Priority Neighbourhoods: A letter from John Tory to Community Development and Recreation Committee

I've always felt John Tory was far better in municipal politics than on the provincial stage.  I am in lockstep with his position on the current priority neighbourhood debate working its way through Toronto City Council, and I hope the Community Development and Recreation Committee considers his words below before making up their minds on this one.  For the full link on Civic Action's website, check out: http://ow.ly/5Cm3p


July 12, 2011

Community Development and Recreation Committee
Toronto City Council
10th floor, West Tower, City Hall
100 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2

Dear Community Development and Recreation Committee Members,

I am writing to you in my capacity as Chair of the Greater Toronto CivicAction Alliance concerning the proposal to rename and review the programs put in place to improve our Priority Neighbourhoods.

Since its original inception as the Toronto City Summit Alliance, one of CivicAction’s principal concerns has been to identify measures we can undertake together, the results of which will be a healthy, prosperous and inclusive city region.

To me, and to most if not all of all of the thousands of people involved in CivicAction’s work, this has meant that addressing the special and often acute needs of some of our neighbourhoods stands high on the priority list. As a result, we have been very supportive of, and have in some instances partnered with the United Way, governments and other non-profit organizations, in efforts like the Strong Neighbourhoods Task Force to help the residents of those neighbourhoods overcome some of the unique challenges they face in trying to build up their lives and build up their neighbourhoods.

As you know, my long history with the United Way predates my return to a leadership role in CivicAction. In all of that time, and in visits to every one of the 13 Priority Neighbourhoods, never once has anyone mentioned to me any feeling of stigmatization as a result of this designation. I recognize that some residents may be concerned about labels, but the many I have met have told me that the Priority Neighbourhood designation gives them a sense of hope, because maybe, just maybe, it will encourage some focus on these areas with their special needs, and might in turn lead to crucial public and private investment. I have often said in my own speeches that the “Priority Neighbourhood” designation may in fact be too polite in that it doesn’t really seem as urgent as is the actual need to help some of our fellow citizens who are struggling the most.

My experience in public life has taught me to be very wary anytime I see people proposing a name change for a government program. I have learned that such a change is often proposed when the real intent is to downsize or eliminate the program. In the case of Priority Neighbourhoods, there are only success stories to tell, many of them modest, but representing a beginning. There have, however, been mentions of these programs being “handouts”, and of making programs available to an even broader range of neighbourhoods. These words seem to hint at the possibility that the real result of a name change would be to see some of these initiatives spread thinner, diminished or abolished and, notwithstanding the city’s financial difficulties, this would be a grave mistake.

None of the programs initiated under the Priority Neighbourhood heading amount to “handouts” as most people would understand that term. In many cases they do indeed represent a hand up: a small homework club here to keep kids in school, a recreation program there to give kids something to do. And far from chasing private investment away, the Priority Neighbourhoods program has attracted MILLIONS of dollars of investment, through generous donations to the United Way which have created Neighbourhood Hubs, to corporate sponsorship of new recreational facilities and the beginnings of some business investment.

There is indeed a spending problem at City Hall, but it does not lie in the programs like this which offer modest help to some of our citizens who are most in need. In my view, the Priority Neighbourhood programs may well offer the best rate of return of almost any dollars spent. While I’m sure we can find ways to deliver these programs more efficiently, just like all of the others, I would hope we will protect these initiatives as we go forward since the need is increasing, not diminishing.

One of the other things I have learned in my time in public life is that having a debate about a name change is much easier than actually addressing the real issue itself, whatever that may be. If you think about it for a moment, in the absence of any evidence whatsoever of any feeling of stigmatization, what possible benefit will come from spending even five minutes debating the name, as opposed to addressing the real issues facing these neighbourhoods, whether the dilapidated state of our public housing, the substandard recreation facilities, the much higher school dropout rate or the lack of access to economic opportunity?

