By SenDji
Hi, Iām an artist squeezed by Torontoās housing crisis. Over the years I attended numerous public consultations in Ward 15, where the late local councillor didnāt just oppose housing – she met any support for more homes with open derision, dismissing housing advocates as developer shills, and implied that renters are not a real part of the community.
In this, she is emblematic of the City Council at large, upholding the status quo that favours rich property owners at the expense of everyone who is yet to own a home. So when they decided to celebrate the legacy of policies that made this city unliveable, I put up a heritage plaque to tell the real story – the one of struggling workers and young families who continue to be pushed out while our leaders whitewash their failures.
Full text of the plaque so you don’t have to squint:
THE HOUSING CRISIS AND ITS ARCHITECTS
In 2025, the average Toronto home costs nearly $1.2 million – while the average household earns just $84,000 a year. In 20 years, the price-to-income ratio has more than doubled, pushing homeownership out of reach for an entire generation.
This did not happen by accident. It is the result of policies enacted by Toronto Council that crippled our cityās growth.
Political cowardice – Keeping property taxes low for those comfortably housed and shifting the burden onto new buyers through skyrocketing development charges.
Surrendering to NIMBYs – A handful of vocal homeowners – armed with time and privilege – dictate policy for millions. Density? Affordable housing? Sixplexes? Not in their backyard. Council obliges.
Lack of leadership – Terrified of being held accountable, councillors hide behind endless studies and reports, kicking the can down the road. Meanwhile, prices soar and young families leave.
In March 2025, Council voted to raise their own salaries to $170,588, insulating themselves from the affordability crisis of their own making.
They also voted to name this park after one of their own, a fiercely anti-development councillor who was the embodiment of Councilās worst impulses. During her long tenure, she delayed construction projects, disparaged pro-housing advocates during public consultations, and blocked every attempt to build a more inclusive city.
By memorializing her, the Council has once again sent out a clear message – this is a city for wealthy property owners, and anyone else can pitch a tent. Just not here – they made that illegal as well.
Erected by Toronto Future Heritage Society – Saving us from those who are āsaving Torontoā
EDIT: Some people asked what’s something actionable they can do out of this art piece. As it happens, there’s a vote on allowing sixplexes city-wide coming up on the council this week, so if you want to honour the spirit of the plaque, invest 10 minutes to email your councillor that you support the item (and note they shouldn’t try to water it down or riddle with poison pills that would make it impossible to actually build sixplexes in practice!)
By the way, the councillor in question is Jaye Robinson. She is the late councillor for Ward 15.
Good riddance. She voted no for virtually every single motion while a council member. The absolute worst person imaginable. Shameful to name a park after her because she would probably vote against having a park to begin with. This is the city that names a football field after a crack head though so Iām not surprised.
Plus, she absolutely couldn’t (or wouldn’t) do no nothing about corruption in the city administration, together with with CouncillorĀ Jon Burnside, and his successor is no better, just another corrupt animal happily pocketing fat pay and “extra bonuses’ from just about any crook, conman, and/or criminal…
Rachel Cheros Lin is just another Stooge Shilling for Criminal Developers
They all just collect doles shamelessly and let residents face SAFETY RISKS (both Fire and Traffics Hazards) as a result of Bribery by the Chief Building Official:-
Toronto has been ruined by the City’s corrupt officials… sigh.
Mayor Oiliva Chow is a wicked CRIMINAL by definition (under Criminal Code) who condones corruption and lawbreaking to erect FIRE/TRAFFICS HAZARDS to murder residents…
Mayor Chow is complicit in Lawbreaking by posing Safety/Life Risks to the general Public knowingly and willfully
Please if you may, write to the Mayor ask her why so heartless and scandalous? Could it be her mom never teach her what is “Shame” or perhaps, she is mentally ill?Ā š”š¢š¤¬
All that Olivia Chow does is photo op like this wasteful Woke Festival in Scantily Clad Voodoo Garb that exposes her wrinkled genitalia… Such is the DEGENERACY O Canada!
Whaddaya Say?