Deputy Mayor of Toronto | City Councillor for Spadina-Fort York, Ward 10
#SpaFY
|
#faireconomies
#decentwork
| she/her | my own views | US-muh MAH-lick
I’m honoured to be your new City Councillor in Spadina-Fort York. This is never about one person. It’s about a community of people and a call for change. The results across the city show that people are hungry for a Toronto they can believe in and I will work hard to deliver.
CP24 has declared that Ausma Malik will be elected as city councillor in Ward 10. Malik says her win is “about a call for change and a Toronto we can believe in, a Toronto for all of us.”
After serious consideration I’ve decided to put my name forward for City Councillor in Spadina Fort–York.
I’m not your typical candidate. But it’s about time for that, isn’t it? I’m ready and excited to take on this role in the fight for a just city.
As the local City Councillor, I’ve formally refused to provide my consent to expedite a land exchange being demanded by the Ford government for Ontario Place.
I’m incredibly touched and grateful to all who reached out with encouragement to run for Councillor in Spadina-Fort York. I am giving it serious consideration and your words mean a lot.
With so much work ahead of us, I’m deeply committed to building the city we want and need.
Earlier this month, the Province made a commitment to keep pedestrian access to Ontario Place's West Island open.
These barriers we're seeing now are unacceptable.
I've asked for a clear explanation. We need answers on this closure, and how access will be restored immediately.
I'm one of 1.7 million people who use TTC every day. Riders and workers can & should be safe.
More crisis response workers, 24/7 drop-ins spaces, and better service are proven investments in our safety, unlike an increase of policing.
We know that equal cities are safer cities.
Toronto is the most diverse city in the world and we are deeply impacted by violence and devastation abroad.
We must hold firm in our commitments to one another’s humanity, well-being and to justice. Islamophobia, antisemitism and racism have no place here.
I am calling on all candidates for Mayor of Toronto to stand up for Torontonians when it comes to Ontario Place rather than alongside Doug Ford.
Defend our City’s interests and our ability to secure a green, public, accessible waterfront for all at Ontario Place.
The Ford government’s controversial Ontario Place redevelopment is roiling the early Toronto mayoral race, with multiple candidates vowing to try to change the premier’s plan if elected.
Absolutely heartbreaking and devastating. Prayers and solidarity. There is a vigil tonight at Nathan Phillips Sq, Toronto City Hall, 6pm. Yet again, in the face of incomprehensible hate and violence, we will - and we must - love and protect each other.
#christchurch
#newzealand
The water park/spa proposal for Ontario Place hasn’t shown that it belongs on our waterfront.
Today Executive Cmte approved my recommendation for City staff to take a first look at exploring the feasibility of Exhibition Place as an alternative location.
City Council took action today to protect the trees at Ontario Place.
This important green, public and heritage landscape must be treated with respect through transparent reviews and due process that includes all important steps.
Islamophobia and hate have no place in our city. Together, we must recommit to creating communities where every child is free to be a kid, and every person feels safe to live their daily lives. 4/4
Many residents have reached out to me with serious concerns, which I share, about police conduct at the peaceful Land Day march in Toronto on March 30.
My council colleagues and I reaffirm our commitment to upholding the rights and freedoms of all Torontonians.
Thanks to every Torontonian who spoke out and showed up to make this budget prioritize our most urgent challenges 🙌🏽
It's far from adequate but because of you we won more renter protections, 24/7 warming spaces, community programs, mental health supports.
Let's keep going.
I am inspired by my grandmother’s convictions these days when I work with parents and partners for the opening of a new school and in championing communities for everyone to live, work, play and grow. Because of remarkable women, like her, we’re here.
#HereWeAre
Distressed to see removal of trees begin at Ontario Place.
The Province decided to break all rules of good planning, environmental & democratic process to impose their plans for a private water spa that doesn’t belong on our waterfront.
They can still make another choice.
Today, the Conservatives began cutting down trees at
#OntarioPlace
.
This is just the beginning of the destruction planned by the Ford government.
This mega-spa is an attack on taxpayers, the environment, and our democratic rights.
