Why run?
For over 15 years Jennie has been working to get the people in power to do the right thing. She ran for city councillor in 2022 because she believed that the residents of Ward 19 deserved a passionate, accessible, leadership-focused city councillor who cared deeply about the issues affecting people in our communities. Over 6000 BEY residents felt the same. She’s running again because she still believes that she can be that councillor.
She will be a councillor that gets back to residents, that cares about making city hall accessible, and that collaborates to solve the issues that affect you and the people you love.
From Wakunda Place to the Leuty lifeguard station, Jennie has been striving to make Toronto a better place for the working people who make this city what it is. Jennie has a plan to make Ward 19 more beautiful, liveable, and better connected than it is now and she is very excited to share it with you!
About Jennie
Jennie Worden stands at the intersection of arts leadership, community activism, and municipal politics—bringing a rare combination of creative vision, strategic thinking, and grassroots organizing to each of her endeavors. With her distinctive pink hair and unwavering commitment to equity, she has become a recognizable voice for progressive change in Toronto's diverse communities.
As the Communications and Program Manager at the Canadian Journalism Foundation, Worden has orchestrated vital conversations between journalists, policymakers, and the public about the future of media in Canadian democracy. Her skill at bringing diverse stakeholders together creates spaces where challenging questions about digital transformation, media sustainability, and journalistic integrity can be explored with nuance and purpose.
Before joining the Foundation, Worden spent five transformative years as Executive Director of Orchestra Toronto, where she revitalized the organization's community presence and fiscal stability. Her leadership philosophy centred on accessibility and community engagement, working to ensure that classical music remained vibrant and relevant to diverse audiences across the city.
What truly distinguishes Worden is her deep personal investment in Toronto's neighborhoods and their wellbeing. In 2022, she launched a bold campaign for Toronto City Council in Ward 19 (Beaches-East York), earning a remarkable 23% of the vote as a first-time candidate challenging an entrenched incumbent. Her platform articulated a comprehensive vision for a more equitable, sustainable city—emphasizing affordable housing solutions, revitalized public spaces, and climate action initiatives that would benefit all residents, not just the privileged few.
"I love this city," Worden often says, "but for too many, the city doesn't love us back." This sentiment has driven her decade-long commitment to grassroots organizing. As a founding member of East Enders Against Racism, she has worked to build more inclusive community spaces. Through her service on the steering committee for Women in Toronto Politics (WiTOPoli), she helped create accessible resources empowering residents to make informed voting decisions. As a member of Toronto ACORN, she has advocated tirelessly for tenants' rights and affordable housing policies.
Worden's lived experience as a tenant in Toronto's challenging housing market informs her advocacy with authenticity and urgency. An avid cyclist who traverses the city's bike lanes daily, she brings firsthand knowledge to discussions of urban mobility and street safety. Her choral background—singing with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir since 2011, and serving on the Choir's board of directors since 2025—gives her unique perspective on the vital role arts play in building community cohesion and cultural identity.
What colleagues and community members consistently note about Worden is her remarkable ability to translate complex policy issues into clear, compelling narratives that motivate action. Whether addressing city council, speaking with journalists, or organizing community events, she brings warmth, clarity, and unwavering commitment to creating a more just, sustainable, and vibrant Toronto.
Experienced in bringing different interests to the table to work towards a common goal, Jennie is no stranger to navigating the labyrinth of City Hall. Since she last ran in 2022, Jennie has wielded her knowledge of municipal policy and procedure along with her deep connections in the Beaches-East York community to generate real wins that improve the lives of community members. Jennie has been supporting the tenants of 500 Dawes Road for several years, helping them push the City to take remedial action at their building – which they recently won!
Jennie has been writing her Substack, BEY Days, since 2022 where she demystifies municipal processes for residents. She lives in Crescent Town with her partner and grown-up step-kid. She enjoys calling contra dances, riding her bike around the city to meet with friends and family, chasing her grandchild around Dentonia Park, and singing in the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir.