CITY COUNCILLOR
LILY CHENG
WILLOWDALE WARD 18

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

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

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

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

This February, for the first time, the City of Toronto officially proclaimed Chinese Heritage Month , aligning with the Province of Ontario and the Toronto District School Board ! This recognition honours a community whose contributions are foundational to our city’s past, present, and future. Chinese communities have been part of Toronto’s story since the 1870s, shaping neighbourhoods, building businesses, enriching arts, culture, and cuisine, and contributing through advo

February marks Black History Month, a time to honour the enduring contributions of Black communities to Toronto, to Canada, and to our shared human story. Black history is deeply woven into the fabric of our city through culture, creativity, leadership, and the ongoing work toward justice and equality. This month is not only about celebration, but also about listening, learning, and recommitting to building a city rooted in fairness, opportunity, and belonging. The City of To

I’m always grateful for opportunities to support local businesses that invest in our community and serve residents day in and day out. I’m pleased to share that the Petro-Canada station at Yonge Street and Cameron Street (4630 Yonge St.) has recently completed a major renovation, including the addition of a new A&W quick-service restaurant to better serve North York and Willowdale commuters. This convenient spot is perfect for grabbing breakfast on the go before heading onto