Reginald Tull’s Platform
My first priority as Mayor of Toronto will be to cut wasteful spending in City Hall and increase affordable housing by 15% per year. I will work with non-profit organizations and reduce zoning and permit costs in order to build and maintain housing for low to middle-income families. The population of Toronto is growing and the cost of living is rising. My plan is to spend $375 million to construct houses, triplexes, fourplexes and low-rise buildings on City land for low to middle-income families in Scarborough, Etobicoke, East York, and North York, and slow down the mass construction of condos and construction in the downtown core. This will decrease gridlock and provide extra parking to make our city safer and it will provide more space for parks and greenery. I will also make the most vulnerable a priority for affordable housing and put into affect rent control on all units that receive funds from the City.
I will work to improve living conditions for tenants by holding landlords accountable for providing safe and clean conditions free from rodents and roaches.
I will drastically reduce crime in the city by investing in our at-risk communities and implementing programs for the youths. I will build trade shops in the youth detention centres which will include welding, mechanics, electrical, hairdressing, fashion design, etc. This will give both boys and girls in the system an opportunity to excel when they are released instead of becoming career criminals when they become adults. Young people who are incarcerated have a much higher chance of reoffending if not provided programs to better their lives. The youths are our future, and it is the youths who are going to build Toronto or tear it down. To further reduce crime I will address the gun and violence problem that has been plaguing our streets for years. As Mayor of Toronto, I will push for tougher bail conditions and sentences for anyone convicted of a firearms offence, and implement an anonymous gun buy back program. I will also put more funding into both mental health care and the homeless, making Toronto safer. Furthermore, I will ensure that all police officers and TTC Constables are fully trained to deal with a mental health crisis that will enable them to defuse situations without resorting to anyone getting hurt. I will work together with the provincial and federal government on behalf of our city to make it a better place for all.
As Mayor, I will hold those in position of authority accountable for misuse of power (police, employers, landlords).
I will invest in and support small businesses, especially the ones that have been affected by the Metrolinx LRT construction over the past years.
For new homeowners I will put into place a one year land tax exemption. The cost of the average home in Toronto is $1.05 million. With property tax increasing by 5.5% and an additional 3% tax hike in water, waste water, and solid waste, this will be less of a financial strain on the new homeowners and will bring buyers to Toronto. This tax exemption will not apply to corporations buying houses for the purpose of renting them.
I will reduce gridlock on the Gardiner and Lakeshore by creating a ferry service from downtown Toronto to Oakville with stops in Etobicoke and Mississauga. Upon arrive in Toronto a TTC shuttle will be available to transport commuters to Union Station allowing easy access to the subway and GO services to get to work. The ferry service will allow people to leave their vehicles at home, which will lead to reduced gridlock and congestion both on Lakeshore, the Gardiner, and downtown in general. It will be better for our environment, and the great bonus is that people can enjoy the amazing view of the Toronto skyline as they relax instead of being stuck in traffic after a long days work. The ferry service will also bring millions of dollars into the City. This model will be a replica of the Manhattan/Staten Island ferry service which has been a huge success since day one.
I will put into place a toll of $0.75 for all vehicles entering Toronto from the 401 east and west and from north of the 400. Vehicles entering Toronto from the QEW will pay a toll of $3.35 (same fare as the TTC). The tolls from the 401 and the 400 will be used to improve Toronto’s infrastructure, and the toll from the QEW will be used to improve TTC services and safety. If your licence plate is registered to an address within the municipality of Toronto you will not receive an invoice.
I will increase emergency response times (ambulance, fire, police) to arrive at the scene of an emergency much quicker. We can have more police units on the streets by replacing police desk workers with trained professional security (whose salary is much less than one of a police officer) who can answer the phones and deal with visitors. This will save funds which can be allocated towards more ambulance and fire services and police on the streets.
I will work with the provincial government to reduce waiting times at hospitals.
Bicycle lanes in the city are great for cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists, if done correctly. However, in many parts of Toronto (e.g. Danforth Ave.) they are unsafe and need a makeover. I will evaluate all of the bicycle lanes in Toronto and make them safer by adding amber lights at specific streets where drivers make right turns, reminding them of cyclists, and I will place stop signs for cyclists at streets where a drivers’ view may be obscured by a parked car. Finally, I will put a bylaw in place banning e-bikes from using bicycle lanes.
Improve, expand, and make public transportation safer for passengers and TTC staff. I will put rails at all subway stations to prevent people from falling or being pushed onto the tracks. I will provide wifi service on the trains, buses and streetcars. More uniformed TTC Special Constables will not reduce crime and violence on the TTC for the simple reason that they are visible - criminals can easily go to another station to commit a crime. We need more trained undercover TTC Special Constables to foresee suspicious activity and respond before a crime occurs. I will create new routes in the city making it more convenient and safe for passengers to get to their destination especially in the dark. I will always keep TTC free for seniors. Youths thirteen to nineteen and those on Social Assistance will pay a toonie.
I will increase City Workers’ wages based on the nation’s inflation.
I will push the provincial government to give licensed tow truck companies a fair playing ground on major city highways. It is unfair for the tow truck companies, employees, and the people of Toronto to have only a select few companies permitted to tow vehicles on the major highways in the city. The Toronto Tow Zone Pilot is not working in Toronto and needs to be scrapped. During the snowstorm on January 17, which costed the city $17 million dollars, there were vehicles stuck on the 401, 427, 400, 409, and the QEW for over 8 hours because every tow truck company, with the exception of the select few were restricted from serving on these major highways.
I will support new and upcoming local artists, holding two events a year at Nathan Philip Square to promote Toronto artists: Music, Literature, Painting, Theatre, Sculpture, Architecture, Cinema, Dance, etc.
I will expand film production and build the entertainment industry in Toronto.
I will build greener and safer parks throughout the city.
I am Reginald Tull and I stand by my platform.