Background Questions
1) Do you live in Ward 15?
Yes.
2) Have you previously run and/or been elected for municipal office (school board trustee or city councillor). Please provide details.
No.
3) Have you engaged in community and/or city building activities? Please provide examples.
“Community Building is My Mission”
As someone who came to Canada in 2009, I know firsthand how crucial community building is for our Ward. I remember how isolated I felt as a newcomer and how difficult it was for immigrants to access support, navigate language barriers, or even know how to contact their City officials. Over time, I realized that this isolation was not unique to newcomers. Across our Ward, many people—whether they were immigrants or long-time residents—struggled to find a sense of community and belonging.
My Journey in Building Community I came to this country as a medical doctor, but I quickly learned that building a community required a different set of skills. Eager to make a difference, I enrolled in every City-run leadership course I could find. I learned how to organize, how to make deputations, and how to create and evaluate programs. I studied leadership at Social Planning Toronto, became a member of the Local Champions Network, and joined the City of Toronto Coalition for Equitable City Development. My journey led me to Toronto Metropolitan University, where I earned a certificate in Voluntary and Non-Profit Sector Management.
Armed with this knowledge and experience, I was ready to begin my work in building community in our Ward.
Empowering Communities, One Step at a Time My first major initiative was understanding the unique challenges faced by the disability community in Thorncliffe Park. With no resources, I brought parents and children together to identify gaps in support and figure out how we could fill them. From these efforts, the Thorncliffe Park Autism Support Network was born—a testament to the power of community-driven solutions. Around the same time, I brought women in our community together to form the Coalition of Women in Leadership. This group took on civic support projects, such as increasing food security during critical times of the year. I am proud to say that today, if a community meeting is called in Thorncliffe Park, it is often women who will be there in force, leading and participating in the discussion.
Bridging Cultures and Building Safety In addition to my work with women and families, I joined the Community Police Liaison Committee for Thorncliffe Park. I continue to serve on this committee today, helping bridge cultural divides and bring people from different backgrounds together. I believe that when we come together across our differences, we can create tremendous change in our community.
Supporting City-Wide Equity As a member of the City of Toronto Coalition for Equitable Development, I’ve had the privilege of supporting efforts to bring residents from all Wards together to plan for the future of our great city. I’ve worked tirelessly to ensure that marginalized communities, like ours in Thorncliffe Park, have a seat at the table when decisions are made that affect us.
Why My Community Building Experience Matters My work has always been about building bridges—between cultures, between different segments of the population, and between the city’s decision-makers and the people on the ground. I’ve learned that when you give people a voice, and when you work together, you can build something strong, resilient, and inclusive.
4) Do you have any relationships with developers or labour unions who may have potential conflicts of interest with the City?
No.
Qualifications Questions
1) Why do you want to be the City Councillor for Don Valley West?
“A Journey from Medicine to Community Building”
I am a trained Medical Doctor of Ophthalmology, and I practiced medicine in Tajikistan. My family and I lived what many would consider a comfortable life. But even then, I understood that comfort is relative. Like many families, we faced challenges and often had to turn to civic leaders for support. That experience shaped my understanding of the importance of leadership in building strong communities.
When I came to Toronto and settled in Thorncliffe Park, I faced a new reality. Unable to practice medicine, I had to reinvent myself. I became a community builder. In the process, I learned that the challenges faced by the residents of Thorncliffe Park are unique, even within our own Ward. Here, people work hard but remain underserved, struggling with housing, food security, and access to resources. These issues became my mission.
Why I Want to Be Your City Councillor
I am running for City Councillor because I share the lived experiences of people in every corner of our Ward. I have faced the challenges of reinventing myself in a new country, just like many others in our community. I know what it’s like to struggle with barriers, whether they are financial, cultural, or related to accessing basic services.
My experience gives me a deep understanding of the challenges faced by both those who are presumed to be “well-off” and those who are “underserved and struggling.” I believe that I am uniquely positioned as a candidate to bring our Ward together—to address not only our individual struggles but also our collective challenges as a community.
Bringing Our Ward Together
I am committed to building a stronger, more connected Ward where no one is left behind. Whether it’s housing, food security, traffic or development issues, community engagement, or access to city services, I want to make sure that every resident’s voice is heard, and their needs are met. Together, we can overcome the challenges we face and build a community where everyone thrives.
2) What experience and accomplishments do you bring that you think will make you a good representative for Ward 15?
Leadership and Community Contributions
Grassroots Advocacy and Leadership (Since 2018)
- Member, Local Champions Network (LCN): Advocating for municipal issues such as housing, equity, and diversity in decision-making.
- Leader, Coalition of Women in Leadership: Empowering women from low-income and racialized communities through mentorship and advocacy.
- Member, Thorncliffe/Flemingdon Tenants Network: Advocating for tenant rights, organizing workshops, and working with landlords and community stakeholders to improve housing conditions.
- Member, Coalition for Equitable Inclusive City Development: Promoting inclusive and sustainable city planning for Toronto.
- Active Member, CPLS Community Police Liaison Committee: Strengthening community-police relations in Toronto’s 53 Police Division.