#ONpoli
#OntarioPlaceForAll
It is official! I am excited to be your candidate to become the city councillor for Ward 20 for the 2018 Toronto municipal election this October.
Visit me at:
It is official! I'm excited to be your candidate for city councillor for Spadina-Fort York, Ward 10 in Toronto’s election this October.
Join me!
#spaFY
Excellent news. Thanks to all who called for this step.
I welcome the Ontario Auditor General's review of Ontario Place redevelopment & Ontario Science Centre move.
Decisions on critical public lands & institutions involving hundreds of millions of public dollars need answers.
NEW: Ontario’s auditor general is conducting a value-for-money audit into the controversial re-development of Ontario Place, Global News has learned.
#Onpoli
#topoli
Deeply proud to join
@KingEdwardTDSB
students raising their voices & taking action alongside 1000s across Ontario to defend inclusion, equity & justice in their curriculum & schools: modern sex-ed,
#TRC
curriculum, $$ for school repairs + more!
#WeTheStudentsDoNotConsent
#TDSB
Ontario Place is among the most treasured waterfronts in North America.
Ontarians have demanded an open, transparent process to determine its future. Instead we have gotten secretive plans that use public money to subsidize ill-conceived development.
People deserve answers.
NEW: Fresh questions today after an NDP freedom of information request unearths what appears to be a 25-acre “phase 2” to the governments Ontario Place plan. Renders suggest it could even involve paving over part of the lake.
#onpoli
#topoli
Every student should be able to access their education without fear of hate or assault. Education is a right, and we need to make sure that students feel safe going to school. 3/4
The future of public lands and facilities like Ontario Place and the Science Centre can’t be decided by reckless announcements, they need a meaningful and transparent public process.
Today’s talk doesn't change the fact that a private spa is the wrong choice for our waterfront.
In our Spadina-Fort York communities, across Toronto and Ontario, we are unwavering in our support of all families, neighbours, staff & performers who wish to enjoy and participate in Drag story hours to do so free from harassment and intimidation.
The Province has taken over the City’s transparent & democratic process for Ontario Place that showed it doesn’t belong on our waterfront.
The fight for Ontario Place continues at Queen’s Park - and I am determined to keep working with people across Toronto and Ontario to win.
Tens of thousands of courageous students in hundreds of Ontario schools have organized for today's walkout: fighting for their education & our collective future.
We see you. I'm with you. We're in this together. Together, we're powerful.
#studentssayno
#NoCutsToEducation
we walk out today. to young people: be brave, be bold, do not let them tell you what you know or what you deserve. get up. walk out. we got this. 💓
#StudentsSayNo
Your voice matters on Ontario Place's future. That’s why your participation is so important at the City of Toronto's first round of public engagement on the development application for a private spa and a Public Realm Master Plan. Join me in-person April 15 and online April 18 ⬇️
I’m pleased that General Govt Cmte supported my recommendation for a more transparent & democratic process to decide the future of Ontario Place lands. We'll only consider the Province's land exchange when City Council makes a decision on the development.
My family has visited the CNE each summer since I was a kid so I was honoured to be invited to opening day. But with safety inspectors on strike I won't be attending. We all want a safe, fun CNE. TSSA needs to bargain fairly & make it happen
#StrikeForSafety
@OPSEU
@OPSEULocal546
I will be a champion for more public park space for downtown residents, & to make park amenities open + accessible incl bathrooms & water fountains.
I'll work to ensure Ontario Place is a welcoming, green public space for all to enjoy.
➡️
#TOpoli
#SpaFY
I don’t know the answers yet. But what I do know is that we will figure it out together, because that is what my mother taught me. None of us survive alone. I’m with you.
And Mama will always be with me.
Today, Toronto East York Community Council will consider the City staff update report on the Ontario Place development application. Joined by
@ONPlace4All
's
@normsworld
, I underscored this report makes clear the proposal isn't acceptable on our waterfront.
From the very start Ontario Place deserved a transparent and democratic process for its future, not closed-door deals.
Further evidence today that proposals like a parking garage with thousands of spaces don't belong on our waterfront.
