Toronto currently faces significant housing issues. Lately, these issues have been overshadowed by serious concerns of wasteful spending by the Toronto Community Housing Committee.

As is the case with any city department, the abuse of tax payer money is absolutely unacceptable, and I will be supporting a full review of the TCHC’s finances.

While I approve of the ongoing investigations of the TCHC misspending, I have serious concerns with the proposal presented and approved at council to remove all members of the TCHC as it will leave thousands of community housing tenants without a voice or input into the decisions that will impact them most.

During my campaign, I insisted on ensuring residents are involved in the City decision-making process and are given a voice at City Hall.  I strongly believe that supporting a proposal to remove the tenant representatives from the TCHC would be a breach of my campaign pledge and would sever the link between tenants and their municipal government at a time when our decisions affect them most. While this financial investigation continues, it is critical that TCHC residents be represented by their peers to advocate on their behalf.

Voting against this proposal was part of my mandate to protect tenants, who remain among Toronto’s most vulnerable residents. I will continue to be a strong advocate for protecting tenants, making sure that the concerns of Toronto renters are heard, and ensuring that every tax dollar is spent carefully and appropriately.