Thread by @TCBN_TO

Happening in less then 10 minutes. Join us for this important conversation hear from Metrolinx representative Phil Verster. Community member Symone Walters and others RSVP communitybenefits.ca/jane_finch_tow… #communitybenefits

TCBN is so grateful to have all of the disparate groups in this space coming together for this conversation. Let's ground equity diversity and inclusion. We want legally binding agreement that will be accepted by the community.

The community needs a legally binding agreement committing to this land for the community. Community member Symone Walters see the vision of this space as critical to the future of #janefinch

Symone Walters see this space as more then just a community HUB, but a space where the lives of community members can not just live but thrive. #nexgenbuilders

As we rally to stop the reneging of the agreement for this land we are aware that other communities don't have to ask for community amenities-they are just given. What role does Anti-Black racism have in Metrolinx recent decision

Symone herself asked Metrolinx directly for access to the land 4 years ago and when she asked them what limit would they place on a child's ability to thrive they said they would not place any barriers and that you would get access to the land #communitybenefits

Troy Budhu, #janefinch resident. Ernestine Aying from the Jane Finch Centre, Sahle Robinson also a #janefinch resident and co-chair of CAPG are speaking to the work of the community. The news of the loss of land was a shock

...work has been happening on the ground. The Arts Centre was an important reason for his involvement. Art is important to his life, family and work #art

TCBN is not a government agency we are a coalition of community groups. We have built a platform for community to speak. We're building on a movement that we did not start. Let's figure out how to put community at the center of this conversation. #communitybenefits

We want no less then what the community is asking for and that is a legally binding agreement that gives community access to this land to develop as they choose. #communitybenefits #Governance

Sahle Robinson, how can the leadership of Jane Finch be narrowed down to one group CAPG started this work but the community needs to come together and move this forward, this is bigger then the work of one group

Phil Verster, can't fully understand that part of Toronto. Anti-Black racism distresses him. An Anti-Black racist incident took place last night at the Eglinton Crosstown job site.

Verster offer a 100% commitment to giving the community access to the land a formal statement is forthcoming. They were putting an option on the table for consideration to "help" the community develop the land

Verster we poorly explained that in this 64000 square foot site is their 300 square feet that can be possible to have affordable housing, office space..we're not saying it has to be like this...we need a process. We're just asking the question. Will the community hub stand alone?

Verster knows these decisions are best made when the community comes together and decides the best use for land. He reiterates the availability of the land for the community Hub is 100%

Verster, timelines now is a good time to work on this process, we'll work closely with the City, and everyone else. The MSF is going up fast the next 2 or 3 years are a good timeline for the community to contribute to the process.

Troy Budhu to Verster, we had many conversations about this already. You underestimated what the community knows will work. There are reasons why a residential development may not work there. You are arriving at a process that has been in place already...

Verster, agrees he has not been properly briefed. Metrolinx is making a commitment the land will be made available free of charge. As a transit agency he agrees they are not experts in community planning & looks to community and the city for that expertise #communitybenefits

Everyone from the community needs to participate in the collective decision around what happens on this land. We can develop a solution where the city the province and the community will all be happy.

@RakocevicT believes more should have been done by the previous government. His office is actively engaged in making this official.

Symone Verster to know we are not new to this treatment. We need to be treated as just as powerful as the people who live in the community. We're have our own ideas we spent over 4 years building out that vision. We want to respect that.

Verster reiterates his commitment.