Making Our Parks More Fun and Vibrant with More Food Options

I successfully pushed the City to move forward with a plan to expand food and beverage options in Toronto parks, helping make our public spaces more vibrant and community-oriented. The strategy includes creating more opportunities for local and diverse vendors, reviewing existing contracts, and ensuring supports like waste management and public washrooms are considered. I also introduced a motion to pilot park kiosks in Toronto–St. Paul’s, inspired by successful models in cities like New York, to create welcoming gathering spaces where residents can enjoy food, coffee, and community in our parks.

Protecting Renters with a Maximum Temperature By-law

It has taken a long time – too long – but Toronto’s tenants will finally see a maximum indoor temperature by-law by summer 2027. This moves up the timeline by at least two summers from what was originally recommended by city staff.

I initiated this by-law by bringing a motion to City Council in 2012, and have repeatedly and consistently fought for this priority over the last decade, working closely with advocates, to get this done. We will not accept any more excuses for delays.

The impact of this by-law will deliver a huge improvement in quality of life for thousands of Toronto renters. And as we mark five years since the “heat dome” heat wave in British Columbia, which took the lives of 619 people, we’re reminded why this by-law is so important. Renters deserve homes that are healthy and safe.

I still believe that this by-law should’ve been implemented during this term of Council. However, I’m also grateful that due to our pressure and advocacy, meaningful progress has been achieved.

The job won’t be done until the by-law is actually passed and implemented. I will keep fighting for accountability- and most importantly, results.

Please see this article for more information.

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Fighting for a Safe and Reliable TTC

Following multiple major TTC service disruptions this spring caused by infrastructure failures and aging equipment, I moved a motion at the TTC Board demanding an urgent action plan to reduce delays and improve reliability. Infrastructure-related failures are now one of the leading causes of service interruptions, highlighting the consequences of delayed capital investment over many years. Toronto residents deserve a transit system they can rely on to get to work, school, and appointments on time, and I am pushing for the investments and maintenance needed to restore confidence in the TTC.

Beautifying and Animating Vacant Development Sites: Saving Pickleball at Yonge-Rosehill

As more approved development sites across Toronto sit vacant due to the stalled condo market, I am advocating for interim community uses like public courts, markets, and pop-up programming that keep neighbourhoods vibrant and safe. A successful example is the public racket courts at Yonge and Rosehill, which are now at risk because the Province’s property assessment system reclassified the site as commercial, triggering a major tax increase. I introduced a motion directing City staff to explore policy solutions that support interim uses and to urgently work with the Province and MPAC to protect the Yonge-Rosehill courts so the space can continue serving thousands of local residents.

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 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.

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

 

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.

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.