WEBSITE: http://www.joemihevc.ca

EMAIL: Joe@joemihevc.ca

PHONE: 647-351-8663

CAMPAIGN CO-MANAGERS: Lydia Hanson and Peter Martino

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What key issues define your campaign platform?
“Our Community Works with Joe.” That is more than a slogan to me, but a reality that speaks to my ability to connect with people and bring good ideas to life. I love Toronto and the neighbourhoods I serve and I want to ensure we live in a city that is inclusive to all people regardless of background or income; ensures our practices are environmentally sustainable to keep our kids healthy; moves people effectively via many modes of transportation to ease gridlock and smog; offers quality services (EMS, Fire, Community Centres) at a reasonable price; keeps our streets safe and clean; guides appropriate development based on good planning; supports our local business improvement associations; and ensures that we celebrate together though our many cultural and diverse festivals and community events. We live in a vibrant and exciting city, and we need to enjoy it and all we have to collectively offer one another. I will work tirelessly to these ends.

Why are you the best candidate for this position?
I have a deep commitment and passion for Ward 21 and our City. My commitment to work with community partners and council colleagues on a city-building vision has led to successes such as the award-winning Artscape Wychwood Barns, saving the Winona Pool from closure and bringing life back to St. Clair though major infrastructure improvements, reliable transit, and beautification and shop local initiatives. Ward 21 is an engaged and vibrant community in the City in large part because I nurture all the great work our residents do to improve our neighbourhoods and city institutions. I am open minded, approachable and thoughtful, and when it comes to critical issues that impact our community I am a bridge-builder, fierce defender of the public interest and tackle issues with integrity.

What specifically do you plan to do for your ward, if elected?
My goals are to continue all the renewal programs in our parks, including building an outdoor ice rink behind Phil White Arena; keeping Arlington School in the community, not developers’ hands (if the school board sells it) and creating a community centre; ensuring fast, reliable transit on Eglinton with the Light Rail Transit (LTR) project (underground in Ward 21); organizing community events (outdoor family movies, Environment Days, Salsa on St. Clair, etc.). I also plan on continuing to engage residents in many community projects, like building shade structures at the Wychwood Barns Park and residential solar energy installations, and supporting all of the community associations that help make Ward 21 vibrant and liveable.

Please provide details on your personal bio.
I grew up in the Eglinton and Dufferin area (where my parents still live) and attended St. Michael’s College School and the University of Toronto. I now live in the Christie and St. Clair neighbourhood with my partner Rosalee Bender and our daughters Krista, in Grade 11 at Oakwood Collegiate, and Catherine, in Grade 7 at Winona. My son Justin and his wife Lisa Doyle are teachers in Toronto. I have a Ph.D. in theology and social ethics and was a professor at the University of St Michael’s College prior to becoming a City Councillor.

Who do you plan to support for mayor?
At this time I have not endorsed any candidate for mayor. I am watching this race very carefully and listening to what the candidates are saying, and will be making a decision in October.  To be clear though, I do not support Rob Ford’s candidacy and at the time of this writing, am waiting for a viable alternative to emerge.