It's meant to be an homage to the neighbourhood's Caribbean community - a tribute that costs more than a tropical vacation.
But the steel palm tree being built in the Oakwoods-Vaughan area is simply not worth its $100,000 price tag, said Rob Davis, who is jockeying to become the new councillor in Ward 15.
"I think it's an insult to the taxpayers of Toronto. Quite frankly, as a member of [the black]community, I'm insulted," he said Thursday after alerting the media to the palm tree's construction.
"It's really is going to be a tropical reminder of wasteful spending when there are other urgent needs in the community."
The project is the brainchild of retiring Ward 15 councillor Howard Moscoe and has been controversial since the proposal was first delivered two years ago.
Back then, Mr. Davis spoke out against the plans, saying the money - which was pegged around $75,000 or 80,000 and has been increased since then - could be put to better use.
Construction for the palm tree has already begun and his complaints remain the same, he said. Concerns about the building activity at the intersection are also being raised on the campaign trail, he added.
"Some constituents were asking about it," he said. "When I mentioned it was a steel palm tree they were irate and shook their heads."
Mr. Davis wants to see money in that area spent on installing closed-circuit television cameras to increase safety in the crime-ridden area and on improving roads.
Not that there's anything wrong with beautification, he said.
"I just think we'd do better with real trees, not steel trees."
When reached for comment Thursday, Mr. Moscoe said he couldn't speak to the issue at the time because he was celebrating Rosh Hashanah with his family.