In This E-Newsletter:
Celebrating Orthodox Christmas, Pongal and Lohri
My family and I hope everyone in our city’s Orthodox Christian communities had a very Merry Christmas this past week. Whether your table is full of Doro Wat and injera or kutia and perogies, my very best wishes were with you and your loved ones this holiday season.
I would also like to extend my best wishes to everyone in our Punjabi community celebrating Lohri, and to members of our Tamil community marking Pongal. I look forward to celebrating with you in the days and weeks ahead.
Metrolinx's Transit Failures and Demanding a Public Inquiry
Recycling Pick Up: Calling on Doug Ford to Fix What He Broke
The City of Toronto no longer has operational control over blue bin collection and does not have the authority to dispatch crews or correct service failures under the new privatized program that was imposed by the Ford government.
At the start of this year, the private company Circular Materials took over responsibility for managing all residential recycling collection from Ontario municipalities after the Ford Government privatized the service.
I have raised these service failures with the Mayor's office and spoke with the CEO of Circular Materials directly to insist they address these issues and provide the reliable service residents expect and deserve.
This transition was handled very poorly, and many residents experienced missed pickups and very poor customer service when they attempted to get answers and accountability. Many still haven’t had their recycling picked up, and only those who complained seemed to have their recycling picked up. This is no way to run a basic service.
Waste collection is a basic service that residents pay taxes for and I believe that Premier Ford made a mistake and that this basic service should be provided well, reliably and with local accountability.
See this Toronto Life article: https://torontolife.com/city/a-provincial-recycling-truck-collected-one-toronto-residents-bin-but-skipped-the-rest-of-the-street/
All residential recycling inquiries, including missed collection, recycling bin service requests and what to recycle, should be directed to GFL by calling 1-888-921-2686 or by completing their online Inquiry Form. If you not receive the support you require, you can contact Circular Materials’ escalations at 1-877-667-2626.
In Canada, we have the right to peaceful expression and peaceful assembly. However, walking down a residential street to harass people at their doorsteps, like what’s been occurring in Bathurst Manor, is not peaceful and cannot be allowed to continue or be normalized. In fact, this has happened right here in midtown before in the South Hill neighbourhood.
This is part of what impacts many Jewish Torontonians’ sense of security as there has been a dangerous escalation of antisemitic incidents in our city over many years. We have seen swastikas spray-painted on synagogues and public spaces, signs displaying hateful antisemitic tropes, mezuzahs stolen from doors, vandalism of Jewish schools and businesses, and acts of violence. This cannot be accepted in our city, where everyone deserves to feel safe in their community and home.
When one community is targeted, it affects all of us.
I'm committed to combatting antisemitism and consistently advocate for real and more effective enforcement of existing laws. The Toronto Police Service (TPS) has tripled the size of the Hate Crime Unit, however there is confusion about the current enforcement tools available to the police and there has been a systematic failure in the provincial justice system to effectively enforce these laws.
There are substantive actions that can and must be taken.
I support amendments to the federal Criminal Code and anti-hate legislation to ensure that there is clear and effective capacity to respond to hate-motivated crimes, including intimidation and harassment, and for the Province to create a special prosecution team with the resources and expertise necessary to fully pursue those charges.
At last month’s Council meeting, I supported Councillor Colle’s motion to establish a Federal, Provincial and Municipal law enforcement joint task force comprised of (but not limited to) the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canadian Security Intelligence Service, Ontario Provincial Police, and Toronto Police Services to plan for, combat and prevent acts of antisemitic hate and violence. To read more about this motion, please click here: https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2025.MM35.35
I'll continue to actively support Toronto’s Jewish community leaders in demanding urgent and decisive action, and work closely with leaders of all faiths and backgrounds who are dedicated to building bridges, protecting our communities, and who ultimately share core values about what it means to live together in a civil society.
TTC Bus Bunching and Gapping Measures Approved in 2026 Budget
Toronto transit riders have all felt the frustration of waiting a long time for a bus or streetcar, only for many to arrive all at once. Bunching and gapping hurts reliability and leads to overcrowding, inefficient service, and more congestion.
Thanks to my motion at the TTC Board, the TTC’s Bunching and Gapping Pilot has been fully funded in this year’s budget and expanded to more routes across the city.
It matters that your bus or streetcar shows up on time when you actually need it.
Motion link: https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2025.TTC10.5
An Important Win for Toronto’s Mental Health Crisis Intervention Teams
The Toronto Police Service Board met last week to consider a drastic proposal by the Chief of Police to eliminate Mobile Crisis Intervention Teams (MCIT), a program that partners nurses with police officers in responding to high-risk mental health crises.
I wrote to the Board to support calls to expand the Toronto Community Crisis Service (TCCS) as the default response for non-violent mental health and addictions calls, but warned that eliminating MCIT would result in a dangerous gap in service.
While it’s strongly preferable that TCCS respond to mental health calls without police intervention, my concern is what happens when that just isn’t possible. In such cases, both a healthcare response without appropriate public safety measures, and a police response without appropriate mental health supports, can result in tragedy.
The Board received submissions from numerous other organizations which echoed these concerns, including the Canadian Federation of Mental Health Nurses, the Toronto Police Association, and CUPE 416 representing Toronto’s paramedics.
In light of this strong opposition across public health and safety stakeholders, the Board has deferred the decision to sunset MCIT until there has been a full consultation process with a report to the Board in 2027. I will continue to advocate that this consultation be transparent and open to public participation.
I believe that we all share the same objective: keeping people safe and healthy. We accomplish this by keeping all the tools available to us, while ensuring that each tool is being used appropriately and effectively.
Fighting to Maintain Class Sizes and Support Students
Smaller class sizes contribute to better learning. The TDSB’s provincially-appointed supervisor has rescinded a directive by the trustees that capped grades 4 to 8 at a maximum of 32 students. I’m calling on Queen’s Park to reverse this decision and support our kids’ education.
Join us for our Annual Community Skating Parties
Hillcrest Community School Yard Revitalization
I’m thrilled to celebrate the completion of the Hillcrest School Yard Revitalization Project and to share a photo of the new plaque installed outside Door 7 at HCS. The previous playground, installed nearly 20 years ago, had reached the end of its life, with significant deterioration to its wood foundation.
I was proud to provide funding in support of this important project, helping to make the revitalized, safe, and welcoming school yard a reality. Thank you to the Hillcrest school community and the TDSB for their dedication and collaboration.
Black Legal Action Centre Seniors Events
Alzheimer Awareness Month
Every January, Alzheimer Societies across Canada shine a light on the lived experience of people with dementia and their care partners. This year, the Alzheimer Society of Toronto (AST) is reframing the public conversation by celebrating the spark that continues to shine beyond a diagnosis.
You can go to to the Alzheimer Society of Toronto to learn more!
City of Toronto Ice Facilities Strategy: Community Survey
In this E-Newsletter:
