Andi Hoàng-Lefranc

The Mayor and City Council

As City Councillor, my focus will be tackling the rising cost of living. Growing up as a working-class kid, I know first-hand the economic challenges that residents face. I am committed to bold and decisive leadership that will lower the cost of essentials, from opening up a city-owned grocery store network to transitioning towards a fare-free TTC system. Through training as a lawyer and my public service work, I bring a rational and practical lens to City Hall that prioritises non-partisan collaboration to get results now rather than later.

Housing

Homes are meant to be lived in and not treated as part of an investment portfolio. To address the City's housing challenges, I would prioritise raising the vacant home tax to 5% and applying it to vacant units in multi-residential apartments. The revenue collected from this increase should be used to bolster the City's Multi-Unit Residential Acquisition program to better support the acquisition, renovation, and refinancing of rental homes by non-profit housing providers, including Indigenous housing providers, co-ops, and community land trusts.

Cost of Living

In March 2025, City Council voted to explore the creation of city-run grocery stores. Instead of another feasibility study, I am committed to opening an expanded network of City-run grocery stores by leveraging the City's ability to purchase foodstuffs and fresh produce in bulk, which will keep costs low while curbing food waste. By the City taking the lead to increase the availability of affordable groceries, especially in food deserts, this will force major grocery corporations to lower their prices in response to shifting market demand.

Safety in Public Spaces

Public safety is a joint responsibility between neighbours, community organisations, and City Hall. This means expanding the Toronto Community Crisis Service, which has been effective at diverting people-in-crisis calls from a resource intensive police-response to a community-based response that focuses on long-term stability. This will also better serve neighbours who are vulnerable to gender-based & intimate partner violence and youth social conflict, by having first responders who are better equipped to understand these sensitive situations.

Getting Around the City

To better help neighbours navigate our home, I will prioritise "people moving" strategies that focuses on moving the most amount of people as possible, safely and efficiently. This includes measures such as: increasing scramble corner crossings (like at Sankofa Square), transit signal prioritisation, fighting for our bike lanes, and seasonal pedestrianisation. To improve the City's overall accessibility, I will advocate for stable and permanent ramps, properly maintained sidewalks and paths, and more consistent street cleaning and snow-removal.

Confronting Hateful and Hostile Behaviour

The rise in hateful and hostile behaviour has been exacerbated by the inaction of our City's leaders. Instead of placatory statements, I will prioritise introducing an anti-hate by-law that prohibits hate and harassment on all City property, including public transit and transit stops. The consequences for contravening this by-law would include: warning, education, trespass notices, and punitive monetary fines. Other municipalities have already passed similar measures, and it's time Toronto steps up to protect its most vulnerable.