PRIORITIES
SAFER
NEIGHBOURHOODS
Safer Neighbourhoods: Policy 1
Establish a Community-Police Advisory Council to address rising crime through trust, dialogue, and collaboration
With car thefts and break-ins on the rise, it's clear that we need more than enforcement—we need real partnerships between police and the communities they serve. I will advocate for the creation of a Community-Police Advisory Council made up of local residents, educators, health care workers, youth advocates, and community leaders. This volunteer council will meet regularly with law enforcement to foster open dialogue, rebuild trust, and identify the root causes behind rising crime. Unlike the existing Community Police Liaison Committee (CPLC), which is led by police and often focused on updates and information-sharing, the proposed Community-Police Advisory Council would be community-led, with a stronger mandate to shape local safety strategies and influence decision-making. Together, we will shape practical prevention strategies that reflect lived experience, promote transparency, and ensure community voices are central to how safety is defined and delivered. By strengthening these relationships, we can create a more responsive, proactive, and accountable approach to public safety in Scarborough–Rouge Park.
Safer Neighbourhoods: Policy 2
Push for Targeted Enforcement of Repeat Offenders and Crime Hotspots
Chronic offenders and organized theft networks continue to undermine safety in our neighbourhoods, contributing to rising break-ins, car thefts, and violence. While enforcement alone isn’t the full solution, the system must act decisively when individuals repeatedly victimize the public. As City Councillor, I will support smarter enforcement strategies that target high-risk offenders through enhanced data sharing, hotspot mapping, and collaboration between Toronto Police and Crown prosecutors. I will advocate for a more coordinated approach to dealing with prolific offenders, ensuring resources are focused where the harm is greatest. City Council can push for greater transparency and accountability through the Toronto Police Services Board, and invest in community safety plans that prioritize both prevention and enforcement. By working together - from frontline officers to legal advocates - we can protect our communities while ensuring that justice is both effective and fair.
Safer Neighbourhoods: Policy 3
Support and expand funding for youth violence prevention and crisis intervention programs
Youth violence is not just a policing issue - it’s deeply rooted in poverty, systemic racism, intergenerational trauma, and a lack of access to opportunity. As City Councillor, I will push for increased and sustained funding for community-based programs that focus on early intervention and prevention, particularly in Scarborough where youth are often underserved and overlooked in citywide strategies.
This means investing in youth hubs, after-school programs, conflict resolution training, peer mentorship, culturally competent mental health services, and job readiness programs that offer real alternatives to violence. City funding must prioritize grassroots and youth-led organizations with deep connections to the communities they serve - groups that are trusted, accessible, and already making an impact. I will also advocate for year-round funding models instead of short-term grants that create instability and limit program effectiveness.
Safer Neighbourhoods: Policy 4
Enhance Neighbourhood Safety through Improved Lighting and Environmental Design
Safe communities are built not only through policing but by creating public spaces that deter crime and encourage positive use. I will advocate for targeted investment in upgrading street lighting, repairing sidewalks, clearing overgrown areas, and improving visibility in parks, alleyways, and transit stops throughout Scarborough–Rouge Park. These changes, based on principles of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), help reduce opportunities for crime while making residents feel safer and more confident moving around their neighbourhoods—day or night.
By partnering with community groups and residents to identify priority locations, we can ensure that public spaces become welcoming and secure places for all, fostering a stronger sense of ownership and pride in our communities.
Safer Neighbourhoods: Policy 5
Investing in Traffic Safety and Youth Opportunities in Malvern
The eastern part of Malvern - between Neilson Road and Littles Road - faces persistent challenges when it comes to traffic safety and access to youth-focused public spaces. Speeding on residential streets like Wickson Trail, Brenyon Way, and Sewells Road remains a top concern for residents. These are neighbourhood roads used daily by families, children, and seniors, yet traffic calming measures are either lacking or inconsistent. If elected, I will prioritize installing speed humps, raised crosswalks, and better signage in key trouble spots. I will also advocate for improved street lighting and safer access to local bus stops to make walking and commuting safer for everyone.
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At the same time, many young people in this part of the ward lack access to consistent, structured programs and safe public spaces where they can spend time outside of school. Spaces like the Malvern Recreation Centre and local school gyms are vital community assets, but there’s a clear need to extend and diversify programming, especially during evenings and weekends. I will work to bring more recreational options, skill-building workshops, and mentorship opportunities to the area, with a focus on programs that reflect the interests and aspirations of local youth. By improving safety and increasing support for young people, we can build a stronger, more connected Malvern for everyone.