I would respectfully advise your committee, and indeed all members of Council, to dispense with the name review and, if there is to be any review of the Priority Neighbourhood initiatives, to do it clearly and unequivocally with a view to maintain and make more effective the current programs, and to continue to treat this as a high priority of the Toronto city government. 

We at CivicAction stand ready to offer any assistance we can in addressing this most important of challenges.

Sincerely,

John Tory
Chair

Sheppard Transit & Upcoming Events

Dear friends

On the heels of receiving high marks from the Public Transit Coalition and an “A” grade from the Toronto Environmental Alliance, I was happy to host a meeting this week on one of the biggest issues on all of our agendas: Transit City, and the proposed TTC plan for Sheppard Ave. Many thanks to all who braved the weather to come out for a spirited discussion on what has been the most contentious issue in our ward. Like many of us, if there is a chance to amend the current plan I will continue to advocate for the Sheppard Line to be built underground – it will be better for users, better for roads, and better for our community. For more info on my views on these and other transit priorities, please visit www.bryanheal.com/platform

Looking forward, we’ve got two more big events coming up next week and if you can spare a few hours – I need all the support I can get!

Sept 10 and the end of nominations

And so marks the end of the 2010 voteTO nomination period!

It's been a heck of a ride getting to this point, and I am thrilled to have had the support and encouragement from so many friends old and new.

It can take a whole heap of work and soul-searching to put one's self on the ballot, and I'd like to take a time out to aknowledge Mr Sy, Councillor Kelly and all candidates across Toronto who are contesting in the races for Mayor, Councillor and Trustee. Congratulations to all, and here's to wishing everyone a final 45 days of good debate and successful canvasses in our quest for a more informed and engaged electorate in 2010.

Bryan

--
Bryan Heal for City Council
Ward 40 Scarborough Agincourt
www.bryanheal.com

Big week for Ward 40

With the Bridlewood Mall development before Community Council, the launch of the TTC's customer service panel report, a meeting on the sale of Timothy Eaton, and a vote on rooming house by-laws this Thursday = a big week for Ward 40 issues! 

Regarding the public meeting tonight on the sale of the Timothy Eaton school - all area residents are welcome at the St Paul's L'Amoreux Centre, 3333 Finch Ave East at 7pm to share your thoughts on the future use of the school and the land. For those unable to attend, please visit www.bryanheal.com tomorrow afternoon where I will be happy to post an update.

Bryan

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Bryan Heal
Ward 40 resident and local candidate for Toronto City Council

8 ways to help Bryan

Courtesy of our lovely Facebook group ...

Dear Friends

Thank you for your continued support!

It's time to elect someone different.
It's time to elect someone who represents and understands the diversity of our communities.
It's time to support new leadership and elect Bryan for City Council in Ward 40!

Since launching our website, newsletter and Facebook page, we are delighted to have received so many words of encouragement and offers of assistance. If you would consider helping Bryan further, here are 8 things that we all can do to help send our good friend and colleague to City Hall:

1. Share Bryan's website link with your networks - www.bryanheal.com

2. Invite your FB friends to join our page at - www.facebook.com/healcitycouncil

3. Make a YouTube video supporting Bryan

4. Commit yourself to finding 5 people in Ward 40 who did not vote in 2006, to cast their ballots this October!

5. Help Bryan fundraise by making a donation (Ontario residents), sending a letter or hosting a small gathering. Whether it's $5, $750 or something in between - all generous contributions will go a long way in helping to print lawn signs, distribute flyers, and provide support for those needing assistance getting to the polls. Donations of $25 and above are eligible for a cash rebate of up to 75% back!

6. Volunteer with an event. We've got at least two big events in the works, and need all the help we can get!

7. Enjoy walking or cycling on a nice day? Come to Agincourt for a workout and drop some flyers along the way!

8. Save the date on October 25th and sign up to help Bryan get out the vote!

Thank you for all of your support!
--The campaign to Elect Bryan Heal to City Council in Ward 40 Scarborough Agincourt


www.bryanheal.com