Toronto Votes 2026: Beaches-East York councillor candidate Syeda Janna Ali answers our questions

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Beaches–East York voters will cast their ballots on Monday, Oct. 26, in Toronto’s municipal election. Along with voting for mayor and school trustee, local voters will be looking to elect a new councillor for Ward 19 Beaches-East York.
There are 13 candidates running for the council seat in Beaches-East York. The seat is open as incumbent councillor Brad Bradford is now running for mayor in this municipal election. For this Question and Answer feature below, Beach Metro Community News reached out to the candidates who we could find contact information for and asked them to send their answers in by a set deadline. We are only printing the answers of the 11 candidates who responded by the deadline. Please note the candidates’ answers to the first two questions in this feature are also appearing in the Sept. 22 print edition of Beach Metro Community News.)

QUESTION 1: Tell us a bit about yourself and why your are running for City Councillor in Ward 19 Beaches-East York?

My name is Syeda Jaana Ali, and I am running for the next City Councillor in Ward 19 because I believe municipal leadership needs to be focused on one thing: turning residents’ concerns into practical results.

For more than 15 years, I have led commercial strategy, business development, and organizational growth for global organizations. My career has taught me how to manage resources responsibly, analyze data, build partnerships, solve complex problems, and turn strategies into measurable outcomes. I am bringing that experience to City Hall—not as a career politician, but as a professional who is used to being accountable for decisions and results.

While speaking with residents across Beaches–East York, I have heard concerns about affordability, housing, transportation, seniors, traffic, neighbourhood cleanliness, and the quality of everyday city services. These conversations have reinforced why I am running: residents deserve to be heard, but they also deserve action. One of my priorities is advocating for more accessible and affordable transportation for seniors, because mobility should not become a barrier to independence or participation in our community.

I am not running for a title. I am running to bring a fresh, practical, and results-driven approach to City Hall—one that listens first, makes decisions based on evidence, builds partnerships, and measures whether those decisions actually improve people’s lives. My commitment is simple: listen to Ward 19, work for Ward 19, and deliver for Ward 19.

QUESTION 2: What changes, if any, would you advocate for at city hall to balance the need for more housing while preserving neighbourhood character?

I believe we can build more housing without losing what makes our neighbourhoods special. The answer is thoughtful growth—not growth at any cost.

I would support a wider range of housing options, including affordable and amily-sized homes, multiplexes, laneway and garden suites, and appropriately scaled mid-rise development, particularly along major streets and near transit. Toronto’s existing planning framework already recognizes that neighbourhood growth should be gradual and sensitive to local character.

At the same time, development should come with clear expectations around design, trees, green space, traffic, parking, infrastructure and community amenities. New buildings should fit their surroundings rather than simply maximize density.

Most importantly, I would advocate for meaningful community engagement early in the planning process—not after major decisions have effectively been made. Residents should have a voice in how their neighbourhood evolves.

My approach would be to use data and planning evidence to identify where additional density makes sense, while protecting the streetscapes, green spaces and community features that residents value. We need more homes, but we also need complete neighbourhoods where people can afford to live, raise families, access transit, shop locally and enjoy their community. For me, the goal is not simply to build more—it is to build better, build thoughtfully, and ensure growth works for both current and future residents.

QUESTION 3: As City Councillor, what specific actions would take during your term to make Beaches-East York affordable for all residents?

Affordability is about more than housing—it is about the total cost of living in our community. As Councillor, I would focus on practical actions that reduce everyday financial pressures while ensuring the City spends responsibly.

First, I would advocate for more affordable and deeply affordable housing in Beaches–East York, including protecting existing rental housing and supporting purpose-built rental and affordable housing near transit. Toronto’s own housing data shows that demand for subsidized housing continues to exceed available supply.

Second, I would champion more affordable transportation for seniors. I believe seniors should be able to get to medical appointments, grocery stores, community programs and visit family without transportation costs becoming a barrier to independence.

Third, I would strengthen support for renters by improving enforcement of existing housing standards and ensuring residents can access available housing and affordability programs more easily. Toronto is moving toward a centralized access system for affordable and Rent-Geared-to-Income housing, which can make navigating these programs simpler.

I would also support local businesses by advocating for policies that reduce unnecessary costs and red tape while keeping neighbourhood commercial streets vibrant.

Finally, I would bring my professional experience in financial management and strategy to City Hall. Affordability requires discipline: every public dollar should be carefully evaluated for the value it delivers.

My goal is simple: reduce the pressures families and seniors face while building a stronger, more affordable Beaches–East York for everyone.

QUESTION 4: As city councillor for Beaches-East York, how would you ensure infrastructure near Main and Danforth/Dawes can support the area’s major residential growth while minimizing pressure on transit and community services?

The growth around Main Street, Danforth and Dawes needs to be planned as a complete community—not simply as more buildings.

The City’s Main Street Planning Study concluded that accommodating intensification would require new public roads, parks, community services and facilities. As Councillor, I would advocate for infrastructure to be planned and funded alongside residential growth—not after existing services are overwhelmed.

First, strengthen transit capacity and connections. I would work with the TTC and Metrolinx to improve connections between Main Station and Danforth GO and make transit access safer and more convenient. In 2026, City Council approved $250,000 for a feasibility study and initial design of a direct pedestrian connection from Stephenson Avenue to the Danforth GO platform.

Second, make infrastructure keep pace with development. Water, sewers, roads, sidewalks, parks and community facilities must be assessed against projected population growth. The City has already identified the need for expanded community services and facilities as this area intensifies.

Third, prioritize safety and mobility. Danforth Avenue between Main and Victoria Park requires water and sewer upgrades alongside complete-street improvements.

Finally, I would use data and measurable targets to monitor congestion, transit capacity and community-service needs as development proceeds.

Growth is inevitable; being unprepared for growth is not. My approach would be to plan ahead, coordinate across agencies, and make sure infrastructure grows with the community.

Beaches-East York council candidates’ open house slated for Monday, Oct. 5

A public meet-and-greet with candidates running for council in the Ward 19 Beaches–East York municipal election will take place on Monday, Oct. 5, at Beach United Church.

The Beaches–East York Municipal Candidate Meet and Greet is being co-hosted by Beach Metro Community News and the Balmy Beach Resident’s Association. It will run from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the church, 140 Wineva Ave., in the fully accessible Main Hall.

There are 13 candidates seeking the Ward 19 city council seat in the Oct. 26 municipal election. 

Twelve candidates have confirmed they will participate in the Oct. 5 event: Syeda Janna Ali, James Dann, Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Natalie Johnson, Kevin Morrison, Karsten Riedel, Mohammad Shabani, Adam Smith, Austin Vieira, Jeff Wahl, Devin Wilkins and Jennie Worden.

The event will be a meet-and-greet, with candidates at individual tables, allowing residents to circulate and speak with them directly.