Candidates

About Candidates

These are the candidates running in your ward of Don Valley West. Click through the different candidates to learn more about their platforms, browse their social pages, website and more.

Ward 15: Don Valley West Data

2021 Population
101,959
23rd of 25
Population growth 2016-2021
-0.5%
18th of 25
Population under 15 years old
17%
2nd of 25
Population over 64 years old
17.8%
11th of 25

Don Valley West Candidates

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DR

Don Valley West

David Ricci

647-446-3283

Responses by David Ricci

This candidate has not responded yet.

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JR

Don Valley West

Jaye Robinson

Responses by Jaye Robinson

Should the next City Council change anything about municipal taxes or city services? Why?

Taxes and Spending

We should continue focusing on better service delivery, especially for the core municipal services Torontonians rely on - such as snow clearance, pothole repair, & garbage pick-up. As we saw with the major snow storm last winter, we still have a long way to go to provide more effective service and faster response times. The next City Council’s focus should be on providing better value to Toronto taxpayers. This term, I strongly supported open tendering which would have saved $12-48 million per year, if it had been adopted.

If elected as a City Councillor, what would be your top priority, and how will you address it?

General Question

My top priority will be building the infrastructure needed to support our growing city, including transit, roads, community services, recreation facilities & ample green space. I will continue to be a strong voice for our neighbourhoods at City Hall and stand up for local priorities. I have championed transparency, integrity & public consultation to ensure that our communities have a say on the issues that matter most. I will always put the residents of Don Valley West first and my office will continue to help you navigate City Hall.

What should the next City Council do about housing in Toronto? Why?

Housing

The next City Council should focus on securing more affordable housing units as a part of new developments. This term, I was one of a few Councillors to support setting stronger targets for the City’s new Inclusionary Zoning policy, which requires developers to provide affordable housing as a part of new builds. I voted in favour of a motion to accelerate the phase-in of IZ & pursue higher affordability targets. At the same time, we should prioritize retaining existing affordable rental housing & implementing stronger protections for tenants.

What should the next City Council do about the City of Toronto's approach to policing its residents and making our communities safe? Why?

Policing and Community Safety

The next City Council needs to work closely with residents and organizations on holistic solutions to support safe and vibrant communities. Public consultation and engagement is key as we continue to reform and reimagine policing in Toronto. It is important for the Toronto Police to focus on building relationships with the communities they serve. I support the City Council-approved Community Crisis Support Service Pilot - a community-led, non-police response to mental health crisis calls and wellness checks.

What should the next City Council do to mitigate the effects of climate change and reduce its progression? How?

Climate Action

City Council should continue strengthening our TransformTO climate strategy & investing in green technology. The TTC has one of the largest eBus fleets in North America & we must continue transitioning to zero emissions vehicles. I introduced the Long Term Waste Management Strategy, along with initiatives to reduce single-use plastics & textile waste, to guide us towards a circular economy & zero-waste future. It's critically important that we protect & expand our mature tree canopy, which provides $55M in ecosystem services.

What should the next City Council do to improve the ability of the people of Toronto to get around safely and efficiently? How?

Getting Around the City

As TTC Chair, I have often said that investing in public transit is investing in the future of our city - we need to continue expanding & improving our network. City Council should also continue advancing the Road Safety & Congestion Management Plans that I introduced as Chair of Public Works. Locally, I've worked with the community to improve road safety on 100+ local streets & initiated 2 Neighbourhood Transportation Plans. We should also clamp down on private developers occupying the public right-of-way by raising lane occupation fees.

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SS

Don Valley West

Sheena Sharp

Responses by Sheena Sharp

If elected as a City Councillor, what would be your top priority, and how will you address it?

General Question

I have three equal priorities: Climate Action, Housing Affordability and Reimagining transportation. They are interconnected. For example, providing more mixed income neighbourhoods reduces traffic and greenhouse gas emissions.

What should the next City Council do about housing in Toronto? Why?

Housing

We desperately need to reform building approval processes because they significantly increase the cost of housing and decrease the variety of housing that gets built. For example: -Allow 6 storey building as-of-right in more areas to facilitate wood frame construction which is less expensive than concrete. -Reduce the number of public meetings but increase their quality. -Denser projects pay lower development charges because they are cheaper to service I have worked 35 years as an architect; I understand the roadblocks and how to fix them.

