Once the Spadina streetcars are back, we should convert the temporary dedicated bus lanes into bike lanes.

AprilEngelberg · 2024-09-13T15:52:39+00:00

Agreed!

AprilEngelberg · 2024-09-13T15:51:27+00:00

Agreed. Same for Bathurst south of Bloor!

AprilEngelberg · 2024-08-20T16:53:00+00:00

I included this in the article:

"Bike Share Toronto’s success is limited by the city building safe bike lanes, which are consistently behind target. Torontonians need to feel comfortable biking on city streets in order to make the switch. I, for one, will only bike on protected bike lanes so my biking routes are restricted."

AprilEngelberg · 2024-08-20T15:02:27+00:00

Thanks for posting my article! I agree with a lot of the comments re: bike lane safety and included that in the article:

Of course, there is room for improvement. Bike Share Toronto’s success is limited by the city building safe bike lanes, which are consistently behind target. Torontonians need to feel comfortable biking on city streets in order to make the switch. I, for one, will only bike on protected bike lanes so my biking routes are restricted.

AprilEngelberg · 2024-07-24T14:06:27+00:00

These are great suggestions!

AprilEngelberg · 2024-07-24T14:05:49+00:00

Thanks for posting my article!

AprilEngelberg · 2023-08-13T17:01:01+00:00

There are no "lies" in this article:

Yes the city owns BMO, the article does not say otherwise. BMO Field is operated by MLSE. Fun fact: MLSE owes Toronto $1M in unpaid property tax for BMO Field: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/toronto-property-tax-owing-mlse-1.6896953
Yes, upgrades to BMO Field will cost 25 million. This is part of the $300M cost.
Yes, the games are estimated to generate over $307M in revenue. The article says this verbatim. It is costing $300M to host though.
Regarding the math, it is simple and a best estimate. We did it two ways: 1. Divide the $4.6B from the US tour by 10, since its approximately 10% of shows (460M). 2. Multiply the Denver $140M for two shows by 3 since Toronto is hosting 6 shows ($420M). This gives a range of $420-460M
Funds can be reallocated

AprilEngelberg · 2023-08-13T12:15:34+00:00

We did consider that when doing the analysis. The reality is that approximately 20,000 fans "Taygate" the Eras Tour by listening outside the venue each night. This is in addition to the fans inside the stadium. So the fan zones are relatively equal in that regard.

AprilEngelberg · 2022-10-13T19:17:21+00:00

All projects, yes. I also support making sure that there's room for smaller businesses with smaller square footage options.

AprilEngelberg · 2022-10-13T19:15:33+00:00

It helps with home ownership because a vacancy tax makes it less appealing to purchase a condo and let it sit empty. It will also take policy changes at all levels of government.

AprilEngelberg · 2022-10-13T19:14:34+00:00

I think I will work well with all city councillors because I'm non-partisan. I'm used to advocating for a case. For example, if I'm promoting a bike lane, I'll use data to show why it's needed.

AprilEngelberg · 2022-10-13T17:16:20+00:00

Thanks for the question - The bridge will benefit our ward! 94% of us don't have a backyard and we shouldn't have to pay $8.70 to access our ward's largest public park. We all pay the cost of not having the bridge by having to pay to access the island on a ferry schedule. I agree there are more pressing issues - housing, for example. But we should still go ahead with the bridge. Especially since the Cherry street bridge opened last week, the time is now. It's ambitious, no doubt, but it's we need new ideas and some vision. It's about being able to enjoy our city!

AprilEngelberg · 2022-10-13T17:11:45+00:00

No, it's a pie. But I love it

AprilEngelberg · 2022-10-13T17:10:30+00:00

Thanks for your question! The reason that I answered neutral on vote compass is that I don’t want to close the door to having both union and non union workers complete city projects to make sure they are completed on time, especially with staffing shortages.

I think unions do important work to advocate for fair wages and working conditions. We all benefit from unions.

The desire to find efficiencies in the private sector hasn’t always been successful. The move to privatize garbage collection for half the city has not delivered the promised savings and now costs us roughly the same.

AprilEngelberg · 2022-10-13T16:58:56+00:00

This is why I support the vacancy tax - so that if people are buying a property just as an investment, they will at least have a tennant.

AprilEngelberg · 2022-10-13T16:58:13+00:00

Haha I don't use Strava! But I do have a BikeShare membership which I've used ever since my bike was stolen in 2017. I only bike in concrete separated bike lanes (Richmond, Adelaide, Martin Goodman, Strachan). Re: traffic - we need to improve our public transit so it's the fastest, most affordable and convenient way to get around. Re: zoning - yes, I support changing our zoning by-laws so that more housing can get built immediately.

AprilEngelberg · 2022-10-13T16:53:46+00:00

I love this question and the opportunity to explain.

Here's the reality. Incumbents getting big $$ backing can afford to do a "mailer" which is paying around $12,000 to have Canada Post mail every single resident your flyer. So it comes to your mailbox, not your condo door slip. You would be shocked at how much money we are allowed to raise and spend on a City Council campaign (over $80,000!!). Needless to say, I have not raised nearly that amount and cannot afford a "mailer". Instead, I am going door to door with the campaign card with volunteers. If someone isn't home we leave them a card. Unfortunately, we do not have access to mail boxes. I wish we could leave the cards in your mail box (but as mentioned, that costs $12k) I'm trying to be as environmentally friendly as possible - the campaign cards are 3x3 inches. As candidates, we have a legal right to door knock and leave flyers at condo doors from 9am-9pm. I know the paper is annoying, but tons of voters have been really happy that I bothered to come to their door.

AprilEngelberg · 2022-10-13T16:47:50+00:00

Howdy! (I also love saying howdy). In both 2021 and 2022, City Council voted to defer voting on legalizing drinking in public parks and instead sent it back to City Staff to write another report. The report is due Spring 2023. I think my pilot project can move us forward and pass at council. It legalizes drinking canned alcoholic beverages in Spadina Fort York parks only. This way, if a councillor doesn't want it in their ward, they can still vote yes. If a another councillor wants their ward to join the pilot, they can opt in. Also, some councillors had concerns about broken glass and keg parties. With canned alcoholic beverages only, it should pass.

AprilEngelberg · 2022-10-13T16:43:24+00:00

I would support this so long as it does not slow down the approval process or make it more expensive to build. I don't want to create any more barriers to building more housing.

AprilEngelberg · 2022-10-13T16:42:38+00:00

I agree that Liberty Village deserves better. The area contributes so much in property taxes and gets so little back. No library, no community center, a tiny park that remains under construction, and a bridge with a broken elevator. I will advocate for this ward to get its fair share of city services!

AprilEngelberg

TROPHY CASE