The annual Ward 10 and 13 Budget Town Hall was an excellent opportunity to gain a better understanding of very complicated numbers that affect all Torontonians. As your city councillor, it's essential to hear concerns and questions from our residents in real-time.
We had close to 80 people join us in person and virtually, with many questions about the 2025 budget. We were fortunate enough to have Budget Chief Councillor Shelley Carroll and Mayor Olivia Chow drop by to provide additional context and information. Many of the questions surrounded ongoing housing initiatives, shelter services and continued services for residents in Ward 13 and Ward 10.
We complied most of the questions we recieved on our Instagram page. Please visit the responses here and here. The Mayor's Budget has also now been released, and you can read it here.
I want to extend my special thanks to Deputy Mayor Malik for partnering on this downtown budget event, Councillor Shelley Carroll, and Mayor Chow for attending. Also, thank you to Anthony Ng and Mervyn Mendonca from the Financial Planning and Management division for their high-level explanations of how the budget will improve our City operations and capital work.
If you missed the Budget Town Hall or didn't have the chance to join, feel free to check out the live recording here on our Youtube Channel!
It has been a tremendously busy summer! Between Pride and FIFA on one end, the final Toronto and East York Community Council and City Council of the term later this month on the other, and the ongoing Church Street Pedestrianization Pilot, my team and I have been working hard to continue delivering results. Despite the stress, despite the heat, and especially despite the province’s ongoing work to make the City of Toronto miserable, for this final proper Councillor Update of the term, I want to provide positive vibes only.
The celebration on Church Street continues! The Church Street Pedestrianization has officially launched, with the Church-Wellesley Village Business Improvement Area (BIA) and my team installed patios and more seating on Church Street post-Pride to make it an even better place to visit. The pedestrianization lasts until August 21, so come on out and experience The Village like never before, enjoy the beautiful weather, and help me advocate for more pedestrianization across the City and to make this pilot permanent!
Join the Friends of Old City Hall for a screening of A Thing of Beauty: The Early Years of Toronto's Old City Hall at City Hall, Council Chambers, on July 15 and 6:30pm. Please click here to register!
Enjoy free popcorn & free ice cream and a screening of Zootopia 2, courtesy of TCEU Local 416, plus drinks and entertainment from our office. It's a night out for the whole family — and it won't cost you a thing. We’ll even be giving away kids' CNE passes for kids under the age of 13!