Toronto.com reached out to Ward 23 (Scarborough North) candidates for Toronto city council and asked them to respond to a candidate questionnaire.
Phillip Francis is running for councillor in Scarborough North (Ward 23)
Phillip Francis is running for councillor in Scarborough North (Ward 23). | Phillip Francis campaign photo
NAME: PHILLIP FRANCIS
OCCUPATION: I am a financial advisor.
DO YOU LIVE IN THE WARD? I have lived in Scarborough since 1995.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Phone: 437-262-1253
Email: votephillipfrancis23@gmail.com
Website: www.phillipscarboroughnorth.com
POSITION YOU ARE RUNNING FOR: I am a candidate for the municipal office running for the councillor position in Ward 23.
PREVIOUS POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Currently vice president for the Liberal Party, Scarborough North. Assisted in the campaign of Bas Balkissoon.
WHY HAVE YOU DECIDED TO RUN?
I have decided to run for this position because it is an opportunity to attend to the pressing needs of Scarborough North Ward 23. I am determined to serve the residents to the best of my ability. The residents have a voice; we need to listen and work with their current dire requirements such as housing, health care and unemployment.
Having years of experience in civil service and property management, I am confident that my transferable skills in the aforementioned areas will help me to take Scarborough North to the next level.
HOW WOULD YOU EMBRACE AND CHAMPION DIVERSITY IN THIS ROLE?
In championing diversity, we need to work on breaking down barriers or preferences based on cultural background. I will work to revisit the hiring process to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion is incorporated in this process, giving everyone access to the same opportunities.
I will build and uphold a supportive work place, enforcing strong values, recognize every accomplishment. Plan and organize multicultural events inviting stakeholders and current agencies and all residents, where each concern will be noted down and form a committee to work on the concerns.
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE ISSUES?
I believe the current top three issues for Ward 23 Scarborough North are predominantly health care, housing and road safety. The overall health-care system needs revamping with many more doctors, nurses and other professionals.
Housing waiting list has to be updated. It has to be fair and transparent. Clients should not have to wait for 15 to 20 years to be accommodated.
Road safety is paramount for pedestrian crossing. We should work really hard to reduce risks of road traffic accidents, eliminating tragic deaths. Reduce speed limit when approaching the traffic lights. Add fluorescent lights at the traffic lights. Provide reflectors for older adults and school children, especially in winter.
IF ELECTED, WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO ACCOMPLISH IN YOUR FIRST 100 DAYS?
My first priority is to build a supportive work place, recognizing each accomplishment enforcing and upholding values such as independence, respect for others, dignity and self-empowerment. In maintaining and improving the ethical values with current agencies and stakeholders, thus bringing new ideas and opinions through diversity that keep the work place thriving.
Virginia Jones is running for council in Scarborough North.
NAME: VIRGINIA JONES
OCCUPATION: A communications, media, community and government relations, event planning, crisis, disaster and emergency management specialist with decades of diverse hands-on experience working with all members of the community.
DO YOU LIVE IN THE WARD? This is my home. I am a longtime resident of Scarborough North with an intimate in-depth knowledge of the needs of the community, sound understanding of the issues ALL (city, province, country) are facing, appreciation of the important role of community and government and a reputation for accountability and excellence. Born in the former municipal township of East York, York County, I grew up in, worked in, play in, shop in, live in, stay in Scarborough North.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Website: virginiajones.ca
Email: virginia@virginiajones.ca
POSITION YOU ARE RUNNING FOR: Councillor, Ward 23, Scarborough North
PREVIOUS POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Over 25 years’ political experience working directly with municipal, provincial/territorial and federal governments, businesses, school boards, associations, not-for-profit, non-government organizations and the community.
I have over 35 years of diverse professional experience working in and directly with municipal, provincial/territorial and federal governments, business (continuity, accounting, tax reconciliation, property management), school boards, associations, not-for-profit and non-government organizations.
WHY HAVE YOU DECIDED TO RUN?
I believe the last four years of failures and inappropriate non-leadership have been damaging. I personally lost my family through failure of government to address issues and to protect us. I face discrimination, issues we all do. I looked to see if there was a candidate I could support and was scared by what I saw.
HOW WOULD YOU EMBRACE AND CHAMPION DIVERSITY IN THIS ROLE?
A product of Scarborough, I embrace and champion diversity in everything I do. To be a councillor is no different. Provide accessible, accountable, effective, representation – for all! To do anything less is wrong, harms all. We need to welcome, reach out, ESL, programs enabling full inclusion, independence – not discriminate, promote fear, hate, isolation, exclusion, dependence.
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE ISSUES?
You cannot separate issues, look at them in isolation. Short-sighted response equals long-term damage. We need a holistic approach. My top priority? Re-build safe communities; take back our city. Working together, we can make Scarborough North, Toronto – our home, our community, our City – the number 1 place to live, work, play and stay.
