As we indicated in our recent blog post, DECA posed the same questions to every Ward 19 City Councillor candidate with a published email address (on the city election website). We are publishing their replies in the order that we receive them.
Meet: Josh Makuch
1. What makes you the best person to represent the Danforth East area?
My personal integrity and commitment to public service. I was an infantry officer in the Canadian Army for years and led a platoon of soldiers on a combat tour in Afghanistan in 2009. Since then, I obtained an MBA and have worked on Bay Street. But, the same strong commitment to public service that brought me into the military is guiding me back, this time, towards municipal politics. I’m not afraid to take hard positions; I have been vocal, clear, and consistent about my views on the need to put all options on the table to address significant problems with the Woodbine bike lanes, and on the need for meaningful gun control. I have been pointing to the revitalization on the Danforth as an example of what we need to do for other parts of the ward, including sections of Queen, O’Connor, and St. Clair.
2. What do you think is the most pressing issue for this area, and what is your plan to address it?
Crime and safety. In addition to stricter gun control, I am a proponent of immediately hiring more Toronto Police officers to enhance police presence and enforcement ability in the area. I have also heard from residents across the ward about local concerns regarding street safety. We need to reduce the red tape associated with measures to slow and control traffic in specific areas of concern, and especially in and near school zones.
3. Who do you support for mayor, and why?
I support Mayor John Tory for a second term. While I do not agree with every decision the Mayor has made, overall, I think the City of Toronto will be best served by the consistency of a second term.
4. DECA took the position that changing the ward boundaries during the election was undemocratic. What do you think about that?
I am concerned that the Provincial Government made the change to the ward boundaries and number of wards in the City of Toronto without consultation and so close in time to the election. Concerns about the impact of the change on democracy, given the manner in which it was done, were well-founded. That said, I acknowledge that municipalities are statutory creatures of the Province of Ontario. The bottom line now is that City Councillors will have a bigger job going forward because each ward is larger and more diverse than before. I am committed to meeting that challenge.
5. We expect that our area will see a lot of development in the next four years. What do you think about that?
I support responsible development and increased intensification in the ward. Beaches-East York is a desirable place to live. There is a consistent influx of people who want to move into the area and a limited amount of geographic space. This organic demand and limited supply drives up housing prices and creates challenges for transit, but it also presents opportunities for greater local economic development. The goal is to manage development to maximize the benefits to the area and mitigate any negative impacts. To me, this means ensuring that development is net-neutral on parking increases and is accompanied by plans to improve and increase capacity of transit.
6. How will you contribute to a more diverse and representative Council?
I am a strong proponent of diversity. I will support the implementation of a gender equity strategy at City Hall. I will also ensure that staff in my office are diverse and representative of the ward.
For more info:
www.votejosh.ca
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