Kristian Santos

The Mayor and City Council

The most important thing I would act on is making sure Etobicoke North, and Rexdale in particular, finally gets its fair share of attention and resources. For too long our community has been treated as an afterthought. I am not afraid to challenge that. My experience growing up and raising a family here, combined with my time in the Reserves, taught me to deal with problems directly and not back down when something needs to be fixed.

Housing

Protecting the rental housing we already have and cracking down on illegal renovictions and neglectful landlords. Making sure new development in our area includes real affordable units that local people can actually qualify for not just units that look good on paper. Speeding up repairs and better management in existing Toronto Community Housing buildings so people aren’t left waiting years for basic fixes.

Cost of Living

One thing I would prioritize is getting better control over city fees and charges that keep climbing every year. Too many residents in Etobicoke North are seeing higher costs for basic city services while not seeing clear improvements in return. I would push for a full review of user fees and point-of-service charges to identify where we can freeze or reduce costs for residents, especially families and seniors on fixed incomes.

Safety in Public Spaces

No one should feel afraid in the place they call home. This matters a lot to me because I’m raising my family here in Etobicoke North. I’ve heard from many residents in Rexdale who are concerned about safety in parks, on transit, and on local streets. I will prioritize a stronger police presence in our community and faster response times to emergencies. People deserve to feel safe where they live, and that requires real follow-through. We will get this done.

Getting Around the City

We need to improve transit one practical step at a time. One priority for me is pushing for better TTC service connecting Rexdale to Belfield on Queens Plate. Right now, people using the food bank at Perth Seventh-day Adventist Church which serves about 300 residents in Ward 1 have to walk a full kilometre there and a kilometre back carrying groceries because there is no nearby bus route. That is unacceptable. Improving this connection would make a real difference for seniors, families, and anyone relying on that food bank.

Confronting Hateful and Hostile Behaviour

I’m a visible minority who grew up in Rexdale, and I have not experienced the kind of hateful or hostile behaviour this question describes. In Etobicoke North, I believe people of all backgrounds are generally respected. This may be a bigger issue in other parts of the city, but our community is different. That’s why it’s important that City Hall pays attention to who we actually are not just how we are sometimes portrayed. We have wonderful people doing good work here every day, and I will always stand up for this community.