Gord Perks – Ward 14 candidate
EMAIL: re-elect@votegordperks.ca
PHONE: 416-695-GORD (4673)
OFFICE: 2096 Dundas Street West
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1. What key issues define your campaign platform?
This is a critical election for Toronto.
While many shrill voices have been attacking the city and city hall, the majority of Torontonians believe in Toronto.
We know that excellent public services are the cornerstone that supports our neighborhoods. I will fight to preserve them: emergency service, parks, libraries, community centres, recyling and composting and beautiful public spaces.
I believe we need to continue to improve our public transit system. Completing Transit City will better link our neighborhoods and improve our air.
I want to get going on the city’s ambitious plan to become more energy efficient, and create green energy will fight climate change and create jobs. Finally we need a city that works for everyone: we need affordable housing, progressive hiring practices and investments in underserved neighborhoods.
2. Why are you the best candidate for this position?
I bring an approach to government that is well suited to our diverse and creative neighborhoods.
My 20 years as a community activist on environmental issues taught me how to build coalitions and consensus, advocate for change and articulate our hopes for the future.
These past four years, I have served in a range of roles on council: the budget committee, the board of health, the board of Toronto Hydro and the public works committee.
This has taught me how find both where the needs are, and how to affordable. As a neighborhood organizer, I know how to help communities achieve the change they want. Working with neighborhood leaders in Ward 14, I have helped win big at the Ontario Municipal Board, beautify our neighborhoods and parks, build affordable housing and greatly improve our western waterfront.
3. What specifically do you plan to do for your ward, if elected?
I have worked with neighborhood committees to revitalize half of the ward’s parks and in the next four years I’ll get the rest done.
I will achieve new pedestrian access to the waterfront. I will continue improving Sorauren Park, with a new public square, leading ultimately to the new Wabash Community Centre.
Despite getting rooming houses licensed and building more than 300 units of affordable housing, much remains to be done to improve the quality of rental housing.
Landlords must be held to a higher standard.
I will be a leader on council in defending and enhancing the public services our community depends on.
4. Please provide details on your personal bio.
I have been the councillor for Ward 14 since 2006. Before that I worked in the environmental movement.
While at the Toronto Environmental Alliance, I helped pass Toronto’s pesticide bylaw, brought composting to Toronto and achieved dramatic increases in TTC service.
Previously, I worked at the Better Transportation Coalition, Greenpeace and Pollution Probe.
I have been the environmental columnist at Eye Weekly, the host of Earth Matters at Citytv and an adjunct professor at the environmental studies department of the University of Toronto.
