"My goal would be to remove as many barriers as possible to creative innovative solutions to the problems facing Toronto residents, and encourage self reliance. I believe private business, community organizations and individual residents can accomplish great things if we ensure that the government stops trying to micromanage and control what gets done in this city."
SARAH CLIMENHAGA
Question from TRREB
Q1: In your opinion, what are the two greatest challenges facing the City of Toronto today?
candidate response
1) Micro-management by government (death by bureaucracy), and 2) degradation of our life support systems (air, land, water, plant and animal life).
Q2: If elected, will you support and accelerate the commitments made in the 2023 Housing Action Plan, including ending municipal exclusionary zoning by-laws and policies in Toronto that will allow and encourage more medium-density housing and purpose-built rental units?
Yes
Q3: If elected, would you support reducing approval times and other red tape barriers that limit the building of new housing in Toronto, thereby speeding up development?
Yes
Q4: If elected, would you push for more investment in critical infrastructure, such as transportation, to facilitate growth and housing by finding creative ways to secure funding from the provincial and federal governments?
Unsure
Q5: If elected, would you commit to capping municipal costs added to new housing in order to limit further affordability erosion, and instead work together with the higher levels of government in finding new and sustainable funding mechanisms?
Yes
Q6: The City’s biggest and main source of revenue is property taxes. What would you support by way of annual property tax increases to maintain and/or improve the current services and programs the City provides?
Unsure
Q7: If elected, would you be willing to explore reform or adjustments to the Municipal Land Transfer Tax in Toronto? This might include increasing the first-time buyer rebate and indexing the MLTT rebate and tax thresholds to account for housing price inflation.
Yes
Q8: If you become the next mayor of Toronto, what is your top priority that you want to accomplish in the first 100 days in office?
My goal would be to remove as many barriers as possible to creative innovative solutions to the problems facing Toronto residents, and encourage self reliance. I believe private business, community organizations and individual residents can accomplish great things if we ensure that the government stops trying to micromanage and control what gets done in this city. I would also prioritize budget and tax reform so that we discourage activities that are harmful to our life support systems and communities and encourage activities that are life enhancing. Finally, I would meet with as many representatives from Toronto life – residents, business owners, developers, artists, city staff and politicians – to try to break down the silos and barriers that prevent us from working together as a city.
If elected, will you use the “strong mayor powers” to modify the budget to pay for your key priorities?
No
