This year has tragically seen a sharp spike in pedestrian collisions, and ultimately fatalities in every part of the city from Downtown to Midtown, side streets to boulevards. All this despite city council’s adoption of a Vision Zero goal, an initiative aimed at eliminating fatalities and serious injuries due to road traffic, through smarter street design. If we are to ever achieve a truly walkable and cyclable community, we need to ensure that the risk of commuting does not deter residents and incentivize remaining in the safety of their vehicles.

This can be achieved through smarter street design and an expansive, connected bike network. By promoting such initiatives, we will in effect give rise to greater local commutes, and in turn foster a strengthening of local businesses and community hubs. By prioritizing destinations within the community rather than thoroughfare corridors for downtown commutes, we can unlock greater access to public spaces. In our own ward, a Waterfront Revitalisation effort that follows such a simple principle would promote the use of one of our most precious resources right at our doorstep.

That is how you build a truly liveable Toronto: through liveable communities.

Together, on October 22nd let’s seize Our Chance For Change, and created more liveable communities in Ward 17.