SIGN UP for my newsletter by clicking here!
Dear Neighbours,
The new year has brought about many changes. Today, the Premier confirmed that he will be calling a snap election this coming Wednesday. Based on that date, election day will fall on Thursday, February 27. The constituency office will still be open and happy to assist you with any provincial issues.
The fight to protect Ontario Place continues. On January 14, I held a press conference to draw attention to yet another issue with the redevelopment plan. We’ve recently learned that the plan includes altering a combined sewage pipe that empties into Lake Ontario so that it will now empty behind an existing breakwater, directly into the West Channel where Sunnyside Beach is located. But diverting sewage to the West Toronto waterfront near the shore in water with little flow will create an “entrapped bathtub” that would create a breeding ground for E. coli, Listeria and other water-borne diseases. I have asked the government to cancel this project and protect our waterfront. More on the Ontario Place redevelopment below.
Press conference asking the government to stop diverting raw sewage to the waterfront
Thanks to those who attended the screening of the documentary film “Your Tomorrow”. I was joined for a Q&A session with the film’s director Ali Weinstein, Ontario Place for All’s Norm Di Pasquale, and former Ontario Place landscape architect Walter Kehm. Walter was involved in the Ontario Place redevelopment project, but stepped down when he discovered the plan included the clearing of trees to accommodate a private megaspa.
“Your Tomorrow” Q&A session with Norm Di Pasquale, Walter Kehm and film director Ali Weinstein
A reminder to all to please stay safe and stay off the ice. While lakes and ponds may appear to be frozen, they are often unsafe to walk or skate on. Sincere condolences to the family and friends of the Toronto Island resident who perished after falling through the ice earlier this month.
My annual Skate with Chris was a huge success! Thanks to the kids of all ages that joined me on the January 17th PA day for a fun afternoon of skating at The Bentway. If you’re looking for something to do this winter, check out my Fun Things to Do!
January 29th is the Lunar New Year and we are in the Year of the Snake which promises to bring wisdom, adaptability, and a sense of transformation. Be sure to visit the Chinatown Lunar New Year Celebration on February 1-2 from 11-5 for the lion dances, kung fu performances, fortune telling and, of course, delicious food!
As always, it’s an honour to serve as your Member of Provincial Parliament. I wish everyone all the best and a Happy Lunar New Year!
Latest News
Community Recognition Nominations Now Open
Nominations are now open for my annual Community Recognition Awards that will recognize and thank individuals and groups for their outstanding efforts in our community.
This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the amazing things that people are doing to help others and that make the Spadina-Fort York riding such an incredible place.
Nominations are for the following categories:
- Community Leader
- Business Leader
- Youth Leader
- Arts & Culture Leader
- Indigenous Leader
- Disability Advocate
- Seniors Advocate
- Environment Advocate
Deadline for nominations is Friday, January 31, 2025.
QUESTIONS? Call my office at 416-603-9664 or email [email protected].
Coyote Virtual Community Meeting Feb 13
Thursday, February 13 7-9 pm
Please register online for a discussion on the coyotes in our downtown communities.
Province Hires Firm to Gather Information on Safe Consumption Sites
The provincial government has hired a private investigation firm to gather more evidence about the impacts of supervised consumption sites (SCSs). Ontario is facing a Charter challenge over its planned closure of 10 supervised consumption sites on March 31. This would leave Ontario with 9 sites — only 3 in Toronto, and none in northern Ontario.
Employees at the Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre have expressed concern with private investigators in the area asking residents and business owners what they think of the sites. This is a deeply disturbing tactic that is being used by the government to justify their legislation.
Our office is located near the Parkdale site, and while I was out chatting with residents last Friday, I was approached by investigators who identified themselves as agents of the province. They took down my contact information, but I have not heard from them since.
We need to bring an end to this crisis. Instead of hiring private investigators to collect opinions about SCSs, the province should be spending money to tackle the overdose epidemic and the poisoned drug supply, which includes harm reduction as well as treatment options, affordable housing and healthcare. If we solved these problems, a lot of other issues would disappear.
