As a member of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee at the city, and a Director on both the boards of Toronto Hydro and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, my focus has been on protecting and growing our tree canopy, encouraging the transition to renewable and clean energy, and leading the charge to demand transparency and clarity around impacts of high demand technological infrastructure such as data centres – with the goals of TransformTO at the forefront of this work.
With more frequent storms and extreme weather, it is imperative we prepare for the future and focus on climate resiliency. Don Valley West has some of Toronto’s most significant tree canopy and extensive ravine systems, as well as areas prone to flooding, underground springs, and erosion, such as Leaside and Hoggs Hollow.
And yet, Thorncliffe Park, while surrounded by green space and ravines, has considerably less tree canopy in the immediate neighbourhood. The city, as a whole, has lofty goals with the TransformTO Net Zero Strategy, but we have also increasingly been restricted by the Province in what we can require – for example, with respect to many of our green building standards. These challenges in climate resiliency underscore why I am committed to being a strong, persistent advocate for every corner of our ward.
