TEAM TORONTO

Dear Torontonians,

I am thrilled to announce my public declaration to run in the upcoming elections as a Mayor of the City of Toronto. As a passionate resident of this magnificent city, I feel a deep obligation to address the challenges we face and create positive change for our future and the future of our children. My sincere gratitude for all those who are supporting my campaign. I have poured my heart and soul into this campaign to work with you for a better vision for Toronto's future. With your support, we can make Toronto a better place. Together, we can work towards real transformation for our city for generations to come. Let's work towards a brighter future for our city.

Land Acknowledgement

Toronto is a diverse and dynamic city with over 3 million residents. First and foremost, I would like to acknowledge the traditional territory of the many nations that called this land home before us. We are grateful to the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples, and we must work towards reconciliation and recognize the importance of our Indigenous heritage.

 Team Toronto

As we embark on this mayoral campaign. I am proud to possess the strength, the courage and huge assets that are invaluable and go beyond monetary value. My faith in GOD, my knowledge and strong sense of responsibility and a wonderful supportive family, and all those extraordinary people who believe in me. I am fuelled, by a huge level of dissatisfaction about our city conditions and the divisiveness we are witnessing within our society.

I carry most importantly unconditional love to the kind people of Toronto. We should stand up all as one team “Team Toronto”. To respond and satisfy the needs of all our fellow Torontonians most particularly those who feel underrepresented in their home city. Those are the driving forces behind my commitment to serving the people of Toronto. I am deeply moved by the hope I started to see in the eyes of those who are demanding real change, many of them are willing to join this movement after decades of giving up on participating in voting and the democratic process.

Objectives

I am committed to working with all levels of the federal and provincial government. I will work with municipalities, grass root and local organizations, communities, businesses, and environmental organizations. I will work with every honest individual.  My objectives are that your voices are being heard and your needs are being met. We will work together tirelessly towards building a city that is grounded in social justice, diversity, and inclusion. Many Immigrants who came to Toronto have left their homes and families to live in freedom democracy and dignity. Together we will protect our democracy and freedoms, while insuring political and corporate accountability. Real leaders are those who commit to be in service of their people, and knows how to get the best from those people in a way that helps them to feel as if they're contributing and feeling fulfilled. It's something to be performed with humility, grace and a good heart..

Our Economy  

Boosting the economy of our city will be achieved using several strategies, every individual in Toronto will be the winner and they will feel the direct impact of those strategies on their income and daily lives. We will not add more burdens on people enough is enough people are tired of more financial stresses.

Developing Partnerships and Collaborations

My policies include strengthening our innovation ecosystem. Improving our city services with technology for better communications and predictive maintenance. Using data analytics to make better informed decisions that improve resident services and experiences. Supporting collaboration between businesses, academia, research institutions, and the government; fostering partnerships with academia and research institutions; encouraging entrepreneurship by supporting incubators, accelerators; attracting foreign investment by showcasing the city's strengths and opportunities; promoting tourism to attract more visitors and creating jobs in the hospitality and tourism industries.

City Transformation

By applying smart cities strategies and advanced technologies, artificial intelligence, internet of Things, NetZero strategies and utilizing advanced building materials, we will transform Toronto to be a leader in the current technological revolution. We will create more financial resources by accelerating the city services being more efficient and maintaining the city's global leadership. Efforts will be made to resolve issues and ensure that businesses, manufacturers, builders, innovators, and inventors can thrive in the city, transforming it into a model city that attracts investments and businesses worldwide while adhering to laws, regulations, and ethical corporate strategies.

Standing Up with our Vulnerable People & Social Justice

My goal is achieving social Justice and improving the basic services using solutions that will make this city thrive. I will stand up for our most vulnerable people. I will work on reconciliation with our first nations. I will be the voice of the young black boy who was unjustly locked in closet room in a Toronto elementary school because of the colour of his skin. I am running to represent the little girl that her hijab was stripped of and her family was attacked for speaking up. I will stand up for the child who was injured at school due to a lack of care. I will stand up for every woman who suffered from violence and was denied access to justice. I will be the voice of the underpaid teacher, the elderly person struggling to afford rent. Those are real individuals who are seeking justice, the qualified immigrant who is unable to find meaningful employment, the disabled person who is unable to move independently, the hard-working parent who is unable to put food on the table for his family. I will support the small business owner who has been forced to close their doors due to lack of resources. I am also determined to support renters who are facing poor services and are indirectly pressured by major corporations to leave their homes, as well as our successful nurses who felt humiliated and professionals who are barely able to make ends meet due to inflation. I will be a voice for the older generations suffering from neglect. And for the youth who have no free time to enjoy their lives to be able to pay their elevated telecommunication, insurance and home bills. I will stand up for those who are living in poverty, food insecurity and everyone who is left behind without shelter in this extreme weather conditions.

Affordable Housing

Investing in affordable housing is crucial to addressing the current housing crisis and providing long-term solutions for affordable, sustainable, and healthy housing for all Torontonians. Affordable housing is a basic human right, and all Torontonians should have access to safe, affordable homes where they can live with dignity and security. We will build on the city's efforts to solve the housing challenges and we will work together to provide creative ways for building affordable homes, proposing solutions for the most critical city problems, we will allow building more homes and creating revenue for the city of Toronto while ensuring that this will not negatively affect the communities, transportation, or the environment. Ending homelessness will be my goal.

