During the campaign, as I spoke with thousands of residents across Ward 10, three main concerns were at the forefront of people’s minds: transit, unreasonable intensification, and local infrastructure.
There is little doubt that Toronto has been asleep at the transit wheel for 25 years. The good news is that there is currently $18 billion dollars of transit investment in the ground or shovel ready. My top transit priority is to complete the subway line between Downsview Station and Yonge and Sheppard, which city council has made a Metrolinx Phase II priority project. This will result in dramatic transit improvements in Ward 10.
Toronto is one of the fastest growing cities in North America. That being said, it is important to protect our local neighbourhoods. I am committed to ensuring that residents’ voices are heard when it comes to unreasonable site plans such as the proposed plans for the Wilmington Plaza.
The storms of the past couple of years have been a stark reminder of the importance of investing in our local infrastructure. We are taking action to mitigate basement flooding in Ward 10. An environmental assessment has been completed, and we will be acting on the recommendations to upgrade storm sewers, install additional catch basins and construct underground relief sewers. Extensive Toronto Hydro upgrades have been completed, as well, with more work to come to help prevent power interruptions. The resurfacing of Wilson Avenue is almost complete, and we will continue to push forward on more road and public realm improvements.