Not to late for the flu shot or an updated COVID vacine

By Dianne Saxe

Two years have now passed since I was first elected to Toronto city council, and I am tremendously proud of the improvements we have made together. 

I feel especially satisfied for having earned a reputation at city hall for doing my homework, following up, and causing “good trouble.” 

My focus throughout my tenure has been on substantive interventions, listening carefully, and giving thanks and praise where it is due. 

Budget season is upon us. Thank you to everyone who participated in the preliminary consultation in October, whether online or in person. 

There will be another round of intensive consultations in January before the mayor brings her budget to council on Feb. 11. 

I am doing everything possible to accelerate our multifaceted Housing Action Plan, with its ambitious goal of 65,000 new affordable homes. 

Much of this depends on federal and provincial cooperation, which is not yet forthcoming, but we are doing a lot with what we have. 

It’s time to make your 2025 vacant home tax declaration. The process is much simpler this year; watch for the instructions in the mail. 

Would your condo board, church, or other group like us to come hold a clinic to make it easier for your members? Please let us know and we will be glad to come.

What else can we do together to make Toronto better?

Bike Lanes: Many of you have asked what you can do about Doug Ford’s attack on our bike lanes. I urge everyone to contact their local MPP’s office, join a group, and visit cycleto.ca and sign their petition. 

Water bills: The transmission unit that sends your meter readings to the city may have failed early due to battery problems. 

These units have saved the city more than $300 million; now, we will be spending a small part of those savings to replace the broken units or to function without them. Details on what to do have been mailed to every water customer. If you need help resolving an unexpectedly large water bill or with finding and reading your water meter, please let us know. 

You can call the special line at 311 for help; if that doesn’t work, ask our office.

Noisy garbage trucks: Do you lose sleep because of nighttime private waste collection which the previous council exempted from the noise bylaw? If so, please contact 311. 

Working with No More Noise Toronto, I have successfully compelled municipal licensing and standards to start resolving these complaints, but nothing will happen unless you let them know. 

If the problem persists, please report it again.

Vaccines: It’s time to get your COVID and flu shots to reduce the risk of serious illness. Get them from your family doctor or pharmacy.

Do you need a volunteer for tree planting, Christmas giveaways, or other public services? Does your school, church or other group hold an event where my team and I can meet your members? Please invite us! Thank you so much for including us!

Wishing everyone a joyous holiday season!

Dianne Saxe in councillor Ward 11, University–Rosedale.

READ MORE BY DIANNE SAXE:

• FORUM: A busy legislative agenda ahead (Oct./Nov. 2024)
• FORUM: Saxe and the City (Summer 2024)
• FORUM: Tackling road congestion, noise, and safety (June 2024)
• FORUM: Undoing vacant home tax debacle (May 2024)
• FORUM: A busy agenda at city council (Apr. 2024)
• FORUM: University-Rosedale update from the councillor’s chair (Mar. 2024)
• FORUM: Eventful new year at city council (Feb. 2024)
• FORUM: A hectic first year in University-Rosedale (Dec. 2023)
• FORUM: Keeping it green and safe in University-Rosedale (Fall 2023)
• FORUM: Fighting on five fronts (Summer 2023)
• FORUM: Addressing a housing shortage (May/June 2023)
• FORUM: Leveraging a green agenda (April 2023)
• FORUM: Budget passes in a consensus vote (Mar. 2023)
• FORUM: Bike lanes made permanent, more warming centres open (Feb. 2023)
• FORUM: Turbulent time to take a seat (Jan. 2023)