Mike Layton

The Mayor and City Council

We need serious investments to fully fund and implement TransformTO and to reach net zero by 2040: green bus and transit fleets and reliable affordable transit, mass retrofitting City and commercial properties, BikeShare, bike lane buildout and advocacy, solar and wind expansion, supports for renters and homeowners to green their properties and reduce energy use, responsible recycling and waste management. I have decades of experience in environmental advocacy both as a former Councillor and Head of Sustainability at York University.

Housing

City should grow its capacity to build affordable and supportive, eco-friendly, rent-controlled housing on City-owned lands as quickly as possible to address the rent-geared-to-income housing backlog. Grow investments in the MURA program, partnering with groups like the Kensington Market and Chinatown Community Land Trusts in Ward 11 to keep properties in public hands and address speculation. Grow investments in eviction supports and the Rent Bank to keep people housed. Continue securing investments from Province and federal government to build

Cost of Living

Address exorbitant food costs and food insecurity via expansion of the School Meal Program to provide 2 meals to all school kids in the City and preserving the CampTO nutrition program. Support options to save working families money through municipally owned and operated grocery stores. Strengthen and expand food co-ops like Karma Co-op in Ward 11. Support ban on surveillance pricing at big box stores. Expand and bolster local community gardens in neighbourhoods.

Safety in Public Spaces

Invest in social programs like community centres, employment support, public health, school food, mental health, transit, affordable housing and eviction prevention, interim shelters, 7 day a week library access. Invest in Community Crisis Response Program expansion on transit. Advocate to other orders of government for additional transit and housing support, to reinstate safe consumption sites to bring substance use safe and indoors, and to double income supports for OW and ODSP. Eliminating poverty is the best way to address safety for all.

Getting Around the City

Make transit residents' first choice to travel through the City, as a means to cut congestion for those who need to drive, and improve rider experience. Implement weekly fare caps, freeze fares, and invest in service quality and safety. Advance 10 minute or less service on routes, and eliminate reduced speed zones. Fight back against provincial overreach on bike lanes and build out more lanes. Implement transit signal priority, including in Ward 11 on College and Spadina, like on Dundas. Advance local investments in road safety and maintenance

Confronting Hateful and Hostile Behaviour

Protect rights of residents to worship and attend school in peace, and protect rights to freely protest without fear of intimidation. Invest in supports and programming for newcomers, Black and Indigenous-serving nonprofit and community organizations, 2SLGBTQIA+ residents and those with disabilities, and for groups to have meaningful input in City processes. Be present at community events celebrating our differences and what bind us as Torontonians. Combat any discrimination in Toronto Community Housing, transit and City spaces.