Yesterday, the 2024 Toronto Budget went through City Council to get us back on track. Thank you to everyone who reached out to me and our office, had conversations, attended our town hall, and participated in the many opportunities to engage in the process -- the most in the City's history! I am grateful for all of it.
We’ve been working hard to start this new year off right, with a 2024 budget that gets our city back on track. Over the past weeks, tens-of-thousands of Torontonians like you have shared ideas and feedback through emails, calls, deputations, and town halls of all kinds, including the one we held a few weeks ago with Spadina-Fort York residents. I’m also looking forward to celebrating Black History Month and Lunar New Year in our communities this month, bringing us to gather, reflect, and celebrate.
Tuesday night we held our annual Ward 10 & Ward 13 Budget Town Hall. Despite the cold weather, it was great to see so many residents turn out in person and online to share their thoughts and views on how together we can build a strong, more inclusive Toronto.
Thank you to all who have reached out to my office and shared their concerns with me about the ongoing situation in Clarence Square Park. The City of Toronto is experiencing a homelessness emergency. Every night, hundreds of people cannot access safe indoor space. In a city like ours, no one should have to be living outside in the cold.
On February 14, the City's 2024 Budget was approved. We heard from thousands of Torontonians in this extraordinary budget process that had the most opportunities to engage in the City's history. We heard your most urgent priorities: housing for everyone; reliable, safe, affordable transit; strengthening our public services and infrastructure; and real safety in our communities.
Happy new year! I hope you had a chance to see family and friends, rest and recharge. I am excited to keep working with you to make the city we love a place where we all thrive. And that starts with the 2024 City Budget! The Budget Committee’s draft budget will be released Wednesday, January 10. As we know, budgets convey priorities. With new leadership at City Hall, this year’s budget will outline the City’s path forward.
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.
Since the beginning of the Ontario Place redevelopment process, the Province has had the power to impose their development plan. But the City has been determined to collaborate and find the best outcome for the future of these well-loved, well-used public lands.
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.