The Right to Move

Written By Chloe Brown

Why Now

This isn’t a debate about private cars versus public transit; it’s about making sure our city actually works for the people who keep it running. With the province investing billions in expansion, it’s inexcusable that TTC reliability in North Etobicoke has cratered by 18% over just three years.

Ward 1 deserves better than broken promises. My plan targets the specific bottlenecks that plague our daily commutes: deteriorating pavement on Finch West, hazardous conditions on Kipling, collision-prone congestion at Martin Grove and Dixon, and uneven, backed-up stretches of Islington.

I am committed to tangible upgrades that make walking, rolling, and driving safer and more efficient—because every resident deserves a commute that respects their time and safety.

hOW DOES THIS IMPACT Me?

  • It means safer bike lanes and curb extensions near schools, and Line 6 stations so you can get to class, part-time jobs, or hangouts without relying on your parents for a ride, plus paid green jobs to fix up the trails you actually use.

  • It means a predictable, faster TTC commute on Finch and Kipling so you aren't late for work or missing daycare pickup, and a long-term vision to connect Ward 1 to Waterloo's innovation corridor so you can chase high-paying tech jobs without moving out of your neighborhood.

  • It means your property taxes are being spent on concrete fixes—traffic agents, enforcement cameras, and dedicated bus lanes—that cut through the gridlock you face daily, getting your kids to activities and you to appointments with less daily stress.

  • It means shorter, safer crosswalks with curb extensions and smoother, well-maintained sidewalks so you can walk to the pharmacy, grocery store, or doctor's office without rushing across wide, dangerous intersections or tripping on broken pavement.

First 100 days

  • Day 15: Deploy Traffic Agents at Finch, Rexdale, Albion, Kipling during peak hours to manage traffic and enforce RapidTO transit priority for buses and LRTs. Request TTC staff report within 60 days on dedicated bus lane enforcement cameras on Finch Avenue.

  • Day 30: Request TTC and Transportation Services launch a "Mobility Audit" of Ward 1 to identify dangerous intersections for accelerated Complete Streets or Vision Zero improvements (pedestrians and TTC commuters) and protected micromobility lanes (cyclists and mobility device users) on routes connecting to Line 6 stations.

  • Day 60: Host a town hall on tools for measuring the effectiveness of increased frequency, dedicated bus lanes during peak periods, curb extensions, and real-time customer experience on Finch, Kipling, Martin Grove & Dixon, and Islington.

  • Day 90: Identify partners for the Youth Climate Corps - Green Streets Initiative to repair and maintain major pedestrian hubs, multi-use trails, sidewalks and green infrastructure.

ROAD MAP
(1-4 yEAR pROJECTS)

  • Fare integration is vital for affordability because it eliminates double and triple ticketing when riders cross municipal boundaries or switch between different transit networks.

    I will petition the Provincial government to make Ontario's One Fare Program permanent as it is essential for reducing road congestion and boosting overall public transit ridership.

    I will also advocate for the one fare model to be broadly applied to:

    • Bike to Bus (First/Last Mile): This pilot project optimizes Bike Share Toronto station placements using the Cycling Network Plan, transit headways, and commuter demand near major transfer points. It explores affordable memberships for equity-deserving groups and improves multimodal coordination in Ward 1 by positioning stations near protected bike lanes, repair hubs, subway stops, transit hubs, parks, and high-density areas. The goal is to enhance first- and last-mile connectivity, reduce short car trips, ease congestion, and promote sustainable commuting for students, workers, and seniors.

    • Equitable Service Replacement: Extend fare integration to Woodbine GO to equitably offset the loss of Etobicoke North GO, ensuring displaced commuters retain affordable, continuous access to regional transit service.

    • Student Innovation Corridor: Integrate fares for Humber-Guelph-Waterloo students traveling via GO, MiWay, and Brampton Transit, removing financial barriers along the Innovation Corridor to support academic and employment mobility.

    • Destination Ontario - Local Tourist Initiative: Work with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming to provide discounted rides to  places left off the main global tourism grid to promote small and medium sized towns.

  • Ward 1 faces aging roads, unsafe sidewalks, and traffic concerns, while Ontario’s scrap‑tire surplus (one million abandoned tires, worsened by lowered recycling targets) and a national skilled‑trade shortage persist. These issues are interconnected. 

    The proposed solution uses federal Youth Climate Corps funding, provincial scrap‑tire partnerships, and city transportation leadership to transform routine maintenance into a hands-on training program for emerging green tradesworkers, addressing infrastructure, waste, and workforce gaps simultaneously.

    Project A: CRM Asphalt for Road Repairs

    • Direct Transportative Services will pilot Crumb Rubber Modified (CRM) asphalt in Ward 1, repurposing Ontario's scrap tires to enhance road resilience against heavy freight and freeze-thaw cycles. The framework adapts proven models from York Region (modern additives, standard paving equipment), Richmond (equal performance, no cost increase), and Thunder Bay (organic binders for extreme winters) to address local maintenance needs efficiently.

    Project B: Permeable Rubber Walkways

    • Direct Transportative Services will expand permeable rubber pavement from parks to unsalted urban areas—walkways, bike paths, and alleyways. Free of corrosive salts, these surfaces resist freeze-thaw cracking, offer high slip-resistance, reduce noise, and divert waste from landfills.

