What they said. What's true. What they can actually do.
City council · updated 13 Oct 2026
Ward 22 Scarborough–Agincourt
Who is running for Toronto City Council in Ward 22 Scarborough–Agincourt in the October 26, 2026 municipal election: how the 10 certified candidates differ, what they have committed to, and whether the City could deliver it. Information as of 13 Oct 2026.
10 candidates: Madhuri Azad, Bill Chan, Jackson Ho, Serge Khatchadourian, Rakhee Kotecha, Aaron Lal, Dan Lovell, Nick Mantas, Donny Morgan, Sindia Vijayarajan. Incumbent: Nick Mantas.
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.
How should the City get more affordable homes? (Housing)
Mantas voted to allow fourplexes citywide (2023) and small apartment buildings on major streets (2024). On Build Canada, Lovell said Yes and Azad No to more as-of-right homes in every ward.
The City restores, buys and builds public housing: Lovell
The City should explore buying condo units to rent at low cost: Ho
The City supplies land, funding and incentives to non-profit and private builders (Build Canada): Azad
Should protected bike lanes stay on, or come off, main roads? (Roads and cycling)
Mantas voted against council's main response to the provincial bike-lane law (Nov 2024) and for the 2025–27 cycling network plan (June 2024). Khatchadourian also opposes repeating the Huntingwood Drive design elsewhere.
Pay verified residents through an app instead of some contractors: Ho
Use outside providers where they give better value (Build Canada): Azad
No position found: Chan, Khatchadourian, Kotecha, Lal, Mantas, Morgan, Vijayarajan
Little disagreement, or few spoke: Taxes and budget, Flooding and infrastructure, Parks and waterfront, Environment, Small business, Community services. Homelessness and governance each split on one Build Canada question. See Issue by issue.
The candidates
10 certified, in alphabetical order. Each card counts the commitments on record and how many are firm (pledged, or “will push for”), then shows the 4 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.
Madhuri Azad
Lawyer and parent representative for Scarborough-Agincourt on the school board's parent involvement committee. Leads on cost of living, economic opportunity, affordable housing, small business, transit and services, and community safety.
“”Self-reported: lawyer
Top commitments
18 on record, 5 firm.
Freeze property tax (◐Possible but hard; Will push for). Sources
Says he spent nearly 15 years in frontline policing, then led Chinese community service agencies. His platform headings: communication, housing, accessibility, neighbourhood, growth and environment; only accessibility, being easy to reach all term, has detail.
“”Self-reported: police and agency career
Top commitments
2 on record, 1 firm.
Regular chances to talk with him all term (●Realistic; Pledges). Sources
Television production worker at TFO who earlier founded his own production company. Leads on long-term care, youth crime prevention, investing in residents outside downtown, local business, e-moped rules and snow clearing.
“”Self-reported: career
Top commitments
17 on record, 1 firm.
More long-term care homes and shorter waits (∼Vague; Would advocate). Sources
Small-business owner who says he has lived in the community for 42 years; ran here in 2021 and 2022. Leads on safer neighbourhoods, putting the community first, responsible government, better transportation and local business.
“”Self-reported: business, 42 years
Top commitments
26 on record, 15 firm.
Keep electric vehicles off sidewalks (✓Already exists; Supports). Sources
Ward resident who works downtown and has served about ten years on her condo board. Leads on traffic, transit, development, public safety, and taxes and City spending.
“”Self-reported: background
Top commitments
25 on record, 19 firm.
Reassess outdated traffic plans with current data (●Realistic; Pledges). Sources
High school teacher for 17 years and an activist in the secondary teachers' union. Leads on a property tax freeze, free TTC for youth and seniors, and a chain of public grocery stores.
“”Self-reported: teaching career
Top commitments
21 on record, 3 firm.
Freeze property taxes with no service cuts (◐Possible but hard; Pledges). Sources
No earlier council run found; NDP federal candidate here in 2025 (2.9%).
Endorsements
Toronto & York Region Labour Council; his site adds ex-Speaker David Warner and teachers' union president Martha Hradowy. “”Self-reported: names on his site
Surveys, forums
5 of 5. Took part: Build Canada, TTCriders survey, TTCriders pledge, Environmental Alliance pledge, Cycle Toronto.
Ward 22 councillor since a 2021 by-election; earlier chief of staff to former councillor Jim Karygiannis. No campaign website found. His councillor-office site names youth, technology, youth sports, the Bridletowne hub and road safety.
Top commitments
5 on record, 2 firm.
Innovation and technology for job creation (∼Vague; Will push for). Sources
Says he has long been part of the community, volunteering and helping organize local initiatives. Leads on cost of living, public safety, support for young people, and transit and public services.
“”Self-reported: background
Top commitments
10 on record, 4 firm.
Practical steps to keep the ward affordable (∼Vague; Supports). Sources
Osgoode Hall law graduate who worked in corporate governance as a legal consultant; raised in the ward. Leads on affordable housing, transit, a present and responsible councillor, community safety, longer library hours and flood prevention.
