Ward 26 (Don Valley West) is home to more than 68,000 people and is roughly bounded by Bayview Avenue in the west, Eglington Avenue in the north, and the Don Valley Parkway to the east and south.

Straddling East York and North York, its major communities include Leaside, Thorncliffe Park and Flemmingdon Park.

John Parker has been the ward’s councillor since 2006, taking over from Jane Pitfield who held the seat since 1998 and had an unsuccessful run in the 2006 mayoral election.

Key issues facing the constituents are concerns over the steady rise in taxes and city user fees and the degradation of the quality of those services; increases in vehicle traffic and aggressive driving habits; concerns over how the future Eglinton LRT line will affect bus services in between stops; overcrowding of housing and schools in the dense neighbourhood of Thorncliffe Park.

There is also a strong campaign to build a new $10 million ice pad in Leaside to accommodate increased demands for ice time. The land has already been purchased, but where the funding for construction costs will come from is another issue.

Education – Highest level completed by age group
Age 15 to 24	Age 25 to 64
Total Population (20% sample data) = 6,890	Total Population (20% sample data) = 32,545
Age 65 and over	LEGEND
Total Population (20% sample data) = 7,645