    Project C: Youth Climate Corps

    • Youth Climate Corps – Green Paving: This pilot engages federal and provincial governments to credential youth in Red Seal trades (Heavy Equipment Operator, Concrete Finisher) and adjacent roles (Asphalt Paving Technician, Screed Operator) via provincial certifications and reciprocity pathways, solving the experience paradox. 

    • Youth Climate Corps – Sustainable Snow Management Pilot: Deploy the Corps to identify and use biodegradable de-icers (sugar beets, corn, alfalfa meal) and pre-storm brine to cut chemical use by 30%, protecting waterways, soil, pets, and wildlife while addressing storm response gaps.

    • Youth Climate Corps – "Edible Trail": Transportative Services will direct Youth Climate Corp to complete a feasibility study for a Multi-Use Trail pilot project that connects Ward 1's urban agriculture sites (Zawadi Farm, Kipling Towers, etc.) via safe cycling and pedestrian infrastructure.

  • The TTC's "transit-first" approach to “World Cup” service has already delivered proven results—enhanced service on key routes, expanded subway hours, and new RapidTO lanes that save up to seven minutes per trip.

    I will work diligently to deliver lasting transit investment for Ward 1 using dedicated bus lanes, signal priority, and expanded hours to deliver faster, more reliable service on routes like the 927 Express and Finch Avenue West to ensure residents benefit long after the final whistle.

    Route Frequency & Reliability Review

    • Mandate a comprehensive review of TTC routes serving Ward 1: 36 Finch West, 45 Kipling, 46 Martin Grove, 96 Wilson, 191 Highway 27 Rocket, 927 Highway 27 Express, and 37 Islington. Improvements to frequency and reliability are critical given that populations in Toronto's inner suburbs face longer commutes and less frequent service .

    Solar Powered Shelters - Street Furniture Pilot Project

    • The pilot aligns with the Street Furniture Program’s 2027 transition, building a workforce pipeline for next‑gen public amenities. This 12‑month pilot aims to retrofit transit shelters with solar roofs, motion‑activated lighting, EV charging readiness, real‑time tracking, weather protection, and accessibility features for people with disabilities, caregivers, and mobility device users.

      This pilot will bring together Transportation Services, TTC, Solarshare, Street Furniture, and Toronto Parking Authority, to place Youth Climate Corps apprentices at the Transit Innovation Yard (TTC, TMU, DMZ) for project development and service delivery.

    Ward 1 Accessibility Audit

    • Prioritize elevators at key stops, particularly addressing the 80-meter accessibility ramp at Finch West Station—labeled by disability advocates as "the stupidest ramp in the world," requiring a grueling 1-minute 45-second wheelchair climb. Continue advocating with senior and disability advocacy organizations for universal design enhancements .

    • Engage public lockers and logistics enterprises interested in Freight-on-Transit (crowdshipping) to develop shared revenue projects that fund accessibility improvements and last-mile delivery trips.

  • The Transit Innovation Yard is a TTC program where universities and tech start-ups test new ideas. We want those pilots on our streets to make buses run on time, digital signs that tell you exactly when the next bus arrives, and better accessibility features.

    This initiative aims to improve service coordination between transit systems to help workers find the colleges, universities, and employers that are improving factory floors for safety, designing cleaner vehicles, and fixing pain points of the commuter experience.

    Major Partnerships

    • Humber College (Barrett CTI): 93,000 sq. ft. living lab for automation, robotics, AR/VR, systems integration; houses Advanced Manufacturing Skills Consortium with 11 industry partners including Magna, Cisco, DMG Mori, and Rockwell Automation

    • TTC + TMU + DMZ (Transit Innovation Yard): Apprenticeship pipeline for transit innovation; pilots route optimization, digital wayfinding, and security solutions on TTC routes at no cost to the TTC

    • Metrolinx: Woodbine GO Station under construction ; partner on Finch and Eglinton West LRT extension and Kitchener GO line service improvements

    • Canada-Korea MOU: Federal investment anchor; EV manufacturing, battery production, critical minerals supply chain cooperation; Hyundai/Kia investment potential for Ward 1 landing zone

    • Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) – Commercialization partner; provides SMEs access to Barrett CTI labs; supports advanced materials and construction tech commercialization

    Major Activities

    • Activate Barrett CTI as EV tenant hub – Secure first cohort of EV battery recycling, parts remanufacturing, and tuning start-ups; leverage MOU for Korean anchor tenants

    • Deploy Transit Innovation Yard pilots on Ward 1 corridors: Pilot route optimization, digital passenger information, and solar powered shelters on Finch Avenue or Woodbine corridor

    • Apply Janghanpyeong auto cluster model: Organize Ward 1 used car sales, parts distribution, maintenance, and recycling into a shared-service cooperative model

    • Secure EV investment through Canada-Korea MOU: Petition federal and provincial governments to anchor EV battery production and critical minerals investment along the Ward 1-Waterloo corridor

    • Integrate transit assets: Connect Woodbine GO, Finch LRT, Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, and Pearson Airport; advocate for Finch LRT extension to Woodbine

    • Create workforce pipelines: Use City's Social Procurement Program to mandate apprenticeships, local hiring, and social enterprise partnerships on all District-related infrastructure projects

VOTE CHLOE BROWN ON OCTOBER 26

Chloe Brown
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