big issues:the mayor and city council
The Know Your Vote T.O. "Big Issues" primers are meant to be starting points for readers to continue their own learning and investigation. Note: Sources include City of Toronto materials, Ontario legislation, and publicly available educational and media resources.
Candidate answers
councillor
Nathen Masri
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 is ending Etobicoke North’s status as Toronto’s “Forgotten North”: making life more affordable while bringing investment, safer streets and better services home. I’ll fight waste before raising taxes, challenge postal-code auto-insurance disparities, modernize constituency service, bring unified PRESTO, and attract development. As a technology CEO and published licensing scholar who has built businesses and worked internationally, I bring an outsider’s mindset: measure outcomes, embrace innovation and make government deliver.
councillor
Chloe Brown
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?The most important thing I'd act on is establishing Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs) that support Community Wealth Building. CBAs are legal contracts that secure locals receive jobs, training, and improvements from new developments. My experience writing the CBA for the Woodbine Casino redevelopment showed me what's possible when Developers are held accountable as neighbours. I will use CBAs for contract bidding, securing apprenticeships and employment, and creating workplaces for entrepreneurs that provide essential and affordable services.
councillor
Ian Cunningham
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 will be addressing the mental health, addiction, and public safety challenges affecting communities across Ward 10. Too many people are suffering without the support they need, while residents are increasingly concerned about safety, cleanliness, and disorder in public spaces. We need more 24/7 care for people in crisis, expanded supportive housing, and dedicated case workers who can help individuals navigate services. At the same time, we need clean, safe, and accessible sidewalks, with zero tolerance for violence and drug dealing
councillor
Paul Nash
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?I'll work to make our community safer. I'm a former volunteer director and crew member of a Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary Search and Rescue Unit operating in the Toronto Harbour, working alongside the Toronto Police and Fire Marine Units. As such, I share a deep commitment to public safety. I'm a strong supporter of First Responders, including the police, and the critical services they provide to our community.
councillor
Bashar Kassir
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 most important priority would be improving residents’ quality of life by making our streets, parks, public spaces, and neighbourhoods safer, cleaner, quieter, and better maintained. I would bring an engineering mindset, entrepreneurship, community and public service experience, and a practical, independent perspective to City Council. I believe government should be proactive, accountable, and focused on delivering better results and value for residents—not simply responding after problems become complaints.
councillor
Ausma Malik
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?Toronto’s waterfront is a destination for millions of visitors, a place to work and learn, and a home for more people every day. I’ll continue to make it an incredible place. I secured the next phase of waterfront revitalization, including a new Waterfront East transit line and thousands more units of affordable and rental housing. I opened Love Park and Bathurst Quay Common, while leading the fight to protect our waterfront from Doug Ford. I’ll build new community spaces, including Toronto’s first waterfront library and a new aquatic centre.
councillor
Husain Neemuchwala
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?I would bring empathy, accessibility and a commitment to turning residents’ concerns into action. With over 20 years of leadership in education and community initiatives, I know the importance of listening without assumptions. I would identify local priorities, develop realistic plans with measurable outcomes and report openly on progress. My experience building partnerships across education, business, communities and government would help me build consensus and deliver practical results.
councillor
Andi Hoàng-Lefranc
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?As City Councillor, my focus will be tackling the rising cost of living. Growing up as a working-class kid, I know first-hand the economic challenges that residents face. I am committed to bold and decisive leadership that will lower the cost of essentials, from opening up a city-owned grocery store network to transitioning towards a fare-free TTC system. Through training as a lawyer and my public service work, I bring a rational and practical lens to City Hall that prioritises non-partisan collaboration to get results now rather than later.
councillor
Paul Viret
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?The most pressing issue I, and most of my neighbours, are concerned with is the price of groceries. Affordable housing, creating a greener city, faster TTC; these are all important but when people are skipping meals and feeling hunger pains everyday these things are less important. My competitors have suggested things like community garden, useless in the winter, or co-ops, even more expensive then other grocery stores. i think it's time someone with real life experience get a say and not wealthy people who can only imagine what we live through
councillor
Mike Layton
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?We need serious investments to fully fund and implement TransformTO and to reach net zero by 2040: green bus and transit fleets and reliable affordable transit, mass retrofitting City and commercial properties, BikeShare, bike lane buildout and advocacy, solar and wind expansion, supports for renters and homeowners to green their properties and reduce energy use, responsible recycling and waste management. I have decades of experience in environmental advocacy both as a former Councillor and Head of Sustainability at York University.
