 | Perhaps you have recently moved into Ward 8. If so, it is my pleasure, as your City Councillor, to extend to you and your family, a very warm welcome. The boundaries of Ward 8 – York West is bounded on the north by Steeles Avenue, on the west by highway 400, on the east by Dufferin Street, and on the south by Grandravine Drive and Sheppard Avenue (east of Keele Street). Within these geographical boundaries there are many exciting public places for recreational, socio-cultural, sports and educational activities. The Black Creek Pioneer village is a world-renowned tourist attraction. York University, located in our backyards, provides great cultural resources and other amenities for us to access. Yorkwoods Library, just east of Jane Street on Finch Avenue, carries a number of significant collections, providing a rich history of the numerous ethnocultural groups in our community. It also has a ‘state of the art’ theatre auditorium. We have worked hard in Ward 8 to develop support services that are responsive to the varying needs of our neighbourhoods. The strong, community-oriented Police Services (31 Division), Humber River Regional Hospital, and our community/recreation centres (Driftwood, John Booth, Oakdale and Grandravine), work hard to make our community a vibrant, exciting, caring and safe place to live and work. The community-based services and our places of worship are highly valued for the ways in which they address many of the social , physical and spiritual needs of families. Indeed, we are the microcosm of the Canadian multicultural reality. Our unique community is built through daily intercultural interactions and understanding. MY VISION FOR TORONTO includes such things as:
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More pictures on our community
Councillor Li Preti presented the late Ruth Morris with an award on behalf of the City of Toronto for her outstanding contribution to the community. Ruth Morris is particularily remembered for her integrity, total commitment and her tireless work with vulnerable people in the Jane and Finch community. An annual award is presented to a high school student in her honour.
Councillor Li Preti presented on behalf of the Mayor of Toronto, a scroll to Lorna Marsden, president of York University and on the occasion of the University’s 40th anniversary. York University has developed a good relationship between the local schools and the community colleges.
Councillor Li Preti and Haji Shamir Khan and members of the Imbadul Islamic Jamaat. The center continues to provide excellent support to the Muslim community with a variety of programs such as education for young children, social and cultural programs for people at risk as well as a place of worship. Councillor Li Preti is proud to be associated with the Jamaat and looks forward to many years of working relationship for the benefit of the whole community.
Councillor Li Preti at the 24th Christmas Children’s party which he helped to sponsor. Over 500 children from vulnerable families joined the councilor for an afternoon of fun. The participants enjoyed the multicultural food, live entertainment and Santa Claus. The business community also pitched in by providing every child with a small Christmas gift.
Councillor Li Preti, Dr. Varano and sponsors of the 24th annual Christmas Children’s party for exceptional children in the community. Sponsors have been very generous by donating food and soft drinks as well as gifts. A surprise appearance by Santa provided a special moment of good cheer and happiness for the children and their families.
Councillor Li Preti at the opening of the employment resource center in Yorkgate Mall. The Center is an important element and continues to serve a needy community providing counselling and other resources, employment opportunities and training. Many of the residents will be better equipped in seeking employment opportunities in the future.
Councillor Li Preti was the first North York Community Council Chair. In his maiden speech, he stressed the fact that portable and permanent signs were visually polluting the city and as a result he asked staff to monitor and reduce the number of permits approved for signs. In addition, he also indicated that massage parlours were an unwanted intrusion into the community with obvious negative repercussions. He requested the bylaw enforcement department to investigate and charge illegal operators.
There are a number of outdoor illegal food vendors operating out of our community. Councillor Li Preti is working towards establishing an outdoor market in cooperation with Ontario Hydro in a way to reduce the number of complaints regarding these food vendors presently on street corners. By creating a small market area, vendors will be licensed and residents will be protected.
