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← Councillor - Ward 8 (Eglinton-Lawrence)

Jason McDonald

Candidate for Councillor - Ward 8 (Eglinton-Lawrence)

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?

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

Jason McDonald chose 'Yes'; Parks belong to everyone — but a real offer must come with supports, not a sweep that leaves people with nowhe

  • Answer: Yes.
  • Parks belong to everyone — but a real offer must come with supports, not a sweep that leaves people with nowhere to go.
“Parks belong to everyone — but a real offer must come with supports, not a sweep that leaves people with nowhere to go.”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 8 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Jason McDonald chose 'Yes'; More supply is essential — but it can't be blank-check upzoning. Density must deliver affordable units, parks

  • Answer: Yes.
  • More supply is essential — but it can't be blank-check upzoning. Density must deliver affordable units, parks and flood protection to the neighbourhood where it lands.
“More supply is essential — but it can't be blank-check upzoning. Density must deliver affordable units, parks and flood protection to the neighbourhood where it lands.”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 8 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Jason McDonald chose 'Concentrate growth on major streets and near rapid transit'; Concentrate growth on Eglinton and near rapid transit

  • Answer: Concentrate growth on major streets and near rapid transit.
  • Concentrate growth on Eglinton and near rapid transit, where density is supported — with CBA benefits staying in the corridor.
“Concentrate growth on Eglinton and near rapid transit, where density is supported — with CBA benefits staying in the corridor.”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 8 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Jason McDonald chose 'Supply land, funding and incentives to non-profit and private providers'; City supplies land

  • Answer: Supply land, funding and incentives to non-profit and private providers.
  • City supplies land, funding and incentives to non-profit and private providers — and negotiates CBAs so the benefits land where the buildings go up.
“City supplies land, funding and incentives to non-profit and private providers — and negotiates CBAs so the benefits land where the buildings go up.”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 8 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Jason McDonald chose 'Expand as-of-right zoning and automate routine permits'; Speed is the tax the city hides.

  • Answer: Expand as-of-right zoning and automate routine permits.
  • Speed is the tax the city hides. Automate routine permits and expand as-of-right — with CBA and affordable-unit conditions attached, not stripped.
“Speed is the tax the city hides. Automate routine permits and expand as-of-right — with CBA and affordable-unit conditions attached, not stripped.”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 8 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Jason McDonald chose 'Expand apprenticeships, training and recognition of international credentials'

  • Answer: Expand apprenticeships, training and recognition of international credentials.
  • Recognize international credentials and expand apprenticeships — we have the people, they're locked out of the trades by paperwork.
“Recognize international credentials and expand apprenticeships — we have the people, they're locked out of the trades by paperwork.”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 8 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Jason McDonald chose 'Build or finance substantially more affordable and supportive housing'

  • Answer: Build or finance substantially more affordable and supportive housing.
  • Build and finance affordable and supportive housing for working families under $100K — funded through the commercial parking levy and development charges, not resident taxes.
“Build and finance affordable and supportive housing for working families under $100K — funded through the commercial parking levy and development charges, not resident taxes.”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 8 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Think we’ve got this wrong?

Taxes & spending

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

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

Jason McDonald chose 'Grow more slowly than inflation, requiring service restraint or alternative revenues'

  • Answer: Grow more slowly than inflation, requiring service restraint or alternative revenues.
  • Residential property tax grows below inflation. New spending is funded by the commercial parking levy, billboard tax and fraud penalties — not the homeowner.
“Residential property tax grows below inflation. New spending is funded by the commercial parking levy, billboard tax and fraud penalties — not the homeowner.”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 8 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Jason McDonald chose 'Land-transfer taxes, development charges and taxes on real-estate activity'

  • Answer: Land-transfer taxes, development charges and taxes on real-estate activity.
  • Commercial parking levy and development charges. Corporations and developers pay the costs their activities generate — not working families.
“Commercial parking levy and development charges. Corporations and developers pay the costs their activities generate — not working families.”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 8 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Jason McDonald chose 'Reduce internal administration, staffing or contract costs'; Cut the consultant and admin bloat first

  • Answer: Reduce internal administration, staffing or contract costs.
  • Cut the consultant and admin bloat first — the $58M consultant class — before touching services or raising taxes.
“Cut the consultant and admin bloat first — the $58M consultant class — before touching services or raising taxes.”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 8 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Jason McDonald chose 'Yes'; Yes. Deferring maintenance costs more later — the flood backlog west of the Allen proves it. But make corporat

  • Answer: Yes.
  • Yes. Deferring maintenance costs more later — the flood backlog west of the Allen proves it. But make corporations and developers pay, not homeowners.
“Yes. Deferring maintenance costs more later — the flood backlog west of the Allen proves it. But make corporations and developers pay, not homeowners.”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 8 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Think we’ve got this wrong?

