Jackson Ho

The Mayor and City Council

Toronto should prioritize spending on residents and the essential services they rely on. Scarborough–Agincourt still has no subway or LRT station and relies heavily on buses. Meanwhile, millions are spent on initiatives like renaming Yonge-Dundas Square and hosting major events such as FIFA. These events can benefit our economy, but our priorities should be clear: residents come first. People should be able to put food on the table, afford a roof over their heads, and have reliable transit before anything else.

Housing

With many condo units currently on the market, Toronto has an opportunity to purchase existing homes and offer them to low-income families at subsidized rents. This could provide housing faster, reduce construction costs, and create long-term public assets. Using existing homes also reduces the environmental impact of new construction, supports housing market stability, and helps distribute affordable housing across Toronto rather than concentrating it in a few developments.

Cost of Living

We should avoid increasing transit fares and keep property tax increases below the rate of inflation. At the same time, we need to find smarter ways to improve public services while reducing costs, for example, community based snow removal during major storms. We should focus on spending taxpayers’ money wisely, finding innovative ways to deliver services more efficiently, and purchasing affordable homes already available on the market when it makes more financial sense than building new ones.

Safety in Public Spaces

When people can no longer afford basic necessities, financial desperation can contribute to crime and instability. Making Toronto safer means addressing some of the root causes, not just responding after a crime occurs. We need to make life more affordable, while also improving access to mental health care and addiction treatment. By helping people achieve greater stability and get the support they need, we can prevent crime, strengthen communities, and make Toronto safer for everyone.

Getting Around the City

One thing Scarborough - Agincourt is missing is a direct connection to Toronto’s subway network. We should prioritize extending Line 4 into our community. Better transit would give residents more options and help reduce traffic congestion, benefiting even drivers who never take the TTC. Bike lanes are also important, but they should be planned based on local needs. What works downtown does not always make sense in suburban areas like Scarborough, where travel patterns are very different.

Confronting Hateful and Hostile Behaviour

We are all Canadians, and I believe our national flag should be a symbol that brings us together. When public spaces focus too heavily on competing political, religious, or identity based flags, it can sometimes deepen divisions rather than build understanding. Canada is home to people of many faiths, backgrounds, and identities, and the Canadian flag can represent all of us at once. We should celebrate our differences while emphasizing the values and country we share.