Candidates

About Candidates

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

Ward 3: Etobicoke-Lakeshore Data

2021 Population
141,751
1st of 25
Population growth 2016-2021
9.8%
3rd of 25
Population under 15 years old
13.1%
17th of 25
Population over 64 years old
17.1%
14th of 25

Etobicoke-Lakeshore Candidates

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ZA

Etobicoke-Lakeshore

Zeynel Ari

Responses by Zeynel Ari

This candidate has not responded yet.

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MG

Etobicoke-Lakeshore

Mark Grimes

416-786-0308

Responses by Mark Grimes

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

General Question

We continue to build on the progress we’ve made, and keep working to make this city affordable. Residents are getting squeezed in the housing market, at the grocery store, and at the gas pump. I’ll vote to keep property tax increases below the rate of inflation. I’ll ensure we continue providing services people rely on. I’ll keep investing in Etobicoke-Lakeshore, and continue making real progress on key issues that matter to our community like transit, housing, and creating safer streets.

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

Housing

We’re facing a housing crisis, and we need to find opportunities to help reduce the cost of housing. I voted in favour of the HousingTO Action Plan, Housing Now, and the Open Doors Affordable Housing Program to bring thousands of new affordable homes to Ward 3. I’ve built on this work by securing 1,500 affordable units on the Christie’s site, voting for a new policy to mandate affordable units in new developments, approving a new seniors supportive housing site, and supporting a new deeply affordable housing site for the deaf blind community.

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

Climate Action

I voted to approve our TransformTO Climate Action Strategy, declare a climate emergency, and accelerate our emissions reduction targets by 10 years. We have one of the most ambitious targets in North America - net zero by 2040. We’re investing in energy retrofits to existing buildings, and we’ve implemented the Toronto Green Standards to require sustainable design of new buildings. Our approved Electric Vehicle Strategy encourages the transition to clean, fuel-efficient electric vehicles, and we're leading the way by electrifying city fleets.

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 must continue working to ensure our transportation network is safe, reliable, and reflects the growth in our community. I will continue working with residents to address local traffic safety concerns, bolster our Vision Zero Plan, continue investing in our cycling network plan, and build more infrastructure. I’ve secured a Park Lawn GO station, new streetcar infrastructure, new bus routes, and I’m working to extend the Bloor Subway to Sherway Gardens. For full answers on any of these questions, please refer to my website.

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

Taxes and Spending

The cost of living is out of control, and we can’t place a greater burden on taxpayers. I’ll continue working with our federal and provincial partners to help strengthen local services. I voted to increase fees on big developers to ensure that we’re building new infrastructure, and creating new services and facilities for Etobicoke-Lakeshore. We need to continue with responsible fiscal management to create a budget that keeps property taxes affordable, invests in our community, and continues to provide services people rely on.

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 will not vote to defund the police. I voted to approve our SafeTO Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, which is a bold new approach to community safety. It focuses on creating a culture of prevention through collaboration with the community, other orders of government, and community safety organizations. Through my work on the Police Services Board, I’ll continue working to ensure new police officers are recruited and our force is fully staffed so residents are getting the response they need, when they need it.

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BH

Etobicoke-Lakeshore

Bonnie Hu

647-882-9358

Responses by Bonnie Hu

This candidate has not responded yet.

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MM

Etobicoke-Lakeshore

Mary Markovic

Responses by Mary Markovic

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

General Question

Improve city planning and address runaway spending through greater accountability. Introduce penalties for vendors exceeding project timelines and budgets. Simplify and improve resident access to information concerning community initiatives, including outlines of proposed projects, delivery dates and budgets in clear and simple language. I will also bring back townhalls to give residents an opportunity to publicly learn more about major initiatives, to ask questions and voice concerns.

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

Housing

City Council should introduce practical and affordable housing solutions. We need realistic solutions that can be implemented in a relatively short time. I propose introducing incentives for homeowners to build rental units or bring units up to code. Many homeowners have extra space that could be easily upgraded to offer affordable housing in the community. Rent maximums would be part the agreement. If the homeowner breaches the agreement the incentive would need to be repaid.

