
Sincerely,
Latest News
Exhibition Place Reveals New Vision Plan
I’m encouraged by the new vision for Exhibition Place, which focuses on creating a vibrant, year-round public space with expanded green areas, local vendors, and cultural events. The plan was revealed yesterday by CEO Don Boyle, and aims to make the grounds more welcoming and accessible for residents and visitors alike.
Key elements include Festival Plaza, offering flexible space for up to 20,000 guests, along with Nexus Park, an updated Food Building, and a market area, all designed to support year-round use. Together, these features will strengthen Exhibition Place as an accessible, active, and well-connected public destination.
This city-led approach focuses on community use, accessibility, and meaningful public consultation, ensuring Toronto residents have a real say in how this project evolves. I’ll continue advocating for a process that respects the community and protects our shared public assets.
I remain concerned with the Ontario government’s plans for a massive convention centre and expanded Island airport on the waterfront. I encourage you to join the public discussions underway about the future of Toronto’s waterfront.
Ontario Budget Increases Debt, Doesn’t Help Ontarians
A new report from Ontario’s Financial Accountability Office (FAO) highlights growing concerns about the province’s finances and the impact on public services. The FAO projects that Ontario’s debt could approach $500 billion within the next 18 months, with rising interest payments taking up a larger share of the budget.
Budget 2026 was an opportunity to deliver hope and relief for Ontarians during difficult times, but failed to deliver. With all of these cuts, where is all the money going? I am concerned that billions of taxpayer dollars are being spent on vanity projects while critical services remain chronically underfunded.
Key Numbers:
- Total program spending: $227B. This is slightly up from 2025, which was $222.4B
- Total Revenue: $231.9B (projected)
- 2025 revenue up $6.7B from original projections
- Total deficit: $13.8B, up from the projected $7.8B for 2026-27 in the previous budget
- Contingency fund: $1.5B
- Total Net Debt: $485B (2026 projected). Up from $323B in 2017/2018
Cuts:
- $147.9M cut to Education
- $69.2M in cuts to Post Secondary Education. Underspent $385M last year.
- $118.9M cut to Attorney General
- $446.4M underspent for Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade and cut it a further $40M in Budget 2026
- $39M cut to Energy and Mines
- $116M cut to Finance
- $56.3M cut to Infrastructure
- $344.7M cut to Municipal Affairs and Housing
- $175.5M cut to Natural Resources
- $219.9M cut to Public Business Service Delivery and Procurement
- Underspent “Other programs” by over $4 billion in 2025
- $121M cut to Emergency Forest Fighting
- $1.7M cut from Francophone Affairs
What’s Missing:
- Nothing for renters, nothing on grocery prices, no real relief
- Cuts to education and no plan to address staffing shortages
- $347 million cut and no plan to deliver affordable homes
- $486 million cut to job creation and training with no support for workers
Province Makes Sweeping Changes to Education
The Ontario government has introduced Bill 101, Putting Student Achievement First Act, legislation that will significantly change how school boards operate.
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is the third-largest school board in North America. It currently has 22 trustees making $25,000/year that oversee 370,000 students, 40,000 staff, 600 schools, and a $4.1 billion budget. The plan is to cut this down to 12 trustees at $10,000/year.
The government’s biggest criticism of trustees is that they weren’t making cuts fast enough to make up for the provincial funding shortfalls. So they will now be appointing a CEO who will make the cuts faster.
I’m concerned that this move shuts parents and communities out of our own schools. By further controlling appointments, budgets, and restricting what trustees can discuss, this government is centralizing decision-making in Queen’s Park and sidelining local voices.
Key measures of the bill include:
Trustee changes
- Reduce Toronto District School Board trustees from 22 to 12
- Cap trustee pay at $10,000 and limit expenses
- Scale back trustee decision-making powers
New leadership roles
- Director of Education now known as a CEO (with a business background) to oversee budgets and operations
- Introduce a Chief Education Officer to focus on student achievement
- Shift key financial decisions away from trustees to these roles and the province
Increased provincial oversight
- Greater authority over school board finances, communications, and capital projects
- Ability to intervene in or redirect major projects
Classroom changes
- Grade attendance and participation (15% for grades 9/10; 10% for grades 11/12)
- Mandatory written exams on official exam days
Board communications
- New policies to govern school communications that limit trustees and other elected officials
Negotiating collective agreements
- Legislation suggests the Council of Ontario Directors of Education as the central bargaining agency for provincewide negotiations
- CEOs ratify local agreements
If you’d like to have your say about this bill, see the information in the article below.
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.
