Show Up Toronto - June 2, 2025
Hi pals,
Happy Indigenous History and Pride Month! This is the fifth edition of Show Up Toronto, which means the project has now been running for a full month. In that time, we've covered a staggering 114 events, with another 70+ already loaded up for the next few weeks.
It can be overwhelming to contemplate a big list of things to get involved in, but I hope it also gives you courage and hope (as it does me) to know that there are so many people in this city fighting every day to make things better. The important thing to remember is that you don't have to take on every fight at once: pick a focus, pick a lane, make your corner of the world better, and trust that others are too.
If you have feedback or suggestions for how to improve the newsletter or website, drop me a line by replying to this email. You can also see a list of planned features on the About page. If you find this newsletter useful, tell your friends, neighbours, and colleagues.
Thank you for showing up,
Jenny
Good things can happen: A number of public service unions are on strike or preparing to strike right now. Workplace Safety and Injury Board workers are protesting dangerously high workloads. Canadian Hearing Services is in its fifth week of strike, demanding to know why the CEO's pay has risen 178% in the past decade while worker wages have not kept up with inflation and their workforce dwindled with no support. Canada Post has refused the Canadian Union for Postal Workers' offer for binding arbitration, and the posties may be headed back to the picket lines after being forced back to work in December. It may seem odd to call these "good things", but it's actually incredibly important for labour movements to build their muscles to fight. Every strike is a exercise in labour power and every action builds worker solidarity and confidence, and we need that now more than ever.
Things you can do right now: Wildfires are already beginning to rage across Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, with MB and SK having declared states of emergency and tens of thousands of people preparing to evacuate. The Canadian Red Cross is collecting funds to support Manitoba Wildfire Response if you have a few dollars to spare. If not, take a sign up for one of the virtual workshops hosted by Environmental Defence Canada on Wednesday and Thursday of this week to learn how to meet with your MP and yell at them about actually taking climate change seriously.
⭐️ = events added since the last newsletter
Events this week
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
⭐️ 10-11AM — Renter Mandate Letter (Queen’s Park)
Hosted by Fair Rent Ontario - Join Fair Rent Ontario and its many coalition members in delivering a renter’s mandate letter to Premier Ford and Minister Flack, with 5 urgent housing demands that must be met this term to improve income security and support dignified housing for all.
⭐️ 2-4PM — Transit Outreach at Bathurst and Dupont (Southeast corner, Bathurst and Dupont)
Hosted by TTC Riders - Join TTC Riders in building support for better transit on Bathurst by doing outreach in the Bathurst and Dupont area talking with local businesses about the RapidTO transit lanes. Come out, have some great conversations, and help strengthen support for faster, more reliable service along Bathurst.
⭐️ 4-5PM — Vigil to Honour Those Who Will Never Graduate (Simcoe Hall, 27 King’s College Circle)
Hosted by Toronto Students for Palestine - Join students, staff, and U of T community members to honour and those whose academic futures have been destroyed by the ongoing genocide and scholasticide in Gaza, and demand U of T end its complicity by cutting ties with Israeli academic institutions and divesting from companies complicit in genocide.
⭐️ 6-8PM — Transit Outreach at Bathurst and Eglington (Southwest corner, Bathurst and Eglington)
Hosted by TTC Riders - Join TTC Riders to continue the fight for better transit on Bathurst! There will be door knocking around the Bathurst and Eglington area to build resident support for RapidTO transit lanes. Come out, connect with community, and help push for faster, more reliable transit.
⭐️ 6-8PM — Harm Reduction Advocacy Open Meeting (College St United Church)
Hosted by Harm Reduction Advocacy Collective Toronto - Join HAC Toronto for its monthly organizing meeting, following up on Bill 6 and direct action responses and planning future events in support of harm reduction.
⭐️ 7-9PM — Civic Hacknight - How You Can Shape Digital Governance in Canada (Hybrid)
Hosted by Civic Tech Toronto - Civic Tech Toronto's weekly hacknights bring together Torontonians who want to improve the city through design, tech, and data. tech, and data. This week's speakers will be Cherlene Tay, Manager of Validation and Verification at the Digital Governance Council, who will discuss national digital governance standards, followed by the usual breakout group sessions.
