Integrity
Transparency and conflict of interest
In municipal governance, the integrity of decision-making must be beyond question. Given that City Council regularly makes decisions that directly affect development interests, I believe that individuals with immediate family ties to real-estate developers should not serve as councillors. This is not a judgment of character, but a recognition that such relationships create unavoidable conflicts of interest, or the appearance of them, that can weaken public trust. Strong, transparent governance requires leaders who can act without divided loyalties, especially when shaping housing policy, land-use planning, and development outcomes that affect every resident.
Housing stability
A housing system grounded in stability, dignity, and public responsibility
York South–Weston deserves a housing system grounded in stability, dignity, and long-term public responsibility. The City, the Province, and the Federal Government each have a role to play in ensuring that residents are protected from displacement, supported through transitions, and able to remain in the communities they call home.
Demovictions
Demovictions continue to threaten the stability of seniors, people on fixed incomes, single parents, people with disabilities, and residents living with mental-health challenges. When rental buildings are demolished, tenants lose not only their homes but also their networks of care, access to services, and the affordability that cannot be replicated at today's market rents. Stronger protections, clearer processes, and meaningful tenant participation are essential to preventing avoidable displacement. Municipal leadership must work with provincial regulators to strengthen oversight and ensure that redevelopment does not come at the cost of community stability.
Slum landlords
Addressing slum landlords is a critical part of this work. Neglect, unsafe conditions, and chronic disrepair undermine the health and dignity of tenants. The City must enforce property standards rigorously, while the Province must ensure that the Landlord and Tenant Board has the capacity to act swiftly on violations. Federal investments in housing infrastructure can support the rehabilitation of aging buildings, ensuring that residents live in safe, well-maintained homes.
Government-owned and community-owned housing
A sustainable housing future requires expanding government-owned and community-owned housing. Public acquisition of existing rental buildings, alongside non-profit and co-operative models, provides long-term affordability that is not vulnerable to speculation or market volatility. These approaches preserve deeply affordable units, stabilize neighbourhoods, and ensure that vulnerable residents have secure, predictable homes. Federal programs and provincial funding streams must be aligned with municipal priorities to scale these models effectively.
Rental affordability
Rental affordability also requires responsible means to lower already-inflated rents and prevent further escalation. This includes reviewing rent-stabilization tools, strengthening oversight of maintenance and safety standards, and ensuring that affordability measures reach those most affected by rising costs. Rental policy should protect long-term tenants while encouraging well-maintained, safe, and accessible housing.
Landlord and tenant relationships
Landlord and tenant relationships do not need to be adversarial. Good relationships are built through clear communication, predictable rules, and mutual respect. When landlords maintain safe homes, respond to repairs promptly, and engage with tenants transparently, trust grows. When tenants feel secure, informed, and supported, disputes decrease. Municipal standards, provincial regulation, and accessible legal supports all contribute to a system where cooperation is the norm rather than the exception.
The role of developers
Developers also have a role in building a stable and inclusive housing future. A strategic approach can ensure that development works for everyone. Requiring a percentage of units in new developments to be affordable, alongside incentives for deeper affordability, ensures that growth does not exclude the very residents who need housing most. Clear, predictable rules help developers plan effectively, while community benefits agreements ensure that new construction contributes to neighbourhood wellbeing.
The cost
Fiscal responsibility
Fiscal responsibility must guide all of this work. Public acquisition, enforcement, and affordability programs require sustained investment. Municipal budgets must be aligned with provincial and federal funding streams, ensuring that resources are used efficiently and transparently. Long-term planning, stable funding, and coordinated governance are essential to building a housing system that is both affordable and financially sustainable.
Stewardship
The work of stewardship
York South–Weston's future depends on policies that protect people, preserve homes, and strengthen community resilience. Seniors, fixed-income households, single parents, people with disabilities, and individuals facing mental-health challenges must be centered in this work. This is the work of stewardship: ensuring that every resident has a safe, stable place to live and the opportunity to thrive.