Candidate for City Councillor

Zakir Patel

Ward 25 Scarborough-Rouge Park

Candidate details

Email: info@votezakir.ca
Phone: 437-267-6843

Issue answers

What's the most important thing you'd act on as a City Councillor, and what experience or strengths would help you make it happen?

My priority would be making City Hall more accountable and ensuring Scarborough gets its fair share of investment and services. My experience in public service, community advocacy, and governance has taught me how to listen to residents, ask tough questions, work with others, and push for practical solutions. I would bring that same approach to City Council.

Housing

Housing costs weigh on Torontonians whether they rent or own, access to subsidized housing is limited, and a growing number of people have no home at all. What would you prioritize on the next City Council to help people find and keep a secure place to live?

Toronto needs to build more housing faster, including affordable and supportive housing, while cutting unnecessary delays and costs that make new homes more expensive. We also need to protect renters, make better use of City-owned land for housing, and work with the provincial and federal governments to increase the supply of affordable homes.

Cost of Living

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

My first priority would be keeping property taxes and City costs affordable. Residents are already struggling with the rising cost of housing, groceries, transit and everyday expenses. Before asking taxpayers for more, City Hall needs to look carefully at how every dollar is being spent, reduce unnecessary spending and improve accountability on major projects. At the same time, we need reliable transit and essential City services that people depend on.

Safety in Public Spaces

Some Torontonians don't feel safe in parks, on transit, or on certain streets, even where reported crime is low. What would you prioritize on the next City Council to help people be and feel safe in the city's public spaces?

I would focus on better lighting, safer roads and pedestrian areas, well-maintained public spaces, and stronger coordination between the City, TTC, police, and community organizations. Residents should feel safe and comfortable in their own neighbourhoods.

Getting Around the City

Getting around the city is a source of frustration for many Torontonians, whether people drive, take transit, cycle, or walk. What would you prioritize on the next City Council to improve how people move around the city, however they travel?

We need dependable bus service, properly maintained roads, safer options for pedestrians and cyclists, and better coordination of construction to reduce congestion. Scarborough residents deserve transportation that is reliable, safe, and works for everyone.

Confronting Hateful and Hostile Behaviour

Many Torontonians are concerned about hateful and hostile behaviour, which can disproportionately affect newcomers and members of racialized, marginalized, and equity-deserving communities. What would you prioritize on the next City Council to respond and keep Toronto safe and welcoming for everyone?

I would support stronger partnerships between communities, the City, police, schools, and local organizations to address hate and discrimination, while ensuring residents feel heard, respected, and included. Everyone deserves to feel safe and welcome in our city.

Candidate Content Disclaimer

Candidates write their own responses and send them to the Know Your Vote T.O. project team at the Toronto Public Library. The team checks each response against the Content Inclusion Standards. It does not check whether what a candidate says is true, including what they say about other candidates. The views here belong to the candidate, not TPL. We encourage you to check claims for yourself. The Library does not check responses for AI use.