AGM
2024 Community Champion Award
Build A Better Fairview (BABF)
Build A Better Fairview (BABF) is the recipient of the 2024 Community Champion award. BABF was nominated for the award by Willowdale Community Legal Clinic. BABF was introduced by Sarah Ageorlo, a lawyer and community worker at the clinic.
Build a Better Fairview (BaBF) is a group of community members and organizations formed in 2023 that advocates for community benefits as part of Cadillac Fairview’s proposed condominium towers development around Fairview Mall. BaBF aims to secure affordable housing and adequate density, economic opportunities for local residents, adequate green space, and quality public spaces. BaBF has met with the City Councillor, city staff and the developer to advance the interests of the community.
Members successfully deputed at the City of Toronto North York Community Council in support of the City Councillor’s motion to defer a City Planning recommendation so that the developer and city could work together to revise the development plan, keeping in mind community needs. As such, on May 6, in collaboration with the City Councillor’s office, BaBF hosted a community event to discuss the future of the development. Approximately 90 people attended, including local residents, community groups, City Planning staff, Cadillac Fairview staff, and local politicians. The event was an opportunity for Cadillac Fairview and City Planning staff to hear directly from the community.
On August 10, BaBF lead a community walk around Fairview Mall to learn more about the history of the area, the development proposals, and the Sheppard Subway Extension. BaBF’s priorities were also discussed. BaBF continues to advocate with the city and developer for affordable housing and adequate density, economic opportunities for local residents, adequate green space, and quality public spaces in the Fairview Mall area.
About the Award
The Community Champion Award is given by the ACLCO each year to an individual or an organization that champions the causes of our clients and communities. Our goal is to celebrate those who stand up for the most marginalized and disadvantaged in our communities. Community Legal Clinics are very well placed to identify and recognize these champions. This is an Award from the clinics to our allies and community partners and is presented to the recipient at the ACLCO AGM.
The impressive list of previous winners includes: Omar Khan, an advocate for youth, refugees, newcomers, and seniors in Thorncliffe Park (TP), and Flemingdon Park (FP) in Toronto; Susie Neves, a Parent Support Worker working hard for equal access to resources for students in the Lawrence Heights neighbourhood in Toronto; the Ethno-Racial People with Disabilities Coalition of Ontario; Aline Akeson, a tenant and ant-poverty activist; Fred Franklin of the Toronto Refugee Affairs Council; Kerry Lee of the Safe ‘n Sound’s Homeless Initiative; the Ontario Network of Injured Workers Groups; The Dream Team; Colour of Poverty/Colour of Change; Steve Mantis, injured worker advocate; the ODSP Action Coalition; the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI), and Linking Hands.
The Community Champion Award is a way of recognizing those who advocate and fight on behalf of our clients, often in the trenches with clinics. It’s also a way of raising the clinic system’s profile and improving the linkages with our friends and allies.