Sileen PhillipsYork South–Weston
See My Priorities Get Involved
Stewardship
Compassion
Transparency
You're Invited York South–Weston campaign office opening and meet and greet with your candidate Sileen Phillips. Saturday August 1, 12 PM to 2 PM, 1836a Weston Rd, York, Ontario.

Office Opening and Meet & Greet

Come say hello at the campaign office.

The York South–Weston campaign office is opening its doors. Drop in, meet Sileen Phillips, your candidate for Ward 5, and find out how to get involved in the campaign.

  • Saturday, August 1, 202612:00 to 2:00 PM
  • 1836a Weston RdYork, ON M9N 1V8
  • Open houseDrop in any time between 12 and 2.
  • Everyone welcomeNeighbours, families, and volunteers.

This is Part Two of the campaign launch, out in the community. Can't make it on the day? Reach the campaign at (437) 297-6462 and we'll find another time to connect.

Add to Calendar Get Directions

On the Calendar

Where to find Sileen.

Community festivals, celebrations, and campaign events across York South–Weston and Toronto. Come say hello.

Portrait of Sileen Phillips

Why Housing Dignity Matters

Protecting tenants. Strengthening neighbourhoods. Dignity for all.

"Everyone deserves a safe, stable, and dignified home. A secure home is the foundation of health, security, and belonging."

Sileen Phillips is running for City Council in York South–Weston on a platform of Housing Dignity & Safe Homes.

Her campaign is built on three commitments: stewardship, compassion, and transparency.

How We Move Forward
Sileen Phillips, candidate for York South–Weston

Meet Sileen

A lifetime of public service, faith, and community.

Sileen Phillips is a seasoned federal public service professional with more than 25 years of experience in the compliance and enforcement of federal legislation. Her career has focused on strengthening public accountability, improving service delivery, and supporting community-centred government operations across Canada. In 2012, she received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her leadership in national outreach initiatives that strengthened relationships between federal institutions and communities across the country.

Sileen is an active leader in the Anglican Church of Canada (Diocese of Toronto). She serves as Child, Youth, and Family Minister at the Church of St. Peter and St. Simon, and as Coordinator of Youth Ministry for the South Archdeaconry, supporting youth ministry operations across 80 parishes, and contributes to parish governance as a member of the Advisory Board.

An accomplished spoken word artist and published poet, Sileen is a five-time award recipient from the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission for literary, visual, and performing arts. She holds an extensive academic background in Theology and Divinity and is currently completing a professional doctorate in Practical Theology at the University of Toronto, where she also serves as a part-time researcher and doctoral student representative on the Graduate Studies Council.

Community First

Practical, community driven plan to strengthen housing, safety, mobility, economic opportunity, and local services across the ward

York South–Weston deserves leadership rooted not in the politics of power, but in the practice of stewardship. My commitment is to serve this community with integrity, accountability, and care, ensuring every resident feels seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Guiding philosophy: stewardship over politics

A stewardship centered vision for dignity, safety, and opportunity.

  • Leadership as service, not status.
  • Commitment to listening, collaboration, and transparent governance.
  • Decisions rooted in care and long term community wellbeing.
  • Building trust between residents and City Hall.
01

Housing Dignity & Safe Homes

Advocate for stronger tenant protections; support community land trusts; promote mixed income developments.

02

Support for local businesses, artisans, artists, and entrepreneurs

Supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs in ways that honour their creativity, uphold their dignity, and reinforce the cultural and economic vitality of our communities.

03

Youth Opportunity & Community Safety

Strengthen after school programs, arts funding, and youth leadership councils.

04

Seniors & Community Health Supports

Expand home care partnerships, accessible transit, social programming for seniors, and support for caregivers.

05

Flood Safe Homes & Climate Resilient Neighbourhoods

Protect homes from flooding and build neighbourhoods that hold up to a changing climate.

06

Traffic Calming & Pedestrian Safety

Safer streets and crossings, with priority around schools and busy corridors.

07

Transit Access & Mobility Equity

Transit that is reliable, accessible, and affordable for everyone.

08

Green Space & Environmental Health

Clean, healthy, and vibrant public spaces that strengthen community wellbeing.

09

Transparent, Responsive Local Government

Open data, published reports, and a council that answers to residents.

Governance commitments

  • Ethical decision making guided by stewardship principles.
  • Fiscal responsibility, with community benefit as the measure of success.
  • Inclusive representation, ensuring all voices are heard, especially renters, newcomers, and seniors.
  • Collaboration with provincial and federal partners to align resources for local impact.