councillor
Gian Pileri
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?I want a proactive City that plans ahead, fixes problems early and sets clear service standards and public timelines. I’ve rented in Ward 11 for 15 years and raised concerns at City committees and the TTC Board. In higher education I work with colleagues to find innovative solutions, explain complex systems and improve them. As an independent councillor, I’ll listen to residents, consult experts and work with everyone involved, explain decisions and follow through. I’ll work for a proactive City Hall that listens, explains and delivers.
councillor
David Cottrell
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 restoring real representation and making City Hall more responsive to residents. My background in recruitment, business, management consulting and public service has taught me how to listen, assess problems, organize people and hold systems accountable. I would bring that practical experience to Council and focus on measurable results, clear communication and follow-through.
councillor
Mina Nadimi
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 background and Experiences both in profit and non profit organizations from Front Desk to Program Assistant, Salesclerk to Retail Management, Researcher, Former Director and Researcher to Economic Research Institute demonstrated between topics & trends of the economy and environment with significant issues and challenges we are experienced/ing. My Strengths are with track record I always successfully passed by giving Priority to my work assignment & focuses to other end satisfaction
councillor
Morgan Harris
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?Housing - affordable, deeply affordable, transitional and supportive housing must be created and funded to meet demand. Current waitlists RGI 100,000 Supportive 15,000. Experiences to bear: Fourteen years director of supportive housing agency Habitat Services. Three years board advisor at Housing Connections (waitlist for RGI subsidized housing). Five years director Winchester Park Residents Assoc. advocating to City and Provincial funders, deputation to executive committee and part of the South St. James Town Rooming House Working Group.
councillor
Norman MacLeod
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?Victory for People voting to elect Norman MacLeod, myself, Councilor Ward13. Federal Liberal Government told me I am highly trusted regarding my intent to bring anti gang choices for People young and old. For the way Ward 13 street is, and my remaining there to serve and learn issues, I was rewarded with choice. Fix yourself after sobatical into council and I did the first half now half the rest. I will clean this Ward to Ward 19 standards of safty and opportunities. Culture from LGBTQ, FirstNations and Everything Elictric Concert Productions.
councillor
Nicki Ward
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?I bring authentic experience, three decades of grassroots advocacy, and the executive track record of running Canada’s largest housing co-op. City Hall suffers from neglect, mismanagement, and arrogance. The challenges are clear: endless studies, performative politics, and unforced errors are wrecking our quality of life, affordability, and safety. I am qualified to manage capital budgets and deliver results at scale. I have the political experience to cut through the institutional talk, fix broken services, and deliver the change we need.
councillor
Curran Stikuts
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 is making our parks, streets and neighbourhoods safe, welcoming and cared for. That means better maintenance and programming, alongside housing and support for people in crisis and action on violence and trafficking. I bring more than 15 years of experience in Toronto Centre, working in housing co-ops, community services and advocacy. I know how to bring residents, small businesses and governments together to solve problems and turn budgets into services that improve daily life.
councillor
Maria Voutsinas
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?The province and the city have often had an adversarial relationship. We need to repair that relationship so that we can get things done that are needed to improve the livability of the city such as investments in housing, public transit and bike lanes. In my years as Executive Director of the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada I have worked with all levels of government to build consensus and advocate for my members. This experience has shown me how transparency and accountability will guide my work at Council
councillor
Maqsood Ahmad
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 most important action would be to make housing more affordable for renters, homeowners and families. With 20 years in real estate and experience in construction, I understand the pressure people face from high rents, mortgage payments, utility bills and building costs. I would work to lower permit fees and delays for duplexes, triplexes, legal basement units and multi unit rentals. I would promote CMHC MLI Select for affordable rentals and seek more municipal land transfer tax relief for first time buyers with insured high ratio mortgages.
councillor
Dianne Saxe
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?Ward 14 has the biggest opportunity in North America to build transit-oriented affordable & workforce housing in the Portlands and at Ontario Line stations. Getting this right requires proven ability to master details, get hard things done, build innovative partnerships, defend Toronto’s waterfront and find practical, win-win solutions. I bring that track record as a Toronto Councillor, TTC Commissioner, Ontario Environmental Commissioner, PhD, mediator and lawyer, with strong relationships with City staff, residents, and businesses.
