Dear Neighbours,
Last Thursday, June 5, the Ontario Legislature adjourned for the summer recess until October 20 – more than four months before the fall session resumes. In just 23 sitting days following the early provincial election, the government shamefully rushed the passing of several controversial bills with very little debate.
Despite a filibuster led by my colleagues and I in the Official Opposition, and strong objection from Indigenous leaders and their communities, Bill 5 was passed on Wednesday. Touted as the shield Ontario needs to counter Trump’s tariffs, this omnibus bill gives Premier Ford and his Ministers the power to break any municipal or provincial law by declaring a “special economic zone”. It’s an attack on the rule of law – a foundational principle of any democracy.
Here are some of the main threats of Bill 5:
- Repeals the Endangered Species Act allowing developers a direct path to harm vulnerable wildlife with no strong oversight or science-based decision-making
- Withdraws the requirement for an environmental assessment of a mine in the Ring of Fire, a highly sensitive environmental area
- Exempts the Ontario Place redevelopment project, and future projects related to Ontario Place, from all municipal and provincial laws going forward
- Exempts the Dresden landfill project from the Environmental Assessment Act
I believe we need to withdraw Bill 5 in its entirety. Please click here to download my petition, print it off, and collect as many signatures as you can. You can mail or drop off completed petitions to my office at 226 Bathurst Street (Unit A).
CAMH flag-raising ceremony on June 4
June marks the start of Pride month and I attended the flag raisings at Queen’s Park and at CAMH. Pride Toronto has lost many core corporate sponsors who are bending to Trump’s anti-DEI ideology. This Pride season, we must unite in deep solidarity, caring for each other, and standing up for our collective human rights.
Would you like to march with me in the Pride Parade? Sign up here! I’ll also be participating in the Trans March and Dyke March.
Portugal Day events in Trinity Bellwoods Park and at Queen’s Park
June is Portuguese Heritage Month and I’m proud to represent a riding that includes part of Little Portugal — a community rich in culture, history, and spirit. I joined the Portugal Day Parade on June 10th and other celebrations honouring the incredible contributions of Portuguese Canadians.
June is also Indigenous History Month and there are many opportunities to listen and learn about Indigenous history. See the list of events here.
At the FIFA World Cup Kickoff in Nathan Phillips Square on June 12
The one-year countdown to Toronto’s first FIFA World Cup has begun! The Countdown Clock was unveiled at Nathan Phillips Square and the Fan Festival will be held at Fort York and The Bentway. More exciting news to come!
Education Rally on May 24 and Coffee with Chris on June 12
There are so many amazing events happening in the riding this summer! Check out my updated Fun Things to Do!
Wishing all our dads a Happy Father’s Day this weekend!
Yours sincerely,
Latest News
Government Needs to Get Serious About Making Housing Affordable
The Financial Accountability Office recent report revealed that Ontario is facing the lowest housing starts since 2009. Ontario’s housing crisis won’t be solved by the private market.
The Official Opposition introduced a motion calling on the Ontario government to establish Homes Ontario, a new dedicated public agency with a mandate to tariff-proof Ontario’s housing market and deliver homes that are publicly built, permanently affordable homes, and made in Ontario.
The motion urges the government to give Ontario the tools it needs to:
- Finance and deliver hundreds of thousands of permanently affordable homes
- Leverage public land to fast-track development and ensure it serves the public interest
- Partner with non-profit, co-op, and supportive housing providers
- Create good union jobs and strengthen Ontario’s skilled trades and building capacity
Unfortunately, the motion was voted down by the government but we will continue to push for this when the legislature resumes in the fall.
Read my op-ed on affordable housing here.
Bill 33 Plans to Take Over School Boards
Late last week, Education Minister Paul Calandra tabled a new education bill, Bill 33. The bill gives the government sweeping new powers over school boards, colleges and universities, silencing trustees, and ignoring students and parents.
The bill does nothing to address the state of our crumbling schools, improve learning conditions, reduce class sizes, or put more supports in classrooms. I am concerned that this bill will grant the government new powers to privatize our schools.