Good process matters, and this isn't it.
Another rally has been held to oppose the province’s plans for Ontario Place at Queen’s Park on Monday, just hours after the NDP said it has “mounting evidence that suggests the Ford’s government’s process for this redevelopment was rigged.”
Beautiful Election Day afternoon made even more fantastic with my friends
@theJagmeetSingh
and TDSB Trustee candidate
@AlexisDawsonTO
, meeting enthusiastic neighbours in
#SpaFY
+ share information about voting. Thank you!
#TOpoli
Closing Ontario Place's West Island without notice is unacceptable for a site used by so many. For months I've called on the Province to share any work plans with the City and create a Community Liaison Cttee to address access + safety issues openly. This must happen immediately.
On the other side of the
#OntarioPlace
closure sign is the West Island.
From hundreds of visits here over the past several years, here are some personal observations of what makes this place special and what is currently at risk of being bulldozed for a private spa.
#ONpoli
🧵
I join every newly-elected Toronto City Councillor in the call for investments to community supports and public services that, as evidence shows, make our city safer.
Read our full statement ⬇️
This Ontario Place public consultation is getting underway! Impressive turnout on a beautiful Saturday. You know how much is at stake in this process and your voice matters in it.
Your voice matters on Ontario Place's future. That’s why your participation is so important at the City of Toronto's first round of public engagement on the development application for a private spa and a Public Realm Master Plan. Join me in-person April 15 and online April 18 ⬇️
Standing firmly with
@osbcucscso
members in their fight for fairness. Thank you for your courage. The solidarity from working ppl and families in Toronto + across Ontario is powerful. Together, we will defend our working rights, our human rights - and we will win.
#39kIsNotEnough
To everyone who organized, took action and spoke out against Doug Ford over the last few weeks: Thank you!
Toronto is better, stronger and braver for our collective efforts.
Together, let’s keep going! Let’s build a Toronto for everyone.
Join us!
#ward20
Toronto must have power over its own governance and uphold majority decision-making. Today I joined the majority of my City Council colleagues to ask the Premier and Minister Clark to reconsider Bill 39, and defend our democratic rights. Read our letter here ⬇️
My 2018 run for Council was cut short by the Premier's Bill 5 and in the last few years inequality has painfully deepened in Toronto. I feel the urgency in this and I’ll be putting myself forward to take up the work of building a city where we all belong.
This may sound like just a technical step, but it’s vitally important that decision-making for Ontario Place is more democratic and transparent every step of the way.
This was spectacular.
Thank you to
@ONPlace4All
, to everybody who joined today, and has been advocating energetically for the future of Ontario Place!
We are many and we're going to keep organizing to protect, improve and celebrate Ontario Place and all our public spaces ❤️
Thank you to everyone who reached out to encourage me the last few months and offer your support. Your generosity helped me make this decision. I hope to pay this forward as a strong and winning candidate, and in encouraging and supporting others to run across the city.
While my name won't be on a ballot this election, my commitment & vision for our city is shared by outstanding progressive candidates in the remaining 25-wards & school board. I'll put everything I can behind them to win. Join me. My full statement: 5/5
It's not everyday you get to speak at
@Yale
. A true honour. Was inspiring to meet incredible young leaders, and share my journey. Thank you for having me!
It’s a full house at the Ivy Muslim Conference in
@Yale
as
@ausmalik
talks about winning a seat at the Toronto District School Board in 2014, the vicious Islamophobia she faced, & the importance of ‘representation of substance’ in politics over representation for the sake of it.
If Doug Ford succeeds in eliminating my ward, I will no longer be running for office this fall. As a Muslim woman of colour committed to political change, my experiences taught me to never give up. I will run again & do all I can to elect the progressive candidates remaining. 4/6
Our schools and our communities must be safe, inclusive & welcoming places for all to learn and thrive.
To 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, your families, and your communities: you belong, and together, our commitment to building a world free of hate, violence and discrimination is unwavering.
The Ministry of Infrastructure's response to questions on their closures at Ontario Place is utterly insufficient and vague.
