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“Housing is a human right. I know firsthand that housing is one of the biggest expenses for many Torontonians, myself included. Too many people are only one missed rent payment away from losing their home. On City Council, I would prioritize increasing the supply of housing, protecting existing affordable and rental housing, and investing in permanent housing solutions for people experiencing homelessness. I would also prioritize the quality and safety of housing.”

Source: Know Your Vote Toronto — candidate questionnaire responses (Toronto Public Library)

“I would protect affordable rentals through stronger RentSafeTO enforcement, enforceable tenant protections during redevelopment, early housing advice, rent and deposit help, and non-profits buying rental buildings. I would support non-profit and co-op homes near transit and lasting affordability on City land, and work with other governments to fund supportive housing. With councillors and tenant groups, I would press Ontario to reform and improve the Residential Tenancies Act to better protect tenants.”

Source: Know Your Vote Toronto — candidate questionnaire responses (Toronto Public Library)

“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”

Source: Know Your Vote Toronto — candidate questionnaire responses (Toronto Public Library)

“First and foremost, we need houses, apartments and rental units and we need them yesterday. We don't have time to wait for another condo to take a decade to build, we need small to mid-sized, Mass Timber apartments. These are 20 to 50 units but not tall enough to ruin the city scape around the neighbourhoods they're built in and can go from ground breaking to finished in just a few years. We must also expand the city's existing programs like the Multi-Unit Residential Acquisition (MURA) Program to secure properties before private developers do”

Source: Know Your Vote Toronto — candidate questionnaire responses (Toronto Public Library)

“A city everyone can afford to live in - affordable housing options, food security, and better services for our taxes.”

Source: Priorities | Terri Hawkes

“I would expand income-based savings through one application for transit, recreation and other City fees, plus a monthly healthy food credit at participating grocers and markets. Building on Toronto’s existing benefits account, residents could apply online, by phone or in person. Support would reflect income and household size, with eligibility expanded to more households. In the first budget, I would seek funding for a pilot with clear renewal rules and privacy protections, and publish household savings, participation and costs.”

Source: Know Your Vote Toronto — candidate questionnaire responses (Toronto Public Library)

“Most importantly, University-Rosedale needs a representative who can advocate for its taxpayers and stakeholders, and meticulously parse through city spending and contracting practices.”

Source: Keenan Courtis campaign website

“A year ago, I experienced an unprovoked assault at Bloor-Yonge and suffered a spinal disc herniation. With Toronto in a housing crisis, many people are experiencing homelessness, hunger, or mental health crises and need professional support. It reinforced for me how important it is to have the right resources in the right places. We need to invest in crisis response, Streets to Homes, supportive housing, social services, and dedicated staff. Everyone deserves to be safe and feel safe.”

Source: Know Your Vote Toronto — candidate questionnaire responses (Toronto Public Library)

“Safety is eroded when people feel the city is not responsive to their concerns. Seeing individuals in crisis or witnessing erratic behaviour can feel unsafe, but most often people just need support and there are far too few options available. We can prioritize safety by expanding the 211 crisis support system on the TTC and on our streets. I will double funding for crisis support so that frontline workers can quickly connect people to mental health, addictions, and housing services they need.”

Source: Know Your Vote Toronto — candidate questionnaire responses (Toronto Public Library)

“I would prioritize everyday safety through better lighting, clear walkways, clean parks and transit, and visible, trained staff. I would push for more visible, approachable police officers who build trust, offer help and treat everyone with respect. I would support consistent enforcement against threats, harassment and dangerous behaviour, alongside crisis workers who help people in distress. I would work with residents and local services to address recurring problems early. Reports should receive a clear response and follow-up.”

Source: Know Your Vote Toronto — candidate questionnaire responses (Toronto Public Library)

“This answer does not minimize the major flaw in crisis and mental health support, same for the failure of public space management.”

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 11 questionnaire · October 14, 2026

“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.”

Source: Know Your Vote Toronto — candidate questionnaire responses (Toronto Public Library)

“The stats say that crime and assaults are down since lockdowns were lifted, but people don't read stats. They want to see the safety measure in place that are supposedly, keeping them safe. I can tell you that in my 15 years of taking the TTC I have never had my fair inspected, even seeing an Inspector is rare so how can I believe that stats. We need to see people doing their job, we need to see then checking fares, we need to see police walking on the street and interacting with the neighbourhood. People need a reason to believe the stats.”

Source: Know Your Vote Toronto — candidate questionnaire responses (Toronto Public Library)

“Safer streets, homes and businesses - by enforcing laws, bylaws and rules on the road, the sidewalk, and on transit, with faster emergency response times.”

Source: Priorities | Terri Hawkes

“I would prioritize reliable transit and safer, clearer routes for everyone. I would push for better TTC service and maintenance, safe crossings, accessible sidewalks and connected cycling routes. Construction should be coordinated, with clear timelines and safe detours for people walking, using mobility devices, cycling or driving. I would press for prompt repairs, reliable snow clearing and consistent enforcement against blocked sidewalks, bike lanes and intersections. Residents should know what is changing and when.”

Source: Know Your Vote Toronto — candidate questionnaire responses (Toronto Public Library)

“Representation that prioritizes making parks, streets, and transit safe for all users.”

Source: Keenan Courtis campaign website

“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”

Source: Know Your Vote Toronto — candidate questionnaire responses (Toronto Public Library)

“Speed up the TTC, particularly streetcars and punish people who ride on the side walk. Our street cars are some of the slowest on earth, there's no reason they should be and if we can speed them up more people will take them, that means less cars on the road. Less cars means people will feel safer riding a bike and actually punishing e-bike drivers hopping onto the side walk, and not just an $80 fine, will help prevent pedestrians from getting run over.”

Source: Know Your Vote Toronto — candidate questionnaire responses (Toronto Public Library)

“I want a proactive City that plans ahead, fixes problems early and sets clear service standards and public timelines. I’ve rented in Ward 11 for 15 years and raised concerns at City committees and the TTC Board. In higher education I work with colleagues to find innovative solutions, explain complex systems and improve them. As an independent councillor, I’ll listen to residents, consult experts and work with everyone involved, explain decisions and follow through. I’ll work for a proactive City Hall that listens, explains and delivers.”

Source: Know Your Vote Toronto — candidate questionnaire responses (Toronto Public Library)

“I hope to earn the trust of the residents of University-Rosedale, and have a chance to put this theory into action, through regular in-person and hybrid community town halls, as well as community consultation, an accessible and staffed office in University-Rosedale, alongside responsive and respectful communication between the people of University-Rosedale, their councillor, and councillor's staff.”

Source: Priorities | Terri Hawkes

“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.”

Source: Know Your Vote Toronto — candidate questionnaire responses (Toronto Public Library)

“A thriving city with strong local businesses, vibrant communities, jobs for our youth.”

Source: Priorities | Terri Hawkes

“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.”

Source: Know Your Vote Toronto — candidate questionnaire responses (Toronto Public Library)

“Representation that's committed to keeping our communities moving by expanding Bike Share and bike lanes, improving the TTC, and reclaiming sidewalks for pedestrians.”

Source: Keenan Courtis campaign website