I am proud to stand with my colleagues in the Official Opposition in supporting students, families, and educators in fighting this legislation and protecting the integrity of our public education system from political control. Sign my petition here.
Call to Reverse Cuts to Wildland Firefighting
You have likely noticed that Toronto’s skies have been noticeably hazy and smoky recently due to wildfires in western Canada and northern Ontario. This has led to significantly reduced air quality, with Toronto reaching the world’s worst air quality. Environment Canada has issued a special air quality statement for the GTA and surrounding areas.
As wildfires burn across the province, the Official Opposition is calling on the Ontario government to reverse the $42 million cut to wildland firefighting and the $4 million to emergency preparedness.
Wildland firefighters are on the front lines defending our communities and resources with understaffed teams and insufficient equipment. They have been warning us for years about crisis-level underfunding. Time is running out and we need our government to make the investments we need to protect our province.
Watch my question in the legislature here.
Self-Driving Robots Coming to Toronto
The Ministry of Transportation has approved a pilot project run by Magna International Inc. that will see 20 self-driving delivery vehicles on Toronto streets. The pilot is being conducted by Ontario’s Automated Vehicle Pilot Program and is set to begin in the next few months across five wards: Davenport, Parkdale-High Park, York South-Weston, University-Rosedale and Toronto-St.Paul’s.
The vehicles will travel at a speed of up to 32 km/hr and will operate on streets where the speed limits are 40 km/hr or less. They will be under observation and followed by humans in conventional vehicles.
City councillors have raised concerns about congestion, safety and privacy, and that the City of Toronto has no regulatory authority over the pilot. At the June 11 committee hearing, City staff submitted comments to inform the Ministry regarding the application.
As the Shadow Minister for Technology and Innovation, I will be following this project closely.
Action Needed to Combat Measles Outbreak
Measles is a serious viral infection that can cause lasting harm and cost lives. Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health has reported that six infants have been born with congenital measles. Sadly, for the first time in decades, an infected newborn passed away. My heart goes out to the grieving family and no one should face what they are going through.
Ontario currently has 2046 measles cases — more than the entire United States. We need to increase vaccine uptake to keep everyone safe. Many young people missed required vaccine appointments during COVID-19 remote learning.
If someone in your life still needs their MMR shot, there are two options:
- Get the shot at a family doctor’s office
- Book a shot through Toronto Public Health’s booking system
We must recommit to ensuring all people in Ontario – including those who are uninsured – can access preventative care including vaccines.
Indoor Temperatures in Apartment Units
As of April 30, 2025, the City of Toronto’s Heating Bylaw will be updated to ensure that a minimum temperature of 21°C is maintained in all areas of rental units from October 1 to May 15 (instead of September 15 to June 1). The Property Standards Bylaw will require landlords to operate air conditioning from June 1 to September 30 for rental units equipped with air conditioning provided by the property owner (instead of June 2 to September 14). Full details here.
The Property Standards Bylaw states:
- Property owners are required to maintain existing air conditioning systems in good working condition
- Property owners are not required to install air conditioning or cooling equipment where it does not already exist
- City bylaws do not prohibit window air conditioning units in apartment buildings
- Regarding air conditioning requirements, property owners and tenants should consult their lease agreement and may want to seek legal advice and information on how the Residential Tenancies Act applies
New Park Coming to Queen Street West
The City of Toronto is planning a new public park at the corner of Queen and Augusta in the Alexandra Park neighbourhood. As part of the Community Advisory Committee, members will work with the design team to help shape the park. Participants must be 16 years of age or older. Apply here by June 16, 2025.
Fill Out Your Legal Forms with Guided Pathways
CLEO's Guided Pathways are free online tools that can assist you in filling out complicated legal forms. By asking you questions, you are able to easily fill out legal forms and documents for family law, small claims court, housing, immigration, income assistance, wills, and more. You can save and print forms, and also get instructions about how to give forms to the court. All personal information entered is kept private and secure. Details here.
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.
