Q&A: Beaches-East York councillor Brad Bradford - Reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic anniversary

Erin Horrocks-Pope Published Friday, March 12, 2021

On March 11, 2021, the world marked one year since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic.

Over 22,000 Canadians have died from COVID-19 and countless lives have been drastically changed by the economic fallout and social disruptions caused by the pandemic.

Yesterday as Canadians took part in a National Day of Observance, I spoke with Beaches-East York councillor Brad Bradford about his reflection on the exhausting and chaotic year of COVID-19 and some of the impact it's had here in Ward 19.

"One year later, we can reflect on the power of humanity. " - Ward 19 Beaches-East York Councillor Brad Bradford / Photo from bradbradford.ca

It’s been one full year now since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be a global pandemic. How are you feeling?

I think it's a moment of reflection for all of us. Everyone here in the East End, across the country and around the world. Collectively we’ve been through a lot. It’s certainly a moment to pause and reflect on the tens of thousands of lives that have been lost during the most horrific global health crisis that we've seen in a century. So, that is not lost on me and very top of mind for myself and I think everybody. It’s also a moment for us to reflect with gratitude for all the people who have been putting in the time and energy to get us through this. That includes frontline workers obviously in the medical community. But also, everyone who's been out there. Showing up, day in and day out, because ‘work from home’ wasn't an option for them. I'm very grateful for folks who took the public health guidelines seriously. This year we’ve all been asked to put our individual interests aside and focus on the collective interest, and that required us to take unprecedented steps with respect to restrictions of our personal freedom and activities. It's been hard. It's been long. But, one year later, we can reflect on the power of humanity.

As a city councillor, what do you think your biggest challenge has been this past year?

You know, I like to be out in the community. I like to be visible. I like to be working with people, listening to their concerns and helping to address them. So, shifting things online has had challenged but it’s also opened up new channels for communication. I acknowledge that not everybody has access to the technology to participate. But it also has removed a lot of barriers for many different folks. We've actually seen a broader spectrum of participation. And I think on the other side of this (pandemic) I think it'll be a combination of connecting and engaging with constituents. Solving problems and working together both online and in person.

How do you feel now that vaccines are being distributed locally in Beaches-East York?

We have been able to conquer this virus with new vaccines developed in an expedited timeline, faster than anything we've ever seen before. Despite the rollout being a little bit problematic getting off the ground, we are getting those vaccines into people's arms. and for the first time we see that there is light on the horizon here.

This Friday, you’ll be hopping on your Zwift bike for 24-hours to take part in the part of the CRUSH COVID: Ride for Mind 24-hour event. Why is this year’s fundraiser important for the community?

As needles go into arms and we start to get folks vaccinated, the long-lasting impacts of the isolation, and the strain on our mental health is going to be here. This year's ride focuses on raising awareness and funds to help support the mental-health response associated with the, with the pandemic, and particularly focusing on youth and young adults who have been disproportionately impacted with disruptions to school and the inability to get out there in the really formative years of their lives. So those dollars raised will be going to support the expansion of Michael Garron Hospital’s mental-health wings.

There have been some recent community concerns on the proposed modular housing for people exiting homelessness in East York. Why do you think supportive housing should be introduced here?

Well, homelessness is not an issue that is constrained to the downtown. The housing crisis exists everywhere. We've had encampments in many of our parks here in Beaches-East York. We've had encampments on Danforth. We have encampments under the Woodbine bridge. To suggest that (homelessness) is a downtown problem or something that we don't struggle with here is just not true. It’s time that the city stops building shelters and starts building housing for the people that need it so we can ensure that these residents have a pathway forward to success we can break the cycle of poverty. We can get them back on their feet. I know there's a lot of concerns. I hear those concerns and I'm very committed to working with the community to resolve them. There's an East York mentality about community building, about helping out our neighbors, and I know that people are going to rise to the occasion. This (housing initiative) is going to bring the out the best, and we're going come to together as a community to make sure that these new residents are successful.

Last year, Destination Danforth was debuted and this new cycling infrastructure in addition to weekly closure of Lakeshore East for ActiveTO got very mixed reviews. Why do think cycling infrastructure needs to be prioritized in Toronto?

I think part of the problem around bike lanes and active transportation is that it’s been caught up in a very polarizing political conversation that stems back more than a decade here in Toronto, through different administrations. But when we look ahead, it really doesn't need to be a political thing. This is about building active transportation, and there's just a ton of good reasons to support that. From a small business perspective, Destination Danforth and the rollout of that program was a lifeline for our small business community this summer. And you know, there were a lot of skeptics at the beginning, but if you go back talk to the majority of those small businesses, their views have evolved and changed. I think they recognize the value in having a vibrant, animated main street, that is easily accessible for people in a bunch of different ways.

As you look toward another unpredictable year, what’s giving you the hope and strength you need to keep showing up for your constituents?

Well, six weeks ago we had the birth of our first child, our daughter Briar. And, like many parents can appreciate, it changes your life in an instant. That was something I had not experienced before and perhaps didn't appreciate the gravity of that fact. It certainly makes you more future oriented. You can't just focus on the immediate concerns of today, you have to be consumed and seized with the issues and the challenges of tomorrow. I think it's just strengthened my resolve to work in this community. To work with my neighbors. To build a better city, and make sure it's a place where everyone can thrive.