INVESTMENT
IN
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
Investment in Community Programs: Policy 1
Reinvigorate West Rouge Community Centre through AOCC Model
The City of Toronto’s Association of Community Centres (AOCC) model empowers local communities by pairing City-funded administration (salaries, rent, utilities) with locally driven programming supported through fees, grants, and donations. There are currently ten AOCCs in Toronto, each governed by a volunteer board made up of local residents. This hybrid model allows community centres to respond more quickly and effectively to local needs, while fostering civic engagement and accountability. AOCCs also generate strong returns—raising over $1.40 for every dollar invested by the City.
As Executive Director of an AOCC myself, I’ve seen firsthand how this model can deliver efficient services, strong programming, and meaningful community involvement. With the City currently exploring where to expand the AOCC model, Scarborough - home to none of the existing ten centres - is overdue. The West Rouge Community Centre is an ideal candidate: an underutilized space located in an area with one of Toronto’s highest per-capita senior populations and growing community needs. Transitioning this centre to an AOCC would unlock its full potential—creating a responsive, locally governed hub built for and by the people it serves.
Investment in Community Programs: Policy 2
Expand Youth Drop-In Centres and Seniors’ Hubs in Scarborough–Rouge Park
Scarborough–Rouge Park lacks safe, accessible spaces where youth can gather after school for mentorship, skill-building, or recreation - and where seniors can connect, stay active, and age with dignity. The gap in local infrastructure is especially felt in underserved neighbourhoods, where access to support services is limited.
As City Councillor, I will advocate for targeted City investment to create and expand youth drop-in centres and seniors’ hubs across Scarborough–Rouge Park. This includes repurposing underused facilities, partnering with trusted community organizations, and co-designing programs with residents. These hubs will offer mental health support, employment resources, digital literacy, and culturally relevant services, with extended evening and weekend hours.
I will also champion intergenerational programs that bring youth and seniors together, strengthening community bonds. These centres are more than recreational spaces - they are vital to building a safer, more connected Scarborough–Rouge Park.
Investment in Community Programs: Policy 3
Champion permanent funding for community-led food security initiatives
Scarborough–Rouge Park includes several neighbourhoods with limited access to fresh, affordable food — particularly for low-income families, newcomers, and seniors. Food insecurity is a growing issue, and temporary fixes aren't enough. As City Councillor, I will advocate for permanent municipal funding and infrastructure support for community-led food security programs. This includes year-round community kitchens, culturally relevant food banks, youth cooking and nutrition programs, mobile food markets, and urban agriculture projects like rooftop gardens and local greenhouses.
Scarborough–Rouge Park has vast underutilized spaces, including vacant lots, schoolyards, and municipal land that could be transformed into vibrant community gardens and urban agriculture hubs. These spaces offer an incredible opportunity to grow fresh, culturally appropriate produce right where people live, reducing food deserts and promoting environmental sustainability
Investment in Community Programs: Policy 4
Create a Scarborough-Rouge Park Community Grant Program
Local leadership often thrives in the margins — in community centres, libraries, schools, and even in apartment lobbies — yet many grassroots efforts go unsupported due to limited access to complex, city-wide funding programs. As your City Councillor, I will propose a Scarborough–Rouge Park Community Micro-Grant Program, designed to put flexible, low-barrier funding directly in the hands of residents, youth, and neighbourhood groups.
These grants — ranging from $500 to $5,000 — could be used for small but high-impact projects like pop-up art galleries, local history exhibits, wellness workshops, after-school clubs, intergenerational events, or block beautification initiatives. Priority would be given to underserved areas and equity-deserving groups. This kind of support not only builds civic pride and trust but encourages a culture of participation where community members feel empowered to shape their own neighbourhoods.
Investment in Community Programs: Policy 5
Expanding Supportive Housing Through Health and Housing Partnerships
The area around Morningside Avenue and Kingston Road in West Hill faces some of the most acute challenges in Scarborough–Rouge Park. This pocket of the community struggles with high rates of drug addiction, street-level violence, and economic instability. Nearly 40% of children in West Hill live in low-income households - well above the city average - and the median household income sits around $66,700, nearly 20% below the national average. Despite these challenges, access to services remains limited: the neighbourhood has one of the lowest ratios of primary care physicians in Toronto, contributing to higher emergency room visits and poorer health outcomes. Long waitlists for affordable housing and a lack of accessible mental health and addiction supports have left many families trapped in cycles of hardship.
One proven approach is the Dunn House model, which offers a more effective solution than the traditional shelter-based or emergency-response models we’ve relied on for too long. It integrates deeply affordable housing with embedded wraparound supports - including primary care, mental health services, harm reduction, and case management - all delivered in a residential setting. This comprehensive, health-informed approach helps stabilize individuals with complex needs and significantly reduces their reliance on high-cost public services like hospitals and shelters. Unlike short-term or temporary fixes, supportive housing rooted in healthcare partnerships addresses the root causes of homelessness and marginalization.