Founder and Executive Director of TPASN (Thorncliffe Park Autism Support Network)
- Founder and Executive Director, TPASN (Since 2018): Established to provide support and advocacy for parents of children with autism and other disabilities. The network connects families with resources and builds culturally appropriate services for children and youth with disabilities.
- TPASN has grown into a trusted support system for over 70 families from Thorncliffe/Flemingdon and Taylor-Massey areas, offering inclusive programs such as weekend art and craft activities, summer camps, and disability awareness campaigns.
Community Projects and Initiatives
- Autism Awareness Campaigns (2018-2024): Conducted annual events in local neighborhoods, raising awareness about autism and the challenges faced by children with disabilities.
- “Let’s Talk” Initiative (Since 2021): Organized community discussions on Truth and Reconciliation, highlighting links between Canada’s Indigenous history and present-day challenges with racism and discrimination.
- Summer Camp for Children with Special Needs (2020-2024): Organized outdoor camps providing inclusive activities for children with autism and neurodevelopmental disorders. Fundraised over $13,000 in two years to support these camps.
- Bike-a-Thon “Tour de Thorncliffe” (2021-2024): Partnered with local organizations to raise funds for summer programs, with over 200 participants supporting children with disabilities.
COVID-19 Pandemic Response and Support
- Community Ambassador, TNO (2020): Supported Toronto’s pandemic response by managing testing centers, registering patients, and distributing masks.
- Hot Meal Distribution during Ramadan (2020-2024): Raised over $40,000 to distribute more than 15,000 meals to vulnerable families, mobilizing volunteers to reach those most in need during the pandemic.
- Toy Drives and Holiday Events (2019-2024): Organized toy drives, distributing gifts to hundreds of children from low-income and special needs families, ensuring community spirit during the holidays.
Awards and Recognition
- Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Award: Honored for significant contributions to the community.
- Agnes Macphail Award (2023): Recognized by the City of Toronto for excellence in community building and grassroots leadership.
- Disability and Access Award (2023): Honored by the City of Toronto for supporting individuals with disabilities in East York.
- Pandemic Hero Award (2021): Nominated by community members and recognized by MP Hon. Rob Oliphant for exceptional service during the COVID-19 pandemic.
3) What are the key 3-5 issues you see facing Ward 15 and the City?
Addressing Inequity in Ward 15
Everyone in our Ward should have the opportunity to lead productive lives and live in safe, supportive communities that enable them to thrive. To make this a reality, we must confront the inequities that exist and build a future where prosperity and well-being are accessible to all.
Socio-Economic Issues: Supporting Employment and Small Businesses
Employment is key to anyone’s success, and in Ward 15, small businesses continue to be the economic backbone. The issues of employment and small business are inseparable. When our local businesses thrive, so do our residents. That’s why we need to work together to better support small businesses across the Ward—helping them grow, create jobs, and contribute to the local economy.
As your City Councillor, I will focus on:
- Developing programs that offer financial and logistical support to local businesses.
- Advocating for policies that encourage entrepreneurship, especially in underserved communities.
- Ensuring access to employment opportunities for everyone, especially youth and newcomers, by building partnerships between businesses, training programs, and community groups.
Recreation and Community Building
In Ward 15, we are still grappling with the effects of the pandemic. Far too many residents, especially children, remain isolated, often opting to stay online rather than engaging with their community. This isolation is more than a social issue—it is contributing to larger problems such as crime, substance abuse, and a lack of community belonging.
We need to invest in recreational resources that foster unity, offer safe spaces, and promote community well-being. To build a stronger, more connected Ward, I will work to:
- Expand recreational programs and facilities for children and youth.
- Protect and enhance our green spaces.
- Safeguard cultural institutions like the Ontario Science Centre and collaborate with faith-based communities to create inclusive community spaces.
Isolation is a public health crisis, and addressing it is critical to improving the overall quality of life in our Ward.
Climate Change: Local Action for Global Impact
The fight against climate change starts locally. We owe it to our children and grandchildren to ensure that we are leaving behind a healthy, sustainable world. While climate change is a global challenge, there are steps we can take in our Ward that will have a lasting impact.
As City Councilor, I will:
- Advocate for policies that prioritize clean streets and public spaces.
- Apply a climate change lens to all decisions related to traffic management and new construction projects.
- Encourage sustainable practices and green initiatives that make our Ward more environmentally friendly.
- I will make sure community /residents voices are included for development consultation and traffic issues.
These small but meaningful actions will contribute to larger efforts at the provincial and federal levels, helping us build a sustainable future for generations to come.
4) What is the first thing you will work on if elected?
If elected, I will spend my first 90 days working closely with City of Toronto staff and the residents of Ward 15 to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment. This will allow us to identify the unique challenges faced in every corner of the Ward. By working together, we can ensure that no issue is overlooked.
This assessment will serve as the foundation for my work as your City Councillor. It will:
- Highlight the most pressing issues in our community.
- Identify existing resources and opportunities across all levels of government that can be leveraged for solutions.
- Lead to the creation of a strategic plan tailored to the needs of Ward 15.
This plan will serve as a road map for my term in office, providing clear, measurable goals. I will use it not only to guide my work but also as a document for which I will be held accountable in future elections. Together, we will build a stronger, more inclusive, and prosperous Ward.