I’ve written to the Minister of Infrastructure to restore public access on our waterfront and for a real plan to inform the public about work at the site.
With construction beginning, the path connecting the West Island to Trillium Park is closed to protect public safety.
Trillium Park, a portion of East Commons, Budweiser Stage & a portion of the parking lots are open, as well as the West Island for passive pedestrian use.
Toronto's heritage architecture can't be left to the Province's whims. Thanks to Planning & Housing committee and
@JonBurnside_DVE
for supporting my recommendation to take another key step in protecting
@OntScienceCtr
building, designed by award-winning architect Raymond Moriyama
There were many powerful public presentations on Toronto's budget over the past 2 days. Spadina-Fort York gr 8 student Arushi’s is a standout you need to see. She puts clear focus on the budget's purpose & priorities to improve the lives of people. Thank you
@wonrobot
!
#SpaFY
1/2
A transparent and meaningful process is necessary for the future of public lands and facilities like Ontario Place + the Science Centre, not reckless plans.
The City is actively engaging on the current application for our waterfront that needs your voice:
My parents immigrated to Canada 40+ yrs ago. As newcomers, they made Toronto home. Their love for Toronto and Canada is one of my most enduring inspirations to build community and make a difference together. Proud to honour them and the stories of all newcomers on
#TONewcomerDay
.
Despite being barred from the public gallery hundreds still out here -- voices so loud they can be heard *inside* the legislative chambers where the debate is still happening right now.
#topoli
#onpoli
#bill5
#bill31
#NotwithstandingClause
Ontario Place is public space for everyone to use. I’ve spent a lot of quality time there over the years.
It's essential that revitalization prioritizes a welcoming, green public space that is open & accessible to all.
Current proposals are not that.
@ONPlace4All
#SpaFY
#topoli
Important thread ⬇️ Thank you
@kristynwongtam
My solidarity and support in protecting children and families attending library programs, and for staff and performers who organize them. There is not place for hate and discrimination in our city and public spaces.
STATEMENT: Today, the Fort York Public Library was the site of a desperate & hateful protest targeting a Drag Queen Story Hour planned for Toronto families. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️(thread)
I’ve now written and deleted about a dozen draft
#IWD2018
tweets. There is so much to say about women who make history, and the ones today creating a new world. And so many more, who’s stories go untold, but without whom we wouldn’t be here.
Council's choice to vote against the Board of Health's recommendations to declare homelessness a public health crisis, and to provide 24/7 warming spaces, was irresponsible.
Safety, health & lives are put at risk by this choice.
Our work continues.
Councillor Ausma Malik said the city had failed to declare a crisis, ignoring what so many doctors, experts and residents have said. Choices are being made about what is a priority — enforcement over saving lives, she says.
Today’s reversal is a credit to the organizing by many. It’s a powerful reminder that good process & meaningful consultation matters for legitimate outcomes. Decisions made with transparency are critical - especially for public assets that belong to all of us like Ontario Place.
BREAKING: Premier Doug Ford says his government will completely reverse the Greenbelt land swap decision.
“It was a mistake to open the Greenbelt.”
#Onpoli
At the start of this election in May, a City Council that better reflected our City—true representation—was within reach. We could not have imagined a few months later we’d be looking directly into the eyes of a bully. 1/6
We’ve been working hard to improve King St to meet its potential.
Adding traffic agents has more than halved travel times for transit users and made travel safer for pedestrians and cyclists.
We have more work to do! Tell me how you use King:
Thank you
@lorrainelamchop
, and everyone who has reached out, for your care.
This is not acceptable.
I’ve been in ongoing contact with staff to identify solutions, and pushed to ensure Peter St is open for showers, water access & receiving referrals. And so much more is needed.
i just talked to a bunch of people outside 129 Peter. they’re living out there, and haven’t even been offered water in this heat wave. no food, no washrooms. no s2h outreach workers have connected with them. [1/]
Toronto Island Park Master Plan team confirmed at last night's consultation: no formal event space on Hanlan's, thanks to community response.