councillor
Michael Mitchell
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?I've already talked about housing in an earlier question so I won't say it again. Next would be crime. Major crime numbers are up all over the City even if the murder rate is down. As a lawyer I understand that there is no single cause of crime and no single solution. However, a greater police presence would certainly provide greater deterrence.
councillor
Mary Fragedakis
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 work better for people and getting the basics right. I would push for clear service standards so residents know what to expect from the City and when, whether it’s fixing a pothole, maintaining a park or responding to a service request. I spent eight years on City Council and the past eight working directly with businesses, neighbourhoods and community organizations. I know how to turn good ideas into results and am ready to deliver from day one.
councillor
Jason Stevens
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?elected 8 times to national and local roles and a familiarity with council in 2026 i can be effective for toronto Danforth
councillor
Denise Walcott
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 first priority would be easing the financial pressure residents feel every day. I grew up in Toronto-Danforth and understand what is at stake for our community. I have managed substantial budgets, led major projects and developed cost-control strategies. As a business owner serving on two condominium boards, I have negotiated contracts, planned major repairs, questioned expenses and worked directly with residents. I will bring that practical, accountable leadership to City Hall.
councillor
Sara Ehrhardt
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?The most important thing for me would be to ensure that the residents of Toronto-Danforth feel that they have a City Councillor who listens to them, advocates for them, and is their voice at City Council. For the past four years as TDSB Trustee I have advocated for parents, students, and teachers against the Doug Ford government's cuts to education, and in support of important community programs in schools. Before that I organized with other parents to save the pool at SH Armstrong.
councillor
Sheena Sharp
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?This summer we have seen the sky turn orange from wildfires, a heatwave above 35 degC, and a storm with 60% more rain than ever before. Toronto needs to prepare to electrify the city to stop the climate from getting worse, and to prepare for the effects of existing climate change. We can use climate action to drive better housing and transportation. For 18 years, I have designed energy efficient affordable housing, and volunteer for Toronto 2030, an advocate group promoting affordable electrification. I know we can make a difference
councillor
Didi Moffat
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?Priority: Protect housing stability and fix core infrastructure in Don Valley East. I will enforce tenant protections against bad-faith evictions, secure one-to-one rental replacements, protect fixed-income homeowners from tax spikes, and upgrade strained transit and stormwater networks. Also, I bring strict oversight to city spending, ensuring tax dollars deliver visible results.
councillor
Jeffery Adamson
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?TTC. My key strength is execution. Toronto does not just need more plans, it needs projects completed and results delivered. I have managed complex initiatives with difficult stakeholders, competing priorities and significant risks. My experience in project leadership and collaboration has taught me how to bring people together, solve problems and keep work moving.
councillor
Hassan Mubarak Noor Mohamed
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 is making Don Valley North a safer, more connected and affordable community, while ensuring residents’ concerns are heard at City Hall. With 20+ years of experience in education, leadership, partnerships and community engagement, I bring a collaborative, practical approach to problem-solving. I hold an MBA in Finance, am a professionally qualified Management Accountant, an ATIO Certified Translator, and a local school council co-chair. I understand the importance of working collaboratively with families and our community.
councillor
Shelley Carroll
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 is making Toronto’s neighbourhoods safer, stronger and more affordable, and making sure residents see results for the taxes they pay. That means investing in the parks, libraries, community centres, roads and public spaces people rely on every day, while managing the City’s finances responsibly. As a two-time Budget Chief and Chair of the Toronto Police Services Board, I bring experience turning priorities into action, finding savings and working across governments to get results for Toronto.
councillor
Sabrina Zuniga
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 first priority would be a Core Service Review of spending and performance. I would end wasteful or ineffective programs and redirect savings to law enforcement, affordable housing, addiction treatment, TTC and infrastructure. My goal is competent, accountable delivery of services residents need. As an entrepreneur & board member, I have built organizations, managed priorities and measured results. Especially in this time of economic uncertainty, Toronto needs to get its finances under control. I have the political will to do the job.