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

Climate Action

Champion more efficient and proactive city planning to reduce traffic congestion and resulting pollution from thousands of idling cars that spend countless hours in endless gridlock. Ensure roads and transit capacity are in place and can support population growth before new builds are approved. Improved traffic flow and transit options would greatly improve air quality and our environment. Also, work with manufacturers and corporations to reduce waste at the source. Impose tougher penalties and consequences on corporate polluters.

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

Council needs to prioritize additional transit service in high need areas and also the movement of stalled transit projects by imposing clear deadlines and budgets for both city and third parties. Clear milestones and contractual consequences need to be in place to help ensure projects are delivered on time and budget. In terms of safety, City Council should partner with the TTC, Police Services and local community groups to put programs in place in high crime areas.

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

Taxes and Spending

Yes, we can do better. Our taxes are a finite resource and residents expect their hard earned money to be invested in areas that benefit the community most. City Council should go through the budget line-by-line to identify wasteful, low value spending, and redirect funds to valuable community services such as community centres, mental health programs and overall community safety.

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

City Council needs to ensure our Police Services have the financial and community support they need. Growing crime is a serious concern and our City Council and community need to work with our Police Services to ensure our communities remain strong, safe and vibrant.

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AM

Etobicoke-Lakeshore

Amber Morley

Responses by Amber Morley

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

Housing

As someone who has lived my entire life in Etobicoke-Lakeshore, I want to ensure our children are able to afford to live in the communities they grew up in. That option is rapidly giving way to sky-rocketing housing costs and limited rental options. My vision is to have a range of housing options —  ownership, renting, supportive housing, innovative zoning and laneway housing - by implementing existing housing strategies and policies such as HousingTO, the Multi-Unit Residential Acquisition program and the Toronto Poverty Reduction Strategy.

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

Climate Action

Provide adequate funding for TransformTO and Toronto's Energy Retrofit programs. Champion complete streets to protect climate-friendly modes of transportation such as walking, cycling, and public transit. Focus on older buildings (including Toronto Community Housing) to ensure they are retrofitted to meet the climate challenge. Ensure diversity on TransformTO and bring employee unions to the table to learn from the essential workers that deliver energy, transportation and waste 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 Toronto's largest ward, transportation is an essential pillar of my campaign. I plan to commit to Toronto’s Vision Zero Road Safety Plan, focusing on design that reduces danger to pedestrians and cyclists. Push to move forward with the Waterfront LRT as well as Mimico and Park Lawn GO renovations & accessibility measures. Increase and improve commuter cycling infrastructure in our ward. Provide TTC service options that are timely and reliable. Introduce new traffic calming measures on residential streets for safety and efficiency.

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

Taxes and Spending

While responsible use of tax dollars is always important, many residents rely on the current services the City provides and we cannot be prioritizing low property tax over the essential services a modern, world-class city like Toronto should be providing. Services in neighbourhoods like Etobicoke-Lakeshore have been declining over the years since amalgamation. In my view, this is a lack of good policy and balanced decision making at Council. Residents should always be able to expect high quality, dependable City services for the taxes they pay.

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

Not every emergency call requires the police to respond. I am very supportive of initiatives like the city’s Mobile Crisis Intervention Team initiative, which allows for emergency calls that normally would have been addressed by the police, to be addressed by social work and mental health professionals as required. Emphasis should be placed to create a more integrated solutions to crisis-management in the city that is responsive to the needs of the city and publicly accountable.

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

General Question

My number one goal as Councillor is to be accessible and responsive to members of my ward. Lived experience is valuable, and existing City planning and processes are far removed from residents' voices - which I believe should be at the centre of community-building. I will open a locally-based ward office, that can be used as a community hub, hire staff from within the ward, host regular town hall meetings, and connect with residents at events in their neighbourhoods, where they are located. I want Etobicoke-Lakeshore to be a community for all.

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MV

Etobicoke-Lakeshore

Marco Valle

Responses by Marco Valle

This candidate has not responded yet.