Toronto Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam to Seek Provincial NDP Nomination

Long-time affordable housing advocate and Toronto city councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam is throwing her hat in the ring to become an NDP member of Provincial Parliament for her Toronto-Centre riding.

Wong-Tam’s resignation from Toronto City Council takes effect May 4 but her Ward 13 team will continue representing constituents in her absence until the October 4 municipal election. Her City Hall legacy is that of a social crusader who advocated for accessible social services and affordable housing, the latter of which she’ll continue campaigning a the provincial level, a note on her website says.

Among Wong-Tam’s most notable contributions as a City Council member was helping introduce the Downtown East 2023 Action Plan in 2018. Officially adopted in the summer of 2019, the initiative’s aim is to fight homelessness, drug abuse and overdoses and create easier access to housing.

Kwt 1 Photo: Kristynwongtam.ca

Just last month, Wong-Tam was pressuring City Council to purchase two vacant downtown properties to turn them into affordable housing rather than sell it to a developer. The properties are located in the Sherbourne and Dundas area, where there are drug abuse and homelessness are rampant. Crucial to Wong-Tam’s plan was to tie the rental rates to income. Wong-Tam frequently lobbied council members to use city-owned properties to help combat homelessness.

"I entered politics because, despite my individual success, I kept seeing the hardworking members of my community fall through the cracks of a system that didn’t see or value them," Wong-Tam states in a letter on her website. "I wanted to help create a city that believed inclusion means more than just telling people they are welcome here. I want our city to say we built this with you in mind. We built this for you regardless of your socioeconomic status or postal code."

Other notable achievements during her time at the city involve launching Toronto's first-ever community-based mental health crisis response service, investing in the new and expanded Casey House, redevelopments and revitalizations of Massey Hall, College Park, and Regent Park. She has also spearhead investing for YongeTOmorrow, a full a full full redesign of Toronto’s main street.

READ: Should the City Expropriate Derelict Sherbourne-Dundas Site?

In joining the NDP next month, Wong-Tam will have a little under a month to campaign ahead of the June 2 provincial election.

Toronto

Toronto Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam Resigns to Seek Provincial NDP Nomination

Kristyn Wong-Tam's resignation from Toronto City Council becomes effective May 4. She is seeking election to Queen's Park.

Trending

You may also like

Orion Construction made a series of promotions and leaders at multiple big development companies were appointed to a new City of Surrey task force.

Plans that come from a Originate Developments, Westdale Properties, and Cameron Stephens call for a pair of 48- and 55-storey towers.

​The Columbia Square redevelopment that was approved this week is just one of many transit-oriented developments planned for New Westminster.

This home's outdoor escape boasts a hot tub, a pool, a fire pit, and a stunning garden — all wrapped by a set of privacy hedges.

President and CEO of National Homes Jason Pantalone says their recent success indicates a positive turn for the market: "We haven't seen line-ups like this in years."

The extensive plans include over 2,700 residential units, a large public parkland dedication, and a new public street.

​The Bow Valley Square office complex was acquired by Armco Alberta, subsidiary of George Armoyan's G2S2 Capital Inc.

A new Ottawa townhome launch that breaks out of the current market standard — with prices starting as low as $349,990 — is working to bring the "homeowner" title closer.

Toronto City Council is due to consider a new Purpose-Built Rental Homes Incentive on November 13.

In what has been a common tune for a while now, TRREB's Q3 2024 Condo Market Report is posting dwindling sales, growing inventory, and a declining price point for condominium apartments in the GTA.

There were over 23,000 new condo units registered across the GTHA between January and September, and that figure represents a 132% increase over the same period last year.

Located at the highly sought-after One Bedford, Suite #811 serves a sprawling 1,800 sq. ft of exquisite living space, with two bedrooms, three baths, and a balcony with beautiful views.

Victor, located at 65 Chesterfield Avenue in North Vancouver, was developed by Cressey Development and First Capital REIT.

According to data released Wednesday by Royal LePage, US-originated sessions to royallepage.ca more than doubled when the presidential race "unofficially" kicked off in June, and has remained higher than usual ever since.

For a long time, investors were the primary target for developers, sales teams, and marketers in the GTA. However, the tide is turning.

For the third year, STOREYS is releasing its comprehensive list of the most influential people – and yes, a few institutions, organizations, and associations ­– in BC real estate.

2024 © STOREYS Publishing Inc. | All Rights Reserved

The Columbia Square redevelopment that was approved this week is just one of many transit-oriented developments planned for New Westminster.

The Bow Valley Square office complex was acquired by Armco Alberta, subsidiary of George Armoyan's G2S2 Capital Inc.

For the third year, STOREYS is releasing its comprehensive list of the most influential people – and yes, a few institutions, organizations, and associations – in BC real estate.