Community Wins

Creating the Tenant Issues Committee to Give Renters a Voice

From 2014 to 2018, I helped establish and lead the Tenant Issues Committee - a dedicated space at City Hall where tenants could directly shape the policies that impact their lives. With over 50% of Toronto residents living in rental housing, this committee ensured renters had a seat at the table. It advised City Council on everything from rent increases, property standards, and tenant advocacy funding, to key housing policies like Tower Renewal and the Tenant Defence Fund. The committee was a critical step in making sure Toronto’s housing decisions reflect the real needs of its renters.

Curbing Auto Theft and Improving Neighbourhood Safety

Auto theft and home invasions have surged, putting many residents on edge. In response, I’ve worked closely with Toronto Police and moved a successful motion at City Council urging federal and provincial governments to adopt stronger vehicle security standards and close loopholes that enable vehicle registration fraud. I'm also collaborating with the Insurance Bureau of Canada to push for policy reforms to reduce costs for everyday Ontarians. While there’s been progress, more work is needed - and I’m committed to getting it done.

Creating a “Beautiful City”

I introduced a motion to prioritize thoughtful and beautiful urban design across Toronto. With support from Chief Planner Jason Thorne, a city-wide action plan is now in motion to improve everything from public libraries and parks to street furniture and sidewalks. 

The initiative challenges the current culture of mediocrity in urban design and seeks to create a city that is functional, inspiring, and dignified. Our public realm can be so much better – and Torontonians deserve that.

Save the Science Centre: Rally & Stakeholder Action

Since the beginning, I have been at the forefront of efforts to save the Ontario Science Centre from closure and relocation. In February 2025, I organized community members, families, and advocates for a rally in Thorncliffe Park, calling on provincial candidates to commit to reopening and reinvesting in the original site. 

The Auditor General has confirmed that rebuilding the Science Centre at Ontario Place would cost more than restoring it where it is - a clear waste of taxpayer dollars. I am continuing to lead a stakeholder working group at City Hall to explore real solutions to protect this cultural and educational landmark.

City Charter – Empowering Toronto’s Future

Toronto is Canada's largest city, yet it lacks the autonomy to govern its own municipal affairs without constant overreach from Doug Ford’s provincial government. I have been advocating for a City Charter - a legal framework that would give Toronto the authority to make its own decisions on critical issues like housing, transit, and budgeting without constant provincial interference. This is a necessary one for strengthening democracy, transparency, and accountability. While a Charter requires provincial cooperation, laying the groundwork now will help build the case for a more empowered and responsive city government. That’s why I moved a motion in Council this week to start the work on a new arrangement with senior levels of government that ensures we have the independence necessary for 21st century cities to thrive and achieve results for residents.

Save Our School Pools

Toronto’s school pools are once again under threat due to chronic underfunding by the Province. I co-led a motion at City Council with Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin calling on the Ontario government to protect these essential facilities. Pools provide children with vital swimming skills and offer accessible recreation for residents of all ages. Our communities shouldn’t have to fight every few years to protect something so important—so we’re taking action

You can sign my Save our Pools petition to call on your MPP: https://www.joshmatlow.ca/saveourpools

 

Taking a Stand to Protect Ontario Place and Our City’s Public Waterfront

In response to the provincial government’s controversial deal with Therme spa, I have organized events and brought forward motions to utilize every city resource possible to stop this development. This project has led to the destruction of mature trees and displacement of wildlife, while the only group that benefits is an Austrian private spa. 

My motion responds to troubling findings about Therme's track record, financial instability, and misleading claims. If left unchecked, the development risks turning a cherished waterfront space into a fenced-off construction site. The City is now seeking all possible avenues to preserve Ontario Place as a vibrant, accessible public space. Together, we are defending our public waterfront for future generations

Funding Tenants to Fight Unfair Rent Hikes (AGIs)

In 2019, I helped lead a successful campaign to increase funding for the Toronto Tenant Support Program (TTSP) - formerly the Tenant Defence Fund. This program empowers renters to fight back against Above Guideline Rent Increases (AGIs) and illegal evictions by providing legal support, organizing assistance, and education. By strengthening this fund, we’re giving tenants the tools they need to protect their homes and stand up to exploitative practices. Every Toronto resident deserves a safe, clean, and affordable place to live.

Fighting to Protect Wheel Trans Services From Cuts

I am committed to protecting full door-door Wheel-Trans service for all Torontonians who need it. At the TTC Board meeting in December, I fought alongside disability and transit advocate groups to protect the service and to ensure that the voices of persons with disabilities are represented. TTC has expressed a desire to shift more people to a “Family of Service” (FOS) model that includes trips with both Wheel-Trans and the use of the “conventional system”. I am strongly opposed to forcing mandatory family of service trips on Wheel-Trans users. 

There are many problems with the FOS model that have been highlighted by advocates, most importantly being the inaccessibility of the conventional system. While the City has been investing significantly into station upgrades to make its stations more accessible, many issues remain with elevators and escalators that are frequently out of service. That’s why I moved a motion at TTC Board requesting staff to report back with an equity analysis of the impacts of FOS trips on Wheel-Trans users, which was approved by the board. I remain deeply committed to fighting to protect Wheel Trans service for the people who rely on it.

Creating and Strengthening RentSafe to Protect Tenants

I introduced RentSafe in 2017 to hold landlords accountable for tenants’ health and safety—modeled on the successful DineSafe system for restaurants. But while it was a step forward, the program isn’t as effective as it needs to be. That’s why for years, I pushed for a clear, colour-coded sign system (green/yellow/red) so tenants know the real condition of their building at a glance. Too often, buildings with major issues like mold or infestations still receive high scores under the current system. Working with tenant advocates like ACORN, FMTA, and others, we’re fighting to ensure the City puts tenants’ health and dignity first.