What should the next City Council do to mitigate the effects of climate change and reduce its progression? How?

Climate Action

We need to electrify everything. Buildings. Cars. Transit. Bikes. We have the technology and we can afford it. We just prefer not to do it. In the next 8 years, 50% of out gas furnaces and boilers will need replacing. If we replace them with electric heat pumps, then our buildings will meet the UN targets. Energy and Environment at the city is considering by-laws and proposals that will make the transition easier and we need councilors who are willing to support this action because it matches the size of the problem.

What should the next City Council do to improve the ability of the people of Toronto to get around safely and efficiently? How?

Getting Around the City

We cannot expect to reduce gridlock unless we reduce the number of trips made by car. That means making bikes and transit more attractive, building a network of protected cycle lanes. I did a test: driving my car 11km to work takes 30min. By electric pedal assist bike it takes 34min. If I could bike all year, to more locations, I would definitely take less space on the roads. Let's not imagine that gridlock will magically disappear unless there are great alternatives for cars.

Should the next City Council change anything about municipal taxes or city services? Why?

Taxes and Spending

We need to align taxes with services if we expect to reduce municipal costs in the long term. This properly incents density. I understand that the basis for property tax distribution is land value and that is controlled by the province, so it is a huge task to convince the province to change but the city will continue to deteriorate without it. Yes, some poor people will find their taxes will increase. Let's subsidize them directly, as opposed to subsidizing low density indirectly. Recommended reading: PERVERSE CITIES by Pamela Blais

What should the next City Council do about the City of Toronto's approach to policing its residents and making our communities safe? Why?

Policing and Community Safety

I take cues from John Sewell/Christopher Williams' recent book CRISIS IN CANADA'S POLICING: WHY CHANGE IS SO HARD, AND HOW WE CAN GET REAL REFORM IN OUR POLICE FORCES. I would challenge the police on how they spend their time, the crimes they address and how effective they are. The police have been very successful at hiding this sort of information and at resisting any conversation that might lead to an honest evaluation to the point of intimidatingly politicians. We need change because inadequate and uneven policing undermines democracy.

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GV

Don Valley West

Gregory Vaz

Responses by Gregory Vaz

If elected as a City Councillor, what would be your top priority, and how will you address it?

General Question

1] safety and security of all, have educational ,emotional social and awareness programs ,hire more police officers to tackle drugs and gun related issues, start technical programs for youth where they can learn trade and become valuable citizens, work with all leaders to make housing more affordable, fight to reduce property taxes for both housing and small business. have more community gatherings and fair’s activities for kids and senior’s

What should the next City Council do about housing in Toronto? Why?

Housing

affordable housing is the best solution, reducing taxes on property and land transfer fees on the new buyers thus encouraging the younger generation to opt for the housing, starting a rent to own program, try to buy places where affordable housing can be constructed

What should the next City Council do to mitigate the effects of climate change and reduce its progression? How?

Climate Action

having awareness and educational program where people are taught how to conserve water , educating them on consumption and saving of energy by having renewable energy program, advising them to install solar panels, reduce driving if possible use share ride, or public transport, otherwise having free bicycle program where free bicycle are distributed to encourage more people use bikes , or walk a mile program. encourage to eat more vegetarian or plant based food and assist to grow more trees and plants to reduce greenhouse gas

What should the next City Council do to improve the ability of the people of Toronto to get around safely and efficiently? How?

Getting Around the City

Work to reduce traffic and speed limit on the residential and school area’s ,improve transit like increase times specially on weekends and nights, having more street lightings, install security cameras and hire more safety officers to be on late night bus and trains

Should the next City Council change anything about municipal taxes or city services? Why?

Taxes and Spending

reduce property taxes, parking fees for people and small business, and extend the time of free parking in the evening so people can use it and which can help small business

What should the next City Council do about the City of Toronto's approach to policing its residents and making our communities safe? Why?

Policing and Community Safety

hire more police officers from ethnic backgrounds and local community, improve lighting and install security cameras on streets, have more safety related information sessions and group meetings with people and police, assist in recruiting people for neighborhood safety watch group