Nisha Kumari

The Mayor and City Council

My top priority is transit equity for Scarborough Centre. Since Line 3 closed, Ward 21 commuters face overcrowded buses on jammed roads while paying equal taxes. I’ll fight to fast-track the Eglinton East LRT and repair local roads. My strengths to deliver: Coalition Building: I know how to secure 23-vote Council majorities for East End transit funding. Budget Oversight: I’ll target consultant waste to fund real service. Local Organizing: Mobilizing residents to hold City Hall accountable. Scarborough can’t wait.

Housing

Housing is a human right, but Toronto treats it like a luxury. In Scarborough Centre, rents are soaring and waitlists take decades. City Council relies on developers to fix a crisis they profit from. As Ward 21 Councilor, I’ll fight to: Ban Renovictions: Force developers to replace units at equal rent. Build Co-ops: Use City land for 100% non-profit homes. Fund Support: Shift dollars from policing to housing solutions. Scarborough needs affordable homes, not luxury condos.

Cost of Living

To make Toronto affordable today, I will freeze TTC fares immediately and fund transit operations through city reserves. Families in Scarborough Centre pay more each month for worse service. An immediate fare freeze puts money back in residents’ pockets on day one, unlike mega-projects that take a decade. We fund this by slashing wasteful consultant spending and auditing city department overhead. Public transit is essential infrastructure, not a profit center. Lower daily commutes mean instant relief for working families.

Safety in Public Spaces

To make public spaces safe, I will prioritize visible care, active spaces, and rapid support. Feeling unsafe often stems from dark, isolated, and neglected environments. As Ward 21 Councilor, I will push to: Brighten Public Spaces: Upgrade lighting, clear sightlines, and maintain parks and transit stops. Expand Crisis Response: Deploy non-police mental health teams to handle distress compassionately. Increase On-Site Presence: Keep uniformed TTC staff and station ambassadors visible to deter issues. Safety starts with care.

Getting Around the City

To fix gridlock for everyone, I will prioritize Smarter Signals & Construction Coordination across Ward 21. Whether you drive, ride transit, walk, or cycle, delays hurt. I will push to: Smart Traffic Signals: Synchronize lights on McCowan, Ellesmere, and Eglinton to clear car bottlenecks. Bus Priority Corridors: Keep transit moving smoothly without trapping drivers. Fix Road Repair Delays: Streamline construction schedules and fix potholes faster to keep lanes open. Scarborough needs smart movement.

Confronting Hateful and Hostile Behaviour

To combat hate and keep Ward 21 welcoming, I will prioritize: Expand Localized Support: Fully fund non-police community crisis teams (like Scarborough’s TAIBU TCCS) to handle hate incidents and support victims directly. Invest in Equity Groups: Direct city funding into newcomer settlement, cultural hubs, and anti-racism programs. Protect Public Spaces: Enforce zero tolerance for hate in municipal venues and on transit with swift reporting and active oversight. Scarborough’s diversity is our strength—safety must cover everyone.