WEBSITE: www.leonsaul.com

EMAIL: Leon_Saul2005@yahoo.com

PHONE NUMBER: 416-333-2724

What key issues define your campaign platform?
Funding and support in the Malvern Priority Neighbourhood.
Public transportation (support for Transit city).
Youth and Community safety.
Malvern suffers from lack of investment. There is inadequate social infrastructure to meet demands. There is a high population of youth, and racial profiling is prevalent. Property values are affected when our youth are neglected.
The Community Safety Secretariat and the Toronto Police Service were supposed to be collaborating on a pilot project to identify the services that can be provided to ex-gang members to meet their needs and also to identify ways in which ex-gang members can be reintegrated into their communities, as positive leaders. Has this been successfully done?
Toronto Public Library needs to expand programs and services in the Malvern Library.

Why are you the best candidate for this position?
I bring a “new voice, a fresh start” to the way Ward 42 is represented. As a publisher, producer, playwright, actor and musician I understand the importance of communication and engaging the community. As a resident in Malvern, I experience first hand the need for development in facilities and resources.
I see the discrimination and stigmatization being attached to our youth. I understand the concern of homeowners as they see their property values drop and property taxes rise.
Because of my universal outlook, and my cultural sensitivity I would be able to build bridges within our multi-ethnic and multicultural Ward. And, coming from a background of frugality, I have an outlook in fiscal management that determines a need to be economical and wise in spending.

What specifically do you plan to do for your ward, if elected?
My specific plan for Ward 42 is to mobilize the community into being engaged in the affairs of the Ward; determine its future development – especially in the areas of public transit – while creating modes of alternative employment in the cultural arts industry. I would lobby City Council to set up a multicultural arts and sports complex, so that our youth could express their creative energies. I would endeavour to access more funding for youth and seniors’ programs; provide proactive representation in preserving property values in the vision of moving Ward 42, and Malvern Priority Neighbourhood into the future.

Personal Bio:
I live in Malvern. I have 40 years experience in stage productions, printed media, video, TV and film acting. Born in New Amsterdam, Berbice, Guyana on August 15, 1954. Educated at St. Aloysius R.C. Boys’ School, Berbice High School, Queen’s College and the University of Guyana. In Guyana: Primary School Teacher; Accounts Clerk; Information Officer and Senior Reporter. In Canada: I attended Academy of Learning, Trebas Institute, Toronto School of Business and YMCA Self-Employment Program. I publish Uprising International news magazine. I’m the Artistic Director of Roots International Arts Theatre Inc.; and President of the Golden Seed Film Development Company.

Who do you plan to support for mayor?
Rob Ford