Pierrefonds-Dollard

By Beryl Wajsman, Editor
The Suburban

DDO Councillor Tanya Toledano will be the federal Conservative candidate in the riding of Pierrefonds-Dollard in the next federal election in 2025. A resident of DDO since birth, she holds Bachelors degrees in business and law. Toledano has been a successful small business owner for some 20 years. Over the past 15 years, she has served on a variety of Boards of Directors for various community organizations. She has volunteered in a women’s shelter; delivered meals to those in need; taught online to seniors; and used her media platforms to generate awareness about community issues and important causes. The Suburban had an opportunity to sit down with her and get her views and ideas. This is Part One of a two-part story.

The Suburban: Why did you decide to run to be a candidate for the Conservative Party?

Tanya Toledano: The short answer is because I felt “called to service.”

It does not feel like we are living in the same country that I grew up in. The cost of living has skyrocketed, people are being turned away from food banks and citizens are living in tent encampments in major cities across the country.

Calls for violence and hate speech are being spewed on our streets without consequence and the next generation is seriously preoccupied with whether they will ever be able to afford homes of their own in our country.

People are craving a return to common sense. I believe they want a government that ensures that hard work pays off, that crime will be punished, that freedom is preserved and inspires hope for the next generation.

I am a firm believer in the idea that ‘if you don’t speak up now, don’t complain later.’ It is time to speak up and to stand up. This is me standing up to represent the community that I grew up in, where my husband and I chose to raise our family and where I currently represent the residents of Dollard-des-Ormeaux in the capacity of City Councillor.

TS: What experiences have you had that would make you a good MP?

TT: Having been involved in community life and with charitable organizations over the years has provided me with some insight into various needs within the community as well as an understanding of what it means to advocate for community members.

In my role as City Councillor in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, I am entrusted to advocate for our residents to ensure they have what they need. This can sometimes be specific to the individual, but often concerns all residents, as is the case with services, language of service, maintenance and improvement of facilities and ensuring that all our residents continue to enjoy the lifestyle that made them choose to call Dollard home. It goes without saying that all of this must be done in a fiscally responsible manner.

These experiences have all contributed to my ability to listen to community members to understand their concerns and then to translate that into advocacy and action, all while respecting the reality of a budget and limited resources.

TS: What challenges are the residents of Pierrefonds-Dollard facing?

TT: I believe that the residents of Pierrefonds-Dollard are facing the same challenges as the rest of Canadians. After nine years of Justin Trudeau, they are facing challenges at the grocery store which are exacerbated by their increased mortgage payments or unprecedented rent rates. They are concerned about what the future holds for the next generation and are supporting them at home for longer than ever before.

As Mom to four young adults, I can tell you that I have heard, and had, many conversations with them and their peers — some from the riding and some not. Their conversations constantly revolve around the lack of affordable housing in Canada and how they will ever be able to afford homes of their own in our country.

This is me speaking up and standing up alongside Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who understands that if you don’t have it, you don’t spend it and that hard work should come with the rewards of being able to afford a home in which to raise one’s family in a safe neighbourhood, with good healthy food on the table and without having to triple-guess every. single. decision. at the grocery store. n