“Toronto needs more Bentway!” – Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik
Ilana (Co-Executive Director) and Deputy Mayor Malik reflect on the past year of working together.
As City Councillor for Ward 10 (Spadina – Fort York) since 2023, Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik is a longtime fan and a deeply passionate champion of The Bentway’s work.
Bentway Co-Executive Director, Ilana Altman, recently sat down with Ausma to reflect on the past year working together.
IA: You’re no stranger to the local area. As our former School Board Trustee, you played a key role in championing the new public schools within the Canoe Landing Community Recreation Centre, which also houses The Bentway Studio and staff HQ. What do you love about The Bentway neighbourhood?
AM: The communities around the space – CityPlace, Fort York, and Liberty Village – are really special. They amount to some of the densest and fastest growing communities in Toronto, but there is a growing sense of community among neighbours, especially as they embrace the local parks and public spaces. Everything we need is just a short walk or a quick commute away. The neighbourhood has really come into its own, and The Bentway has played a leading role in that.
What role can public spaces like ours play in a healthy city?
Public spaces are where we connect with neighbours; where we recharge with friends; often where we fall in love with our city. They’re the heart of our communities. In a dense urban area like our ward, they provide much-needed space for essential activities like exercise and community gatherings, while contributing to improved air quality and supporting urban wildlife.
As a policy-maker and city leader, I know that prioritizing accessible and well-maintained public spaces is essential for the overall health and vitality of our cities.
We’ve been together for a lot of great Bentway moments over the past year. Are there any that stand out as highlights?
The launch of Bentway Staging Grounds last September was such a special moment. It was in the early days of my role as Toronto’s Deputy Mayor and I was so happy to be invited to speak at the ribbon cutting, where we welcomed locals to discover the space and its green amenities for the first time. I remember it was a perfect example of how a place can bring people together – neighbours, supporters, kids from the neighbouring schools and passersby. It was a fantastic day!
I’d be remiss if I didn’t also mention visiting The Bentway Skate Trail this past winter to celebrate the season. Facilities like the Bentway are so essential in the winter when we all have a tendency to hibernate. There is nothing better and more warming on a cold winter day than seeing all the smiling faces loop the Bentway skate trail.
What are your hopes for the future of The Bentway?
I hope that we can keep The Bentway on this amazing trajectory and bring more free public space to the city. The completion of the Under Gardiner Public Realm Plan (UGPRP) was a major step in the right direction and I’m delighted that Toronto’s City Council endorsed the plan this past fall. There’s so much incredible potential there. What’s so wonderful about The Bentway is how it reminds us that Toronto can dream big, and dream boldly. That we shouldn’t be afraid to experiment and to rethink the spaces we know well.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
Toronto needs more Bentway! I’m so excited to keep working together.
