Policy & Beaches–East York

Affordable Housing

The Carney Liberal government has put affordable housing at the forefront of its policy commitments.

Housing affordability is a challenge for too many of our residents. Building towards our future, we are in a strong position to benefit early on from the Liberal government's programs and policies to ease the housing burden.

Several transit corridors cross Beaches–East York. These are the perfect places to build a variety of housing forms while protecting the heritage and character of our neighbourhoods.

Success will come from a variety of groups working in towards our shared goal of more affordable housing. As your MP, I will bring my business experience to the table as part of the Carney Liberal team — and we will ensure our communities are seen as the best places to deliver affordable housing quickly.

I will speak up for our opportunities and work to secure funding for purpose built rental housing (apartments), construction along transit corridors, and first-time and newcomer buyer support programs to bring affordable housing to Beaches–East York as soon as projects are ready.

A Strong Canada relies on a resilient, flexible, and effective funding structure providing the confidence builders need. We are giving CMHC the tools they need to modernize and respond more quickly to our changing housing needs.

Public Safety

Hate and violence have no place in our society.

The Carney Liberal Government is making our communities safer every day.

I will meet regularly, in person, with our community, faith, cultural, youth, and law enforcement leaders to protect the safety and well-being of Beaches–East York.

Antisemitism, Racism, Islamophobia, and other forms of hate are not welcome. Not on our streets, not online, not in our places of worship, and not in our schools. Hatred is a poison to our great Canadian society; tolerance, understanding, and strong laws are the antidote.

We are strengthening our laws to criminalize more forms of hate speech, and the new ways people are choosing to spread hate. The Liberal government has established the Ministerial Advisory Council on Rights, Equality, and Inclusion — to ensure we are keeping abreast of a changing hate crime environment in real time.

In particular, antisemitism is on the rise. Jewish Canadians are being targeted in their homes, places of worship, schools, businesses, and street corners. They are being attacked for being Jewish. This is the epitome of hatred, even if it's maliciously disguised as international political protest. It isn't. It's hatred and it is a priority of PM Carney's Council on Rights, Equality, and Inclusion to address this growing problem.

The Carney Government is changing our laws to ensure that repeat violent offenders stay where they belong: behind bars. We are changing how bail is evaluated — making sure that the bail court has the full picture, including pending and outstanding charges, in deciding whether to grant bail.

We are changing the laws to protect our most exposed and vulnerable: children, the elderly, transit workers, and first responders. Offences against these groups can no longer result in more lenient house arrest, and attacking our first responders, transit workers, and other critical/essential infrastructure will be automatically considered an aggravated offence.

The Carney Liberal Government is committed to a safe Canada for all of our diverse residents.

Environment & Infrastructure

Our environment is our most precious resource. Canada's natural resources are at the same time incredibly important stability elements for our planet, while often also being the keys to our economic strength.

A Strong Canada requires investment in infrastructure in the right places, and with minimal impact. We need to develop our country, and we need to take advantage of our resources — in a responsible, sustainable, but economically viable manner.

Close to home, Toronto's Island Airport is a critical piece of infrastructure. It provides an important second airport for Toronto, and is an important base for medevac aircraft.

The Billy Bishop Airport also sits in the middle of Lake Ontario and on Toronto's waterfront. We have to consider how we protect our waterfront and make sure our lake remains safe and clean for all who inhabit it.

The residents of Beaches–East York, and the GTA, are owed a complete plan before any decisions can be made. That plan should address the environmental, economic, social, and land use impact of any proposed expansion to the Island Airport.

The Liberal government have been strong partners to Toronto in funding transit and infrastructure expansion, including: the Toronto Waterfront East LRT; the Line 2 Subway Car replacement; the Don River Revitalization; ALTO High Speed Rail; and other investments in local and regional transportation.

Jobs, Apprenticeship, and Workforce Development

I started my career as a skilled trade. I know what it's like to be looking for work when it feels like there are no jobs. I know the frustration of waiting for your credentials to be validated so that you can take your next job.

Our community has residents seeking career starts and career transitions. The Mark Carney Liberal Government's commitment to Canada Strong provides opportunities across a variety of sectors. Substantial Liberal investments in infrastructure spending in defence, transportation, energy, and housing development creates significant career paths for trade jobs.

As your MP, I will ensure our community has full access to employment programs for residents, veterans, experienced workers and those new to Canada and our workforce. My team and office will help you connect with the programs you need for career success. I will work to make sure every graduate, new Canadian, and person in career change is offered the chance to step into a skilled trade and support our investment in Canada.

Our strength as a nation is supported by our economic strength. I believe the best thing a person can have is a productive job, where they feel they are using their mind, their education, and their time in a rewarding way.

Education, apprenticeships, and skills training are essential building blocks for our national success.

Defence and Aerospace

I have spent over 20 years in Canada's aviation industry. From small, remote charter work, starting as commercial pilot, to my career as an airline executive with Air Canada (and Air Canada Express) and Great North Airlines.

I understand the essential nature of air travel in Canada, across our cities and into our northern communities.

We need to solve the challenges of remote access in Canada's North. There are too many communities with unreliable roads, water infrastructure, and electricity supply. We can and will fix them. Often the first step to improvement is to modernize and enhance the community airport. The Carney government has announced plans to modernize and upgrade critical northern runways; the success of those investments can be repeated at smaller airports, with community input and participation.

We had fallen behind in our defence spending, not only relative to NATO but also as compared to the great tasks we ask of the Canadian Forces. I am proud to be seeking the nomination to join the Carney Liberal team and to strengthen our aerospace and defence industries.

I offer unique insight into our multi-faceted challenges: I'm a pilot, a business executive, and a Canadian Forces parent. I will advocate for shared success for our aerospace industry, for our business community, and for our Canadian Forces members — from our newest recruits to those seeking civilian employment after proudly wearing Canada's uniform.