Category "Op-ed"

Statement on Mid-Term Committee Changes

This morning, Mayor Chow announced Council mid-term member appointments through the Striking Committee. As part of these changes, the Mayor has removed me as Vice-Chair of the Planning and Housing Committee and the housing-related boards of...

E-News: Remembering Councillor Jaye...

Hi Friend, We received some very sad news yesterday that City Councillor Jaye Robinson has passed away. She served the people of Don Valley West since being elected in 2010, and as a dedicated civil servant before that.  Jaye was a...

E-News: Commuity Events, Celebrations...

Hi Friend, First things first - Let's Go Leafs! Hoping the boys are able to win tonight and make it to the next round. 🏒 I want to wish everyone celebrating this weekend a very happy Orthodox Easter. May is also Jewish Heritage Month,...

CTV Toronto Modular Housing Factory Tour

We’re rolling up our sleeves here in Toronto, using modular housing as one tool to put up homes faster and tackle our housing needs head-on. Our housing crisis requires an all-hands-on-deck approach. And we need to be embracing new...

E-News: Community Updates and Spring...

Hi Friend, With cherry blossoms and magnolia trees blooming across the city, spring feels like it's truly arriving.  This is a special time of year for many people in our community, with the Bangladeshi, Nepalese and Tamil communities...

E-News: Addressing the Vacant Home Tax...

Hi Friend, I heard from many of you this week about the city's mismanagement of the Vacant Homes Tax. You were understandably alarmed at the idea of being asked to pay thousands of dollars for a home you may have lived in for...

E-News: Springing into Action,...

Hi Friend, Although it may not feel like it outside, this week marked the official start of spring. This is a time for fresh beginnings as we step into the warmer months of the year. I'd also like to wish Nowruz Mobarak to all those celebrating...

E-News: Big Celebrations and Events...

Hi Friend, First, I hope to see you this afternoon at my March Break Family Skate Day. We'll be at East York Memorial Arena (888 Cosburn) from 2-4pm with free hot chocolate, treats, and open ice. Escape the rain and bring the family for a...

E-News: Important Deadline Approaching...

Hi Friend, Although the snow has come and gone (for now at least!), I hope that some of you had the chance to take a toboggan run last weekend. It's been a busy two weeks with our special Council meeting to vote on Mayor Chow's Budget, as...

E-News: Toboganning Ban Lifted,...

Hi Friend, If you've subscribed to this newsletter for a while, you know I'm a big supporter of our small businesses. They're a big part of what makes our communities and main streets so great - but they've been through some of the toughest...

Councillor Brad Bradford Proposes 25%...

TORONTO – Today, Councillor Brad Bradford announced his proposal to provide small businesses with a 25% property tax cut in this year’s city budget. This tax cut would provide urgent relief to nearly 30,000 small businesses struggling to endure...

E-News: Protecting Winter Fun, End the...

Hi Friend, As a father, I love the chance to introduce my daughters to all the ways we can enjoy winter, like skating, playing in snow, and tobogganing. Although we've been a bit short on snow this year, I know that many families share the...