How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.
THE EARLY YEARS
Jem Cain has made Ward 6 Etobicoke-Lakeshore her home, where she and her three sisters were raised on Sixteenth Street. Both parents worked at the New Toronto Goodyear plant, where they met when her mother Marcy (nee Odrowski) worked in the office. Jem's father, Jim Cain, worked at Goodyear for 42 years.
Jem’s parents impressed upon their children the hardships people experienced during the Depression and The War, and the importance of helping each other and your neighbours. Her father was in the Army during WWII. Her grandfather served in both World War I and II. Responsibility, integrity, accountability and kindness were cornerstone values her parents practiced and taught their children.
LEADERSHIP
Jem is a strong leader. In 2004 Jem founded New Toronto Good Neighbours, a community association. Jem and the community successfully worked to relocate a concrete plant away from homes, parks and schools into an industrial area.
Jem made deputations to the Public Health Committee at City Hall, supporting the Community Right to Know Bylaw which will give residents access to information about toxic chemicals used, stored, and released in their neighbourhoods.
Jem and other members of the community raised awareness about the proposed LRT - Light Rail Transit on Lake Shore Blvd. West and the impacts to our community, main street, local businesses, traffic and transit service.
Currently Jem and neighbours are working to ensure the development proposal at 51 Lake Shore Drive will reflect the character of the neighbourhood, while maintaining the window on the lake that the community enjoys from the Waterfront Trail. They are fighting this issue at the OMB – Ontario Municipal Board.
ADVOCATING FOR COMMUNITY
As a supportive neighbour Jem listens to the concerns of her community and finds solutions. Through Good Neighbours she has tirelessly researched and worked on local issues like recreation, zoning, planning, environment, public consultation and air quality. Jem has proven to be an effective advocate for her community and Ward 6.
Jem believes the people who live and work in Ward 6 are the experts and the City needs a more open public process, engaging and consulting the community on issues, proposals, plans and decisions.
Jem supports the establishment of a Ward 6 Advisory Council. The Council would use the skills and knowledge of diverse community members living and working in Ward 6 to advise the Councillor on important issues in Alderwood, Long Branch, New Toronto, Mimico, Humber Bay Shores and city-wide.
VOLUNTEERING
Jem is an active and committed volunteer who has worked with the Gatehouse, the Firefighters Trivia Night, Daily Bread Food Bank, Toronto Association of the Deaf, Children’s Aid Society, Mimico Station Gala, Brass in the Grass, MS Society, Canadian Cancer Society, Lori's Room/Lori's Legacy Walk, Mimico Party in the Park and National Newspaper Awards. Jem and her dog Finny have volunteered for the Etobicoke Humane Society and at the Annual Park Clean-ups in Colonel Samuel Smith Park.
JEM CAIN for COUNCILLOR WARD 6
Jem Cain is proud to live and work in Etobicoke-Lakeshore; she continues her public commitment of addressing the issues and concerns of its constituents.
As Ward 6 Councillor Jem will bring integrity, strong leadership and change that works for our community.
Active member of:
LAMP Community Health Centre, Vice-Chair of the Board
Toronto Environmental Alliance, Strategic Planning Committee
New Toronto Good Neighbours
Lakeshore Planning Council
National Silicates Responsible Care Re-verification Committee 2010