councillor
Hamid Shakeri
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?It's time to change priorities at City Hall and focus on ordinary residents. For too long, the city has been subservient to corporate bosses and big construction companies dictating our development. It should be the other way around: the Municipal Government must tell them what kind of development our communities actually need. With my strong background in engineering, management, and planning—plus firsthand experience supporting those facing hardship and trauma—I bring both the professional expertise and empathy needed to put people first.
councillor
Adam Smith
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?As councillor I will always represent residents and be available to residents, and do my best to give them their own voice at city hall. I have a long history of serving the public already and would continue to do so, for example 14 years of Meals on Wheels, 11 years at the Beach Community Edible Garden growing for our local food bank, and 6 years on the Beach BIA helping small businesses.
councillor
Jennie Worden
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?As councillor, I will ensure that residents get their questions answered, and their problems addressed. This sounds really generic, I know, but it’s about untangling bureaucracy, dismantling silos, and relentlessly pursuing answers. As a community organizer and a non-profit administrator, that’s what I do: I bring people together to identify challenges, solve problems. I’ve run an orchestra, I’ve run neighbourhood groups, I’ve run an office, and I can run a responsive, accountable councillor’s office that supports residents when they need it.
councillor
Syeda Jaana Ali
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 housing more affordable and secure for residents. I would focus on building and preserving affordable housing, protecting tenants, and preventing homelessness. For more than 15 years, I have led commercial strategy and organizational growth for global organizations, managing finances, using data to make decisions, building partnerships and delivering results. I would bring that same strategic, accountable & results-focused approach to City Council—listening to residents, and turning priorities into action.
councillor
Mohammad Shabani
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 absolute priority is building permanently affordable housing by creating the Toronto Community Investment Bank (TCIB). Instead of waiting for developers, the city will build directly, block corporate renovictions, and fast-track transit co-ops. As a long-time local resident, my strength is combining community roots with my business management background and public finance experience. I will bring practical management skills and public safety advocacy to implement global models that protect tenants and cut costs.
councillor
Jennifer Alexander
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?The most important thing I’d act on is connecting Etobicoke Centre; across neighbourhoods, generations and communities, and with City Hall. I’ve spent years listening to residents, bringing people together and turning local concerns into action. Through The Etobicoke Voice, community advocacy and my work in communications and project management, I’ve learned how to build relationships, find common ground and follow through. I’d bring that same approach to City Council.
councillor
Ariel-Rachel Karokis
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?The first thing I would act on would be Public Safety. We have experienced a rise in crime across the board. Assaults, Burglaries, Vandalization, Stabbings and Shootings, Gang Activities, as well as Street Drugs finding there way to our Schools, Playgrounds and our Communities. I will work with the Toronto Police Department to put an end to that immediately. I will fight to properly fund the Police Department, and advocate for harsher punishments for the criminals.
councillor
Taiba Ahmed
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?Due to a technicality in the way minors are prosecuted under the criminal code, gangs recruit minors to do their dirty work in return for payment and a guaranteed soft sentence. Youth who get wrapped up in organized crime can sometimes be trafficked out of the province and country. I have experienced this indirectly in my family, and I know the damage it can do to friends, family, and loved ones. My #1 commitment will be to protect our youth and stamp out gang activity in our communities once and for all.
councillor
Krissan Veerasingam
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?The most important thing I’d act on is combating social isolation. When neighbours know and trust each other, they are better able to support one another and organize around the broader challenges we face. From climate change to the affordability crisis, it all starts with building resilient communities.
councillor
Donny Morgan
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?I’d make affordability and accountability the priority. I want residents to know their tax dollars are being spent wisely and that City services are actually working for them. As a small business owner and a father of four, I understand the pressure families are facing. I’m used to managing budgets, solving problems, and most importantly, listening to people. I’d bring that same approach to City Hall: listen, find solutions, and follow through.
councillor
Dan Lovell
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?Everything I do will be to make Scarborough-Agincourt a more affordable place to live for working people while improving city services. Don't let them tell you it isn't possible! We just need to shift the burden of taxation from working-class people onto the ultra-wealthy.
councillor
Jackson Ho
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?Toronto should prioritize spending on residents and the essential services they rely on. Scarborough–Agincourt still has no subway or LRT station and relies heavily on buses. Meanwhile, millions are spent on initiatives like renaming Yonge-Dundas Square and hosting major events such as FIFA. These events can benefit our economy, but our priorities should be clear: residents come first. People should be able to put food on the table, afford a roof over their heads, and have reliable transit before anything else.
