The holiday feeling is in the air. Whether you marked winter solstice celebrations, are finalizing preparations for Christmas, or making your plans for New Year’s Eve, Toronto is abuzz with excitement and anticipation, alongside important concern for all our neighbours to be well through the winter.
The New Deal for Toronto means billions in new money that will make people's lives better, delivering housing, transit and critical services. Announced late last month, Mayor Chow has achieved what previous Mayors couldn't over the past decade.
As City Councillor for Spadina-Fort York, one of my top priorities is to bring more of us into the decision making process, as we build a Toronto for all together. An important time for that is now, as we start discussions on Toronto’s budget process.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.