By Maegan McGregor

Population: 74,075
Voter turnout in 2006 municipal election: 36 per cent

Ward 42 is bounded by Markham Road and McCowan Road on the west, with the Pickering town line on the east. It is bounded to the north by Steeles Avenue East with the southern boundary along Highway 401. The encompasses three prominent neighborhoods: Morningside Heights, Malvern and Rougeville. The Toronto Zoo is also located in this riding.

The ward's population rose by 24.6 per cent between 2001 and 2006. Some 58 per cent of residents are couples with families, with an average of four to five people in each household.

Of the 20,715 dwellings in the ward, 36 per cent are single-detached homes and 17 per cent are apartment buildings with five or more storeys. About 76 per cent of people in Rouge River own their homes.

Key Issues

Toronto Zoo: The Toronto Zoo has become an issue of increasing concern for Rouge River residents. The zoo has been the victim of many problems as of late including resignations from its board of directors (of which incumbent Raymond Cho is Chair), admission price increases, labour disputes and a smaller variety of species.

Services: In this fast-growing part of Toronto, residents say services within the region are not meeting their needs. Many children in the ward are bused long distances to school.

Image and identity: All candidates expressed a need to create a better reputation for the area through beautification and the construction of community centres in the interests of fostering community cohesion. Candidates are proposing community policing programs, and programs tailored to at-risk youth.

Image and identity: The ward is home to large swaths of wooded areas -- notably Rouge Park in the northeast. Residents are concerned over a proposed lengthening of the Markham By-pass which would cut through parkland near Morningside Avenue

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