Alejandra Bravo is returning to council for a second time as the representative for Ward 9 Davenport with plans for affordable, reasonable housing, community safety solutions and better transit.

Coun. Bravo won the seat with 66.5% of the votes, and will begin her next term in council on Nov 15.  Marco Martins came in second with 27.4%, with Ashley Janson and Neil Simon following with 3.3% and 2.8% of the vote respectively.

The Green Line reached out to Bravo for a comment, but didn’t get a response. So, we  compiled promises and priorities shared during his campaign this election season; here’s what you can look forward to:

• Affordable housing: Bravo says she plans to keep Toronto on track for 65,000 new rent controlled homes by 2030. She plans to work with land trusts and nonprofits to create long-term, affordable housing. She says she will put an emphasis on enhancing the Multi-Unit Residential Acquisitions (MURA) program, which helps nonprofits and land trusts buy private market rental units and turn them into permanent affordable units.

• Renters’ protection: Bravo says she will continue to fight for a maximum temperature bylaw to keep housing liveable, while pushing to ban rent increases above the provincially set amount. She also plans to support the Remedial Action Program, which will force landlords to pay for repairs in the units they rent out. To address homelessness, she also says she will continue supporting the Rent Bank and EPIC programs and implement Housing First approaches.

• Better transit: Bravo plans to advance capital repair work to address slow zones and delays around the ward. She aims to lower fare capping, starting at 10 rides per week, and will continue her work ensuring signal priority on the 512 St. Clair streetcar. 

• Road safety: Bravo says she’ll work with neighbourhood residents and groups to complete traffic safety plans and road improvements. She says  improving the bikeways that are a part of the Cycling Network Plan is another priority for her term.

• Community safety: Bravo says she will work  with Business Improvement Areas, resident associations, schools and community groups around the ward to identify drug hotspots and enhance a community support presence. She says she will work to integrate safety audits, debris removal and outreach into policing in the area. Her support of the Toronto Crisis Community Service is something she plans to continue into her new term.

• Youth programs: Bravo says she will increase the number of paid opportunities for young people through CityServeTO and expand partnership opportunities for job training and mentorship for young people.

• Funding the arts: Bravo plans to continue funding art in Davenport through the Toronto Arts Council. She says she’ll be working together with artists and artist organizations all over the ward to fight for funding from the provincial and federal governments and continue supporting the Mural and Street Art Program.

Here’s how Bravo responded to election pledges shared by local organizations and advocacy groups:

• Bravo didn’t respond to  the Community-led Planning Pledge to fund community-led planning and center community voices. 
• She signed TTC Riders’ pledge to push for more reliable, affordable, accessible, frequent, fast and safe public transit.
• Bravo committed to all demands in Cycle Toronto’s pledge to improve cycling infrastructure in the city.
• She has committed to 11 out of the 12 demands raised by Toronto ACORN to give RentSafeTO teeth, stand up to Ontario and tackle heat and affordability. You can check the details here.
• Bravo signed the Toronto Environmental Alliance Pledge, which commits her to voting for a maximum temperature bylaw, plant trees in hot neighbourhoods, cut single-use trash at big events, pause approvals for big AI data centres and cut emissions.

What priorities would you like The Green Line to track and report on in the coming year? Leave a comment on this page.