My Commitment To You:

I have dedicated my life to making this City a better place. I have a clear track record and commitment to:

Build A Greener City:

With a Bachelor's in Environmental Science, a Master's in Urban Planning and over 10 years of experience working and volunteering in the environmental sector for organizations including The Nature Conservancy of Canada, the Toronto & Region Conservation Authority, Citizens Environment Watch, The Federation of Ontario Naturalists, for the City of Toronto's departments of Urban Forestry and Water & Wastewater, and on the Good Green Jobs For All Working Group, I have a solid understanding of sustainability, parks, urban infrastructure, and city building - and I have hands-on experience for building a greener city from planting trees to developing policies that support local solar energy.

For Better Governance:

After working in two departments at City Hall, serving on numerous City advisory committees (including the Roundtable on the Environment, Community Partnership Strategy, and the diversity councils for Emergency Medical Services and the Fire Chief), as the Executive Director of a non-profit human rights organization, Chinese Canadian National Council, Toronto Chapter (CCNCTO), and volunteering on several boards, I not only understand how City Hall works from both the inside and out - I know how to make it more transparent, accountable and inclusive.

For Stronger Communities:

Through my work at CCNCTO, and as an active member of community agencies such as the Working Women Community Center, Heritage Toronto and the Conservation Council of Ontario, and coalitions like the Good Jobs for All Coalition, the Colour of Poverty campaign, the Toronto Open Budget Initiative, and the Chinese Interagency Network, I understand how to work collaboratively in a coalition of organizations and with community members to build bridges and turn your ideas into action.

As City Councillor I commit to:

Protect and Enhance Parks and Public Spaces

• I will install and maintain more benches, water fountains, garbage cans and trees to make our public spaces a more comfortable extension of people's homes.
• I will make it easier for community groups, particularly seniors and youth groups, to access meeting and drop-in space in our community and recreation centers.
• I will develop a strategic plan for parks and recreation infrastructure through a community process from Christie Pits to Fort York to meet the needs of all residents from children to youth to seniors.

Sustainable Development that Respects Community

• I will meet with businesses and residents to map the assets and opportunities in our communities and mainstreets, and ensure that we take a "complete communities" approach to revitalization that protects the character of our mainstreets and promotes a safe, walkable, vibrant and diverse place to live, work and play.
• I will be an advocate for a "complete streets" approach to local and regional transportation planning, to make our city more walkable, bikable and transit friendly.
• I will explore extending subway service by one hour on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights to give people a real option for taking transit for a night out.
• I will negotiate with developers to build greener more energy and water efficient buildings in walkable communities and where possible retrofit publicly owned buildings to improve sustainability.

Improved Accountability & Transparency

• I will keep you informed of what's happening at City Hall and create real opportunities for you to participate and have your voice heard .
• I will engage the community in ongoing dialogue and develop community plans to ensure that the best ideas from our community are put into action.
• I will push for a more open and transparent budget process that allows for real input from the community for the kinds of programs and services they want to see.

Support for Arts, Culture and Heritage

• I will support arts, culture and heritage through funding, access to public space and creative partnership opportunities.
• I will support public art projects to celebrate our unique neighbourhoods and help to make our parks and mainstreets safe and beautiful.

Equitable and Accessible Programs and Services

• I will bring a different perspective to City Council, as a woman and member of the Chinese Canadian community, that will help to spark new solutions to old problems.
• I will make it easier for people to participate in public consultations by holding them in locations and at times that are convenient for people to attend, provide transit subsidies, childcare and translation upon request.
• I will make it my priority to design processes, programs, services and spaces that enable everyone in our communities, including seniors, youth and newcomers, to participate fully in all aspects of civic life in Toronto.