Brian Shifman – Ward 10 candidate
EMAIL: brian@voteshifman.ca
PHONE NUMBER: 416-888-1137
1. What key issues define your campaign platform?
TRANSPORTATION: As Executive Director of Smart Commute NTV, Brian understands Toronto’s need for an integrated transportation plan. Brian wants to ‘close the loop’ by connecting the Yonge and University-Spadina subway lines in North York.
CONTROL CITY SPENDING: More efficient & transparent city services to maximize your hard-earned tax dollars.
SAFETY: Ward 10 has a disproportionately high incidence rate of hate-related crimes and has experienced recent burglaries. We need to work together with Toronto Police 32 Division to foster greater cultural understanding and community cohesion.
FAMILY FRIENDLY: As a former City of Toronto Parks and Recreation employee, Brian understands the need to improve our community centres and programs to provide more amenities appropriate for all ages, like splash pads.
CITY SERVICES: Aging infrastructure continues to contribute to basement flooding and inconsistent water pressure in Bathurst Manor. While pipe replacement is costly, this process must be prioritized.
2. Why are you the best candidate for this position?
Brian brings a fresh perspective, accountability and proven leadership. Brian is the only candidate with experience fighting traffic congestion and improving the city’s transportation network. As Executive Director of Smart Commute NTV, Brian helped push forward the subway extension through York University and works with all three levels of government. He understands the needs of small business as a Director on the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce Board.
Brian has 10 years of senior management experience. He understands citizens’ distrust of City Hall and will work tirelessly to restore faith in our elected officials. Unlike other candidates, Brian will not make false promises about issues beyond the powers of municipal office, such as education, religious schools or healthcare. He listens actively to constituents’ concerns and communicates a vision of ‘Getting Toronto Moving Again’. Brian holds a B.A. (Honours) from Queen’s University and a Public Relations post-graduate certificate from Humber College.
3. What specifically do you plan to do for your ward, if elected?
Allen Rd. Ramps: Oppose the removal of Wilson Heights on/off ramps at Allen Rd.
Taxes: Push to eliminate Toronto’s Personal Vehicle Tax ($60/vehicle).
In a city with a $9.2 billion operating budget, this tax contributes less than half of 1% of Toronto’s total revenues.
Bathurst Manor Plaza: Fight to include vital retail options for Bathurst Manor Plaza.
Proposed Sanofi Pasteur Expansion: Residents have reasonable concerns about their industrial neighbour’s expansion plans. The Ridgegate community needs to be assured that their health, safety and quality of life will be maintained. Brian will ensure a healthy, ongoing dialogue.
4. Please provide details on your personal bio.
Brian Shifman is the Executive Director of Smart Commute NTV, an award-winning not-for-profit. Smart Commute works with over 100 companies in the Greater Toronto Area to combat traffic congestion and climate change. Brian has 10 years of senior management experience. He has worked for both the private and public sectors. Brian holds a B.A. (Honours) from Queen’s University and a Public Relations post-graduate certificate from Humber College. Born and raised in the community, Brian attended Summit Heights Public School and Adath Israel Hebrew School. His family maintains a long standing membership at Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue.
5. Who do you plan to support for mayor?
I know each of the leading mayoral candidates personally. I will ultimately work with the candidate who best prioritizes the needs of Ward 10 York Centre, in particular relating to my key platform points — an expanded subway network, a more transparent Toronto budget process and enhanced family-friendly programs.