Establishing a model like this would not only directly support vulnerable residents - it would reduce pressure on police and emergency services, improve community safety, and help foster stability and dignity for all residents. Investing in this kind of smart, compassionate infrastructure uplifts the entire ward.
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IMPROVED CITY SERVICES
&
ACCOUNTABILITY
Improved City Services and Accountability: Policy 1
Improve city services and responsiveness by establishing clear, measurable targets with full accountability and transparency
Toronto residents deserve city services that are reliable, efficient, and accountable. I will push for the City to set clear, public performance standards for all key services - like pothole repairs, snow clearing, garbage collection, and noise complaint responses - with specific targets and response time goals made easily accessible online. Right now, many of these standards are internal and opaque, leaving residents in the dark about how quickly their concerns are addressed or how effectively tax dollars are used.
Moreover, communication breakdowns are all too common. For instance, when a Scarborough resident reports a pothole on Ellesmere Road or a streetlight outage in Rouge Park, there is often no follow-up notification confirming the issue was resolved. Residents shouldn’t have to revisit the problem site themselves to check if repairs are done. By demanding transparent reporting and timely updates, we can rebuild trust, empower residents with information, and hold City departments accountable for delivering the quality services Toronto communities deserve.
Improved City Services and Accountability: Policy 2
Ensure robust accountability to guarantee City Council’s vision is executed effectively and transparently
City Council defines Toronto’s priorities and policies, but the responsibility for implementation lies with the City’s bureaucracy—the professional staff and departments tasked with turning decisions into action. However, gaps often emerge between Council’s directives and how policies are delivered on the ground, risking misalignment with community needs and eroding public trust.
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I will push for enhanced governance reforms that go beyond existing oversight by introducing more rigorous, outcome-focused accountability measures. Unlike the current system, which often relies on periodic reporting and internal audits that can lack transparency and timeliness, my approach calls for real-time performance tracking, public dashboards, and mandatory progress updates tied to specific, measurable targets.
This framework would enable Council and residents to monitor implementation continuously rather than retroactively, allowing for quicker course corrections. The delays and budget overruns on the Scarborough Subway Extension highlight how improved, transparent coordination and proactive accountability can prevent costly mismanagement and keep projects aligned with community expectations.
Improved City Services and Accountability: Policy 3
Commit to serving no more than two full terms to promote fresh leadership and accountability
I personally commit to serving no more than two full terms as City Councillor, meaning I will not serve beyond 2034 if elected. While I intend to put forward a motion to City Council to consider implementing a fixed two-term limit, I am aware this proposal may not receive enough support to pass. Regardless, I believe setting a personal example is vital to promote new voices and ideas in local government.
This pledge reflects my conviction that democratic renewal keeps City Council dynamic and accountable, prevents stagnation, and creates space for emerging leaders who better reflect the evolving needs of communities like Scarborough–Rouge Park. By honouring this commitment, I aim to foster greater trust and responsiveness between City Council and the people it serves.
THRIVING LOCAL
BUSINESSES
Thriving Local Businesses: Policy 1
Support thriving local businesses as the foundation of a resilient and vibrant community
Local businesses are the heart of Scarborough–Rouge Park - they create jobs, bring character to our neighbourhoods, and keep wealth circulating in our community. I will champion policies that help small and independent businesses not only survive but thrive. This includes reducing red tape, expediting permit approvals, and advocating for fairer commercial tax structures that don’t disproportionately burden local entrepreneurs.
I’ll also push for greater access to City grant programs and training for newcomer- and youth-led businesses, while supporting initiatives that encourage residents to shop locally. For example, a “Local First” campaign could highlight neighbourhood businesses during key seasons, while temporary use of vacant storefronts for pop-up markets or art exhibitions can boost foot traffic and community engagement.
A thriving local business sector strengthens our economy, fosters local pride, and builds more walkable, connected communities.
Thriving Local Businesses: Policy 2
Protect Scarborough’s employment lands to preserve local jobs and help businesses thrive close to home
For Scarborough’s economy to thrive, we need to protect the physical spaces where businesses operate. These areas - known as employment lands - are designated zones for businesses like manufacturing, logistics, trades, warehousing, food processing, and clean tech. They are essential for creating and maintaining well-paying, stable jobs that don’t require commuting downtown or out of the city.
In Scarborough–Rouge Park, many of these lands are at risk of being rezoned or redeveloped into condos and residential towers. Once lost, they are nearly impossible to recover. I will fight to protect and revitalize our remaining employment lands to ensure local businesses have the space they need to expand, hire, and invest in our community.
