Caryma Sa'd

The Mayor and City Council

For the past two decades, I've built a career across law, journalism, education, and small business, developing the skills Toronto-Danforth currently needs at City Hall. My top priority is restoring public safety and ensuring accountability. Toronto’s systems are failing on both fronts— we have visible disorder with minimal consequence, and institutions that don’t answer to the people they serve. I'd push for real investment in recovery pathways for people struggling with mental health and addiction issues, not just crisis management.

Housing

As a renter who has represented both tenants and landlords in court, I have a broad perspective on housing issues. My priorities: 1) Expand eviction prevention, with rent banks and early mediation so arrears get paid and tenants stay housed. 2) Support small landlords with retrofit and tax incentives that keep older rentals affordable. 3) Speed up permits for multiplexes and rentals. 4) Clear the TCHC repair backlog and wait list. 5) Mandate in-person, peer-inclusive audits of shelters.

Cost of Living

Advocate for a one-stop benefits navigator so residents can easily find and enroll in the fee discounts, tax credits, and subsidies for which they already qualify. Many people miss support simply because the system is confusing. This is a low-cost idea that can be launched relatively quickly.

Safety in Public Spaces

It’s not conducive to community health when people openly use hard drugs, collapse on sidewalks, commit theft with minimal consequence, or leave needles in school yards. But the answer isn’t just enforcement, it’s moving people toward recovery by building pathways out of crisis: in-person audits of services, safe discharge protocols, serious investment in treatment, and withdrawal support. I’d also push for a seat on the police board to ensure accountability and transparency in how police operate.

Getting Around the City

Everyone matters when it comes to getting around: drivers, transit users, cyclists, micromobility riders, and pedestrians. I'd seek to address the East End’s disconnection from downtown; highway ramp closures have created half-hour detours that hurt residents and businesses. I'd also push to regulate e-scooters sensibly instead of banning them outright. We need speed limits, protective gear requirements, age restrictions, and designated riding areas. And of course, the TTC needs to be safer and more reliable.

Confronting Hateful and Hostile Behaviour

This is one of my areas of expertise. For the past five years, I've documented hateful and hostile behaviour on full display in the streets, often with police simply standing by. We don't need new laws to tackle already-prohibited conduct, but rather fair, consistent, and even-handed enforcement, regardless of who is involved. On Council, I’d push for a seat on the police board to make that enforcement standard a priority.