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Ward 23 - Willowdale Candidates

Survey Posted:
John Filion


Not Returned:


Not Sent:
Ignacio Manlangit

Candidate: John Filion (Incumbent)
Office: Councillor
Ward: 23 - Willowdale
Website: www.johnfilion.ca
Email: Johnmfilion@rogers.com

Voting Record on Six Key Bike Plan Votes

Jul '01 Approve Toronto Bike Plan. (passed) Absent
Mar '02Budget increase of $530,000 for Bike Lanes and Routes. (passed) - LaytonFor
Feb '03Budget increase of $56,700 for new secure bike lockers at Subway Station. (passed) - ChowAbsent
Feb '03Budget increase of $42,000 to hire 5 additional Cycling Ambassadors. (passed) - RaeFor
Feb '03Increase budget for bike lanes and routes by $250,000.00. (Defeated) - ChowAbsent
Jul '03Rescind approval of Dundas East bike lanes (defeated) - OotesAgainst

Survey Results

1) Are you familiar with the Toronto Bike Plan and will you support its implementation of as one means of reducing car dependance as outlined in Toronto's Official Plan?No Answer
Comments: I am in favour of reducing car dependence and encouraging cycling. I do not, however, support the Official Plan.
 
2) Would you support requests to amend bylaws to exempt bicycles from traffic calming turn restrictions and entry restrictions on streets in your ward?No Answer
Comments: Yes, but would need to look at particular situations.
 
3) Do you support measures to ensure that the City of Toronto's policy of keeping bike lanes clear of snow is carried out; and would you support expanding this policy to off road paths?No Answer
Comments: Yes to clearing the lanes; for paths I would need to look at the individual situations – i.e. how much they are used in the winter and the cost and practicality of keeping them clear.
 
4a) To build the Bikeway Network over the next three years, the Bike Plan recommends that the following amounts be spent by the Works and Emergency Services to build new bike lanes, paths and signed Bike Routes, and by Parks and Recreation to build new bike paths.
YearWorks and Emergency Services% of Works Capital BudgetParks and Recreation% of Parks Capital Budget
2004$3.0 M1.23%$1.2 M1.66%
2005$4.5 M1.85%$1.2 M1.66%
2006$6.0 M2.46%$1.5 M2.08%
** Based on 2003 Parks capital budget of .1 M
* Based on 2003 Works capital budget of .67 M
Will you support the above budget requests to implement the Bike Plan?No Answer
Comments: I support money for bike lanes. All budgets must be considered in the context of other competing priorities/promises/initiatives/emergencies in any given year.
 
5) There are bike lanes and routes proposed for your ward over the remaining eight years of the Bike Plan. Will you be working to get these bikeway routes through the approval process and installed? View Map No Answer
Comments: No routes have yet been approved for Ward 23. I am in favour of routes different than those intitially put forward by City staff.
 
5b) The Toronto Bike Plan proposes new bike lanes on Willowdale Avenue and Senlac Road as highlighted on the attached map. Will you be supporting the installation of these bike lanes?No Answer
Comment: The Senlac proposal has been withdrawn and the Willowdale proposal is being re-examined. I believe there are better routes – e.g. the Beecroft and Doris Service Roads connecting to the Hydro corridor. I believe that a cycling network should not only be for the most experienced/avid/adult cyclists; they should also, for example, be safe routes for students aged 12 and up cycling to school. Apart from the technical problems with Senlac and Willowdale, these are not safe streets.
 
6) Do you support improved integration between Cycling and The Transit system by such measures as: Bike carrying racks on TCC Buses, and, building secure bike parking facilities at TCC stations?No Answer
Comments: Strongly support bicycle parking; would need a closer look at the racks on buses. .
 
7) Do you support an expanded city-funded bicycle safety program for adults and children?No Answer
Comments: Yes, but I would want to see a specific plan and a budget before I would support it. I would want to make sure that this was the best use of available dollars.
 
8) Would you support dedicating more resources to promote bicycle commuting by employees of private and public sector employers, including City of Toronto staff?No Answer
Comments: I support encouraging and promoting it but am not clear what you mean by "more resources." As an FYI, I hold an annual Bicycle Safety Day in the Spring at which residents get a free safety check/tune up, safety tips from the Police, etc. I promote it through the schools so that there is only a minor cost, which comes out of my office budget.
 
9) Would you support initiatives to promote Toronto as a Bicycle Tourism destination?No Answer
Comments: Yes.
 
10) Would you support the extension of the former City of Toronto's Zoning Bylaw regarding Bicycle Parking Requirements (which requires bike parking facilities as well as shower and change facilities) to cover all new commercial and residential buildings across the rest of the Megacity?No Answer
Comments: I would need to see the details of the former City of Toronto bylaw before knowing whether I support extending that, as opposed to other measures.
 
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