14WARD 14CANDIDATE VOICES Independent · Nonpartisan

GO DEEPER · POLICY & PRIORITIES · What will you do?

P09 · question 9 of 10

Climate, parks & waterfront

What is the most important environmental or climate action you could realistically deliver in Ward 14 during one council term?

Quick version: S09 · What is the one climate or flood-protection action you could deliver in a single term?

Approach & proposed action

Susan Chapelle

I would prioritize flood resilience. For a resident cleaning sewage out of a basement or a business losing equipment, climate policy is already an everyday infrastructure issue. We need to reduce the damage from heavy rain while continuing the work of cutting emissions. I would work with Toronto Water and Transportation Services to identify Ward 14 locations with repeated flooding or drainage problems and connect that information to planned road and sewer work. Where technically suitable, I would seek rain gardens, permeable surfaces and other measures that hold or absorb water before it overwhelms drains. Larger sewer problems still require engineered infrastructure; a rain garden cannot solve every flood. I would help eligible owners access flood protection subsidies. Renters and basement tenants need to be included in safety planning even when they cannot authorize property upgrades. My commitment would be to advance funded improvements at identified locations and publish their design, maintenance requirements and delivery schedule. I would assess cost over the life of the project and coordinate construction to avoid digging up the same street repeatedly. This is a practical municipal contribution to climate adaptation, with results people can see and evaluate in their neighbourhood.

Jason Stevens

animal rights has been central for me in working with Wishbone lab and others recognizing animal agriculture and its impact

Maria Voutsinas

Buildings are the greatest source of GHG emissions in the City of Toronto. I would advocate for programs to encourage developers to include green solutions (ie green roofs, solar panels, improved insulation, heat pumps etc.) in new builds and programs to encourage more residents to take advantage of the residential green programs including information and funding programs to reduce up front costs.

Cost & funding

Susan Chapelle

Drainage and sewer improvements would be pursued through Toronto Water and street capital budgets. Adding green stormwater measures during scheduled reconstruction can avoid some separate construction costs, but still requires design and maintenance funding. I would seek available provincial and federal infrastructure support, and help eligible property owners access flood protection subsidies. Private upgrades may still require owner contributions. Staff should compare options by expected risk reduction, lifecycle cost and maintenance capacity. I would not promise a project budget before engineering review. Funded work should identify who maintains it, because poorly maintained drainage can leave residents exposed despite initial investment.

Trade-offs & affected groups

Susan Chapelle

Homeowners, basement tenants and businesses benefit from reduced flood risk. Renters may have little power to approve protective work, and low-income owners may struggle with upfront costs. Construction can disrupt access and trade. Stormwater measures can compete with parking, utilities and other uses of limited street space. Maintenance needs must be funded, and smaller surface improvements cannot replace necessary sewer upgrades. Prioritizing one location can delay another, so selection should reflect risk and vulnerability. I would publish the criteria and include affected residents. No councillor can guarantee that a street will never flood during extreme weather, after improvements are completed.

Authority & feasibility

Susan Chapelle

The City controls local water, drainage and street responsibilities, making this an area where Council can fund concrete work. Toronto Water and Transportation Services must determine technical feasibility and scheduling. Conservation and other regulatory requirements may apply. A councillor can identify recurring problems, request assessments and pursue budget priority, but cannot substitute for engineering. Coordinating smaller measures with scheduled work is achievable where site conditions permit. Major sewer projects can extend beyond one term. I would focus on assessed locations with deliverable improvements, while reporting longer-term needs honestly. Subsidy programs provide another route to reducing risk on eligible private properties.

Deliverable & timeline

Susan Chapelle

During the term, I would pursue at least one funded, technically suitable stormwater improvement linked to scheduled infrastructure work. Delivery would depend on engineering, approvals and Council funding. I would report those milestones separately. Success would include completed construction, a maintenance plan and documented design performance. Rainfall varies, so fewer complaints would not prove the project worked. Residents should see both progress and limitations.

Supporting sources

Susan Chapelle

Toronto Green Streets Technical Guidelines, on selecting, designing and maintaining stormwater measures. Toronto Water Stormwater Management Programs and Projects, on drainage and sewer responsibilities. Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program guidance, on eligible private property protection. Council item 2025 IE20.7, on green stormwater infrastructure and basement flooding program delivery. Strong Towns infrastructure costing framework, on maintenance and replacement obligations.

Responded, but not to this question

Denise Walcott

No response yet

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