WEBSITE: www.ward37.com

PHONE: 647-709-VOTE (8683)

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1. What key issues define your campaign platform?
The most important local issues in Ward 37 are Public Safety, Economic Development and Transparency and Accountability at City Hall. Public safety means giving the police the resources they need to fight and deter crime. We have to engage community groups, businesses and residents in preventing and reporting crime. Economic development is a priority. Our community has an excess of retail, commercial and industrial vacancies that need business investors. We have to bring job creation incentives to get Scarborough working again. Our citizens need fast and accessible transit and a strong business base in order to support our local economy. Here and at City Hall we need to make changes. We need a fiscally responsible Council willing to cut excess and waste in order to support priority projects. We need a Councillor who believes in public transparency, is accessible and responsive to the needs of the community.

2. Why are you the best candidate for this position?
I stand firmly on the side of families, residents, students, business owners, property owners and the police in Scarborough. I am passionate, committed and accessible and driven to change our representation at City Hall by representing the voice of the people. I commit to bring the same principles of good management, organization, accountability and performance that govern my business life to serve the people of Scarborough Centre. I have a proven track record of managing large organizations efficiently. In business we set customer service goals and develop training programs. All of these can be adapted to improve the service experience at City Hall, the TTC and in our own council office. I commit to be a Councillor for the people: accessible and sensitive to the interests and concerns of residents.

3. What specifically do you plan to do for your ward, if elected?
I propose supporting the police and the community through investment in technology and the Neighbourhood Watch program. I support the transit vision to expand the Kennedy subway line underground. I want to work with our BIAs to brand and market our distinctive business districts and promote “local tourism” to bring the City at large to our community. I support reduced spending at City Hall including councillors’ office budgets and council perks. I would vote to eliminate the Land Transfer Tax and the Vehicle Registration Tax. I commit to being accessible and transparent and respond to citizen issues and complaints.

4. Please provide details on your personal bio.
I’m the founder and principal shareholder of Ontario Security Training. We’ve trained and helped employ more than 5000 security guards in the past year. I’m a licensed private investigator and legal studies graduate and long-time resident of Scarborough. My family came to Canada as refugees from Lebanon in the 1980’s so I personally represent the promise that Canada offers refugees and new immigrants. My passion has always been crime prevention and law enforcement. I’ve been able to make a mark in the community as a businessman and crime fighter. Now I’d like to serve as your Councillor at City Hall.

5. Who do you plan to support for mayor?
While I share common issues and strategies with a number of candidates, I plan to support Rob Ford for Mayor.