WEBSITE: www.maryfragedakis.ca

EMAIL: mary@maryfragedakis.ca

PHONE NUMBER: 416-425-2900

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What key issues define your campaign platform?
Our community wants prosperous local businesses and clean streets. We want vibrant parks and thriving community centres and libraries as well as more childcare services for the many new families moving into our
community. We need city services to meet our needs, be cost-effective and user-friendly. Tackling climate change is also a priority for me. As Councillor, I will turn this vision into action and will make sure we get our fair share from city hall. Our East York civic centre must remain a focal point of civic life. I am very committed to community consultation, and will keep residents fully in the loop. I will create opportunities for residents to voice concerns and share ideas about city plans and community safety. I will encourage effective communication between local businesses, residents/tenants groups and the local police.

Why are you the best candidate for this position?
My experience as an entrepreneur and community advocate makes me the best candidate for this position, because I have both public and private sector experience. Small businesses are the growth engine of our economy. I started one up nine years ago. I know how to get good value for money spent. I know what it takes to get things done. As well, I live in Ward 29 and have lived here all my life. So I know this community well. As the daughter of immigrants, I understand the immigrant experience and know how to unleash the potential of new Canadians so they can prosper and contribute more to the cultural and economic life of our community. My experience as a co-founder of the Broadview Community Youth Group has taught me how to help people harness their creativity and give back to their community.

What specifically do you plan to do for your ward, if elected?
As a small-business owner, I know how challenging that can be. So, I would work to help local businesses eliminate barriers to their success. I would begin to develop a plan to get more and better parks for our community. I would work with my running mate, Public School Trustee Cathy Dandy, to stop school closings by using any ‘excess’ space in a school to provide public services for young families and seniors. From improving TTC services to extending the tree canopy, I would work with the community to protect our environment, and help make our community healthier.

Personal bio:
I was born at Toronto East General and went to school at Wilkinson P.S. I have an M.A. from the University of Toronto. I co-own an award-winning business and am a member of the Toronto Board of Trade. I am a homeowner who lives in Ward 29. My volunteer experience includes outreach with the ROM and serving as the vice-president of the Broadview  Community Youth Group. I’ve also worked on local campaigns to stop high-voltage power lines coming down Pape Avenue and to protect our small business areas by stopping a big box power centre in our area. I am an avid fan of the arts and have had subscriptions for years with the National Ballet of Canada and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

Who do you plan to support for mayor?
My focus is the residents of Ward 29 – their concerns and their issues. I am not running as the local representative on behalf of any mayoral candidate.  As the representative of Ward 29 at city gall, I will work with Toronto’s new mayor and the rest of city council.