Emergency services

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

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

Jason McDonald chose 'Lighting, maintenance, sanitation and active use of streets and parks'; "The streets west of the Allen are darker

  • Answer: Lighting, maintenance, sanitation and active use of streets and parks.
  • "The streets west of the Allen are darker, dirtier and less maintained than the east. Lighting, maintenance and active use fix safety before you need a badge."
“"The streets west of the Allen are darker, dirtier and less maintained than the east. Lighting, maintenance and active use fix safety before you need a badge."”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 8 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Jason McDonald chose 'Remain approximately constant after inflation'; Hold the police budget roughly flat after inflation

  • Answer: Remain approximately constant after inflation.
  • Hold the police budget roughly flat after inflation — and put new money into prevention, crisis response and lighting, not a bigger badge.
“Hold the police budget roughly flat after inflation — and put new money into prevention, crisis response and lighting, not a bigger badge.”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 8 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Think we’ve got this wrong?

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.

Jason McDonald chose 'No'; No. Fund transit through the commercial parking levy, billboard tax and development charges — not new tolls on

  • Answer: No.
  • No. Fund transit through the commercial parking levy, billboard tax and development charges — not new tolls on working families
“No. Fund transit through the commercial parking levy, billboard tax and development charges — not new tolls on working families”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 8 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Jason McDonald chose 'Accessibility, geographic coverage and minimum service standards'; Accessibility

  • Answer: Accessibility, geographic coverage and minimum service standards.
  • Accessibility, geographic coverage and minimum standards — the whole city gets served, not just the profitable downtown core.
“Accessibility, geographic coverage and minimum standards — the whole city gets served, not just the profitable downtown core.”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 8 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Jason McDonald chose 'More frequent and reliable service on existing routes'; Concentrate growth on Eglinton and near rapid transit

  • Answer: More frequent and reliable service on existing routes.
  • Concentrate growth on Eglinton and near rapid transit, where density is supported — with CBA benefits staying in the corridor.
“Concentrate growth on Eglinton and near rapid transit, where density is supported — with CBA benefits staying in the corridor.”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 8 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Jason McDonald chose 'Deliveries, trades, emergency vehicles and accessibility'; Deliveries keep small businesses alive.

  • Answer: Deliveries, trades, emergency vehicles and accessibility.
  • Deliveries keep small businesses alive. Emergency vehicles keep people safe. Accessibility keeps everyone in. Essentials first — then we sort the rest.
“Deliveries keep small businesses alive. Emergency vehicles keep people safe. Accessibility keeps everyone in. Essentials first — then we sort the rest.”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 8 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Think we’ve got this wrong?

Government

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

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

Jason McDonald chose 'Plan budgets and services on the assumption that substantial new provincial support will not arrive'

  • Answer: Plan budgets and services on the assumption that substantial new provincial support will not arrive.
  • Queen's Park writes cheques when it wants to. The city should plan on no new provincial money — and fund its priorities through the commercial parking levy and development charges.
“Queen's Park writes cheques when it wants to. The city should plan on no new provincial money — and fund its priorities through the commercial parking levy and development charges.”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 8 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Jason McDonald chose 'Establish citywide limits on access, retention, auditing and data sharing'; Permit it with citywide rules

  • Answer: Establish citywide limits on access, retention, auditing and data sharing.
  • Permit it with citywide rules — limits on access, retention, auditing and data sharing, so the watchers are watched too.
“Permit it with citywide rules — limits on access, retention, auditing and data sharing, so the watchers are watched too.”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 8 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Jason McDonald chose 'Public data and systems that measure outcomes and hold departments accountable'; Public data and outcome metrics

  • Answer: Public data and systems that measure outcomes and hold departments accountable.
  • Public data and outcome metrics — so departments know they're being watched and taxpayers can see what their money bought.
“Public data and outcome metrics — so departments know they're being watched and taxpayers can see what their money bought.”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 8 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Jason McDonald chose 'Strengthen professional project management, procurement and contracting'

