Susan Chapelle

Ward 14 needs more homes and must protect the affordable rentals we already have. I support co-ops and nonprofit housing on public land, accessible homes, and smaller options that help people age in their neighbourhoods. I would simplify fees and approvals for fourplexes, secondary suites and laneway homes. Larger developments must come with the water, transit, energy and services their new residents will need. Growth should make room for new neighbours without pushing out those already here.

Getting around Ward 14 should be safe and practical whether you walk, take the TTC, cycle or drive. I would push for reliable local bus service, safer crossings, accessible stops and sidewalks cleared in winter. On the Danforth, I support improving the bike lanes, with better loading and access for businesses, residents and people with disabilities. Street changes should be shaped with the people who use them, then checked against safety and travel data.

I’ve managed a $35 million municipal budget and studied finance. I know that every promise has a cost, and residents deserve to see what they get for their taxes. I would review spending carefully, publish clear service standards and follow up when basics like waste pickup, snow clearing and road repairs fall short. New development must also help pay for the infrastructure it needs. My test for any budget decision is simple: does it improve life in our neighbourhoods, and can we afford to sustain it?

Residents need police who can respond when someone is in danger. They also need healthcare that can treat mental illness and addiction before a crisis reaches the street. I support effective neighbourhood policing and crisis teams that bring health professionals alongside officers when appropriate. I would press the province for better access to treatment, while working with residents and police on the safety concerns they see in Ward 14. Public safety depends on both a timely response and care people can actually reach.

Toronto must cut emissions and prepare for the climate impacts we already face. In Ward 14, that means flood protection, better stormwater systems, shade and cooling during heat waves, and a reliable electricity grid. I would connect climate spending to the risks it reduces and ensure new development has the infrastructure to support it. I explain my approach on my website under 'policy'. Climate policy must work in the real world.

I live and work in Ward 14. These are my streets, my neighbours and the businesses I use every day. I’ve also served two terms on municipal council, so I know how to turn local concerns into budget decisions, policy and follow-through. I’m running independently because municipal government works best when councillors answer to their communities, not party leaders. Ward 14 deserves someone who knows this place, has done the job and will make decisions for the people who live here. Reach out if you would like to join me for a coffee!