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Terri HAWKES' Priorities

Liveability • Mobility • Safety

Since May 1st, 2026, when I registered on day one of this race, my team and I have knocked on thousands of doors, and the conversations I’ve had led me to sketch out the following wheel which I call the University-Rosedale Hub.  It contains the three major priorities I believe encompass the major concerns of the residents in our Ward 11:  Liveability, Mobility, and Safety. 

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Liveability means neigbourhoods that are vibrant and connected and affordable for all.

Mobility means everyone can move around the city quickly and easily. 

Safety determines how we feel at home, on our streets and in our communities.

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The outer part of the wheel represents the process by which I believe our councillor and community can optimize our relationship:  through communication and collaboration.  

I hope to earn the trust of the residents of University-Rosedale, and have a chance to put this theory into action, through regular in-person and hybrid community town halls, as well as community consultation, an accessible and staffed office in University-Rosedale, alongside responsive and respectful communication between the people of University-Rosedale, their councillor, and councillor’s staff.  

Three Priorities. One Connected Approach.

As your next City Councillor, with stronger Communication, consultation and Collaboration,

I will bring together Community (residents, businesses, city staff and all levels of government) to find practical cost-effective solutions for a better University-Rosedale and Toronto.

With Communication and Collaboration
we can do better TOGETHER.

LIVEABILITY

Affordability, Business Growth, Green Spaces

Terri HAWKES here.  I’m running to be the next City Councillor in my home of University-Rosedale.  I live in the Annex and have loved this community since I lived here and in Seaton Village in my 20’s with roommates - in 3 different apartments - though we were renovicted from the last. Years later, I fulfilled a long-time goal and moved back to this neighbourhood with my kids. In between I’ve lived and worked across Canada and the U.S. while building a successful career as a producer, screenwriter and actor in film and TV.  I’ve known lean times and good times, and yes – I’ve worked hard, but am also grateful for the good fortune and timing that has helped pay the bills.

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I’ve also continuously exercised my passion for community service serving on and/or co-founding school boards, residents’ associations, grass roots groups, community activist circles, arts organizations and more.   

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Through my professional work and community service, I’ve learned to Show Up, Listen, Communicate and Collaborate.

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Having lived in other world-class cities like Calgary, Ottawa, New York and Los Angeles, I know: Toronto, we can LIVE better!

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How can we make Toronto more LIVEABLE?  

  • Affordability

  • Business Growth and

  • Green Spaces. 

Affordability

A city everyone can afford to live in - affordable housing options, food security, and better services for our taxes. 

Business Growth

A thriving city with strong local businesses, vibrant communities, jobs for our youth. 

Green Spaces

A healthier city with easier access to nature, parks, and green spaces for retreat or community gathering.  

LIVEABILITY = Affordability + Business Growth + Green Spaces

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Through affordability, business growth and green spaces we can make an already great City even greater. Toronto, together with Community, Communication and Collaboration, we can do Liveability better! 

MOBILITY

Transportation Flow, Transit Access, Better Bike Lanes

Terri HAWKES here.  I’m running to be the next City Councillor in my home of University-Rosedale.   I walk, I bike, I take transit, I drive.  My career in the arts started here in my 20’s with the Film and TV community, where I learned to Show Up, Listen, Communicate and Collaborate.  


I walked and rode my bike everywhere until weather led me to take transit.  The day I was able to afford my first Taxi ride was a big deal.  Toronto seemed more mobile then. Since then, I’ve had a successful career that has taken me across Canada and the U.S. to world-class cities - where I’ve seen how other cities move. 


Back here in Toronto, I’ve experienced and heard from all corners of this Ward how challenging it is to navigate the web of our multiple options for moving around the City. 


The message I consistently hear is that we all want a city where our many modes of transportation work together – and work for everyone!  I know: Toronto – we can move better! 


How can we make Toronto more MOBILE?

  • Transportation Flow

  • Transit Access

  • Better Bike Lanes!

Transportation Flow

Transportation flow with coordinated modes of travel, separate lanes where appropriate and well-maintained infrastructure.  

Transit Access

TTC Access with more fair options for transit that meet accessibility and reliability standards.  

Smarter Bike Infrastructure

Better designed and utilized existing bike lanes, networks and infrastructure, selected bike lane upgrades, prioritize emergency access, enforced e-mobility vehicle licenses & fines, and stronger scooter safety. 

MOBILITY = Transportation Flow + Transit Access + Better Bike Infrastructure​

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Through affordability, business growth and green spaces we can make an already great City even greater. Toronto, together with Community, Communication and Collaboration, we can do Liveability better! 

SAFETY

Awareness, Strong Communities, City Accountability

Terri HAWKES here.  I’m running to be the next City Councillor in my home of University-Rosedale.  I lived here in my twenties and always felt safe. Since then I’ve worked and lived across Canada and the U.S., traveled extensively, raised a family, and safety now means more.  Yes, it’s about being safe in our homes and in public - on the streets, on transit, after dark.  

 

Having lived life – having been in uncomfortable and unsafe situations in the streets over the years, having had my wallet lifted, passport stolen, my front door kicked in by burglers, my apartment ransacked, having seen my parents’ front porch carpet ablaze when my father ran for re-election as a Member of Parliament, and having recently received threatening letters myself - I think about safety more.

 

Having shared conversations with my Jewish family members, friends and neighbours in light of rising anti-semitism, and recognizing an increase in hate-crimes more generally across Canada, I now also think and speak more about safety in places of worship, in our schools and beyond. And of course I advocate for the safety of our disenfranchised and vulnerable neighbours who are struggling with mental health, addiction and poverty.   

 

We need to stand up for the safety of all our communities.  But we also need action.  I know: Toronto, we can do safety better! 

 

How can we keep Toronto SAFE for everyone? Through

  • Awareness

  • Strong Communities

  • City Accountability

Awareness

Neighbourhood networks, public safety information and community partnerships.  

Strong Communities

Eyes on the street, welcoming newcomers and helping neighbours in need.

City Accountability

Safer streets, homes and businesses -  by enforcing laws,  bylaws and rules on the road, the sidewalk, and on transit, with faster emergency response times. 

SAFETY = Awareness + Stronger Communities + City Accountability

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Through Awareness, Stronger Communities and City Accountability, we can make a relatively safe City even safer.  Let's create a Toronto where we can all live more safely! Toronto, together we Community, Communication and Collaboration - we can do safety better!

Community, Communication, Collaboration.

Choose Change, vote Terri HAWKES.

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