councillor
Sajawal Javed
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 top priority would be making City services work better for residents, safer streets and parks, reliable transit, cleaner neighbourhoods, and better support for local businesses. My experience in security services, paralegal studies, and community work has taught me to listen, stay calm under pressure, solve problems, and follow through. I would bring that practical, hands-on approach to Council and I want residents to judge me by measurable results, not promises.
councillor
Ashan Fernando
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 top priority would be making Ward 25 safer, more connected and responsive to residents. I will advance our 7-point platform, including traffic safety, new traffic lights, speed alerts, stronger community services, and accountability. As a 26+ year Ward 25 resident, I understand our community firsthand. I’ll bring a practical, neighbourhood-first approach: listening to residents, working with City staff and getting results. Neighbours First. Results Always.
councillor
Vane Stavrev
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?I would advocate for Grocery Benefits to help alleviate the cost of food. I was a self employed Financial Advisor with Sunlife. I would use my sales skills to make it happen.
councillor
Mihaela Andrei
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?Ensuring growth in our Ward 3 comes with affordable housing, transit that moves & safer streets. I'm not a career politician, I live here. As board president, I have done the work. A community of 1,285 households: budgets, contractors, reserve funds & resident needs. Reviewing & negotiating contracts, questioning quotes & ensuring services are delivered. I've been an Ontario educator since 2009 & a realtor for 12+ years, so I know how housing costs hit families. I've lived in Montreal, Lyon & Madrid; we need to look at what works elsewhere.
councillor
Steve Yuen
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?I am Steve Yuen & I AM asking for your VOTE -the right to VOTE is the Privilege of our Democratic Society & All Canadiens. I have worked for 10+ years with the Federal Government, over 6 years with the City of Toronto including Nuit Blanche, Toronto Police Services, Metro Linx, Toronto Humane Society & The province. My Strengths: 37+ years of business/city experience, business owner in Ward 4, UWO Biz Grad - Passion to promote GOOD Neighbourhoods for our Children, Pets & Seniors Always SUPPORTING our LOCAL Businesses!
councillor
Adam Pham
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?I offer practical, solution-focused leadership - grounded in real-life experience, not ideology. I want to make life safe and affordable for everyone. You can't enjoy life if you are too preoccupied with your budget and safety. A local business owner, lived in 6 countries, visited over 70 nations. I have a PhD from Moscow. Parkdale-High Park deserves a talented, passionate, motivated councillor who fights every day to prioritize the needs of residents, to help all our neighbours realize their dreams. Bring positive energy back to Ward 4.
councillor
Holly Weber
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?In order to address the many needs of Ward 4 and Toronto, we need to ensure our funds are being used effectively and responsibly. My professional background in procurement has given me the tools to solve problems, bring people together and hold organizations accountable. This experience I will bring to City Hall is well-suited to ensure the city's contracts and vendor relationships are cost competitive, effective, and drive value for the residents of our city. I want to ensure that we are delivering better results and real value for residents.
councillor
Diana Chan McNally
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?As a long-time advocate, I have made substantial wins from all orders of government — including from Doug Ford's government. Ford continues to encroach on our local democracy, and Council members must stand up to his overreach and ensure that local communities have input and control over issues and infrastructure like our waterfront and bike lanes. As a civilian, I have fought the province to make sure we continue to have rent control, and won $54 million from the Ford government in rent supplements. I will continue this work as a Councillor.
councillor
Vanessa Raponi
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?Homelessness. My Dad was unhoused on the streets of Toronto for a decade, losing limbs and eventually his life to homelessness. I have been working on a documentary about his journey, as well as taken continuous education courses at TMU directly focused on Homelessness in Canadian Society. This closely overlaps with Food Insecurity, as I have spent time working for the Daily Bread Food Bank on the 2026 Who's Hungry report. I will focus on addressing the root causes of poverty (Affordable Housing, Income Supports and Decent Work).
councillor
Conroy Irving
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?As Councillor, I would focus on making sure residents see results for the taxes and fees they pay for better roads infrastructure, reliable transit, cleaner neighbourhoods, community safety, and opportunities for families, seniors, youth and local businesses. My experience has prepared me for that responsibility. I have spent years working with people from different backgrounds as a union representative, entrepreneur, community volunteer and business owner. I understand what it means to work for a living, manage a business, negotiate solutions.
