What they said. What's true. What they can actually do.
City council · updated 13 Oct 2026
Ward 6 York Centre
Who is running for Toronto City Council in Ward 6 York Centre in the October 26, 2026 municipal election: how the 3 certified candidates differ, what they have committed to, and whether the City could deliver it. Information as of 13 Oct 2026.
3 candidates: Alexander Artamonov, Conroy Irving, James Pasternak. Incumbent: James Pasternak.
The mayor and 25 councillors each have one vote; most decisions need a majority, so one councillor cannot change a by-law or the budget alone.
The mayor proposes the budget, can veto council's budget changes and some by-laws (two-thirds of council overrides), and can pass by-laws on provincial priorities with one-third support.
Council sets property tax, the budget, zoning and by-laws, and runs services such as roads, parks, water, shelters and libraries.
Developers can appeal planning decisions to the Ontario Land Tribunal, a provincial body council cannot overrule; since 2024 most residents cannot appeal.
The Province decides rent control and evictions, new schools, GO trains and the Ontario Line, highway tolls, bike lanes that remove a traffic lane, and election rules.
Council sets the police budget total and the TTC subsidy; the police board and Chief decide how policing works, and the TTC Board runs transit.
Where they differ
Candidates grouped by what they have said.
Bus-priority lanes (RapidTO) in the ward (Transit)
Yes to a route in the ward by the end of next term (TTCriders): Irving
Voted against the 2024 RapidTO plan, backing HOV lanes first: Pasternak
No position found: Artamonov
The Bloor, Yonge and University bike lanes (Roads and cycling)
Keep them and rebuild any the Province removes (Cycle Toronto): Artamonov, Irving
Voted against the Province's removal powers, and for restoring Bloor West car lanes even if bike lanes go (2024): Pasternak
Little disagreement, or few spoke: Housing, Homelessness, Policing and safety, Taxes and budget, City services, Flooding and infrastructure, Parks and waterfront, Environment, Small business, Community services, Governance. See Issue by issue.
The candidates
3 certified, in alphabetical order. Each card counts the commitments on record and how many are firm (pledged, or “will push for”), then shows the 3 they lead with. Counts reflect how much a candidate has published and how they phrase it; more is not better. Chips show how feasible each is and how firmly it was stated. Surveys and forums counted: Build Canada, TTCriders survey, TTCriders pledge, Environmental Alliance pledge, Cycle Toronto.
Alexander Artamonov
No campaign website or biography found. The only answers found are to the Cycle Toronto questionnaire: Yes to all five pledges, with a comment calling for as many snow-free e-bike lanes as possible.
Top commitments
1 on record, 0 firm.
As many snow-free e-bike lanes as possible (∼Vague; Supports). Sources
Ward 6 resident who says he founded a security company; describes himself as an independent, entrepreneur and author. Leads on affordable taxes, fiscal responsibility, small business and jobs, youth employment and affordable housing.
“”Self-reported: background
Top commitments
18 on record, 4 firm.
Keep taxes affordable with responsible spending (∼Vague; Supports). Sources
Councillor since 2010, former school board trustee and chair of North York Community Council; his sites call him the Mayor's envoy on social cohesion. Leads on fiscal responsibility and affordable housing, infrastructure, parks and seniors, fighting hate, safety and business.
“”Self-reported: envoy title
Top commitments
13 on record, 4 firm.
Responsible budgeting and more affordable housing (∼Vague; Pledges). Sources
Pasternak: Voted against the 2024 RapidTO plan after backing HOV lanes first; moved Council's 2024 restatement of support for the Sheppard subway extensions.. Sources
Irving: Cycle Toronto: Yes to keeping and rebuilding protected lanes, abstained on upgrades and Bike Share; would work toward connected routes and safer crossings.. Sources
Pasternak: Voted against the Province's bike-lane removal powers, and for restoring two car lanes each way on part of Bloor West even if bike lanes go (lost; Nov 2024).. Sources
Housing: Irving would advocate for housing that keeps families in the community; Pasternak is committed to more affordable housing and voted for major-streets housing and the 2025 multiplex item.. Sources
Homelessness: Irving said Yes to TTCriders' call for more shelters and supportive housing. Pasternak moved Council's direction that each new shelter site get its own consultation (2025).. Sources
Policing and safety: Pasternak moved widening the 2025 protest buffer zone to 50 m and wants tougher enforcement at a weekly Bathurst-Sheppard protest; Irving would work with residents, police and community groups.. Sources
Taxes and budget: Irving leads on affordable taxes and careful spending; Pasternak is committed to responsible budgeting and voted against the 2024 and 2025 tax rates.. Sources
City services: No City-services proposals found beyond the candidates’ general priorities.
Flooding and infrastructure: Pasternak lists road and stormwater infrastructure among his priorities. No flooding proposals found from the others.. Sources
Parks and waterfront: Irving wants investment in parks, splash pads and community spaces; Pasternak leads on parks and recreation and moved a 2023 motion to speed a Downsview community centre, now due 2031.. Sources
Small business: Irving wants local businesses to grow and attract investment; Pasternak supports the Duke Heights and Wilson Village business improvement areas.. Sources
Community services: Irving wants residents protected from major-event impacts, Pasternak from Rogers Stadium noise and traffic; Pasternak lists fighting hate, Irving protecting faith communities and inclusion, plus youth jobs.. Sources
Could the City actually do it? Each proposal is rated once, the same way in every race. A rating is about the proposal, not the candidate.
∼Vague
Better cycling network (no measure named): Artamonov
Keep taxes or bills down (no target named): Irving
Value for tax dollars (no measure named): Irving, Pasternak
More accountability and transparency: Irving
Support main streets and local businesses: Irving
Attract business and investment (no measure named): Irving
More affordable housing (no measure named): Pasternak
Affordability (no measure named): Pasternak
Timely road maintenance (no measure named): Pasternak
Flood protection (no measure named): Pasternak
Transit goals with no mechanism named: Pasternak
Better parks and public spaces: Pasternak
Community programs or support (no measure named): Pasternak
Every catalogued commitment, by candidate
Alphabetical. Firm: pledged, or “will push for”. Counts reflect how much each candidate has published and how they phrase it; more commitments is not a better platform. Proposals a candidate opposes are not counted.
Method: Built from 84 sourced rows read 12 October 2026: candidates' own materials, City records, dated news and organizers' surveys. This race uses the lighter research profile: each candidate's own site and the organizers' surveys, plus the incumbent's key council votes. Each proposal is rated once, the same way in every race. Positions are recorded only as firmly as stated. An agent that did not draft the page checked it before publication. Labels appear only on facts that are not confirmed. The rubric defines ratings and strength words. Source dates shown without a year are in 2026.
Corrections: 13 October 2026: Cross-ward check: transit is now shown under Where they differ; Pasternak's ongoing advocacy against hate rallies reads Will push for.
Researched and drafted with AI, checked against linked sources. To report an error: corrections@spinfilterto.ca.
This guide is independent and non-partisan. It does not recommend, rank or score candidates.