Today Democracy Kit along side the Institute for Changemakes is hosting training workshops for those interested in running or volunteering in Municipal campaigns. I'm hoping to learn more about Fundraising and the new rules for the 2018 election, one of which is posted below.

The Connect Sheppard East Meet & Greet will highlight the status and need-to-know facts of transit in Malvern, provide a platform for residents to share their transit experiences, and share opportunities to make real change in Malvern through the Connect Sheppard East campaign.
Your input is important to us. If you have ideas on how to improve transportation in north-east Scarborough, or just want to learn more about these issues and get involved, we encourage you to join us at the Connect Sheppard East Meet & Greet!
Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/connect-sheppard-east-meet-greet-tickets-41510118883
For more information, please contact Jennifer Gawor at 416-284-4184 ext. 220 or [email protected]

Today I began my journey into the Institute for Change Leaders at Ryerson as taught by Olivia Chow. As she walked into the classroom with that gusto of a rockstar and voice of a leader, I was excited to finally see her after so long. The last time I saw Olivia I had worked on her Mayoral campaign in Scarborough, trying to drum up support for the only candidate who wanted to keep to the committed Sheppard Subway to Ward 42 Scarborough-Rouge River (as it is still written to this day in the official City of Toronto plan). She was a powerful and candid as ever and I look forward to tomorrow's class to learn from this brilliant woman who is a legend of her own.

This annual TDSB event showcased workshops from School Council Parent Engagement Strategies to How to Understand Your Child's IEP (Individual Education Plan). A great time was had by all, however it was disheartening to see so few Trustees in attendance. Personally I enjoyed the TDSB PIAC (Parental Involvement Advisory Committee) Conference in October over this conference due to the increased resources presented and diversity of workshops, but that event wasn't as well attended as Parents as Partners. Scarborough Trustees I'm going to start taking note of the events you choose to attend (or not attend) and put you on notice to the parents of your wards if you don't start to come out and act as the liaison between the Board and parents as you were elected in to do! 

As I walked to the Scarborough Civic Centre in the freezing rain, I looked to the sewer grate that wasn't catching the water and absent mindedly removed the garbage that plugged the sewer and had a flash back to my childhood on Allister Avenue where each and every rain storm I would put on my boots and raincoat to make sure the water was flowing well on my street, moving any debris in the way of the rushing water, ensuring no one would get splashed by cars driving through puddles on my street. 

What I do and who I am are intrinsically. I've always been working for a more efficient and liveable city!

While meeting with Ward 42 residents yesterday I heard time and time again the same concerns of residents:
These included:

1. TTC fare costs,
2. TTC bus schedules,
3. Lack of access to their former councilor,
4. Parking issues,
5. Lack of recreation opportunities for children and seniors; and
6. Hydro rates.

Residents are happy with the increased sense of safety and community policing as well as the introduction of the National Rouge-River Park and the environmental protect it provides.

Please feel free to message me with your thoughts on the great things happening in the community as well as the issues you'd like to see address by your soon to be named City Councilor.

I was planning on releasing the majority of my platform at the 42 Voices Debate all night, however due to the cancellation, I will be releasing it today, please see below:

1) What/who are the key resources (community organizations, resident, etc) in Ward 42 and how do you plan on collaborating with them?  External partnerships for community re-branding and neighbourhood development  
1. Peace builders programming at TDSB & TCDSB
3. Ladies that Code at City Library / The Spot
4. Seedy Saturdays  
5. Repair Café  
6. Tool Library
7. Bike Toronto Bike Fest to support 42 Riders  
8. College of Building Trades March Break & Summer Camp
9. Pre/ Postnatal/ Seniors Yoga
10. Adding a bee apiary to local community gardens with the Toronto Bee Co-op or Food Share
11. Not Far From The Tree fruit collection
12. Farmers Market
13. Ward Spelling Bees competetions
14. Encourage free Math Tutoring for students
15. Bringing Engineering Month to Malvern Mall with OCETT and POE
15. Volunteer Toronto
16. Rotary Club – Target funding for space investment  
17. Girl Guides / Scouts Canada / Cadets Cultural Focused troops
18. UTSC & Centennial College for March Break / Summer Camps or Saturday Clubs such as York and Ryerson University offer
19. Leaf Toronto – Tree Tenders training
20. Visions of Science for MFRC after school clubs ANC to build volunteer opportunities for intergenerational learning and cultural teachings  

• Which resources are currently under utilized? The people of the community and the local green spaces and the ability for local agencies to partner and work together for a united cause instead of working in silos, which is a disservice to residents and the long term sustainability of programming.
• How do you plan on building stronger partnerships between these resources to create a more collaborative environment amongresidents, businesses, service providers, and other Ward 42 Stakeholders? Relationship building, meetings with other ward reps to mediate and offer solutions. Long tern visioning needs to have all voices at the table.  
•  With so many by-elections that have happened in this area over the years (trustee, provincial, and not municipal), Ward 42 issues have not been represented fairly at these various political platforms. How do you plan on highlighting the issues of Ward 42 at City Council? Through proactive media coverage, challenging council on their focus of funding support to Scarborough with a strategic approach of local councilors to see funding flow back into our wards and holding TDSB accountable for the funding provided to support low income students with the supports needed (breakfast clubs and tutoring). Inviting residents to depute and joining committees relevant to our issues.
• How would you address poverty and promote prosperity?   Through internal partnership and increased outreach. Due to the removal of the Priority Neighbourhood status, new councillor will need to leverage department programs and services  
  

1. City Planning dept for zoning
   
2. Transportation department for transit needs assessment re: speeding and signage
   
3. Forestry Toronto– Citizen Science training and volunteer opportunities 
   
4. TESS Information Sessions and Hiring Fairs with ONTRACK and YMCA Employment 
   
5. Public Health and SPIDER for sessions with Seniors, Life Legacy, Wellness, Senior Abuse
   
6. Parks and Rec for Winterfest / Natural Skating Rink opportunities in local parks 
   
7. TCHC re: landlord licensing 
   
8. TDSB and TCDSB – Parent Academy learning series promoted
   
9. Library and Rec programs that are offered elsewhere in Toronto offered locally
   
10. Approach business investors for daycare business options, encourage them to provide non-traditional daycare hours
    
11. Review Police CDO Safety Audits of Neighbourhoods 
    
12. Residents pay more for car insurance in this ward than any other in Toronto; council needs to press Ontario govt on review of our prices, especially that NIA areas have higher car insurance costs and there may be an issue around equity.