Background Questions
1) Do you live in Ward 15?
Yes, I live in the Sherwood Park area.
2) Have you previously run and/or been elected for municipal office (school board trustee or city councillor). Please provide details.
No, I have never been elected but I do have experience at City Hall as Director, Transit Policy for the Chair of the TTC, Councillor Jamaal Myers.
3) Have you engaged in community and/or city building activities? Please provide examples.
Yes, I have extensive experience in community and city-building activities, which began with student politics while I was studying at the University of Toronto and getting my PhD at York University. For years, I worked as a governance professional where I advocated on behalf of teachers’ unions to secure better provincial funding for public education. I also serve or have served on a number of Boards, including the Toronto Public Library, the Images Film Festival, the Churchill Society for the Advancement of Parliamentary Democracy. In my current role as Director of Transit Policy, I have been responsible for governance and policy development for the TTC Board.
4) Do you have any relationships with developers or labour unions who may have potential conflicts of interest with the City?
I do not have any relationships with developers, however, in my role as Director of Transit Policy, I am responsible for developing and managing positive working relationships with a number of labour unions including CUPE Local 2, ATU 113, CUPE Local 416, etc.
Qualifications Questions
1) Why do you want to be the City Councillor for Don Valley West?
I am running to be our next City Councillor because I’m passionate about building family-friendly communities with diverse housing options, infrastructure and transit that works for everyone, and safe neighbourhoods with vibrant, green parks.
2) What experience and accomplishments do you bring that you think will make you a good representative for Ward 15?
I have a proven track record of success in my advocacy efforts on behalf of various community members and labour unions, including most recently working with the Chair of the TTC to avoid two potential major strikes. As a resident and former Executive Assistant for the current MPP of Don Valley West, I also have a deep understanding of our Ward’s needs and what each level of government can do to achieve our collective goals.
3) What are the key 3-5 issues you see facing Ward 15 and the City?
- Managing the increasing development in the Ward and ensuring the necessary infrastructure supports are in place.
- Ensuring family-sized rental and condo units are zoned into future development projects
- Solving Toronto’s major traffic gridlock problem throughout the Ward and City as a whole
- Improving safety for pedestrians, especially seniors and children
- Improving the safety and reliability of the TTC
4) What is the first thing you will work on if elected?
Identify ways and means to manage the increasing development and construction projects in the Ward.