In Transition: Looking Back and Moving Forward

December 29 2024

As 2024 comes to a close, Etobicoke finds itself at a crossroads. This year has been marked by the ongoing push-and-pull between tradition and transformation, reflecting the broader dynamics at play across suburban communities in Toronto. With a potential year full of elections in 2025, the stakes are high for the future of this vibrant yet divided community.

Lets be honest, Etobicoke has long been a microcosm of suburban conservatism, not just in Toronto, but in the province too. Its history is one of manicured lawns, single-family homes, and a political landscape that has leaned reliably rightward, especially in elections with lower turnout. Fiscal restraint, opposition to rapid urbanization, and a desire to preserve a suburban identity have shaped its governance and policies for decades. For many long-time residents, this is the Etobicoke they know and love: a haven of stability in the ever-changing mosaic of Toronto.

But Etobicoke is changing …

The arrival of younger families, newcomers, and renters has brought a new vibrancy to neighborhoods like South Etobicoke and Rexdale. These communities are increasingly diverse, progressive in nature, and in need of housing, transit, and services that reflect the evolving realities of urban life. Yet, many of these residents feel unrepresented by a political establishment that continues to prioritize the status quo. For those who dream of a more inclusive, equitable Etobicoke, the current political climate can feel unwelcoming and, at times, alienating.

As a lifelong resident of Etobicoke, I have witnessed both its enduring strengths and its growing pains. I have watched as new voices struggle to make themselves heard in a landscape that often resists change. I have felt the frustration of seeing exciting young potential stifled by policies and attitudes that fail to meet the moment. I have grappled with the disconnect between what Etobicoke could become and what it sometimes insists on remaining.

This tension is not unique to Etobicoke. Across suburban communities in North America, there is a push-and-pull between tradition and transformation, between preserving what was and embracing what could be. Yet, Etobicoke’s story is particularly poignant because it sits at the crossroads of so many of Toronto’s most pressing challenges: the housing crisis, urban sprawl, and the struggle for greater inclusiveness in governance and community life.

As we look ahead to 2025, a busy year of a potential provincial and a for sure federal election, Etobicoke’s political identity will once again be in the spotlight. These elections provide an opportunity to redefine the narrative, to engage voices that have long been marginalized, and to push for policies that reflect the community’s evolving needs. Will Etobicoke embrace the vibrancy and diversity of its newer residents, or will it continue to cling to a past that no longer serves the majority of its people?

The voices of young families, newcomers, and progressive thinkers are still too often drowned out by a political culture that clings to a past that no longer reflects the community’s reality. The task ahead is clear: to acknowledge the past and accept that the future will be different. The Etobicoke of the last 50 years will look different over the next 50 years and nothing can stop that as progress and change are always evolving.

Our story is one of both promise and persistence. The community’s future will be shaped by those who dare to imagine something different—and who are willing to work to make it happen. As residents, we have an opportunity to advocate for inclusive development, amplify diverse voices, and create a more welcoming Etobicoke for all. As we enter 2025, let’s ensure that this vibrant community thrives and embraces its evolution rather than resist it.

Wishing everyone a very happy and safe new year and thank you for all your support this past year!