Thank you, Centennial! Looking forward to the next four years
Thank you for re-electing me as your City Councillor on October 24. I am extremely grateful for the support I received from the community and I look forward to working together for the next four years.
Throughout the election, I had the opportunity to speak to many of you at events or while knocking on doors. You shared your thoughts for the future of Scarborough – Rouge Park and your priorities for our community.
I have heard your feedback and am committed to continuing to champion local investment and building upon the progress we made during the last council term. Despite budgetary pressures, our ward has many important projects in progress and I look forward to seeing them through to completion. Ongoing projects include:
Port Union Road Reconstruction: Work includes the addition of a second northbound lane, with complete sidewalks on both sides, raised cycling lanes and centre-turn lanes in some locations. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2023.
North East Scarborough Community Recreation and Childcare Centre: The new multi-use, net zero energy centre is being built at Joyce Trimmer Park and will feature pools, a full-size gymnasium, a child care centre and improvements to the surrounding park. The centre is scheduled to be completed in June 2025.
Community Crisis Service Pilot: In partnership with TAIBU Community Health Centre, our ward was selected to participate in this pilot that provides a community-led, trauma-informed solution to respond to mental health crisis calls and wellness checks. The pilot will allow the city to evaluate and revise a non-police-led crisis response before further implementation.
Improved transit for Scarborough continues to be a priority for me. Construction has started on the Scarborough Subway extension to Sheppard, and express bus service has been enhanced. Last term, council advanced plans for the Eglinton East Light Rail Transit to Malvern and allocated $1.2 billion in municipal funding towards the project. I will continue to advocate to the other levels of government for the remaining funding needed.
I will also continue to pursue the improvement of road safety and green spaces in our neighbourhoods. Last term, we upgraded five playgrounds and installed 16 Vision Zero school safety zones. Through funding of Toronto’s Ravine Strategy, trails in our ravines and along the waterfront will be repaired this year, while construction of new segments of the Meadoway Trail will start soon.
Thank you once again for your support. I sought re-election because, as you can see, I have more work to do. If you would like to receive updates on these and other projects, please sign up for my e-newsletter at jennifermckelvie.ca. You can also reach me at councillor_mckelvie@toronto.ca.
A special shout out to those who volunteered, especially our local youth, for demonstrating their strong commitment to democracy and our community.
I am proud to represent Scarborough – Rouge Park at City Hall and I look forward to working with you.