THE STICKLER Dianne Saxe

Ward 11 University Rosedale First elected 2022

Dianne Saxe peers over her glasses at a city staffer struggling to answer a pointed query and replies: “Thanks for that but you didn’t answer my question … ”

It’s an oft-repeated scene during her first term at city council. Saxe has not sought news cameras or made bombastic speeches. Instead, the lawyer by trade is waving red flags, pushing bureaucrats and council colleagues to ensure each decision promotes Toronto’s longterm sustainability.

While not part of Chow’s inner circle, she has seen her role and opportunities expand significantly since Tory. Chow put Saxe on the TTC board, the infrastructure and environment committee and — vital in helping residents go green — the board of Toronto Hydro.

“I have more opportunities to work on issues that matter precisely because of our TransformTO plan for improving air quality, reducing climate damage and becoming more resilient to climate shocks,” Saxe said in a recent interview. “In the roles I have now, I’m in a position to make the things that we need to happen, happen.”

Toronto Hydro recently updated its environmental policy to align the electricity distributor with TransformTO’s plan to make the city carbon neutral by 2040. The utility, not always seen as a leader in going green, is set to get a new chief executive with compensation tied to success in achieving TransformTO goals.

Council recently approved a busway and bike lanes, but faces enormous challenges, including the need to invest heavily in the TTC to help get people out of their cars and put the city back on track to hit decarbonization targets.

Saxe doesn’t always get her way. While Chow added $50 million to this year’s budget to accelerate urgent infrastructure work, the mayor did not heed Saxe’s call to spend money to accelerate work on new green building standards, or even to specifically mention the climate fight. Saxe seems undaunted. She has not joined one of council’s unofficial teams, an independence that can make it harder to get majority support for her motions.

That is not a problem, Saxe said, citing “a high degree of collegiality,” adding: “I’m getting things done.” What to watch Ontario’s former environmental commissioner saw her role grow, but it remains to be seen if she can push council to fully engage in the fight against climate change.