This month marks a year since I took office as your City Councillor for Spadina-Fort York. Enormous gratitude for your confidence and for being a part of this journey. From my first day at City Hall, I came with a clear responsibility - to work together to build a green, just, and caring city. The last twelve months have seen unimaginable changes at the City as we make our vision for a Toronto for all, a reality. While there's no shortage of challenges along the way, I'm proud of the work we are doing alongside each other to make our city, and our local communities, places where everyone belongs and can thrive.
Happy Halloween!
With the leaves falling, I am excited to see Spadina-Fort York glowing for Halloween next week. The creativity, enthusiasm and community involvement make this a time to come together.
Staying connected by being connected
The internet has become a necessity, and as a city we have to meet our commitments to equity. This week, City Council took an important step forward, as we work to ensure accessible internet access for all. To access government services (or updates like this newsletter) internet access is needed to fulfill your needs in a timely manner. We must create a city where we can all belong by not deepening the digital divide, but by closing it.
Understanding our truth
This Saturday marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day builds on Indigenous community efforts, which established Orange Shirt Day in 2013 to honour Phyllis’ Story, whose new orange shirt was taken on her first day at residential school when she was just six years old. We wear orange to honour survivors, families and those we lost.
FALL in love with our City’s new fiscal framework
After the summer recess and the introduction of the new Mayor, City Hall is moving fast this fall to make changes to improve the lives of Torontonians as we look to create more housing, improve our financial stability, and make the City a safer, more just society. Last week City Council approved the new financial plan, creating a path forward to protecting the services our City needs to grow and prosper.
Happy Labour Day!
It is hard to believe it is already September! Students are getting ready to go back to school, the CNE is coming to a close, and people across the ward are preparing to enjoy one last long summer weekend. I want to wish everyone a safe and happy one, and all the best to the students getting set to return to school on Tuesday.
It's an honour to be your Deputy Mayor
I am incredibly honoured to be appointed first Deputy Mayor of Toronto by Mayor Olivia Chow and my fellow councillors. I love Toronto. It’s my home. And I believe that everyone should be able to imagine a future here.
Movie Night Tonight! And Summer in the City
There is nothing quite like summer in the City! This long weekend events are taking place all across Spadina-Fort York, that we’ve shared more about here. I’m especially excited to celebrate Caribbean Carnival with the Grand Parade this Saturday.
New day at City Hall and Community Movie Night for all
This week we held our first City Council meeting with Olivia Chow as our new mayor. Despite only a week in the role, the Mayor and Council have come together to increase funding for refugee settlement, declare gender-based violence an epidemic, and approved the Ontario Line Subcommittee construction recommendations.
A Fresh Start for Toronto
A new Mayor means new opportunities for our City, and I look forward to working with Mayor-Elect Olivia Chow on building a more just and equitable Toronto. Olivia will take the declaration of office and officially assume the role of Mayor next Wednesday, July 12.
