WEBSITE: www.electjonahschein.com

EMAIL: jonah@electjonahschein.com

PHONE: 647-342-8283

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1. What key issues define your campaign platform?
For too long, we’ve had absent and unaccountable leadership in Ward 17. The same politicians have failed to provide us with the respect and service we deserve. We deserve clean and safe streets, good transit, thriving shops and restaurants, and accessible programs for children, youth, and seniors. We deserve to be listened to, and we deserve leadership to help us create the vibrant community spaces that bring out the best in all of us. Too often our neighbourhoods are left out and forgotten. It’s time for a change at City Hall.
We all pay a lot to live in Toronto. We need to make sure that people in our community and our city receive our fair share. As someone who lives and works in our ward, I will work to ensure that we have accountable and high-quality public services in Ward 17 and across Toronto.

2. Why are you the best candidate for this position?
I am the best candidate for Ward 17 because I actually live here and care about the neighbourhood. I grew up here; I’ve worked in the Davenport West community for the past five years and my family and I have bought a house here, where we now live. I have the education, the work experience, and extremely strong community relationships.
My experience as a community organizer, social worker and teacher have given me the skills and experience necessary to work in our community to identify challenges, find solutions, and take action. I have a proven track record of bringing people together to create positive change–at the individual, community, and systemic level.
It’s time for a change. We need someone like me with fresh ideas, new energy, and the commitment to making sure our community thrives.

3. What specifically do you plan to do for your ward, if elected?

• Establish an accessible community office
• Hold regular town halls to hear local concerns and set priorities for neighbourhood action
• Support small businesses and create local employment.
• Promote St. Clair West to the rest of Toronto
• Fight bed bugs
• Advocate for safe, affordable housing for all
• Establish a “Friends of Earlscourt Park” community group to revitalize this under-utilized resource.
• Advocate for immediate electrification of the Pearson-Union Station rail link and local service on the Georgetown Line
• Improve the Dufferin bus route
• Create new parks and recreation facilities in Davenport North and build new community gardens

4. Please provide details on your personal bio.
Jonah grew up and lives in Ward 17, and bought his first home here several years ago. For the last five years, he has worked in the Davenport West neigbourhood at The Stop Community Food Centre. Through his work there, Jonah has provided counselling, as well as support and advocacy to thousands of newcomers, seniors, and people with disabilities. Jonah graduated from York University with a Masters Degree in Social Work. This is his first time running for political office. Jonah has been endorsed by long-time community leader and previous Ward 17 challenger for City Council, Alejandra Bravo.

5. Who do you plan to support for mayor?
I have not yet decided on a mayoral candidate to support. I am looking for a mayor who will stand up for Toronto and make sure that we get our fair share from Queens Park and Parliament Hill. We are a great city, but we need the financial resources to plan for the future. I want to see a mayor with vision, who will make the necessary investments so that Toronto is a 21st-century city that we can all be proud of.