IF ELECTED, WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO ACCOMPLISH IN YOUR FIRST 100 DAYS?
Be a voice you can trust. Say no to fear, lockdowns. Stop crime, discrimination, drugs, violence, waste, rising taxes. Fix our traffic issues. Protect our youth and older adults. Improve our infrastructure and services. Preserve our green spaces. Public places. Build connected, safe, caring communities. Provide accessible, accountable, effective, representation – for all.
Cynthia Lai is running for councillor in Scarborough North (Ward 23)
NAME: CYNTHIA LAI
OCCUPATION: City councillor. Realtor.
DO YOU LIVE IN THE WARD? Yes, I have proudly lived in the Ward for over 20 years.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
E-mail: CynthiaLai2022@gmail.com
Campaign Office Phone: 647-558-9778
Website: VoteCynthiaLai.com
Instagram: Instagram.com/VoteCynthiaLai
Twitter: Twitter.com/VoteCynthiaLai
Facebook: Facebook.com/VoteCynthiaLai
POSITION YOU ARE RUNNING FOR: City councillor, Ward 23 – Scarborough North
PREVIOUS POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Have served on the city council since first being elected in 2018.
WHY HAVE YOU DECIDED TO RUN?
As the city councillor for Ward 23 – Scarborough North for the past four years, I am proud of what we have accomplished together, especially during a pandemic. I am running because I want to continue to serve and represent residents on issues that matter and to continue to deliver results.
HOW WOULD YOU EMBRACE AND CHAMPION DIVERSITY IN THIS ROLE?
I am a visible minority woman who represents a ward on council that is one of the most diverse. I have made it a priority to appoint minorities to our city’s agencies, boards and commissions.
I have championed providing city information and notices in multiple languages to reflect the demographics of the ward. I believe diversity is our strength.
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE ISSUES?
1. Making our community safer by engaging the police with the community and expanding neighbourhood watch in social media.
2. Improve transit and roads by ensuring Scarborough subway extension to McCowan and Sheppard is completed sooner and the Sheppard Avenue East extension is confirmed. I want to start work on Steeles Avenue East widening.
3. Caring for older adults to ensure the new older adult dental clinic at Alton Towers is open, the new retirement home at Brimley and Finch proceeds as planned and free TTC for older adults one day a week.
IF ELECTED, WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO ACCOMPLISH IN YOUR FIRST 100 DAYS?
I am ready to start the job on Day 1. There is no on-the-job training required. I will pick up from where I left off in fighting for my priorities and working with city council and city staff to ensure their adoption.
I will continue to engage and listen to all residents of Ward 23 on issues of importance to them.
Jamaal Myers is running for council in Scarborough North (Ward 23).
NAME: JAMAAL MYERS
OCCUPATION: I’m a senior lawyer at TD Bank, where I work on challenging environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters such as preparing for a changing climate, protecting human rights and growing our economy inclusively.
DO YOU LIVE IN THE WARD? I live just on the other side of the ward’s southern boundary at 401 and Neilson.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Email: info@Jamaal4ScarbTO.com
Phone: 855-972-7347
Website: www.Jamaal4ScarbTO.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Jamaal4ScarbTO
Instagram: www.instagram/Jamaal4ScarbTO
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Jamaal4ScarbTO
POSITION YOU ARE RUNNING FOR: Toronto city councillor for Ward 23, Scarborough North
PREVIOUS POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: I’m a community organizer and coalition builder that has worked with residents and organizations such as TAIBU Community Health Center, the Scarborough Business Association, the Community Police Liaison Committee for 42 Division and TTCriders to improve access to health care, transit, affordable housing and good jobs. I’m a first-time candidate.
WHY HAVE YOU DECIDED TO RUN?
I’m running to deliver results that improve the affordability, quality of life and safety of our neighbourhoods. Results mean ensuring Toronto reaches its target of building 40,000 new affordable homes by 2030; improving city services and responsiveness; and lowering and enforcing speed limits in school zones.
HOW WOULD YOU EMBRACE AND CHAMPION DIVERSITY IN THIS ROLE?
I would embrace and champion diversity by promoting community benefits agreements that require major city-funded projects, like widening Steeles Road, to reserve at least 10 per cent of the jobs created for local residents, with a focus on youth, women and newcomers, and working to redirect more city spending towards Scarborough businesses.
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE ISSUES?
My top three issues are affordability, quality of life and safety, specifically affordable housing; free transit for older adults, students and post-secondary students; creating good jobs in Scarborough; improving city services and parks, including cricket pitches; a local crime prevention strategy; and making our streets safe for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.
IF ELECTED, WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO ACCOMPLISH IN YOUR FIRST 100 DAYS?
In my first 100 days, I will hold a town hall on the proposal to redevelop Malvern Mall; develop common sense regulations permitting residents to park on their streets without getting ticketed; and work to develop a comprehensive framework, with adequate resources, including bylaw officers, to legalize and regulate rooming houses.
Source: toronto.com
