Government of Ontario

Kristyn Wong-Tam

MPP, Toronto Centre

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MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam has an extensive career in investing in Toronto's diverse communities through both the public and private sectors. Their contributions have led to the development and support of improved social planning programs, new affordable housing, innovative economic development programs, community art projects, and investments in diverse, family-friendly neighbourhood planning.

As a tireless community advocate, Kristyn Wong-Tam has championed the expansion of green public spaces, farmers’ markets, community gardens including improvements to parks and ravines. They have led efforts to defend the rights of tenants to obtain affordable and decent standards of rental housing and helped create a neighbourhood association to preserve and protect heritage buildings and historical landscapes in Toronto Centre.

In addition to their city appointments to numerous city boards and agencies, Kristyn Wong-Tam has served as:

  • Chair of the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee, which provides advice to City Council on policy initiatives that will support the elimination of barriers faced by people with disabilities.
  • Chair of the 2SLGBTQ+ Community Advisory Committee, which provides advice to City staff and City Council on identified priority issues to support the elimination of barriers and inequities experienced by 2SLGBTQ+ communities in accessing City of Toronto programs and services.
  • Chair of the Toronto East York Community Council, which, based on geographical area, is responsible for making recommendations and decisions on local planning and development, as well as other neighbourhood matters.
  • Member of the Community Development Recreation Committee, which focus includes social cohesion, with a mandate to monitor and make recommendations to strengthen services to communities and neighbourhoods.
  • Member of the Planning and Housing Committee, which focuses on urban form and housing development, with a mandate to monitor and make recommendations on planning, property standards, growth, and housing development.
  • Member of Toronto Preservation Board, which provides advice to City Council on the designation of heritage properties and conservation districts, and guides the preservation of Toronto's built form.

Kristyn Wong-Tam has a distinguished track record of human rights advocacy and was a co-founder of Asian Canadians For Equal Marriage, and the past president of the Chinese Canadian National Council Toronto Chapter that successfully lobbied the federal government for the head tax apology and redress.

Prior to 2010, Kristyn Wong-Tam was an accomplished entrepreneur and supporter of arts and culture. They have curated art installations for Scotiabank’s Nuit Blanche and is the principal of a Toronto-based contemporary fine art gallery. As a founding member of the Church-Wellesley Village Business Improvement Association, their business advocacy and entrepreneurship focusing on urban economic development, earned them a seat on Mayor David Miller’s Economic Competitiveness Advisory Committee which produced the Agenda for Prosperity in 2008.

Kristyn has served as:

  • Vice-President of The 519 Community Centre, which is dedicated to advocacy for the inclusion of 2SLGBTQ communities.
  • Co-Founder of Asian Canadians For Equal Marriage, which successfully advocated for the legalization of same-sex marriage in Canada in 2005.
  • President of the Chinese Canadian National Council, Toronto Chapter, which promotes equity, inclusive civic participation and respect for diversity.
  • Founding member of the Church-Wellesley Village Business Improvement Area, which instills strong local businesses, and promotes culture and tourism in the neighbourhood.
  • Member of Mayor David Miller’s Economic Competitiveness Advisory Committee, which produced the Agenda for Prosperity in 2008.