Our 2019 AGM was the best attended in recent memory, indicating a high degree of interest and engagement in the civic issues on the agenda. The guest panel featured our councillor, Mike Layton, our MPP, Jessica Bell, and Charter City advocate, Doug Earl. They addressed the impact that recent actions of the Conservative government at Queen’s Park is having on our neighbourhood and city under the headings of transit, housing and governance. Doug Earl laid out the moves being made to further the cause of creating a charter city for Toronto. The audience peppered the panel with questions and comments, and expressed considerable frustration with the threat to democracy and citizen participation in Toronto, particularly at a time when the city has major challenges to address.