Ontarians Deserve Answers about Ontario Place
In December, the Auditor General’s damning report told us that the Ontario Place deal lacked transparency and cost billions more than Ontarians were told. The cost overruns alone are reason enough for concern. There are so many lingering questions about how this deal came together.
We need stricter rules to hold elected officials accountable. We will use every tool possible to shine a light on this deal because Ontarians deserve to know the truth about this project.
Key Concerns:
- The Auditor General’s report detailed extraordinary mismanagement by top Ministers, with the project 5-times over budget for a total cost of more than $2 billion of taxpayer dollars, with a total cost ballooning from $424 million to $2.2 billion
- The government is giving Therme a publicly-funded parking facility after warning other bidders it would not consider proposals requiring publicly-funded facilities
- Less than a week before the original bid submission deadline, after several bids had already been received, the deadline was extended by three weeks, giving Therme more time to prepare its bid
- No Fairness Monitor was assigned to the Ontario Place Call For Development, as is standard for Infrastructure Ontario’s other large procurement processes
- A “Process Participation Form” given to bidders reveals unusual terms for the Call For Development, including the government’s power to arbitrarily award the development to a party that had not met process criteria or even submitted a bid
- A Therme lobbyist improperly contacted a member of the government’s bid evaluation team while the bid evaluation was underway, breaking confidentiality rules
Coyote Update
With the increase in reports of aggressive behaviour by coyotes, particularly in Liberty Village, I am passing on information I received from a recent meeting with staff from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.
Coyote Behaviour
Coyotes aren’t pack animals like wolves. They usually live alone or in pairs. They mate in the early winter with pups being born in the spring. The parents will raise the young until the fall when they go off on their own to find a new territory.
In urban environments, coyotes have smaller ranges because there’s more food available. Every time they have been fed, they get habituated. They approach humans because the last human gave them food or because they’ve found food sources, like garbage and dumpsters near humans. Do not feed coyotes or allow them access to food.
Coyotes don’t distinguish between pets and other small prey animals. They usually have multiple den sites. If it’s pup season, and people are walking nearby with their dogs, they may be aggressive toward the people to protect their pups.
Jurisdiction
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry provides advice to municipalities. The municipality makes the call on when an animal has become dangerous to humans. Then there are two options – catch-and-release, or destroy the animal. They can only be caught and released within 1 km because of the risk of transmitting pathogens to other animals. Also, catch-and-release puts the animal into another animal’s territory, so they will fight for the territory.
If there is an incident you want me to be aware of, or a question, please email my office. You can find some information about the City of Toronto’s response strategy on the website here. Coyote Watch Canada also has some very helpful information.
Scam Alert: Government Energy Efficiency Rebates
Ontario homeowners – particularly seniors – are being warned about scams linked to the recent launch of government energy efficiency rebate programs.
On January 7, 2025, the Government of Ontario announced new rebate programs designed to help homeowners make energy-efficient upgrades. Unfortunately, scammers are exploiting the program’s launch to prey on unsuspecting seniors. Predatory HVAC and home renovation companies are aggressively using phone calls, door-to-door visits, and deceptive online ads, claiming to handle rebate applications and payments on behalf of homeowners – a promise that is entirely false.
How to protect yourself from scams:
- Never answer unsolicited phone calls or allow door-to-door salespeople into your home.
- Avoid clicking on social media ads promoting rebates—these are often fraudulent.
- Verify program information through official websites or by contacting Enbridge Gas or Save on Energy directly.
- Report suspicious activity to local authorities or consumer protection agencies.
Below are links to the legitimate rebate programs:
- Home Renovation Savings Program
- Enbridge Gas Home Winterproofing Program
- Save on Energy Energy Affordability Program
Toronto Seeking Input on NetZero Action Plan
The City of Toronto is currently seeking input on actions under consideration for the next Action Plan of the TransformTO Net Zero Strategy, Toronto’s community-wide climate strategy. The Net Zero Strategy has a target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions, community-wide, by 2040. The next Action Plan for the Strategy will cover the period 2026 to 2030, including the interim target of a 65 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 (from the 1990 baseline).
