Stephen's Accomplishments
A Track Record of Going Above & Beyond for Etobicoke Center
As a proven leader and strong voice for Etobicoke, Stephen Holyday has delivered on priorities which matter to residents. Through this past Council term Stephen has pursued key areas of focus which prove that he is a capable Council representative who turns plans into action. As his election platform, Stephen will continue to deliver on what matters most to our community by putting the needs of Etobicoke Centre first.
Affordable Government with Quality Services
• Exercised restraint on spending, and refused new taxes • As Audit Chair, fought fraud and waste, found permanent cost savings and improvements to services including parks, winter maintenance, TTC and forestry operations • Chaired the City’s Service Excellence Committee that improved 311, and accountability and transparency mechanisms • Advocated for local arts funding and recreation services to children and seniors • Working with the community and the TTC, avoided re-routing the East Mall bus - saving time for riders, and made safety improvements to the local stops • Hosted popular community environment day events to divert hazardous and e-waste, and collect reusable materials • Advanced planning for a new community centre near Martin Grove and Eglinton, and secured additional new public community spaces in developments
Community Safety
• Supported new front-line emergency services, crisis mental health supports, and opposed defunding the police • Held crime and safety town hall meeting, and supported crime prevention initiatives and working groups • Installed pedestrian crossings, sidewalks, enhanced road markings, signs and traffic calming where warranted • Passed a Council motion to develop renewed Neighbourhood Watch programs and signage • Instigated updates to the City’s coyote policy • Supported law and safety education initiatives for e-kick scooters and micro-mobility devices, and passed a motion to improve signage in parks
Strong Etobicoke Neighbourhoods
• Together with the community, fought overdevelopment proposals and secured improved plans that better fit-in with the neighbourhoods • Refused controversial six-plex and major street planning policy changes that destabilize neighbourhood character • Supported a review of City policies for new data centres • Protected local parks; collaborated with residents to defeat a controversial proposal to re-develop Buttonwood Park
Infrastructure
• Revitalized Centennial Park, with new soccer and sport fields, cricket, baseball, pickleball, trails, ice skating loop, splash pad, playgrounds and natural areas • Improvements to local parks and amenities including Chimeny Swift Park, Dennis Flynn Park, East Mall Park, Eden Valley Park, Elmbrook Park, James Gardens, Lambton Woods, Martin Grove Gardens, Millwood Park, Riverlea Park, Scarlett Mills/Edenbridge, Richview Park, Silver Creek Park, Valleyfield Park, Warrender Park, and the new Bloor-East Mall Common • Invested in major multi-million dollar basement flooding prevention and sewer upgrades in several local neighbourhoods, with work ongoing • Passed a Council motion for enhanced support, services and monitoring to help basement flooding prone hotspots in our community • Supported enhanced grants to homeowners to install flooding prevention • Created a new 4 km Etobicoke Greenway hydro corridor multi use trail that will connect neighbourhoods and provide new walking and cycling pathways • Active support of the underground Eglinton Crosstown West Extension with six new stops to serve our community, and careful management of construction impacts to traffic and neighbourhoods
An Unblemished Record of Service
As an elected member of Council for 12 years, Stephen has remained trusted and accountable to his constituents. • Since first elected in 2014, Stephen has never missed any of the 140 Council meetings and has the best recorded attendance among his peers, as demonstrated in over 8,900 recorded votes. • He has lowest personal office expense budget spending as shown in annual public reports, setting an example that taxpayer resources are respected and conserved from frivolous waste. • Stephen keeps residents updated through print newsletters to every household, maintaining a website, digital newsletters, social media and through major media, radio and television appearances. • He has held frequent public meetings and town halls to consult on development and policy proposals, public safety and policing, bike lanes, basement flooding, coyotes, and TTC
A Strong Voice for Etobicoke
A respected voice on Council, Stephen has the courage to instigate debates on proposals that are problematic for Etobicoke Centre and to take a tough stand. This includes organizing and supporting local resident, condo and tenant associations, and community groups to fight issues. As a result, Etobicoke Centre is stronger and it influences public policies beyond the ward boundary. • Fought-back on congestion-causing plans like closing vehicle lanes on major streets and the Bloor Street bike lane extension into Etobicoke • Opposed policies of questionable value like the renaming of Dundas Street • Collaborated to defeat proposed six-plexes • Fought to save Buttonwood Park from a lease and long-term institutional development • Challenged the process for locating new homeless shelters, to better involve the local community in the decisions • Secured community-involved improvements to plans for new local cycling projects in Wedgewood, Martin Grove Road, Mill Road, and Rathburn Road • Opposed the closure and removal of the ice pad of Weston Lions Arena