  • Answer: Strengthen professional project management, procurement and contracting.
  • The Crosstown was a procurement and project-management failure. Strengthen contracting, ban repeat offenders, and enforce what's actually in the contract.
“The Crosstown was a procurement and project-management failure. Strengthen contracting, ban repeat offenders, and enforce what's actually in the contract.”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 8 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Jason McDonald chose 'Protect protest subject to clear rules for locations, access routes and duration'; Protest is protected

  • Answer: Protect protest subject to clear rules for locations, access routes and duration.
  • Protest is protected — but with clear, published rules for locations, access routes and duration, so hospitals and small businesses can plan.
“Protest is protected — but with clear, published rules for locations, access routes and duration, so hospitals and small businesses can plan.”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 8 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Jason McDonald chose 'Yes'

  • Answer: Yes.
“Yes”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 8 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Jason McDonald chose 'overriding council on zoning and approvals to get homes built'; If strong-mayor powers exist

  • Answer: overriding council on zoning and approvals to get homes built.
  • If strong-mayor powers exist, deploy them for housing supply — with CBA and affordable-unit conditions attached, not stripped in the override.
“If strong-mayor powers exist, deploy them for housing supply — with CBA and affordable-unit conditions attached, not stripped in the override.”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 8 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Jason McDonald chose 'Expand permanent city staff and internal operational capacity'; Stop the $58M consultant churn.

  • Answer: Expand permanent city staff and internal operational capacity.
  • Stop the $58M consultant churn. Rebuild permanent city capacity so the people doing the work answer to taxpayers, not a billing clock.
“Stop the $58M consultant churn. Rebuild permanent city capacity so the people doing the work answer to taxpayers, not a billing clock.”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 8 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Think we’ve got this wrong?

Roads & infrastructure

Will the things I use every day actually get fixed?

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

Jason McDonald chose 'Cleanliness, roads, sidewalks, snow clearing, washrooms and routine park care'; Basics first — clean streets

  • Answer: Cleanliness, roads, sidewalks, snow clearing, washrooms and routine park care.
  • Basics first — clean streets, clear sidewalks, working washrooms. The west end has waited long enough for routine care.
“Basics first — clean streets, clear sidewalks, working washrooms. The west end has waited long enough for routine care.”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 8 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Jason McDonald chose 'Introduce a levy or other recurring source reserved for maintenance'

  • Answer: Introduce a levy or other recurring source reserved for maintenance.
  • Dedicated infrastructure levy from commercial sources, reserved exclusively for maintenance — not siphoned into consultant contracts or pet projects.
“Dedicated infrastructure levy from commercial sources, reserved exclusively for maintenance — not siphoned into consultant contracts or pet projects.”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 8 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Think we’ve got this wrong?

Economy

Will our main streets and local jobs thrive?

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

Jason McDonald chose 'Housing affordability, transportation, safety and quality of life'; No more customized deals for the connected.

  • Answer: Housing affordability, transportation, safety and quality of life.
  • No more customized deals for the connected. Fix housing, transit and safety, and employers come because the city works — not because we bribed them.
“No more customized deals for the connected. Fix housing, transit and safety, and employers come because the city works — not because we bribed them.”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 8 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Jason McDonald chose 'Accelerate permits, inspections and approvals'; Delay is what killed 300 Eglinton businesses.

  • Answer: Accelerate permits, inspections and approvals.
  • Delay is what killed 300 Eglinton businesses. Accelerate permits, inspections and approvals — speed is the cheapest business incentive.
“Delay is what killed 300 Eglinton businesses. Accelerate permits, inspections and approvals — speed is the cheapest business incentive.”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 8 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Think we’ve got this wrong?

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?

Jason McDonald chose 'Finish approved projects but undertake few additional road reallocations'; Finish what's approved and measure it

  • Answer: Finish approved projects but undertake few additional road reallocations.
  • Finish what's approved and measure it — but don't rip out parking and lanes on commercial streets where small businesses need deliveries.
Show their words & source (one sentence)
“Finish what's approved and measure it — but don't rip out parking and lanes on commercial streets where small businesses need deliveries.”

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 8 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Arts & culture

Does the candidate value what makes this place feel alive?

Jason McDonald chose 'Planning and property measures that preserve existing venues and workspaces'

  • Answer: Planning and property measures that preserve existing venues and workspaces.
  • Little Jamaica waited 9 years for heritage protection. Preserve venues and cultural spaces before they're priced out.
Show their words & source (one sentence)
“Little Jamaica waited 9 years for heritage protection. Preserve venues and cultural spaces before they're priced out.”

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 8 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

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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