 Racial Discrimination & Rule of Law

Every individual no matter his gender, social status, income, colour, race, or background should be treated with respect and dignity, and no one is above the law. We should all strive to make ethical decisions while growing and helping the community. By promoting diversity and inclusion, we can create a more equitable and just society. This requires a collective effort from all stakeholders, including government, the private sector, and civil society, to ensure that everyone has access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.

Empowing Racial Minoroties

U.S. Economy Lost $16 Trillion because of discrimination. Let's save our economy empliment real solutions to our problems. Toronto is home to a significant percentage of racial minorities, with over 50% of the population identifying as a visible minority. This diversity presents both opportunities and challenges, as it requires the city to address issues of racism, discrimination, inequality, and social exclusion. As strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, I am running to empower every person who is not given a fair opportunity in Toronto. I strongly believe that everyone deserves a fair chance at success and that the government should work for the people. I will strive to create a Toronto that is inclusive and welcoming to all, where everyone has access to the same opportunities regardless of their race, income, gender or any ground of discrimination. I will work to create policies that will uplift the marginalized and vulnerable communities in our city and ensure that their voices are being heard. By ensuring that we get rid of racial discrimination which is rooted in our organizations. We will calculate the savings that will result from real Justice to be used to boost the economy of our city and help every individual in our city.

Environmental Protection and the Green Belt

We must prioritize the protection of our environment and public spaces. Our Green Belt is an essential component of Toronto's natural environment, social and economic well-being, and identity. Protecting the Green Belt is critical to ensuring that Toronto remains a sustainable, prosperous, and livable city for generations to come. To preserve our natural environment and support our social and economic well-being. This includes implementing sustainable land use practices, promoting the use of green infrastructure, and engaging and educating our communities about the importance of protecting our natural resources.

Ontario Place for All

Ontario Place is a cultural and recreational destination located on the waterfront in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It has a rich history and has served as a hub for arts, culture, and entertainment for over 40 years. I am greatly concerned about the future of Ontario Place, it should be preserved and revitalized as a public space, prioritize the public good over private interests. By doing so, we can ensure that Ontario Place remains a vibrant and inclusive destination for generations to come. Creating more public parks is an important initiative for cities and communities to pursue as they offer numerous benefits to both individuals and the environment. Public parks provide a space for people to connect with nature, relax, and engage in physical activity, which can have positive effects on mental and physical health.

Our Health Care System

Canadians are proud of their Medicare system, which was built on the idea that sophisticated health and medical treatment should be available to everyone. Improving and protecting our healthcare system is crucial to everyone. We will work on quality care and services to our citizens. Promoting public health initiatives and engaging our communities to support healthcare funding initiatives.

I understand the struggles that individuals and children with disabilities face in our society that should be addressed. I will work with community organizations and health professionals to promote mental health awareness and provide access to mental health resources.

Safety and Security  

Safety and security are essential to our well-being, and no child going to school or a transit user or any individual who lives in this city should live in fear of crime or violence. We must tackle the root causes of crime to create a safer and more secure city for all. This includes investing in social programs and services that address poverty, inequality, and social exclusion and promoting community policing initiatives. Safety is not limited in gun and crime prevention as we work with our police services and all community stockholders to tackle this issue, we should ensure cybersecurity of our families as much as corporations and governments protect their digital assets.  

Rental Units

The aging buildings in Toronto's housing stock are in dire need of repair and renovation. It is not the matter of building new or fixing the old. It is a matter of protecting our assets, saving peoples lives from disasters that could result of building collapse and protecting the reputation of our city. It is also crucial to ensure that renters have access to safe homes and healthy living conditions, and they have the right to demand quality services from landlords, including timely repairs and adequate heating and cooling systems. Strong legislation and regulations that hold landlords accountable for maintaining their properties and providing quality services to tenants are necessary. We will work together towards ensuring that all buildings and public spaces are designed with accessibility in mind.

 Sustainable Transportation

To regenerate our city, we must enable more efficient operations with automated, data-driven decision making. Addressing traffic congestion and providing predictable and reliable services through automated infrastructure monitoring and data sharing. Support sustainable transportation infrastructure, such as promoting public transit and engaging communities to adopt sustainable transportation practices. It is also critical to protect our crumbling infrastructure using economic solutions and prioritize the safety of the public, and providing creative solutions that will not only resolve the congestion problem but also allow for the building of more homes and creating revenue for the city of Toronto. Making our city accessible to people with disabilities and prioritizing the safety of pedestrians and cyclists are essential components of regeneration. By addressing these critical issues, we can ensure a more sustainable and prosperous future for Toronto.

Education

Furthermore, I recognize that education is the foundation of any successful society. We are living a huge challenge in Toronto with the province underfunding the education system. Access to quality education is essential for the growth and development of our community. Therefore, I will prioritize the improvement and advancement of our educational system. I believe that every child deserves a high-quality education, and I will work tirelessly to ensure that our schools provide the resources and support necessary for every student to thrive.

Our Families  

I am committed to protecting and supporting our families. I recognize that the family is the core unit of any community, and I will work to ensure that every individual, including our youth and elderly, receive the protection and support they need. Ensuring that our seniors have access to the care and support they need to live with dignity and respect.

Conclusion

In conclusion, addressing these critical issues requires a collective effort and a commitment to building a more livable and sustainable city for all. Let us work together to create a more prosperous, equitable, and resilient city for all.

Sincerely,

Bahira Abdulsalam PhD PEng

March 28th, 2023

Updated March 29th 2023