Why Toronto is failing & what it will take to fix it...
In this interview, Toronto City Councillor James Pasternak discusses what he describes as a citywide crisis. He highlights a sharp rise in violent crime (over 50% increase) and a surge in homelessness, noting that 40% of shelter residents are asylum seekers or refugees, a situation he attributes to federal policy changes under Prime Minister Trudeau that doubled the intake capacity. Pasternak criticizes the judicial system and policing, claiming they are weakened, leading to a two‑tiered law‑enforcement environment where offenders face few consequences. The conversation also covers a perceived explosion of antisemitism, including incidents where Jews feel threatened and unwelcome, and the release on bail of three ISIS‑linked terror suspects, which he calls outrageous. Pasternak states he is devoting 60% of his time to restoring Toronto’s reputation as a safe, respected, and welcoming city for families worldwide, arguing that the current climate of fear undermines the city’s future.