Transparent, responsive local government

Goal

Transparent, ethical, and community driven leadership.

Policies

  • Publish quarterly community reports and open data dashboards.
  • Hold regular listening circles and ward forums.
  • Establish a "Community Stewardship Advisory Panel" to guide policy priorities.

How we measure it

  • Frequency of public engagement sessions.
  • Resident satisfaction with council responsiveness.

How We Move Forward Together

Community Engagement Model

Listening Circles: Regular forums in high rise buildings and community centres

Neighbourhood Partnerships: Collaborate with churches, schools, and nonprofits

Transparency Tools: Publish quarterly community reports and open data dashboards

Youth Ambassadors: Engage young residents in civic education and local projects

Across Our Neighbourhoods

Priorities in Ward 5, York South–Weston.

A neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood overview of the priorities residents raise across our community. Ward 5 is home to diverse neighbourhoods, each with its own history, strengths, and challenges. Listening across Weston, Mount Dennis, Humber Heights, Rockcliffe–Smythe, and beyond reveals shared themes: housing stability, park stewardship, youth supports, small business vitality, and safe, accessible streets.

Weston HeritageRecreationSmall businessHousing stability
  • Weston Lions Arena and the future of local recreation access.
  • Small business vitality along Weston Road.
  • Affordable housing and aging rental buildings.
  • Pedestrian safety near schools and the village core.
  • Preserving Weston's heritage while managing new development.
Mount Dennis Anti-displacementTransit impactsEnvironmental justiceYouth supports
  • Risk of displacement linked to rising rents and redevelopment.
  • Transit construction impacts and long-term uncertainty.
  • Air quality and ravine health near Eglinton Flats.
  • Need for expanded youth programming and safe gathering spaces.
  • Commitment to the Mount Dennis Community for All Plan.
Humber Heights–Westmount Ravine protectionPark maintenanceMobility
  • Ravine erosion, invasive species, and river health.
  • Trail and park maintenance, including lighting and benches.
  • Mobility and safety on narrow residential streets.
  • Aging infrastructure and reinvestment needs.
Beechborough–Greenbrook Traffic safetyHousing affordabilityAmenities
  • Speeding and traffic concerns along Keele and Trethewey.
  • Pressure on rental housing and aging mid-rise buildings.
  • Need for more green space access and playground upgrades.
  • Improved transit reliability and safer pedestrian routes.
Brookhaven–Amesbury (North) Building conditionsSafetyYouth supports
  • Maintenance issues in older apartment towers.
  • Safety concerns related to lighting and traffic.
  • Limited youth programming and recreation access.
  • Park and trail upkeep as a priority.
Rustic (North) TrafficNoiseIndustrial interface
  • Traffic congestion near Lawrence and the 401.
  • Noise and air quality from nearby industrial uses.
  • Park access and safer walking routes.
  • Protecting neighbourhood character amid change.
Rockcliffe–Smythe (North) Park stewardshipRavine healthRecreation
  • Park maintenance: lighting, flooding, and trail conditions.
  • Ravine protection and erosion concerns.
  • Upgrades to Smythe Park Recreation Centre.
  • Pedestrian safety along Jane and Eglinton.
  • Housing stability in older rental buildings.
Keelesdale–Eglinton West (North) Transit constructionPedestrian safetySmall business
  • Long-term construction impacts from the Crosstown.
  • Pedestrian safety issues along Eglinton and Keele.
  • Economic pressure on small businesses.
  • Green space maintenance and trail access.
Lambton Baby Point (East Edge) River accessParkland protectionTraffic flow
  • Desire for improved riverfront access.
  • Protection of natural areas along the Humber.
  • Traffic flow and speeding concerns near the river.

Ward-wide themes

Across all our neighbourhoods, residents consistently raise:

Housing stability and affordability Park maintenance and ravine stewardship Youth programming and recreation access Pedestrian safety and traffic calming Small business vitality Transit construction impacts Environmental protection Preservation of community identity

Our Shared Goal

Building a community where everyone thrives.

Affordable, safe, well-maintained homes Support for local businesses and artists Transit that is reliable, accessible, and affordable for everyone Clean, healthy, and vibrant public spaces that strengthen community wellbeing Dignity & respect for all Providing opportunities for youth through recreational and mental wellness supports Urban planning that supports aging in place

Get Involved

Join the campaign for housing dignity.

Add your name to stay updated on the campaign for Housing Dignity & Safe Homes in York South–Weston.

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Professional portrait of Sileen Phillips

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Have Sileen listen, speak, visit, or share.

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