Issues

There are many issues that I am passionate about and that have been brought to my attention by the residents of Ward 5. Please find below my position on some priority issues that I will work to resolve -- to make positive change in the ward.

As always, I am open to hearing about your issues. Please feel free to send me an email if you have a concern that you would like to share.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
Mississauga has a strong record of being a fiscally responsible city. However, as the city grows, residents are increasingly concerned about rising property taxes, wasteful spending and cutbacks to services -- while costs continue to rise.

I believe in transparent and accountable government.

I will:

• Lobby for a complete review of spending of all city departments.
  
• Consult with citizens on cost saving measures that can make the city more efficient.
  
• Conduct a needs analysis on the ward to identify funding gaps.

SUPPORTING OUR SENIORS
Seniors are our parents, grandparents, colleagues, friends and neighbours. They deserve our respect, support and attention. Yet almost 3000 seniors in Peel are on a waiting list for subsidized social housing. The incidence of poverty among seniors is higher than in the rest of Ontario. At the same time, Peel has a large and growing number of highly educated seniors with relatively high incomes.

I will:

• Demand increased social services as well as for health, housing and recreational services, for seniors.
  
• Demand culturally appropriate services.
  
• Work for more diversity management training for health and social services organizations.
  
• Increase recreational services, employment training and opportunities for elderly.
  
• Encourage more seniors to participate in the civic life with more involvement in community issues, volunteerism, and government.

LOCAL JOBS AND BUSINESSES
Strong communities are founded on sound economies. We need good quality jobs right here in ward 5. Small and medium sized businesses especially need to thrive as they generate jobs and prosperity in the ward.

I will:

• Work to support existing small and medium sized business in the ward and create a task force to investigate their needs and issues.
  
• Work to attract new investment and businesses to the ward by actively seeking opportunities and being a strong ‘ambassador’ of the ward.
  
• Work with area educational institutions to keep and draw new workers into the ward.

IMPROVED SAFETY AND SECURITY
Mississauga continues to be a safe place to live, work and play. Our crimes rates are going down and statistically Mississauga is one of the safest cities. However, residents of the city and ward 5 continue to be concerned about crime and personal security. Your city government has a responsibility to ensure that you are safe and secure.

I will:

• Push for crime prevention initiatives that are unique and tailored to local communities. A process of accountability and evaluation should be built into programs to ensure achievement of goals and cost-effectiveness.
  
• Work with police, other councilors and regional government to develop a youth strategy targeted at high risk youth.
  Give more assistance to parents. Parents need information on how they can do their part to keep their children on the right track.
  
• Work to have more conflict resolution taught in elementary and secondary schools.
  
• Lobby for more drug education in secondary schools;
  
• Ensure that skills training sessions which focus on topics such as job skills, parenting skills and social skills be available to individuals who need these types of services.

BETTER TRANSIT AND LESS GRIDLOCK
Mississauga roads have become increasingly congested and transit expansion has not kept up with demand. This is a serious quality of life issue for residents of ward 5 as they are spending too much time stuck in gridlock instead of working or being with their families.

I will:

• Work to fast track transit projects that have been approved and funded but are not yet under construction or are experiencing delays.
  
• Work with the Mayor, fellow councilors, area MPPs and MPs to push the provincial and federal governments to allocate more funding for transit in Mississauga and ward 5.
  
• Investigate new trends in public transit to make our transit system state-of-the-art and the best it can be.
  
• Ensure that customer service is a priority for transit operators.

HIGH QUALITY PARKS AND RECREATION
I believe that protecting and enhancing public spaces is a top priority for ward 5 constituents. For many families, young people and seniors, public spaces are their main or only source of recreation.

I will:

• Install and maintain more playground equipment, splash pads, benches, water fountains, garbage cans and trees in our public spaces.
  
• Make it easier for community groups, particularly seniors and youth groups, to access meeting and drop-in space in our community spaces, recreation centers and schools.
  
• Focus on high need and high growth neighborhoods to ensure there are suitable public spaces.
  
• Conduct safety audits on all parks and facilities to ensure safety in public environments.
  
• Establish more youth drop-in centres to provide safe and healthy `hang outs’ for young people, with such centres to be located where youth gather such as shopping malls.
  
• Create more recreational programs and activities for youth to provide structured after-school time. These programs should be located in schools or public buildings outside of regular hours.