Roy Samathanam

The Mayor and City Council

I’d make accountability and responsible use of taxpayers’ money my top priority. I would scrutinize every budget, identify unnecessary spending and reduce waste wherever possible. My operations experience and focus on efficiency would help me examine how the City spends money and look for practical savings. I would even be prepared to reduce my own annual salary by 30% to demonstrate that accountability starts with Council itself.

Housing

I would prioritize building more affordable and accessible housing across Toronto, while creating incentives and support for low-income households and families. The goal should be to help more people find stable housing and make it easier for families to afford and keep a secure place to live.

Cost of Living

I would prioritize income-based support for residents, including exploring a rent-increase freeze for lower-income households and a grocery rebate to help families manage the rising cost of everyday essentials. These measures would provide more immediate relief to residents who are struggling with affordability.

Safety in Public Spaces

I would prioritize a stronger visible presence in parks and public spaces by working with Auxiliary Police volunteers to increase community presence and reassurance. I would also explore targeted, random drone monitoring in larger parks and public spaces, where appropriate and with proper privacy safeguards. My goal would be to use these two options to improve safety while keeping costs to taxpayers as low as possible.

Getting Around the City

I would prioritize improving traffic flow and transportation options across Toronto. This means making transit more reliable, addressing traffic bottlenecks, and improving coordination between road users, transit, cyclists, and pedestrians. I would focus on practical, cost-effective improvements that help residents get where they need to go safely and efficiently.

Confronting Hateful and Hostile Behaviour

I would prioritize creating a volunteer community-support program with trained officers and volunteers who speak different languages. They could help de-escalate situations, support newcomers, and provide a welcoming point of contact where residents can share their concerns in their own language. I would also recognize outstanding volunteers through community appreciation awards to encourage continued participation and service.