Elect Connie

Today I release the first part of my campaign platform……..

2006-09-18T21:18:00.000-07:00

Homes for Everybody

When I look out my window in Ward 28, the view is not from a condo, or a century home, but from a public housing high rise in the heart of St. Jamestown. My experiences, those being of a tenant of T.C.H.C building, have confirmed my life long belief in the need for affordable, quality housing for all people. Housing is a right for all in this city, but unfortunately it is not a reality.
The following is some of the ways I believe we can work towards a more just Toronto, and actively pursue the right of housing for all:

Reform T.C.H.C
o Criteria for subsidies and space should be open and transparent so individuals can make informed decisions about their housing, and their lives.
o The T.C.H.C needs to support working families and individuals by making it easier to leave and come back to the T.C.H.C, i.e, the current system can take up to seven years on a waitlist for individuals and families to get back on the system if they leave the system due to increase prosperity. We should not punish those who can work.
o T.C.H.C buildings need to be properly managed, just like private housing corporations. This includes adequate maintenance of elevators, units, common areas and proper pest control. T.C.H.C tenants should not receive second class treatment just because they can afford no better.

Ward 28’s Last Stand
o We must stop the reckless redevelopment of St. Jamestown, like the Regent Park community, which resulted in a decrease of public housing units in Ward 28.
o My pledge is to stand up for an increase of quality public housing spaces, rather than the current trend of making a quick buck off the backs of the poor. Redevelopment should be to the benefit of these communities, rather than to the detriment of them.
o If the city cannot adequately provide housing spots that they once offered, then the city is duty bound to seek alternative measure, which include public subsidies for accommodation in the private sector.

Housing is a Right
o Currently too much money is spent on the homeless and poverty industry rather than funding meaningful programs and services to some of the city’s most vulnerable. I advocate for real solutions, not mere band-aid solutions that ease the city councilors’ sleep at night.
o Shelters cost the city, and ultimately the tax payers, significantly more than the cost of real solutions to the homeless issue. The costs of shelters are not only in their operating costs, but the costs that the spread of disease, such as TB, has on health services.
o City Hall is too obsessed with housing the poor in shelters, rather than addressing the solution that is right in front of their eyes.
o We need to increase city social services presence on the streets and shelters to aid access to needed services, whether it be healthcare, mental health, addiction treatment, job training, and other ways to support the move off the streets.
o Once we start to support the homeless properly, we need to provide housing through public or private meaning. What is ultimately important is that people have homes.
o Emergency short-term housing is needed but it is not solution, nor does it increase the ultimate quality of life issues that face the homeless of this city.
o I realize that these measures cost money, but so do the band-aid solutions that are currently in place. We need to approach this issue with a new view, and with the voice of the homeless as a part of this dialogue.

Is there a snowballs chance?

2006-09-13T03:13:00.000-07:00

I just finished reading Royson James' article in the Star this morning, and the news wasn't that encouraging. It looks like for those of us who are unconnected really don't stand a chance in the upcoming election. I would like to think that isn't so, and that anyone with good ideas might have a chance to contribute to the dialogue in this city. Is this a dynamic city or Jurassic Park? That is yet to be seen. Here is the link for the article for anyone interested:

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?
pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid
=1158097812289&call_pageid=968350130169
&col=969483202845

When you talk about unfair advantages the incumbants certainly have them, but that is how things work in this city right now. But can you believe "councillors have a $53,000 office budget to promote themselves, six weeks before election day"? I have to agree with James, it is sickening. It is unfortunate because we are raised with the idea that anyone can participate and succeed in politics, I am not that naive but it is a myth we perpetuate to our children. Maybe, that is one of the reasons I am running. To give those who have ideas but no money a voice. It's worth a shot, right? I think so!

Building Cities

2006-09-11T10:45:00.000-07:00

As a young child I used to create make-believe cities out of blocks and old shoeboxes. My city housed a large collection of dolls and included a hospital, fire station, stores and many houses (for some reason I never had a police station. I guess I just assumed that my dolls were good). Each night I had to put the blocks away which meant that every morning I had to recreate my city from the ground up. As I grew older the magic of the city was lost to Barbie and Ken, but while it lasted it was fun. Just like my make-believe city, Toronto was once a magical place with room for everyone. Toronto no longer has a place for everyone. In areas like Jamestown and Regent Park the working class is being pushed out. Just like my city, Toronto is constantly being rebuilt. However, instead of improving the apparent flaws, these problems are simply paved over. Slowly but surely Toronto is losing the magic that it once had as problems continue to be patched over with cookie cutter condos that only bury the issue until it inevitably resurfaces. It is time to recreate the magic of the city of Toronto. It is time for affordable housing and realistic solutions for both homelessness and crime. Maybe everyone needs to have that childlike imagination for our city.

Welcome to My Blog

2006-09-06T11:19:00.000-07:00

I am running for councillor in Ward 28, which covers Cabbagetown, St. Jamestown, and Regent Park. My blog is to update you on my campaign, my platform, and life in general. Here is a brief introduction to some of the issues that I believe need to be addressed. Stay tuned, there will be more to come.

Urban Planning:
I feel that we are in the last days of St. Jamestown. Regent Park fell to gentrification, and it is only a few years before we are on the chopping block. In real term, that means a entire community will be displaced, for the interests of developers, not for the better of the community.

Public housing:
Public housing should be kept public. St. Jamestown and other T.C.H.C buildings should be mantained in good condition, as the people of these communities are entitled to a safe and clean environment to work, and raise their families.

Shelters:
The current state of shelter for the homeless is disgusting. Shelters as they are right now cannot be considered a humane place to live, even for one night. The food is slop, and insects and disease are rampant. For all the money that is spent, the poor don't benefit in meaningful way. Everything seems to go into the money pit that is the poverty industry. Maybe it is better to give people vouchers or direct subsidy so they can go to private landlords for accomodation.

Public Spaces:
There needs to be more beauty in this city, that is accessible to all, regardless of economic factors. Public murals, art, fountains, gardens, street furniture, waterfountains, and washroom would enhance the quality of city life. Beauty should not be kept in the private domain, where those who can afford it have access.