My Promise to Toronto’s Seniors

My promise is simple: no senior in Toronto will be priced out, shut in or left alone.

Keeping seniors in their homes, affordably

Many seniors are house-rich and cash-poor. They own the home they raised their family in but live on a fixed pension that does not rise with the City’s bills.

• A one-year freeze on residential property-tax increases, phased in once the money is in place, then taxes tailored to income, so a pensioner is not taxed like a high earner.
• Make the relief we already have reach everyone who qualifies. The City already runs property-tax increase cancellation and deferral programs and water and garbage rebates for low-income seniors and people with disabilities. Too few people know they exist. I will promote them through libraries, places of worship, seniors’ centres and doctors’ offices, and simplify the application.
• Free TTC for everyone, starting with seniors in Stage 1. A senior should never stay home because a bus ride costs too much.
• Fairness for senior tenants. Older tenants are often the most afraid of renovictions and eviction. My tenant plan protects them first.

Aging at home, with support

Most seniors want to stay in their own homes and neighbourhoods, and it is usually better and cheaper for everyone when they can.

• Help at home: strengthen Meals on Wheels, home-help and friendly-visiting services run through community agencies the City funds.
• Seniors’ and supportive housing: build affordable homes for seniors on public land, including smaller units near transit, so downsizing does not mean leaving the neighbourhood.
• Community partners: work with faith groups, co-ops and non-profits that already care for seniors in their communities.

Home health care and nursing are provincial responsibilities. I will press Queen’s Park to fund them properly.

Care with dignity in the City’s own homes

The City of Toronto directly runs 10 long-term care homes. Those are the homes a mayor answers for, and I will run them to the highest standard: enough staff on every shift, care in the resident’s own language and culture, food worth eating, and families welcome as partners.

What we learned during COVID must never be forgotten. Every City home will have a clear emergency plan, and every family will know whom to call.

Getting around safely

A senior who cannot get out of the house is a senior at risk of falling, of isolation and of declining health.

• Finish making every TTC station accessible, and keep the elevators and escalators working.
• Fix Wheel-Trans so trips are reliable and on time.
• Sidewalks and snow: make sure sidewalks and bus stops are actually cleared promptly in winter, fix broken pavement and add curb cuts and benches.
• Safer crossings: longer walk signals and slower traffic near seniors’ homes, centres and clinics.

Connection, safety and respect

Loneliness is a health risk, not a private sadness. The City’s libraries, community centres and seniors’ programs should be open, free and full.

• Fight isolation: more seniors’ programs at libraries and recreation centres, including expanding home library service and phone check-ins for those living alone.
• Protect seniors from fraud and elder abuse: through the mayor’s seat on the Police Service Board, make scams against seniors and elder abuse a priority, and train City staff to recognize and report the signs.
• Services in their language: seniors from every community should be able to reach the City in the language they are most comfortable in.
• A voice at City Hall: seniors will be consulted before decisions that affect them, not after. The City’s Seniors Strategy has slipped to 2027. Seniors cannot wait that long.

My commitments

Read the full article: My Promise to Toronto’s Seniors

Questions? Email bethechangeno1@gmail.com, call (647) 785-3729