Neethan Shan

The Mayor and City Council

Affordability, public services, and housing. Families and seniors are squeezed by rising everyday costs. The need for affordable housing and a real path to homeownership keeps growing. Residents want reliable public services available in their communities. I will make sure Scarborough gets the services and resources it needs so people can afford to live, move, and thrive here. I can make it happen because I have a track record of getting results. In only 10 months as City Councillor, I advanced $48.4 million in capital projects across the ward.

Housing

I will prioritize expanding the Multi-Unit Residential Acquisition (MURA) Program, which helps non-profits, land trusts, and housing co-operatives purchase existing rental buildings and preserve them as permanently affordable homes. I will also champion the activation of under-utilized City-owned lands to build more affordable homes. By expediting the municipal planning and approvals process for trusted housing providers, we can build high-quality, affordable homes quickly.

Cost of Living

To help make life more affordable, I advocated to keep property taxes below inflation and freeze TTC fares. I support expanding school breakfast and nutrition programs so no child starts the day hungry, and families can save on grocery costs. And I will advocate against surveillance pricing and other unfair practices in grocery stores. I will also support our public libraries for more programming and resources to provide free and continuous services for all our community members.

Safety in Public Spaces

I will work closely with emergency services to improve response times in Scarborough, while working together with the Toronto Police Service to set up local neighbourhood safety programs. I will also strengthen collaboration with 42 and 43 Division to tackle the rise in car thefts, home break-ins, and other property crimes. Beyond enforcement, I believe we need safer transit stations, well-lit parks and pathways, clean public spaces, and stronger community-based programs that help prevent crime before it happens.

Getting Around the City

Scarborough needs more transit options. I will push to extend the Scarborough East Rapid Transit Line all the way to Malvern, bring in express buses with connections to subways, and make the TTC more affordable. At the same time, I will work to tackle gridlock by improving traffic flow, coordinating major construction projects effectively, and investing in transportation infrastructure that keeps people and goods moving efficiently.

Confronting Hateful and Hostile Behaviour

⁠I will prioritize strengthening community safety and social cohesion by taking a firm stand against all forms of hate, discrimination, and intimidation. I support increased investments in anti-hate education, community-based programs that bring people together of diverse cultural and religious backgrounds, and accessible reporting mechanisms to ensure victims feel supported. We must ensure seniors, newcomers, and vulnerable residents feel safe, valued, and welcomed while participating fully in our civic life.