councillor
Enzo Torrone
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?I would tackle community safety through prevention and active care. As Chair of the Fairbank Village BIA, I’ve built direct trust by hosting "Coffee with a Cop" and activating our main streets. On Council, I will work to expand mobile crisis teams for non-violent calls, deliver my plan for BIA-supported youth sports leagues, and transform neglected areas into vibrant spaces with continuous "eyes on the street." Real safety comes from strong roots, youth opportunity, and active leadership.
councillor
Jason McDonald
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?Fix broken government by making it transparent and productive. Publish a public register tracking every councillor's motions from filing to completion, so voters know who actually delivers. A CBC Transparency Register shows where every community benefit dollar goes. No more motions filed and forgotten. My 27 years as a BIA chair, businessman, and community advocate on Eglinton West taught me what works
councillor
Neil Simon
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 is simple: make City Hall work better for people. Residents should get faster responses, safer streets, better roads and transit, and clear answers about how their money is being spent. As a small-business owner and community leader, I believe in listening, bringing people together, following up and working until we get practical results.
councillor
Alejandra Bravo
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 priorities are the same as when I was elected four years ago: delivering for Davenport. That means new parks like the Green Line and improved green spaces with renovated playgrounds and splash pads. It means safer streets for all road users through neighbourhood traffic safety plans and road changes. It means faster public transit, including improved bus and streetcar service. And it means good jobs and real community benefits for Davenport, like the work I've led in the City's first Inclusive Economic Development Plan.
mayor
Darrell Brown
What's the most important thing you'd act on as Mayor, and what experience or strengths would help you make it happen?My priorities: Make this City affordable by addressing housing, transit, and youth unemployment using proven solutions. Toronto needs new revenue tools to accomplish this and to deal with its structural deficit of $1.1 billion. We need alternatives to property tax increases. My strengths: I bring 40+ years of experience solving crises across 15 countries. I saved the CNE during COVID, raising $15 million when it faced insolvency. I know how to get results inside complex institutions, not just talk about them. We need bold new voices.
mayor
Georgios Kalkounis
What's the most important thing you'd act on as Mayor, and what experience or strengths would help you make it happen?My priority is restoring operational discipline, accountability, and evidence based planning across all City divisions, agencies, and boards. With 40+ years in engineering, provincial operations, telecommunications consulting, and complex multi-party contract development and administration, I bring strengths in operational standards, procurement, infrastructure reliability, transit modernization, service delivery, and multi stakeholder coordination to ensure clear responsibility, measurable outcomes, and transparent use of public resources.
mayor
Braeden Chow
What's the most important thing you'd act on as Mayor, and what experience or strengths would help you make it happen?Lower taxes and have more events for the community. My experience running a charity would help make this happen. The average income household will not need to stress as much, i will give tax breaks to the rich and use that money to provide city services such as subsidized food, free laundry and more. Also my experience hosting events (fundraisers, concerts and etc) will be used to host events on a much larger scale.
mayor
Jamie Atkinson
What's the most important thing you'd act on as Mayor, and what experience or strengths would help you make it happen?My first duty as Mayor would be to make Toronto capable of serving its people: a city that can build faster, operate more affordably and create the conditions for families and individuals to prosper. I bring a degree in political science, graduate studies in architecture, over a decade in flood protection and climate adaptation, and deep experience applying AI. Technology is not the purpose of a city; people are. AI and robotics should help us build homes, strengthen infrastructure and deliver better services so more people can build secure, me
mayor
Robert Shusterman
What's the most important thing you'd act on as Mayor, and what experience or strengths would help you make it happen?I'm a people person I put people first I would make people in the city feel very important I agree with them at city Hall I would shake their hand I would awesome what things they want dealt with and I would deal with them I would not ignore them. One key thing we need to look at is dealing with mentally ill people there's a lot of mentally ill people out there running around off their medication and destroying people's lives. They don't mean to do it but we need a system that's better
mayor
Sandeep Srivastava
What's the most important thing you'd act on as Mayor, and what experience or strengths would help you make it happen?My top priority would be making Toronto safer, more affordable and better managed—fixing infrastructure, improving transit, expanding housing and strengthening public services while protecting taxpayers. My experience leading Business Technology, Operations and Complex Projects has taught me how to manage large teams, budgets, risk and accountability. As Mayor, I would bring practical, data-driven leadership, measurable results and strong partnerships across City Hall and all levels of government. Elect Sandeep Srivastava for Mayor of Toronto
mayor
Joshua Thompson
What's the most important thing you'd act on as Mayor, and what experience or strengths would help you make it happen?Violent crime first — that is the first job of a city. I am an outsider comedian candidate with business admin and marketing behind me, Change My Mind field work on the street, and no soft politician voice. Fiscal discipline for agencies and boards. Sankofa BACK to Yonge and Dundas. Build the houses. Defeat Olivia Chow.