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
⭐️ 11AM-12PM — How to Meet With Your Local MP (Virtual)
Hosted by Environmental Defence Canada - A workshop on how to set up a successful meeting with your Member of Parliament (MP) and have your voice heard. Join Environmental Defence Canada to learn how to build a relationship with an elected leader and use your voice to advocate for environmental issues and topics that matter most to you.
⭐️ 12-1PM — Picket Line Visit: Canadian Hearing Services (271 Spadina)
Hosted by Justice 4 Workers - The Canadian Hearing Services workers are currently in their fifth week of strike action, and their employer continues to refuse to engage in negotiations. Justice 4 Workers is organizing a picket line visit of solidarity - come help boost CHS morale and show public support!
⭐️ 2:30-3:30PM — How to Meet With Your Local MP (Virtual)
Hosted by Environmental Defence Canada - A workshop on how to set up a successful meeting with your Member of Parliament (MP) and have your voice heard. Join Environmental Defence Canada to learn how to build a relationship with an elected leader and use your voice to advocate for environmental issues and topics that matter most to you.
⭐️ 4-6PM — Transit Outreach at Bathurst and College (Bathurst and College)
Hosted by TTC Riders - Join TTC Riders in building support for better transit along Bathurst and speak with people in the Bathurst and College area about the benefits of RapidTO transit lanes. Come out and help build strong, local support - every conversation counts!
6-8PM — Public Forum: What Toronto’s New Bylaw Means for Us (EarlyON Centre, Jane Finch Mall)
Hosted by Jane Finch Action Against Poverty - Toronto’s new “bubble zone” bylaw threatens our fundamental rights and freedoms. Join JFAAP to learn what this bylaw really means, hear from legal experts, organizers, and community members, and discuss how we can protect our rights.
⭐️ 6-8PM — Transit Outreach at Bathurst and Dundas (Bathurst and Dundas)
Hosted by TTC Riders - Join TTC Riders in building support for better transit along Bathurst and speak with people in the Bathurst and Dundas area about the benefits of RapidTO transit lanes. Come out and help build strong, local support - every conversation counts!
7-9:30PM — No Pride in Genocide (Innis Town Hall, 2 Sussex Ave)
Hosted by Queers 4 Palestine - A local screening of the third iteration of Queer Cinema for Palestine, "No Pride in Genocide." QCP began as a campaign to boycott TLVFest and give queer and allied filmmakers the opportunity to present their work in solidarity with Palestine.
Thursday, June 5, 2025
⭐️ 12-1PM — How to Meet With Your Local MP (Virtual)
Hosted by Environmental Defence Canada - A workshop on how to set up a successful meeting with your Member of Parliament (MP) and have your voice heard. Join Environmental Defence Canada to learn how to build a relationship with an elected leader and use your voice to advocate for environmental issues and topics that matter most to you.
1-3PM — Substance Use Caregiver Workshop (Virtual)
Hosted by Toronto East Youth Wellness Hub - A free caregiver workshop for how to support loved ones between the ages of 12-25 who are struggling with recreational substances, prescription medication, or alcohol use.
2-3:30PM — Decolonizing Climate Policy (Virtual)
Hosted by Indigenous Climate Action - To address climate change and climate justice, it is essential that policies and solutions target the persistent drivers and underlying causes of the crisis. Join Indigenous Climate Action for the official launch of the Decolonizing Climate Policy Phase 2 Part 2 report.
⭐️ 2-4PM — Transit Outreach at Bathurst and King (Northwest corner, Bathurst and King)
Hosted by TTC Riders - Join TTC Riders in building support for better transit along Bathurst and speak with people in the Bathurst and King area about the benefits of RapidTO transit lanes. Come out and help build strong, local support - every conversation counts!
⭐️ 6-8PM — Transit Outreach at Bathurst and Queen (Southeast corner, Bathurst and Queen)
Hosted by TTC Riders - Join TTC Riders in building support for better transit along Bathurst and speak with people in the Bathurst and Queen area about the benefits of RapidTO transit lanes. Come out and help build strong, local support - every conversation counts!
