Community Wins

Crisis Looms as Aging Booms: Creating a Path Forward to Age in Place

It is crucial that the City develop a comprehensive plan to support aging in place now. In 2016, Toronto crossed a demographic turning point with more people living in our city over the age of 65 than under 15. Subsequently, the percentage of our population over 65 has only increased—from 15.6 percent in 2016, to 17.1 percent in 2021, to an estimated 21.2 percent in 2041. This will place Toronto in the same category as “super aged” societies like Japan, where one in five people is a senior citizen.

I'm pleased to share that our motion which was co-written by University Health Network's NORC Innovation Centre on creating new paths to allow for more older adults to age in place, passed unanimously. To learn more about my motion, please click here. We owe it to our seniors to take the necessary steps to better support seniors to age in place through a coordinated Naturally Occurring Retirement Community plan.

OASIS Program at 400 Walmer

I was pleased to work with Tai Huynh from the University Health Network's OpenLab, the Landlord, Property Manager, founder of the OASIS program, Christine McMillian, and SPRINT Senior Care to initiate a seniors program within the building located at 400 Walmer. This program is designed to strengthen and sustain healthy communities of older adults by addressing important determinants of healthy aging such as isolation, nutrition, physical fitness, and sense of purpose. More programs like this need to be expanded across our City and I plan to work with City Staff, healthcare partners and local community organizations to make this possible.

Creating Toronto’s Seniors Strategies

During my first year as a City Councillor, I initiated the City of Toronto’s Seniors Strategy: a proactive, holistic, and inclusive initiative that seeks to create a truly accessible, respectful, and age-friendly Toronto.Since 2013, 100% of the recommended actions have been fully implemented.

In this spirit, Toronto Seniors Strategy 2.0 was unanimously adopted by City Council in 2018. Recommendations include the City of Toronto expanding their community paramedicine program in order to better support seniors who are high-volume 911 callers with non-emergency community care and supports, constructing new sidewalks on roads where they are missing to improve walkability, mobility and accessibility of city streets, develop a workplace anti-ageism campaign under Toronto For All, allocating resources to extend the HomeShare Pilot Project, which helps match seniors with extra bedrooms to students in need of living accommodations and much more, develop a new homeless shelter that provides specialized services for seniors.

There is always more work to be done to support seniors, which is why I’m thrilled to announce that Toronto Seniors Strategy 3.0 is currently being co-created as we speak.

CareTO: Changing the Culture of Long-Term Care

I'm proactively working to change the culture in the City's 10 Long-Term Care (LTC) Homes. During 2018, our motion, now known as CareTO, was unanimously adopted by Council to take the first steps toward transforming the level of care delivered in our LTC homes. Through implementing emotion-centred models such as the Butterfly and Greenhouse Project approaches, staff will be able to focus on the emotional well-being of residents with dementia, and all seniors, in their care. This new approach fundamentally increases the attention and support that its residents are given by ensuring the hours of care each resident receives daily, increases from 2.75 to 3.25 hours, has a renewed focus on training to ensure staff have the skills to provide culturally responsive emotion-centered care and creates more home-like environments.

Cracking Down on Curb Hogs to Keep Toronto Moving

Too many transit riders, cyclists, and drivers are delayed by vehicles stopping illegally at the curb just to grab a coffee or make a quick stop. After years of pushing for change, I’m proud to share that the fine for blocking traffic is now $300—a real deterrent to selfish, congestion-causing behaviour. This is a win for commuters and road safety. Councillor Mike Layton and I first introduced this motion in 2011, and we’re glad to finally see real consequences in place.

Advocating for Commercial Rent Control to Save Main Streets

Rising commercial rents are forcing beloved small businesses off our main streets, eroding the character and vibrancy of our neighbourhoods. That’s why, in May 2024, I passed a motion at City Council calling on the Province to introduce commercial rent control. Local shops deserve stability and support - not eviction due to unchecked rent hikes. We must act now to preserve Toronto’s unique and diverse business communities. You can read more about the motion here:  MM18.24 - Requesting the Province to Protect Small Businesses and Support Vibrant, Affordable, and Successful Mainstreets.

Revitalizing the Vale of Avoca and Our Ravines

After years of decline, the Vale of Avoca ravine—once a jewel of midtown Toronto—is finally receiving the attention it deserves. I worked with Councillor Dianne Saxe to secure $1.5 million in funding for a revitalization master plan, thanks to strong community advocacy from the Midtown Ravines Group. This is the first step toward a full restoration, with a long-term goal of reconnecting the ravine to the Don Valley trail and addressing urgent environmental issues. It’s a big win for our climate, biodiversity, and community wellbeing.