Dave Meslin Makes Sense of Citizen Engagement
TEDx Toronto 2010
TEDx Toronto 2010
Priorities
Engage Citizens
Current residents and business owners must have
meaningful input as we revise our Official
Community Plan and whenever Council considers
policies that will affect them.
Respect Property Owners
Many homeowners feel betrayed when developers
exploit provisions in the OCP to get more height and
density. The new OCP must provide a greater
degree of certainty about how our City will grow and
change.
Respect Taxpayers
Council must understand that tax increases create
hardship for some residents. Every effort must be
made to cut waste. We must live within our means
and ensure that we derive the maximum benefit from
the tax dollars we spend. We must focus our time,
energy and money on our municipal responsibilities
and not take on the responsibilities of senior levels of
government.
Balance Growth
We do have the capacity to grow, but unlimited
growth is not sustainable. Social and economic
development must keep pace with new construction.
Protect Our Quality of Life
As the City becomes denser, we must protect our
public views; preserve and enhance our green
spaces; renew our recreation and cultural facilities;
improve our transportation infrastructure; and
preserve our heritage buildings.
Current residents and business owners must have
meaningful input as we revise our Official
Community Plan and whenever Council considers
policies that will affect them.
Respect Property Owners
Many homeowners feel betrayed when developers
exploit provisions in the OCP to get more height and
density. The new OCP must provide a greater
degree of certainty about how our City will grow and
change.
Respect Taxpayers
Council must understand that tax increases create
hardship for some residents. Every effort must be
made to cut waste. We must live within our means
and ensure that we derive the maximum benefit from
the tax dollars we spend. We must focus our time,
energy and money on our municipal responsibilities
and not take on the responsibilities of senior levels of
government.
Balance Growth
We do have the capacity to grow, but unlimited
growth is not sustainable. Social and economic
development must keep pace with new construction.
Protect Our Quality of Life
As the City becomes denser, we must protect our
public views; preserve and enhance our green
spaces; renew our recreation and cultural facilities;
improve our transportation infrastructure; and
preserve our heritage buildings.
