Dear Neighbours,
Go Team Canada!!! This World Cup has brought many firsts for Team Canada:
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the first World Cup goal on Canadian soil,
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the first World Cup win, and
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the first time Team Canada has advanced to the knockout stage.
Stephen Eustáquio, who scored the winning goal against South Africa, said: “We really wanted to give this win to all the Canadians!”
Thank you to Stephen and the entire team for making Canadians proud! Canada plays Morocco in the round of 16 on Saturday, July 4, at 1:00 pm.
Watching the free Alessia Cara concert at the FIFA Fan Fest
Most of the World Cup action is happening right here in Spadina-Fort York! Fan Fest is right at our doorstep at Fort York and The Bentway with live musical performances by Canadian icons including Kardinal Offishal, food trucks, a mini soccer pitch to test your skills, and giant screens to catch all of the World Cup excitement! If you haven’t made it to Fan Fest yet, check it out! Some free general admission tickets are being released when available. Details here.
There are also special viewing parties in Liberty Village, the Distillery, Stackt Market, Harbourfront Centre, and bars and restaurants throughout the riding. See my Fun Things to Do page!
For the latest updates on schedules, TTC service, road closures, and more in the Fort York and Liberty Village areas, please visit the City of Toronto’s website here.
At the FIFA Fan Festival on June 24 and with Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles
Happy Canada Day!
As Canadians, we tend to be soft spoken and wear our patriotism deep in our hearts. But when threatened, the pride we feel becomes more visible. Thank you Queen’s Park, the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association, St. James Cathedral, and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 344 (Lakeshore) for hosting Canada Day celebrations!
At the annual SLNA Canada Day celebration
Toronto Fringe Festival Launch and Parade
Also, thank you to the Foundation to Commemorate Chinese Railroad workers in Canada for organizing the annual wreath-laying ceremony. The event is in honour of the 17,000 Chinese railroad workers who helped to build the railway and the more than one thousand who died building the railroad that united Canada from Halifax to Vancouver in 1885.
Annual wreath-laying ceremony honouring Chinese railroad workers in Canada
Happy Pride!
On Sunday, 3 million revellers marched, danced, and celebrated Toronto Pride – the largest celebration of its kind in North America!
Marching at Pride with my colleagues MPP Alexa Gilmour (left) and MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam (right)
Want to learn more about what the Billy Bishop expansion would mean for Toronto’s waterfront? On Monday, July 6th at 7:00 pm, I’m hosting a virtual Save the Waterfront Town Hall with a presentation by Waterfront for All outlining limits the expansion would pose for noise, pollution, boating organizations, and other harbour users. Register here.
Have Your Say!
Governments and community groups are looking for your views on the Billy Bishop expansion, Ontario Autism supports, and the city’s plans for Ookwemin Minising (the new island at the mouth of the Don River). See more below.
Also, see below important information about changes to auto insurance and ODSP rates, installing air conditioning in rental units, and the new East-West Water Shuttle.
Please join me for my annual Chill with Chris ice cream social! This year it will be held on Thursday, July 23, 6-8 pm at David Crombie Park across from the playground at 125 Scadding Avenue. See below for details.
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
Chill with Chris July 23
Join me for an Ice Cream Social! Let’s connect at David Crombie Park on Thursday, July 23, 6-8 pm.
This is a great opportunity to enjoy some free ice cream with friends and neighbours. Hope to see you there!
The Fight to Protect Our Waterfront Continues
A busload of people joined me in Ottawa on June 10 to meet federal MPs
As you know, I’ve been working very hard over the past several weeks, calling on the Ontario government, the Toronto Port Authority, and the federal government to end the secrecy surrounding the Billy Bishop expansion proposal. Toronto residents deserve transparency, meaningful public consultation, and a real say in the future of their waterfront.
Recent reports have revealed that the City of Toronto was excluded from closed-door discussions, and that Mayor Olivia Chow was asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement before reviewing early plans. Even while the city was a signatory to the airport’s tripartite agreement, the Toronto Port Authority held secret meetings with the provincial and federal governments that excluded Toronto.
The only party pushing for this expansion is JP Morgan, the Wall Street bank that owns the airport terminal and stands to profit from every additional passenger. Yet there is still no publicly available business case or detailed plan for a project expected to cost $5 billion, increase downtown traffic, and permanently reshape Toronto’s waterfront.
I will continue working alongside residents and community leaders to oppose this expansion and protect the Toronto Islands, Little Norway Park, and our waterfront for future generations.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Join my Virtual Save the Waterfront Town Hall on Monday, July 6, 7:00 pm
Learn more about the proposal, hear from other waterfront stakeholders, and share your
perspectives on how the expansion could impact your organization and community.
Submit Your Feedback on the Billy Bishop Expansion
The public consultation is open until July 24, 2026. The most effective way to provide your feedback is by sending your comments in writing:
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Via Email
Email: [email protected]
Subject Line: Consultation – Future of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
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Via Mail
Attention: Consultation – Future of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
Transport Canada, Air Policy
Place de Ville, Tower C, 330 Sparks St, Ottawa, ON K1A 0N5
Contact Your Federal Member of Parliament
If you have concerns, contact your federal Member of Parliament directly. Find your MP’s contact information at www.ourcommons.ca/members.
Collect Petition Signatures
Print my petition and collect as many signatures as possible. Please return signed petitions to my Constituency Office at: 226 Bathurst St, Unit A, Toronto, ON M5T 2R9.
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:
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single and living alone
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living with a spouse who does not have a disability
|
2026 rates |
Basic needs amount |
Maximum shelter allowance |
Total monthly payment |
|
Single person |
$825 |
$611 |
$1,436 |
|
Couple |
$1,189 |
$959 |
$2,148 |
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.
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.
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.