⭐️ 6:30-8PM — Day of Arafeh Night Rally (Zio Consulate, 2 Bloor St E)
Hosted by Liberate Forty-Eight - Day of Arafah is a significant day for Muslims, dedicated to worship & reflection. Let all come together, Muslims and non-Muslims, to take to the streets and continue to call for an arms embargo & an end to the genocide. Duaa and Maghreb Prayer will take place at the end of the rally, water & light Iftar will be provided to break our fast together.
7:30-10PM — Laugh it Forward: Benefit for Davenport Aid Brigade (Society Clubhouse, 967 College)
Hosted by Laugh it Forward TO - A comedy fundraiser raising funds for Davenport Aid Brigade, a Toronto-based mutual aid collective supporting displaced families in Egypt and Gaza. 100% of proceeds will go directly to their critical work.
8-9:30PM — Tenant organizing training, pt 3 (Virtual)
Hosted by Democratic Socialists of Canada - Part 2 of a 3-week training hosted by the Democratic Socialists of Canada on how to get involved in tenant organizing and form a tenant union yourself. Topics include how to prepare for a campaign, charting a building, developing a power analysis, having effective conversations with neighbours, and more.
Friday, June 6, 2025
1-4PM — Lakeshore Arts In the Parks Kickoff (Amos Waites Park, 2441 Lakeshore Blvd W)
Hosted by Lakeshore Arts - Artist Rishikesh Sharma will lead a free paper kite-making workshop to kick off Lakeshore Arts’s Arts in the Parks Season.
3-6PM — The York Encampment (York Lawns, Vari Hall)
Hosted by Students and Workers for the Liberation of Palestine - Returning to the York Lawns one year after York University called in riot police to violently dismantle a pro-Palestinian encampment led by students and workers. Commemorate and reclaim this space to turn the university back into a space of resistance and community.
Saturday, June 7, 2025
9-10AM — Great Ride of Return (Queen’s Park, Hoskins Ave)
Hosted by Great Ride of Return Toronto - Join the Gret Ride of Return in solidarity with Palestine and the valiant efforts of the Gaza Sunbirds, who distribute aid throughout Gaza and and are disability activists. Come by bicycle, wear your Big Ride jerseys and t-shirts, bring your flags and your voices.
⭐️ 10AM-3PM — Roncy REMarket (Roncesvalles United Church, 240 Roncesvalles)
Hosted by Parkdale-High Park 4 Climate Action - Stop resources from going to landfills with a clothing swap and REMarket! Come learn about residential energy retrofits, circular economy initiatives, food waste reduction, and the city’s waste system. There will be a repair cafe, electronics drop-off, bike repair shop, and more.
⭐️ 11AM-4:30PM — Youth Pride Queerapalooza: Paint it Rainbow (Barbara Hall Park)
Hosted by The 519 - A pride celebration for 2SLGBTQ+ youth as well as the youth of queer and trans families between the ages of 6 to 21 years of age to celebrate themselves and each other. Featuring drag performances, vogue essentials, face painting, food, games, prizes, and more!
Sunday, June 8, 2025
⭐️ 12-4PM — 2SLGBTQ+ Self-Defense Workshop (519 Church)
Hosted by The 519 - Free self-defense workshop for anyone above 18+. Faciliated by martial artist and self-defense instructor Chris James.
12:30-4PM — Full Plates, Fuller Hearts (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre)
Hosted by RISE Toronto - A community lunch hosted by RISE Cohort 13, open to all youth ages 13-30. Sare a free lunch and learn about gardening in small spaces, pickling, ways to get involved in grassroots organizations, and more.
1:30-3:30PM — Better Transit Workshop (Scarborough Civic Centre Library)
Hosted by TTC Riders - Join the TTC riders for a workshop to share stories and have an open discussion about how to improve the TTC and win more riders onto the system. Topics include transit safety, affordability and fare capping, more frequent service, and more.
⭐️ 2-3:30PM — Strong Towns Toronto's Monthly Meeting (The 519, 519 Church St)
Hosted by Strong Towns Toronto - Monthly meeting to meet other urbanism-minded folks in the city who want to engage in grassroots advocacy around transit and housing.
⭐️ 6-8PM — Social and Sign-Making Session (Three Dollar Bill, 1592 Queen St W)
Hosted by Parkdale-High Park for Palestine - Kids and families welcome! Join Parkdale-High Park in a social community gathering and sign-making event in advance of the protest at MP Karim Bardeesy’s constituency office the following week. Supplies provided!
