WEBSITE: www.joemacw18.ca

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1. What key issues define your campaign platform?
I believe in careful management of our tax dollars, quality public services and clean, safe streets. We need to revitalize, not gentrify, our neighbourhoods.  We need reliable and expanded public transit, re-development that embraces the character and needs of our community, parks that are neighbourhood gathering places.  We need an experienced leader as City Councillor who is honest, accountable and listens to us.
We need to find solutions that make sense, and we need a Councillor who will take a leadership role in the community, bring people together and provide the tools we need to manage change. I know from the work I’ve done there are so many ways to make sure residents are heard, listened to and made to feel they are treated honestly and with respect.
More than ever, we need to ensure long-term goals are not sacrificed to any special, or personal, interests for short-term political gains.

2. Why are you the best candidate for this position?
I have the experience and the hands-on leadership skills to focus on long-term goals, work with people, and find the best possible solutions.
I live in Ward 18 (since 1997). Representing Ward 18 was not my second choice; it was my only choice. I believe in being honest, open and accountable. There is no “party machine” or special interests backing my campaign. You’ll always know where I stand, and I’ll provide every opportunity for you to let your voice be heard.
I know how governments work. I’ve a graduate degree in political science, served as Senior Advisor to two Ontario Cabinet Ministers, worked as a Public Affairs consultant specializing in grassroots advocacy and as Partnerships & Public Affairs Manager for the Downtown Yonge BIA. I’ve taught Canadian Government at Seneca College, Advocacy & Government Relations at Ryerson University, and I’m a Lifetime Member of the Public Affairs Association of Canada.

3. What specifically do you plan to do for your ward if elected?
I’ll start regular meetings to connect the neighbourhoods and communities of Ward 18 together, focusing on parks, re-development, killing the air-rail link and re-building trust.  I’ll work with BIAs to address parking, retail recruitment, streetscape and façade concerns, and put the necessary pieces in place for broad, regular, informed community participation that allow the “villages-in-waiting” throughout our ward to emerge.
At the city level, I’ll be working to effectively manage tax dollars while providing quality public services, including public transit. With an informed community working with me, I’ll do whatever it takes to move our ward, and our city, forward.

4. Please provide details on your personal bio.
Born and raised in Toronto, resident of Ward 18 since 1997
B.A. (Hons.) and M.A. Political Science, University of Waterloo
Senate, University of Waterloo
Board of Governors, University of Waterloo
Teaching Master, Seneca College
Doctoral Candidate (ABD), York University
Staff, Ontario NDP
Senior Advisor, Ontario Minister of Transportation
Senior Partner, FPR Corporate Communications & Public Affairs
President, The MacDonald Group Inc.
Senior Counsel, Public and Corporate Affairs, Innovative Research Group Inc.
Lecturer, Ryerson University
Partnerships and Public Affairs Manager, Downtown Yonge BIA
President (2001-2003/2007-2009), Lifetime Member, Public Affairs Association of Canada,
Chair, Ossington Old Orchard Public School, School Council, 2009-2010

5. Who do plan to support for mayor?
I intend to support Joe Pantalone. Of all the candidates, he has worked successfully with Mayors and Councils of all description, always putting the interests of his ward at the top of the list. Ultimately, I’m prepared to work with whom ever becomes Mayor, remaining focused on Ward 18, our needs and aspirations.