I heard important discussion abt what the Plan must prioritize including: 2SLGBTQ+ history/connection & safety, ecological sustainability
"Councillor Ausma Malik, newly elected in Ward 10 (Spadina-Fort York), called the legislation a clear attack on local democracy.”
It is, and I'm glad
@TorontoStar
agrees.
#Bill39
Felt the ♥️, faith & warmth of community tonight. We will be in solidarity with each other, challenge white supremacy, Islamophobia & hate with all we've got -- & find strength in organizing together to create a just, safe & loving world for all of us.
#unitedagainstislamophobia
Deeply saddened by the loss of the incredible Ed Broadbent who spent his life in the good fight for equality & justice. When I last saw him, he shared experiences of putting ideas into action and the work left to do, from pharmacare to housing for all. We continue this work, Ed❤️
Hate and harassment have no place in Toronto, not now and not ever.
In the most diverse city in the world, our commitment to each other's protection and shared humanity must be unshakeable.
Walter Kehm has made an invaluable contribution to Ontario Place through his work on Trillium Park and his principled position on the Province’s redevelopment plans.
Join him tomorrow, Sat Dec 16, for a walk and discussion on what is at stake at this treasured public space ⬇️
THIS SATURDAY: Talk a walk of West Island with Ontario Place landscape architect Walter Kehm to learn what’s at stake, then join us for a rally at the West Island entrance at 12PM! Hope to see you there.
#topoli
#onpoli
Proud to join community members from across Toronto to protect Osgoode garden trees & call for a better way to build transit. Thanks to
@BOLDCoalitionTO
. What's been seen so far from Metrolinx isn't acceptable. We're all here ready to work together & build the Ontario Line right.
Toronto City Council just voted against a min 10% police budget cut: 8-16. See how your Councillor voted below. This is only one vote. A lot was brought forward to City Council because thousands have taken action. Continue taking action. This will be back on the agenda again.
Everyone who contacted their city councillor & MPP, signed a petition, attended a community mtg, rallied, went to pack Queen's Park & City Hall, talked to friends, family & neighbours -- thank you for defending our local democracy and
#ourcityhall
. Today's important win is yours.
For now, I continue my campaign for City Councillor in the new ward 20, strong as ever, to defend our city, our communities, and our democracy with all we’ve got — we’re in this together, join me. My full statement here:
#topoli
6/6
A big thank you to The Star for endorsing me as candidate for Ward 10.
I'll be a champion for affordable housing, safe streets for cyclists & pedestrians, a transit system that works for all, more green space, & a local democracy that involves the voices of our communities.
Jets have no place on our waterfront.
Instead of rehashing tired ideas that Torontonians have long rejected, our communities deserve clean air and a welcoming waterfront for us all - now, and for generations to come.
@NoJetsTO
This is beautiful. At a time when it's hard to hope, I'm so grateful to everyone who shared their support and belief that we can do more when we act together for change.
The tragic consequences of white supremacy, hate + Islamophobia are very real
Azzedine Soufiane, Khaled Belkacemi, Aboubaker Thabti, Abdelkrim Hassane, Mamadou Tanou Barry, Ibrahima Barry
Holding their memory this National Day of Remembrance & Action Against Islamophobia & Hate
Your voice is so important in the next round of consultations on
@OntarioPlace
- Sept 7 in-person, virtual coming soon. Get the full details from
@CityPlanTO
below!
Working together, we can fight for an Ontario Place that is truly for all of us.
#OntarioPlace
consultation mtg on design changes coming forward in a revised planning application (expected fall 2023): In-person mtg Sept 7, 4-8:30pm @ Beanfield Centre in Exhibition Place. Details on a virtual mtg will be available shortly. Register:
The Province needs to focus on its promise to work with the City on the Ontario Place redevelopment application process, not threats.
My committee motion in April directed City land not be considered surplus before any Council approval + other conditions.
The province will expropriate land owned by the City of Toronto at Ontario Place if a deal is not reached allowing a provincial redevelopment plan to move forward, a new report says.
Incredible! Hundreds here at Queen's Park, and growing, to defend our local democracy -- with neighbours from every corner of Toronto, for our communities and the city we love ❤
#OurCityHall
#topoli