This means working with City staff to modernize zoning, improve transit and infrastructure in employment zones, and prioritize job creation when development applications are reviewed.
Thriving Local Businesses: Policy 3
Revitalize local business corridors to attract customers, support entrepreneurs, and breathe new life into our neighbourhoods
Scarborough–Rouge Park has incredible potential in its small plazas, strip malls, and underused commercial pockets - but many of these spaces face declining foot traffic, aging infrastructure, and lack of investment. As your Councillor, I will push for a dedicated revitalization strategy to help our local business corridors thrive again.
This means targeted streetscape improvements, like better lighting, public art, cleaner sidewalks, greenery, and safer pedestrian access - all proven to boost local shopping and community activity. I’ll also advocate for more City-supported cultural events, pop-up markets, and festivals in these areas to draw residents and celebrate our diverse small business community.
Too often, City programs flow to downtown or more established BIAs. I’ll work to make sure Scarborough gets its fair share of business improvement funding, while helping local entrepreneurs form new BIAs or informal business associations where none exist.
Strong, vibrant business corridors are the backbone of community life. When we invest in them, we not only grow our local economy - we build safer, more connected, and more inviting neighbourhoods for everyone.
PEOPLE-FOCUSED TRANSIT & PLANNING
People-Focused Transit and Planning: Policy 1
Increase Local and Express Bus Service on Underserved Routes
Toronto’s outer neighbourhoods, including many in Scarborough, face long wait times and inadequate transit coverage. To truly center people in our transit planning, we must expand both local and express bus service, especially in areas where residents depend on transit for work, school, and appointments. Numerous routes are frequently overcrowded or underserviced, creating stress and inefficiency for riders. By conducting community-led transit audits—surveys and town halls where residents identify transit pain points—we can collect real data and direct TTC resources to where they’re most needed. Increases in express bus service during peak hours, combined with improved evening and weekend frequency on local lines, will ensure residents aren’t left behind simply because of where they live. This also supports transit equity by recognizing that not all commutes begin or end near a subway line. More buses, more often, in the right places - based on local voices - is a clear step toward people-first transit planning.
People-Focused Transit and Planning: Policy 2
Free Transit for Seniors During Off-Peak Hours
Many seniors in our city live on fixed incomes and rely on transit to access healthcare, groceries, and social programs. A people-focused approach to transit must recognize the unique needs of our aging population. By introducing free TTC fares for seniors during off-peak hours (10 a.m.–3 p.m. and after 7 p.m.), we make transit more accessible while avoiding increased congestion during peak commuter times. This policy not only eases financial burdens for seniors but also supports active aging by encouraging independence and participation in community life. Other cities, including Mississauga and London, Ontario, already offer reduced or free fares for seniors at select times. Toronto can follow suit, especially if paired with strategic provincial or federal partnerships. Community consultations should guide the rollout of this program, ensuring it is tailored to areas where seniors are most impacted. It's time for transit that works for everyone, not just during rush hour
People-Focused Transit and Planning: Policy 3
Build a Rouge Park Community Mobility and Infrastructure Plan
Scarborough–Rouge Park is unique in Toronto: it contains a vast national urban park, sprawling residential zones, and limited throughfare infrastructure. Instead of applying one-size-fits-all transit and infrastructure models designed for downtown or central Scarborough, the City should develop a Rouge Park Community Mobility and Infrastructure Plan - shaped entirely by local input. This plan would examine traffic flow, school zones, safe cycling networks, sidewalk gaps, and transit linkages within and around the park and residential areas. For instance, many residents have raised concerns about dangerous walking conditions along sections of Sheppard or Old Kingston Road, and the lack of TTC access to trailheads or civic spaces. A localized plan - designed with residents, not for them - would ensure long-term sustainability, safety, and inclusiveness.
People-Focused Transit and Planning: Policy 4
Redirect Transit Expansion to Underserved Scarborough–Rouge Park Corridors
While Scarborough’s transit expansion is often focused on central corridors (such as the Eglinton East LRT and Scarborough Subway Extension), neighbourhoods in Scarborough–Rouge Park - like West Rouge, Morningside Heights, and Malvern East - remain disconnected. A people-focused approach would prioritize extending high-frequency routes and new transit projects to these areas, rather than funneling all infrastructure to already-serviced parts of Scarborough. For example, residents near the Zoo, the Rouge National Urban Park, and the eastern edges of Sheppard Avenue lack frequent or rapid transit options, forcing car dependency. Regular community-led route reviews, and direct funding for service increases in these neglected pockets, would help ensure our part of Scarborough isn't left behind again.