Chiara Padovani

The Mayor and City Council

Housing is a human right. It’s also the biggest expense for most people living in this city. The lack of affordable and adequate housing is also holding so many people back in our city, and fixing this unlocks so much potential. We need to take the profit out of housing by limiting the power that corporate landlords and big developers have. As the founder of our tenant union, I’ve already stopped hundreds of evictions, saved thousands of tenants money on their rent and got repairs done — and I’m not even the councillor yet!

Housing

As a renter and co-founder of our local tenant union, I know how precarious housing is for so many in our ward and across the city. Far too many are one missed payment away from being evicted. At the same time, we have a dire need for more affordable housing. The waitlists are astronomical. The city could be buying existing housing stock, which costs ⅓ as much as building new housing - and keeps it affordable, now. I’m committed to making rent affordable while protecting and expanding the supply of affordable housing.

Cost of Living

As a social worker, I know how many are struggling to balance paying for basics – like groceries, transportation and medication – when rent is so high. My housing platform aims to make rent more affordable, by passing an anti-AGI bylaw and bringing real rent control to all homes on public land. I’ll also work to continue the TTC fare freeze and fare capping so getting around the city remains affordable while reducing congestion by promoting transit use. Lastly, I’ll support public grocers to take the profit out of the cost of food too.

Safety in Public Spaces

Our public parks, streets and transit system were never meant to be shelters, but the housing crisis and lack of proper supports mean some people have nowhere else to go. We need to keep people housed and we also need to make sure people who need help can receive it from properly trained and resourced programs. I’ll push for provincial and federal funding to help pay for expanding and improving our shelter system and social services to help people to have a roof over their heads and the support they need.

Getting Around the City

Three years ago, I was hit by a truck at Weston and Lawrence. When it comes to road safety, I literally feel it in my bones. We need to redesign our roads to make them both safer and more efficient, and I’ve already done audits at a number of intersections to identify improvements. I also ride the TTC every day, and I know how important a safe, accessible and reliable transit system is. I’ll prioritize our transit system by maintaining the TTC fare freeze and fare capping, expanding service, and keeping transit public.

Confronting Hateful and Hostile Behaviour

My grandparents faced prejudice after moving to York South-Weston from Italy, so this issue is near and dear to my heart. Rising costs of living and the gutting of public services have contributed to groups being made into scapegoats for society’s problems. When we feel like we’re being left behind, we look for someone to blame. But when we’re winning together, we celebrate, we share, and become closer to our neighbours. That underpins my platform and my approach when I’m elected: to build a York South-Weston, and a city, for all of us.