Monday, June 9, 2025
⭐️ 2-4PM — Older Adults Pride (519 Church)
Hosted by The 519 - 2SLGBTQ+ Adults over 50 years, come celebrate Pride with The 519. Lots of fun and community, including performances, delicious food, and wonderful company.
⭐️ 4-8PM — Community Care Mondays @ Dufferin Grove (Dufferin Grove Park)
Hosted by Ripple Community Collective - Join Ripple Collective every Monday for an evening of nourishment, connection, and shared stewardship. There will be food prep, a free store and community meal, and park clean up. Care for the community together!
7-8:30PM — Reckoning with the RCMP (TMU Library, 350 Victoria St)
Hosted by National RCMP Research Council - An evening of conversation with three critical thinkers and community leaders about the impacts of the RCMP on communities, from the war on terror, to indigenous sovereignty, to urban warfare. Streaming option available.
Down the road
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
4-7PM — Ancestors Workshop (The 519, 519 Church)
⭐️ 5-8PM — Public Consultation on Waste (Council Chambers, 100 Queen St. W)
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
12-6PM — Gathering of Women+ From the Four Directions (941 Progress Ave, Scarborough)
5:30-9:30PM — Body Liberation (U of T Student Commons, 230 College)
⭐️ 6-7PM — Tell MP Karim Bardeesy: Arms Embargo Now (1596 Bloor St W)
Thursday, June 12, 2025
1-2PM — Indie Journalism x C4H : A Collective Strategy Session (Virtual)
Friday, June 13, 2025
8:30PM-2AM — Summer Love Fundraiser for Indigenous Harm Reduction (Houndstooth, 818 College)
7-10PM — Resistance and Revolution conference (Steelworkers Hall)
Saturday, June 14, 2025
⭐️ 9AM-9PM — Scotiabank Funds Genocide National Day of Action (Various)
11:30AM-1:30PM — Envisioning a Sustainable Markham (120 Kirkham Dr)
12-6PM — Regent Park Summer Safety Jam (The Big Park, 600 Dundas St E)
⭐️ 1-3PM — People’s March for Housing Justice (214-230 Sherbourne St)
2-4PM — Building Alternative Systems (943 Queen St E Suite 200)
Sunday, June 15, 2025
⭐️ 8-11PM — Echoes Benefit Concert (Church of St Stephen-in-the-Fields, 113 Bellevue)
⭐️ 6-8PM — In-Person Tenant Organizing (50 High Park Ave)
Monday, June 16, 2025
⭐️ 4-8PM — Community Care Mondays @ Dufferin Grove (Dufferin Grove Park)
⭐️ 7-9PM — Campaign Against Anti-Black Racism at York U (Virtual)
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
1:30-2:30PM — Nonprofits x C4H.org: Building Cultural Power Together (Virtual)
⭐️ 6-8PM — Toronto Justice 4 Workers Organizing Meeting (720 Spadina, 2nd floor)
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
6-8PM — Assembling Change: How cities and citizens are reshaping public discourse (108 College Street 7th Floor, East Winter Garden)
Thursday, June 19, 2025
6:30-9PM — Life is Beautiful: A Letter to Gaza (Innis Town Hall, 2 Sussex)
Friday, June 20, 2025
1-3PM — All Out Rally for 2SLGBTQ+ Freedom (Queen’s Park South Lawn, 111 Wellesley)
⭐️ 6-8PM — Toronto Spring Monthly Meeting (Trinity-St. Paul's United Church, 427 Bloor St W)
Saturday, June 21, 2025
10AM-12PM — TNG Challenge Get Moving In Support of Seniors (349 Ontario St)
1-4PM — Disability Pride March Banner Making Party (Grange Park)
⭐️ 3-5PM — Toronto Volunteer Convention (Palmerston Public Library Theatre)
Sunday, June 22, 2025
1-4PM — Organize for a Free Palestine (Available upon registration (Toronto))
⭐️ 3-5PM — Sandy Hudson Author Talk on Defund (Ted Rogers Cinema, 506 Bloor St W)