Why Malik AHMAD:

I am a small business owner and along with my family, we live in Scarborough Southwest. I am a community champion who is fed up with the high cost of living in one of Canada’s most expensive cities.

The stakes have only gotten higher, and I’m committed to fighting for our communities every single day at City Hall.

I love Scarborough. Together, we can build a city where everyone belongs!

I will focus on keeping taxes at or below inflation, homelessness, substance abuse and mental health, building safe and reliable public transit, building more walkable areas, more parks, more green spaces and focus council on delivering city services we rely on everyday, not expanding scope of services that stray a cities mandate.

I will fight for affordable housing, by advocating for stronger rent control and measures to stop renovictions, stop ill-conceived property tax hikes and focus on addressing the real problems of homelessness.

I pledge to be THE homeowner and tenant champion at city hall. I will act as the official opposition to any politician who treats homeowners and tenants with contempt.

We need a city councillor who works for homeowners and tenants, now more than ever.

Politicians in Toronto seek your vote during the election and quickly forget about their promises to you after they are elected to council. I will not forget my promises to you and will be there for you before and after the election. I promise to respond within 24 hours to any queries received.

With your support and vote, we can build a community where everyone has what they need to thrive and demonstrates that a safer, better tomorrow is possible.

What I’m hearing at the doors:

Housing/Residents:

Higher taxes and interest rates, inflation and high cost of living are already hurting our communities.

I will fight for affordable housing, by advocating for stronger rent control and measures to stop renovictions, stop ill-conceived property tax hikes and focus on addressing the real problems of homelessness.

I pledge to be THE homeowner and tenant champion at city hall. I will act as the official opposition to any politician who treats homeowners and tenants with contempt.

We need a city councillor who works for homeowners and tenants, now more than ever.

Businesses:

Businesses are very slow and most are shutting in large numbers since the pandemic.

I will explore bold and creative ideas to generate more business for our many local small businesses, for example: building safer cycling infrastructure that considers traffic flow and takes into consideration access for more people to explore our community, to establish a Stop and Shop program*

*For example, Kingston Road has become a hub for cyclists. I propose a cyclist’s route along some arterial roads, helping cyclists ride safely. The idea is to build a cycling network to get more people active and out in Scarborough, getting them to Stop and Shop along various routes.

Arts & Culture:

I will vote to enforce investments in Scarborough’s local arts and culture programs, instead of sending investments downtown Toronto. I will fight for our fair share.

Malik's Priorities

Respect For Your Hard-Earned Tax Dollars

– A commitment to keep property taxes at or below inflation.

· I will demand line-by-line budgetary review of all city programs and services to ensure residents receive maximum value for their hard-earned dollars.

· I will commit not to waste your money with programs that don’t give us good results on our investments.

Housing Affordability

- With the rising costs of living we need to build more affordable housing in our ward with integrity, consultation and transparency. We need to build fast.

· I support linking new housing supply with new transit investment.

· I will make sure that private and public sectors are collaborating and leverage their expertise in building affordable housing of all types including rental and ownership.

· I will ensure residents will always be consulted and that local community benefits are a part of any development.

Public Transit and Traffic Congestion

– Affordable public transit is vital to our economic success. Traffic congestions are costing our city $6 billion a year.

· I will work with the Federal and Provincial governments to ensure that they invest into TTC services and to make TTC safe, accessible, reliable and frequent services.

· We must further improve our “coordinated traffic signals” so people can move efficiently and safely.

Economy, Jobs and Support Small Business

– As a small business owner, I understand the importance and challenges business owner’s face.

· I’m committed to supporting and attracting small and medium businesses as they are the backbone of a strong local economy.

· I will also work with large corporations to help them set up and increase the number of well-paying jobs for you and your family in our ward

Crime and Public Safety

– Violent crime is on the rise.

· I support more community policing.

· I will make sure that the provincial government reinvest in mental health. People with mental health need special services.

· By addressing the real problems of homelessness, substance abuse and mental health we can bring these numbers down.

Supporting Seniors

– Seniors have worked hard and paid taxes all their lives. They should be treated with dignity and respect.

· I will work with the Province and TTC to implement free rides for seniors on the TTC.

· I will collaborate with local restaurants and volunteers to provide “at cost” meal services to seniors in need.

· I will make sure that the seniors who live in our ward are taking advantage of all the programs that are available for them from the city, province and federal governments.