Coun. Kristyn Wong-Tam is resigning from city council and will be running as the NDP candidate for Toronto-Centre in the June provincial election.
In a statement issued Friday morning, Wong-Tam said her resignation from council, where she represents Ward 13, will take effect on May 4 so she can run for the NDP in Toronto-Centre in the upcoming provincial election.
“The amazing Ward 13 team will continue to work at full speed to support residents as well as the interim councillor and ensure a smooth transition after the next municipal election,” she wrote.
“To the mayor, members of city council and the Toronto Public Service, working alongside you has been a life-transforming experience and even more so during a global health pandemic.”
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Wong-Tam said she is proud of what she has been able to accomplish on council, but added that there are “deep structural deficiencies that require solutions that Toronto cannot deliver on its own.”
“System change and legislative reform desperately need to happen at the provincial level,” she said.
Later Friday morning, the NDP confirmed that Wong-Tam would be running for the party in Toronto-Centre.
“I’m overjoyed that Kristyn is joining the NDP team,” Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said in a statement.
“Kristyn has a passion for human rights and advancing equity, for promoting entrepreneurship, and supporting the arts. Above all, Kristyn is a champion for Toronto and the people who live here. She believes deeply in the promise this great city and the province holds.”
Wong-Tam said she is “ready and excited” to join Horwath’s team.
NDP MPP Suze Morrison, who currently represents Toronto-Centre, recently announced that she wouldn’t be seeking reelection in order to take care of her health.
The provincial election is set for June 2.