CITY COUNCILLOR
LILY CHENG
WILLOWDALE WARD 18

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 23, 2026 TORONTO – Today marks eight years since the Toronto van attack, a day that remains one of the most difficult in Willowdale’s history and one our community will never forget. While April 23, 2018 brought immense loss and grief, it also revealed the compassion, courage, and generosity of the people who call Willowdale home. In the years since, the community has grown stronger and more connected, grounded in care for one another. “Eight years

The newly renovated Teen Zone at North York Central Library officially reopened! I had the opportunity to cut the ribbon with the Mayor alongside a large group of energized teens. They were very excited and we should be excited that we have this amazing space that provides free healthy snacks, video games and free craft activities. Teens call this their safe third space. How great it is that after school there are teens in Willowdale that rush to our library! Reopened just i

This week, I requested a briefing on the rollout of the Smart Signal program for 2026. I was happy to learn the Willowdale area will see a major share of the City of Toronto’s Smart Traffic Signal rollout, with about 25 intersections targeted, fully half of the city’s planned 50 new installations for 2026. That means Willowdale alone will receive 50% of all new smart signals, a significant concentration compared to the roughly 200 smart signals already deployed citywide by th

On April 8, I hosted a Community Leaders Dinner at North York Civic Centre, bringing together local leaders, residents, and Mayor Olivia Chow for an evening of meaningful discussion on the future of Willowdale. Mayor Chow shared updates on key city priorities, including improvements to emergency response times, ongoing investments in transit and infrastructure, and efforts to strengthen Toronto’s financial position through a new fiscal framework. She also highlighted programs

Last year, I attended the Smart City Summit in Taipei, where I learned about the work of the Circular Economy Foundation, founded by Charles Huang. I was inspired by his knowledge and enthusiasm, learning a great deal as he made a presentation to me and the councillors who were part of my delegation. All of us left knowing a great deal more about the concepts behind a circular economy and ideas for implementation. As Toronto moves forward with its 10-Year Circular Economy Roa

It was great to welcome approximately 30 condominium property managers and board members to an engaging and interactive luncheon. The discussion provided a valuable opportunity to discuss key local concerns, ongoing initiatives, and opportunities for collaboration in Willowdale’s growing high-rise community. I am grateful to the Willowdale Lawn Bowling Club for allowing us to use their space for this productive event. Condo property managers who did not receive an invitation

It was a bittersweet meeting as we gathered as the Yonge Street Tragedy Memorial Steering Committee last week to discuss the next phase of work on the long-term memorial. This group of amazing community members played a pivotal role in caring for our community after the tragedy and has stayed engaged over the years. Many of us have continued to deepen our work in the service of Willowdale, inspired by the way the community came together after such a difficult moment. I was gl

The federal government has renewed and expanded funding for Toronto’s youth crime prevention efforts, committing $157.5 million over the next three years through the Building Safer Communities Fund just as previous funding to our City’s efforts was set to expire. Announced by Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree alongside Mayor Olivia Chow in Scarborough, the investment supports programs that address the root causes of youth violence by connecting at-risk youth and fami

On March 16, North York Central Library re-opened its newly renovated Teen Zone after a year-long closure, just in time for March Break. Beautifully refreshed with new flooring, shelving, and furniture, the modernized space offers clean sightlines and integrates well with the building’s architecture. It houses the branch’s teen collection and includes a teen programming area, a gaming room, a new Learning Centre, a customer service desk, printing services and a study area. F

With the recent warm weather, snow operations teams are actively repairing potholes across Willowdale. A recent "pothole blitz” was conducted on Feb 28th throughout the city, and additional repair days will continue throughout the spring. So far this year, in our ward, 311 has received 283 service requests regarding pothole repairs, 260 have been completed, and currently 23 requests are in progress. Currently, the estimated time for repair upon submission of a service reques

I am deeply disturbed by reports that two synagogues in North York and Thornhill were shot this past weekend. I am grateful no one was hurt, and my thoughts are with the congregations and families affected. Coming just days after the targeting of Saliwan Boxing Gym and Temple Emanu-El, these cowardly acts are clearly meant to spread fear. My office has been in ongoing discussions with the Toronto Police Service, members of the Jewish community, fellow councillors, and faith l

After more than a year of study, consultation, and technical analysis, the North York at the Centre - Final Options and Directions Report was tabled at the Planning and Housing Committee on February 26. We are so grateful to the 22 residents who showed up, virtually and in person, to make deputations. Your voices matter, and it’s always key for staff to hear directly from those most impacted by the policies we pass. This Secondary Plan update will establish a new long-term

Last week, my office co-hosted the 7th Climate Action Roundtable in collaboration with Climate Neighbours North York . We had an incredible discussion on 5 key themes: Smart Commuting and Active Transportation Reducing Waste and Plastics Community and Corporate Accountability (“Bring Your Own Ideas”) Improving Indoor Air Quality and Energy Efficiency Growing Food and Pollinator Gardens Supporting Bike Lanes and Safe Cycling Thank you to all the fantastic organizations that jo

Something historic happened in Willowdale this past weekend. I was pleased to sit down with The Honourable Ali Ehsassi and The Honourable Stan Cho to talk about how we align our efforts to support both the pressures of today and the growth of tomorrow in our neighbourhood. All three of us are part of large systems where we each have to fight for our ward for attention and resources. Working together will provide more opportunities to be strategic and align our efforts to achi

The Mayor’s Budget passed at our Special City Council meeting with very few amendments. You can CLICK HERE to read more about the local and city-wide investments included this year, but I want to highlight a few new wins that happened this month that directly benefit Willowdale. The Mayor provided: $35,000 to address the shortfall facing the Yonge North York BIA in organizing our long-standing Canada Day celebration at Mel Lastman Square . This support ensures the event ca