Toronto Councillor Dianne Saxe finds herself under intense scrutiny for her handling of public consultation on several significant city initiatives. A pattern has emerged where residents report feeling blindsided by proposals, despite the city's formal consultation requirements being technically met.
A Pattern of Limited Engagement
Councillor Saxe, who represents University-Rosedale, recently voted against a proposal from Councillor Stephen Holyday that would have strengthened public consultation and awareness campaigns for the contentious "Avenues" project. This initiative aims to remove barriers for constructing mid-rise housing along Toronto's main avenues.
Despite her ward being one of only two included in the Phase 1 study, Saxe maintained a low profile around both Phase 1 and Phase 2 engagement sessions. The May 2025 consultation for the Avenues project passed largely unnoticed by constituents, buried amid debates over another controversial proposal.
RapidTO Consultation Accelerated
The RapidTO project, which would implement dedicated transit lanes on Bathurst Street, has become another flashpoint. Scheduled consultation was limited to just three meetings over one week in May, forcing residents and small businesses to organize their own awareness campaigns.
These grassroots efforts included alerting the local residents association, the Boys and Girls Club, and Bill Bolton Arena - organizations where Saxe holds board memberships. A Toronto Sun article from August 2025 quoted city transportation official Jacquelyn Hayward acknowledging that "the consultation process for RapidTO Bathurst and RapidTO Dufferin was certainly more accelerated than we would typically undertake for this kind of project."
When questioned about growing concerns that consultations feel disingenuous, Saxe responded that "the people who don't want change tend to say, 'I wasn't consulted enough.'" She also faced criticism for dismissing a petition containing 4,000 signatures opposing the project.
Broader Pattern of Communication Issues
Similar concerns about Saxe's approach have emerged elsewhere in her ward. In Kensington Market, community leaders described her communication regarding unhoused populations as "a wall" rather than an open conversation. Meanwhile, residents opposing a Green P parking conversion to housing were told it was "too late, we've broken ground."
Questions about potential conflicts of interest have also surfaced regarding Saxe's comments about personally funding the Kensington Community Land Trust, a group that also received city funds she helped advance.
The controversy extends to parking issues as well. In 2024, new paid parking meters appeared across her ward without warning, prompting resident protests. Saxe deflected responsibility, claiming the installations were "a surprise to me." Spacing magazine later described her attempt to install meters near Bill Bolton Arena as "absurd" and "universally panned," noting she only retreated after universal backlash.
As council prepares to debate street parking around RapidTO zones, critics argue Saxe consistently substitutes genuine consultation with controlled narratives. While city hall advocates with financial ties to the city may applaud her methods, constituents are demanding better. The call grows louder for Saxe to move beyond managing narratives and start truly listening to the people she represents.