Complete the survey here to have your say on climate action and shape the Net Zero Action Plan. Survey ends January 31, 2025.
TTC Bans E-bikes and E-scooters during Winter
The TTC is reminding customers that lithium-ion battery powered micromobility devices, including e-bikes and e-scooters, are banned on the TTC until April 15, 2025. The ban is in response to safety concerns with the increase in lithium-ion battery fires during winter over the last two years. Details here.
No More Noise Community Meetings
No More Noise Toronto is holding two virtual working group meetings to discuss Toronto’s Noise Action Plan. Toronto Public Health will be presenting an update on this report on April 1, 2025. The goal of the meetings is to gather as many people to speak to the Committee and try to make a difference.
Thursday, January 30, 7 pm - Register here
Saturday, February 1, 12 noon - Register here
Park People Grants Now Open
Park People Grants are available for almost any community event in a publicly accessible green space — whether in a city park, social housing property, or schoolyard — that fosters ongoing care and protection of these spaces. You could receive $2,000 to support your vision to connect people to their local parks and green spaces. Questions can be emailed at [email protected]. Application deadline is February 24, 2025.
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.
Chris in the House
Below are some of my recent statements at Queen’s Park:
Ontario Place
- MPP Bhutila Karpoche and I ask the government to work with Ontarians on the redevelopment of Ontario Place. Watch here.
- Calling for more transparency on the redevelopment. Watch here.
- Questioning the Therme timeline. Watch here.
Education Cuts
- Petition from our local schools regarding staff cuts. Watch here.
Environment and Bill 69
- Climate Critic MPP Peter Tabuns and I debating Bill 69, Reducing Inefficiencies Act and how development is taking priority over the environment. Watch here.
- Impacts on Ontario Place and the environment. Watch here.
Health Care Privatization
- The government’s funding of private, for-profit clinics will only worsen the health care crisis. Watch here.
Arts Funding
- Culture Critic MPP Jill Andrew and I address the cuts to arts funding in Ontario. Watch here.
International Women’s Day
- Actions the government can take for pay equity, including repealing Bill 124. Watch here.
Bill 39: Red Tape Reduction and Democracy
- Is it not possible to build housing while still respecting the outcomes of our recent municipal elections? Watch my question here.
Debate on Bill 26: Misogyny in Post-Secondary Institutions
- Statistics show that 1 in 5 women have experienced sexual assault on campuses. It’s a difficult discussion we need to have to raise awareness so we can change the culture. Watch my statement here.
The Impact of Interest Hikes on Student Loans
- Ontario students have the highest debt rate and the lowest per-student funding in the country. We need to eliminate interest on student debt. Watch my question here.
Double ODSP Rates & Improve the Homelessness Crisis
- CTV recently reported that at least two Ontarians with disabilities are choosing to die through Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) because they could not pay for housing that would reduce their suffering from their disability. Current monthly ODSP payments are 47.5 per cent short of the municipal poverty line in Toronto and 30 per cent below the province's poverty line. It is not possible to survive on these amounts in Ontario and many on ODSP are ending up homeless. I asked the Ford government to double ODSP rates. Watch my statement here.
Affordable Housing
- Rents in Toronto rose 14.5% in 2021. Those in non-rent-controlled buildings are facing rent increases of $500/month. To say that housing under the Ford government is unaffordable is a huge understatement. Watch my statement here.
Environment
- In January, my daughter gave birth to a beautiful baby boy! Becoming a grandparent has further put into perspective how urgently we need to act on the climate crisis so future generations can have a sustainable world to live in. Watch my statement here.
Ukraine
- We need to do everything we can to support the people of Ukraine in these incredibly difficult times. Watch my statement here.