Background Questions
1) Do you live in Ward 15?
Yes.
2) Have you previously run and/or been elected for municipal office (school board trustee or city councillor). Please provide details.
Yes. I ran for the Ward 15 Council position in 2022, where I came 2nd to Jaye Robinson.
3) Have you engaged in community and/or city building activities? Please provide examples.
I am an architect, so my day job is a city building activity. I am currently the Vice Chair of the Toronto 2030 District which does research and pilot projects aimed at economically decarbonizing Toronto. I served for 12 years on the governing council of the Ontario Association of Architects where I was involved with lobbying for everything from better government procurement to heritage preservation.
4) Do you have any relationships with developers or labour unions who may have potential conflicts of interest with the City?
I have potential conflicts with the city. My firm has 2 current contracts: one with Children’s Services and one with Toronto Community Housing. I have many developer acquaintances and a few friends, plus know lots of architects who work for developers. I would challenge the idea that this taints me and say rather that I know how things work. It’s what I do with that knowledge that matters.
Qualifications Questions
1) Why do you want to be the City Councillor for Don Valley West?
Because I want the city to meet the challenge of climate change and Housing in all its forms; more family housing, housing for homeless people, and cheaper housing. I have worked as an architect for 30 years. I can see what the city is doing does not work, yet we need action at the city level. I think I can contribute a missing perspective at the council table.
2) What experience and accomplishments do you bring that you think will make you a good representative for Ward 15?
- I have lived and played here for about 30 years. I like it, and feel comfortable here and want it to stay a great place to live.
- I have 30 years practicing architecture, most in housing but in the last 16 years I’ve had a focus on low carbon solutions for all building types, so have had many interactions with the city from the outside. www.Coolearth.ca
- Vice-chair of the Toronto 2030 District, a non-profit focussed on the most economical way to decarbonize the city. Our research points to the need for electrification. Currently we are running programs for small business because they are ignored by most programs. About – Toronto (2030districts.org)
- 12 years on Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) governing council. The OAA is created by the province to serve the public interest through regulation and education. I was President for two years, Senior VP & Treasurer for one year, cross appointed to the board of their insurance company for 1 year and VP government relations for many years. During this time the council took the associating from financial difficulty to a healthy position, and I learned a lot about group decision-making. www.OAA.ON.CA
3) What are the key 3-5 issues you see facing Ward 15 and the City?
- Housing Affordability, particularly for young families.
- Homelessness
- Traffic congestion
- And last but not least Climate Action.
4) What is the first thing you will work on if elected?
I assume that councillors serve on committees at the pleasure of the Mayor. After setting up an office, the first order of business will be to convince her that I have something to contribute. I will ask for appointment to committees that have a component of Planning and Environment, and to Toronto Hydro. Whatever committee I am on, I will work on housing, traffic and climate action, and of course address local requests for speed humps, and stop signs and other similar measures.