Hello,
Since I was officially sworn in as city councillor for Somerset Ward on November 15, it has been a whirlwind of activity, both at City Hall and in the community. The first item on my agenda was to hire staff, and I am absolutely thrilled to be working with Stephanie, Tessa, Nathan and Charlotte to serve residents and help advance progressive city policy. You can read their bios on my new website.
We hit the ground running with three city council meetings before the end of the year, during which we tackled some huge files: passing the governance review, appointing council members to committees and boards, and voting on the direction for the 2023 city budget. I have started posting recap videos after each council meeting. My goal is to be transparent about why I make certain decisions and share my thinking with all of you. Here are some recent updates:
- Recap from first meeting
- Introducing motion to combat anti-trans hate
- Recap from second meeting (and governance review)
- Introductory comments to council
- Recap from third meeting (budget direction)
You can follow me on any of my social media channels for frequent updates: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Tiktok.
As the winter holiday season is in full swing, I have been enjoying seeing you at Christmas craft fairs and dinners, Chanukah parties and other community events. In the new year, we will be reaching out to consult with you on the 2023 city budget and finding other ways to solicit your feedback and engagement.
It is an absolute honour to represent our incredible community. I wish you warmth, comfort and rest over the holiday season. And if you want to contribute to help our most vulnerable neighbours, I suggest Hijinx, the Parkdale Food Centre or The Door Youth Centre.
Happy holidays, no matter what you celebrate,
Ariel