CITY COUNCILLOR
LILY CHENG
WILLOWDALE WARD 18

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

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

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

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

On February 21, Ukrainians in North York (UINY) will hold a special gathering to mark the 4th anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a moment that carries deep sorrow, strength, and resilience for so many in our community. Since the very beginning of the war, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside UINY founder Helen Shumilova , including co-hosting welcome tea gatherings for Ukrainians newly arrived in our city. From those first moments of uncertainty, Helen

My team and I recently visited the 12 Holmes Avenue warming centre in response to concerns raised by community members. During the visit, we reiterated to staff and security that no one is to be turned away from the warming centre, regardless of capacity. Shelter staff acknowledged that, while they have not turned anyone away, there may have been a lapse due to the regular changeover in security staff hired by the operator. They have committed to ensuring that security staff

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

Thank you to everyone who joined our virtual town hall on Toronto’s proposed 2026 City Budget. Residents shared thoughtful questions and feedback on affordability, growth pressures in Willowdale, community safety, housing, youth programs, and climate action. Below, you will find more information on our discussion, along with links to the presentation and budget notes. Budget Priorities Mayor Olivia Chow emphasized a focus on affordability, service stability, and maintaining f

The City of Toronto is implementing new zoning changes that will allow more housing to be built near transit , following direction from the Province. These changes affect areas near 120 transit stations across the city, including TTC subway stations, three of them in Willowdale. The goal is to make better use of land close to transit by allowing additional housing options while supporting complete, connected communities. In August 2025, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and