Programs for children and youth
I’ll advocate for more investment in free and low-cost sport and recreation programs for children and youth. I’ll champion programs that foster holistic development through physical activity, essential life and leadership skills, and social connection.
Better lanes for better traffic flow
Toronto's traffic is a nightmare. New road infrastructure takes forever to build. But more thoughtfully designed lanes to regulate and speed up traffic flow on our busiest streets could allow pedestrians and vehicles to move more efficiently today, improving commute times and enhancing road safety for everyone.
Parks and recreation
I’ll work to increase the range of free and low-cost programs, activities and park spaces available in our community. I’ll also ensure we have inclusive support and accessible facilities in our community recreation centres.
Time-bound homelessness plan
The rising cost of low-end rental units in Toronto is driving an increase in homelessness. Demand for shelter space continues to grow. We have to meet that demand and get better value for our public dollars. I’ll commit to a cost-effective and time-bound homelessness plan with annual reporting and data.
Safe and sanitary libraries
I’ll put an end to the practice of encouraging our public libraries to be used as spill-over centers for overcrowded and mismanaged homeless shelters and mental healthcare facilities. Our children and elderly deserve a safe and sanitary environment for reading and study.
Why listening matters
City Councillors often pay too little attention to people in their ward. It’s crucial for a Councillor to listen. When Councillors truly listen, they foster trust and validate voices. They promote inclusion and ratify the legitimacy of democratic decision making.
Listening matters, particularly during times of democratic stress. Choosing to ignore people only creates polarization and exclusion, or it simply leaves people wondering, “Does my Councilor even care?”
Genuine listening is listening for understanding. It can be difficult to achieve, especially when it involves deeply held moral beliefs and strong social identities. But it is definitely worth the effort because it fosters mutual understanding and improves problem solving. It also shows respect and reduces division because paying attention to opposing views helps break down "us versus them" mentalities.
As your Councilor, I’ll always be ready to genuinely listen. I’ll build our relationship on trust, transparency, regular consultation and ongoing dialogue as we determine the best way forward together.
My promise to you:
- I’ll always be ready to genuinely listen.
- I’ll build our relationship on trust, transparency, regular consultation and ongoing dialogue
planting more trees
Maintaining and growing our Tree Canopy
After a massive red-alert storm took down trees and power lines across the GTA in early September, city crews began responding to service requests for fallen trees that were safety concerns. The City was inundated with service requests after the storm, saying it received thousands of reports related to fallen trees.
Toronto’s trees are growing old, but mature trees have benefits
Recent storms have sheared heavy branches off 60-year-old trees or brought some older trees crashing down altogether.
However, mature trees bring many important benefits to our neighborhoods that younger trees can’t match. They intercept rainfall, slow stormwater runoff, shade paved surfaces, cool homes, reduce wind exposure, support wildlife, and improve the experience of walking through a park or along our streets in summer heat.
More access to shade needed
Trees are some of the most cost-effective tools we have to cool our streets and homes, especially in dense cities where large patches of pavement can make temperatures soar. But local data shows that many low-income neighbourhoods are measurably hotter with less access to shade. Toronto is aiming to increase its tree canopy to 40% by 2050, but every year we fight for funding to make sure trees are planted and cared for - and that these trees don’t just end up crammed into neighbourhoods that already have more access to shade and green spaces.
City’s goal is to increase tree canopy to 40% by 2050
The City maintains more than 600,000 trees across the GTA, and many are quite old, leaving residents concerned about future storms.
Toronto's tree canopy currently covers approximately 30% of the city. The goal is to increase that to 40% by 2050.
To meet the 2050 target, the City must protect existing mature trees and add suitable new trees. Right now, it’s planting around 120,000 trees a year, prioritizing areas that need them most, like those where mature trees continue to disappear.
I'll vote to add funding to plant trees, especially in hot neighbourhoods with less access to shade.
Imagine a greener city:
- I'll vote to add funding to plant more trees, especially in hot neighbourhoods.