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← Councillor - Ward 15 (Don Valley West)

Rachel Chernos Lin

Candidate for Councillor - Ward 15 (Don Valley West)

Elected (official result)

In their own words

This candidate hasn’t listed a campaign website or social account with the Town. That says nothing about them as a candidate — it just means less of their material is published online for us to summarise.

Where they stand

Every candidate in this race is shown against the same 16 issues, in the same order, whether or not we’ve found something for each one. Why we do it this way.

Housing

Will I be able to afford to live here?

Rachel Chernos Lin: Toronto needs housing of all kinds, including co-op and affordable; the City plays a key role alongside developers.

  • Toronto needs housing of all kinds to meet diverse needs, including co-op and affordable housing.
  • The City plays a key role in delivering housing — especially in a slowing market — alongside private-sector developers; support all levels of government to help the homeless and struggling residents.
Show their words & source (several paragraphs)
“Toronto needs housing of all kinds to meet resident’s diverse needs - that includes co-op and affordable housing. The City plays a key role in delivering that housing, especially in a slowing market, alongside developers in the private sector. Just as critical is the need to invest in people. People experiencing homelessness or struggling to keep up with housing costs should have access to supports that will give them a solid foundation and security for future success. This can only be achieved with support from all levels of government.”

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

Confidence:High

Taxes & spending

What happens to my tax bill, and where does the money go?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Emergency services

When I call for help, will it come fast enough?

Rachel Chernos Lin: all governments must invest in mental-health supports, addiction recovery and transitional housing.

  • All three levels of government must invest in mental health supports, addiction recovery and transitional housing to stabilize those in crisis.
  • As a City: prioritize services for people in need; critical staffing — special constables, police, outreach workers — keeps parks, public spaces and transit safe.
Show their words & source (several paragraphs)
“We need all three levels of government to invest in mental health supports, addiction recovery, and transitional housing to assist with stabilizing those in crisis and getting them on a road to recovery. As a City, we must prioritize getting people services they need. Critical staffing, from special constables and police to outreach workers, ensures our parks, public spaces and public transit system are enjoyable and safe for their intended purpose.”

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

Confidence:High

Transit

Can I get where I need to go without driving?

This candidate has spoken about this issue more than once. Each statement is shown with its own source.

Rachel Chernos Lin would optimize traffic flow with real-time signal tech, invest in TTC maintenance, prioritize pedestrian safety.

  • Optimize traffic flow with modern signal technology informed by real-time data.
  • Encourage transit by investing in maintenance, capital improvements and customer service; prioritize pedestrian safety and Vision Zero.
“On our roads, we need to optimize traffic flow using modern signal technology informed by real-time data. We need to encourage transit use whenever possible by investing in maintenance, capital improvements and customer service. If it is efficient, reliable and safe, more people will use the TTC - meaning less cars on the road. The City must also prioritize pedestrian safety. This means ensuring e-bikes are used safely and responsibly, as well as redesigning roads and revamping our infrastructure with a Vision Zero lens.”

(several paragraphs)

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

Confidence:High

Rachel Chernos Lin's #1 issue: congestion; encourage all modes of transport and build complete, walkable communities.

  • The #1 issue at the door: congestion, costing the City more than $40B annually in lost economic productivity.
  • While there will always be a need for cars, encourage all modes of transportation and build complete, walkable communities; 'build from the inside out' to keep construction off roads.
“The #1 issue I hear about at the door is congestion. It costs residents time, and costs our City more than $40B annually in lost economic productivity. The solutions are multifaceted. While there will always be a need for cars, we need to encourage the use of all modes of transportation and build complete, walkable communities. I believe the City must adopt a“build from the inside out” approach to development to keep construction off our roads. Major cities like Tokyo and NYC successfully use this model - Toronto should do the same.”

(several paragraphs)

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

Confidence:High

Rachel Chernos Lin would maintain a freeze on TTC fares and expand low-cost senior supports like tax relief.

  • Maintain a freeze on TTC fares to improve affordability and keep transit accessible; makes transit more attractive, cutting traffic.
  • Increase access to low-cost programs for seniors: property tax relief and deferral, Air Conditioner Assistance; look for service gaps for seniors.
“Maintaining a freeze on TTC fares will improve affordability, and keep transit accessible for those who rely on it in our City. In addition to the benefits for affordability, it also makes transit a more attractive option, reducing vehicular traffic and congestion. Increasing access to low-cost programs and supports for seniors, such as the property tax relief and deferral programs and the Air Conditioner Assistance Program, is key. It is important that we look for gaps in our service to make sure our seniors are well-supported by the City.”

(several paragraphs)

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

Confidence:High

Think we’ve got this wrong?

Government

Will decisions be made in the open, and will anyone answer for them?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Roads & infrastructure

Will the things I use every day actually get fixed?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Economy

Will our main streets and local jobs thrive?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Environment

Is the candidate protecting the nature we live in?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Healthcare

Will there be a doctor and a hospital when we need one?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Growth & development

How fast should we grow, and who decides what gets built where?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Social & community services

Who looks after the most vulnerable residents?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Active transportation

Can I walk and bike safely around town?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Arts & culture

Does the candidate value what makes this place feel alive?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Data centres

Should energy-hungry data centres be welcomed here?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Water & waste

Is our drinking water safe and our waste handled?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Bylaw enforcement

Are the rules fair, and are they actually enforced?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Think we got something wrong?

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