Councillor Grimes Knows Own Ward for Toronto City Elections

In the Ontario municipal elections on October 25, 44 council seats and the mayor’s seat are being contested in Toronto.

The New Pathway’s John Pidkowich interviewed Mark Grimes, Toronto City Councillor for Etobicoke Lakeshore Ward 6 who stopped by the newspaper’s office in the UNF Toronto Community Centre, to take a break from his campaign seeking re-election for a third term. Mark and his wife Anne are raising their five children and live in the ward. Mark is an area businessman and President of MGA International Logistics.

John Pidkowich: How would you describe the uniqueness of Ward 6; what makes this ward different from the others in Toronto?

Mark Grimes: I can boast a waterfront community, not many councillors can make this claim.  It’s very special to have a waterfront. It is a jewel and it’s an attraction to all Torontonians. I’m blessed to have a waterfront ward. It’s a very unique ward; but we have a varied mix of residents from all walks of life. It’s a great place.

J.P.: How familiar are you with the diverse heritage of the people here?

M.G.: I know that Ukrainians make up one of the largest groups we have and the Polish community is also strong in Etobicoke-Lakeshore. The Ukrainian and the Polish groups are the largest groups new to the ward over the last 20-30 years and they’re growing. In other diversity, we have some Portuguese and Italian residents who have been here for some time.

J.P.: Do you visit with or do you share in their celebrations or activities – do you attend their functions or events?

M.G.: I know this [UNF Toronto] Hall quite well. About a year ago, I celebrated my 25^th Wedding Anniversary here with my wife. We renewed our vows and had a huge party here at the Hall. I have met with the Canada-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce and had lunch with a few leaders of the Ukrainian community. It’s great to see the prime example of the UNF  Community Centre, where there is the desire to expand because they are busting at the seams. I’m trying to work with them and fully support their plans. I’m hopeful that we can make this happen, sooner rather than later…

J.P.: The New Pathway publishes in Ukrainian and English, and has readers nationally and internationally. Getting into what the Toronto Elections are about, what are the significant election issues here in this ward?

M.G.: The number one issue here is the wasteful spending at City Hall. With new taxes - the HST coming in from the province-side, the land transfer tax and the vehicle registration (tax) from the city-side – people feel that they’re being taxed to death. I’m hearing it loud and clear at the door that people want us to find the savings and deliver the core service for which they’re paying their taxes. Taxes are a huge issue. Public transit is also huge. The province’s and city’s plan is to intensify density, seen here along the old motel strip by the lake. Even during this economic downturn, there’s an explosion of seven or eight cranes in the sky and more coming. We’re putting in a whole new community – Humber Bay Shores. There is a traffic study done for every condo to be built but we have to start looking at traffic and transit. Transit and taxes are right up there as the major issues across the city, if not across the country.

J.P.: How do you see the face of the ward changing? 

M.G.: There is a changing face of the ward on the development side. This is an old industrial town. Factories from the days when I was growing up as a boy, have vacated their old premises. Today, these brownfield properties have been sitting vacant now for 15-20 years. One of the election issues I ran on in 2003 is how to revitalize these brownfields and how do we bring jobs back to the area. We have been successful with offering TIGs – Tax Incremental Grants – when a company comes in to redevelop a brownfield and there are zero taxes for the first year, increasing on a sliding scale over 10 years to what should be paid. This successful pilot project for my ward has been taken city-wide.

J.P.: Ukrainians from within this area and from outside Toronto like to visit Bloor West Village BIA. Are there any similar Business Improvement Areas in this ward?

M.G.: I am the chair of all four of our BIAs – Long Branch, Lakeshore Village, Mimico Village and Mimico by-the-Lake. [In the latter], Universal Bakery acts like an anchor around which people are first drawn and the area becomes a great opportunity to open new shops, restaurants and delicatessens. To add, I, John Znaczko and a few other Ukrainians have toured and seen opportunities I think would be great places to support expansion for [Ukrainian] businesses.

J.P.: What is your opinion or position on the Toronto mayoral race?

M.G.: I do not have an election position supporting a mayoral candidate and never had in 2003 and 2006. I think it’s self-serving. I have to work with whoever wins. I have a record of being in the middle of council and working both sides of council, as demonstrated over the last seven years.

J.P.: Is there any advice you would offer the candidates and voters in regional-provincial and municipal level local elections in Ukraine on October 31?

M.G.: To the people running in the election, get your team out knocking on as many doors as possible and talk to the people telling you what they want to see. I have a record for listening to the people. In making the best call and doing what you believe is right is not always going to be popular. To the voters, research the candidates; pick the one that best represents your ideas. You have to get out and vote. We’re very privileged here in Canada and in Ukraine to have the right to vote but must exercise our franchise.

PHOTO

 (L. to R.): Taras Pidzamecky, President, Ukrainian National Federation of Canada, Toronto City Councillor Mark Grimes, Greg Adamowich, Vice President, UNF Toronto Branch, John Znaczko, Director, Canada Ukraine Chamber of Commerce