mayor
Amy Rosen
What's the most important thing you'd act on as Mayor, and what experience or strengths would help you make it happen?The thing I hear about from everyone is the city is in gridlock. It's preventing people from enjoying the city. I will create a dedicated traffic coordination office to tackle congestion. Construction projects, TTC closures, parades, marathons, festivals, and special events will all be coordinated through a single team focused on keeping Toronto moving. We will also deploy more Toronto Police officers to direct traffic at key intersections during major events, road closures, and rush-hour bottlenecks.
mayor
Laura Dean
What's the most important thing you'd act on as Mayor, and what experience or strengths would help you make it happen?I would create a multi-stakeholder taskforce with one mission: eliminating chronic homelessness. One elected official accountable for measuring and reporting results. An actionable strategy built across social services, healthcare and law enforcement. I can get it done because I have worked across City departments and the broader community to achieve shared goals, from securing a building permit to setting up a farmers' market. I know what it takes to build consensus and to actually measure outcomes.
mayor
Cory Deville
What's the most important thing you'd act on as Mayor, and what experience or strengths would help you make it happen?Municipal solutions, be they direct or indirect, to rental affordability for working class residents would be the most important initiative within my tenure. I would leverage my background as a management/strategy consultant, business owner and social impact leader in the non-profit space to create people focused policy solutions for the working class.
mayor
Roberto Curto
What's the most important thing you'd act on as Mayor, and what experience or strengths would help you make it happen?I want to move Toronto beyond the mediocrity we’ve accepted for too long. Sometimes it feels like we’re managing the city rather than actually taking it somewhere. Toronto is close to taking that next step. As someone from a younger generation, I feel like our voices and the kind of city we want to inherit aren’t always being heard. I am willing to question how we do things, listen when a better argument comes along, and push for bigger ideas alongside practical fixes.
mayor
Lyall Sanders
What's the most important thing you'd act on as Mayor, and what experience or strengths would help you make it happen?We will create truly affordable housing options for everyone who wishes to be in a home, and in many cases, provide ways to be able to own the place you live.
mayor
Martin Fraser
What's the most important thing you'd act on as Mayor, and what experience or strengths would help you make it happen?There are many important issues in Toronto. I will name two that need immediate attention: 1st - Toronto Police force is one of the best in the world and they know that they have to go back to "Old time policing" which is an absolute must. They need the resources and a Mayor who has their back and I have a solution for that. 2nd - Homelessness has been poorly treated for decades with band-aids. It is time for a serious Mayor to deal with the hard solutions to really deal with this very important "LIFE ISSUE". I have a serious solution.
mayor
Habiba Desai
What's the most important thing you'd act on as Mayor, and what experience or strengths would help you make it happen?The most important thing I would act on as Mayor is making Toronto more affordable and accessible, with Free TTC as a central priority. My management-consulting and international-development experience has taught me to bring different institutions and stakeholders together, negotiate across levels of government, and turn broad objectives into practical projects with clear responsibilities and measurable results. As Mayor, Free TTC start November 2026.
mayor
Faisal Razi
What's the most important thing you'd act on as Mayor, and what experience or strengths would help you make it happen?Democracy itself means public engagement. I will hold large proactive town halls and listen to concerns of citizens and allow them to introduce new ideas and be listened to. We need to create an environment that fosters public engagement and involvement in the democratic process. I will get the whole city on the same page by introducing themes that get everyone involved and feel part of something bigger, for example: home clean up week, shop small business week, etc. I have worked with people in Toronto in every job or capacity you can imagine.