Toronto Votes 2026: Beaches-East York council candidate Mohammad Shabani 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 running online the answers of the 11 candidates who responded by the deadline, and have also now added the answers of candidate Mohammad Shabani which we received after our print deadline.)
QUESTION 1. – Tell us about yourself and why you are running for city councillor in Ward 19 Beaches–East York?
I am Mohammad Shabani, a long-time resident of our community, running for City Councillor because Beaches–East York deserves bold, systemic innovation that finally prioritizes working-class families, youth, and seniors.
For too long, City Hall has relied on outdated approaches that leave our neighbourhoods vulnerable to corporate exploitation, rising costs, and public service neglect. I am stepping up to deliver transparent, institutional changes that ensure our ward receives an equal share of resources and genuine respect.
My campaign stands apart by putting public ownership and democratic modernizations at the centre of municipal policy. Whether it is transforming how Toronto manages housing, pioneering zero-waste community solutions through my fruit-based “Banana Campaign,” creation of Nature Corporations for Don River and Lake Ontario, composting program for all highrise buildings or creation of Toronto Community Investment Bank, and introducing the Enhanced Dual Expression Voting System (E-DEV) so your voice directly commands my votes at City Hall, I am running to reshape how our local government works for you.
I am dedicated to keeping municipal money localized and transforming our infrastructure to be structurally safe and reliable. On Oct. 26th, I want to earn your vote to build a resilient, forward-thinking, and fully accountable ward where no resident is priced out or ignored.
QUESTION 2. – What changes, if any, would you advocate for at city hall to balance the need for more housing while preserving neighbourhood character?
To resolve the housing crisis while protecting the fabric of Beaches–East York, I will fight at City Hall to stop throwing public money at private developers. Instead, I advocate for “The Vienna Model,” transforming the city itself into the primary builder of permanently affordable, mixed-income housing communities.
By prioritizing public land for public good, we can construct thoughtfully designed, city-owned apartment communities that feature a stable blend of 30 per cent low-income housing, 40 per cent middle-class worker co-ops, and 30 per cent market rentals.
To balance growth with neighbourhood character, my platform centres new density within “The High Rise Hub” framework. This approach strategically positions master-planned highrises near core transit stations where infrastructure already exists, effectively insulating our low-rise residential streets from aggressive, disruptive spot-zoning.
Furthermore, we must aggressively champion tenant rights. True neighbourhood character is defined by the stability of its people; therefore, I will mandate strict structural requirements ensuring functional necessities — like properly operating elevators and structural maintenance — so seniors can downsize and young families can securely plant roots in our ward without fear of corporate displacement.
QUESTION 3 – As city councillor, what specific actions would you take during your term to make Beaches-East York more affordable for all residents?
Affordability requires keeping our community’s wealth localized rather than enriching big corporate institutions. My primary action will be introducing the Toronto Community Investment Bank (TCIB)—a city-owned, not-for-profit credit union designed to hold municipal funds and reinvest them locally as low-interest loans for neighbourhood upgrades and public initiatives. The TCIB will create a unique local incentive loop: when neighbors support our small businesses, they will receive cash-back rewards redeemable for free transit rides, instantly lowering everyday shopping and commuting costs.
To tackle transit affordability directly, I will implement a system that reduces the monthly transit fare cap for seniors, youth, and low-income riders from the current 47 trips down to 35 trips, making public transit highly accessible to those who rely on it most.
Crucially, these programs will be funded creatively without placing a financial burden on local residents. By instituting a digital rush-hour toll for vehicles driving into downtown Toronto, we will establish a self-reliant revenue model that protects struggling Ward 19 homeowners from skyrocketing property taxes while generating millions to reinvest into keeping our community affordable.
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 massive growth surrounding the Main and Danforth/Dawes corridor demands that infrastructure upgrades precede residential occupancy.
I will enforce a comprehensive Transportation Strategy that aggressively manages transit pressure by shifting commuting habits away from private vehicles. By converting underutilized driving and parking lanes into dedicated, rapid bus routes and completely protected cycling lanes, we can make multi-modal transit much faster, safer, and more reliable than driving. This immediately takes the strain off our local gridlock.
Furthermore, we must stop relying on private corporate financing that drives up community service costs. By utilizing the Toronto Community Investment Bank, we will bypass corporate lenders to unlock direct public funding for critical neighborhood infrastructure. A portion of this capital will be used to construct 10,000 supportive housing units across Toronto, establishing specialized hubs to deliver essential mental health, public safety, and emergency relief services directly to the area.
Finally, to stimulate the local economy and reduce commuter pressure altogether, I will fast-track zone changes to bring commercial office spaces and businesses directly into the ward, allowing residents to work right where they live.
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.