“”Self-reported: background
Top commitments
21 on record, 11 firm.
Vote against any further property tax increase (◐Possible but hard; Pledges). Sources
One line per candidate, as firmly as they stated it.
Housing
Azad: Supports more townhomes and mid-rises with faster approvals while protecting suburban character. Build Canada: No to more as-of-right homes in every ward.. Sources
Lovell: The City should restore, buy and build public housing rather than rely on private developers. Build Canada: Yes to more as-of-right homes everywhere.. Sources
Khatchadourian: Will advocate for completing the Sheppard subway; will fight for fare capping and student and low-income discounts. TTCriders: Yes to all 18.. Sources
Kotecha: Will push for the Line 4 extension, Scarborough East Rapid Transit and better Stouffville GO service; bus lanes only where data justifies them.. Sources
Vijayarajan: Pledges to restructure the budget to fund the TTC; would advocate for the Line 4 extension. TTCriders: No to a lower fare cap and RapidTO here.. Sources
Khatchadourian: Cycle Toronto: Yes to all five. Wants e-vehicles off sidewalks and left-turn signals; opposes more Huntingwood-style traffic changes.. Sources
Kotecha: Opposes bike lanes that take lanes on major arterials; prefers side streets and hydro corridors. Cycle Toronto: No to 3 lane pledges, Yes to 2.. Sources
Ho: Says the City should stabilize the police budget and move savings to youth programs; proposes up to 40 hours a year of community work per officer.. Sources
Lovell: Supports cutting the police budget and spending some on supporting people. Build Canada: decrease it, shifting duties to civilian services.. Sources
Vijayarajan: Supports defunding police for community spaces, and foot and bike patrols. TTCriders: No to expanding the crisis service before fare inspectors get more power.. Sources
Homelessness: Build Canada splits: Azad would require leaving park encampments once indoor space is offered; Lovell only for permanent housing. Kotecha supports prevention; Vijayarajan wants a ward shelter.. Sources
Taxes and budget: Lovell pledges a property tax freeze; Azad will push for one; Vijayarajan will vote against increases. Mantas voted for the 2023, 2025 and 2026 rates and against 2024's.. Sources
Flooding and infrastructure: Only Vijayarajan speaks to flooding: she will push for a bigger basement-flooding subsidy if the current one falls short.. Sources
Parks and waterfront: Azad and Mantas want new off-leash dog areas; Khatchadourian will push for more play equipment and benches. Azad will also push for freezing recreation fees for seniors and youth.. Sources
Environment: Lovell and Vijayarajan signed the Environmental Alliance pledge, including a 26-degree maximum for rental units; Lovell also calls for a maximum indoor heat law.. Sources
Small business: Azad and Morgan name support for local business. Ho wants tax relief for local businesses; Khatchadourian will push for a two-year tax holiday for new ones; Mantas will push for technology jobs.. Sources
Community services: Lovell will push for public grocery stores in every ward; Azad will push for a Scarborough site. Mantas moved the 2026 Bridletowne motion; Lovell wants faster progress. Vijayarajan pledges library funding.. Sources
Governance: On Build Canada protests: Azad would keep roads open; Lovell accepts disruption barring a safety threat and supports repealing the bubble-zone by-law. Kotecha will push for a pay review.. 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.
●Realistic
Constituency service promises: Chan, Khatchadourian, Kotecha, Vijayarajan
Re-check traffic plans and evaluate road changes: Kotecha
Ward advisory panel: Chan
◐Possible but hard
City builds, owns and runs housing itself: Lovell. Decides: City Council, with CreateTO.
City-run or public grocery stores: Lovell. Decides: City Council.
Cut the police budget: Vijayarajan. Decides: City Council sets the total; the Police Service Board proposes it and directs spending.
Free TTC for seniors, students or under-26s: Lovell. Decides: TTC Board and City budget.
Get the Bridletowne hub built: Mantas. Decides: City Council (the land), with the YMCA of Greater Toronto and United Way as builders and operators.
Hold the police budget steady: Ho. Decides: City Council (budget total), on the Police Service Board's request.
More City money for the TTC: Vijayarajan. Decides: City Council (budget).
More money for TCHC repairs: Lovell. Decides: City Council (budget).
Property tax freeze: Azad, Lovell, Vijayarajan. Decides: The mayor proposes the budget; council can amend it.
City buys rental buildings and becomes landlord: Lovell. Decides: City Council.
On-demand microtransit pilot: Azad. Decides: TTC Board, within the subsidy City Council approves.
→Outside City control
Extend the Sheppard subway east: Khatchadourian. Decides: Province of Ontario / Metrolinx.
✓Already exists
Enforce sidewalk bans on e-bikes, e-scooters: Khatchadourian
Multiplexes, laneway suites and gentle density: Azad
Safer crossings, school zones, traffic calming: Mantas
Targeted property tax cuts for small businesses: Ho
∼Vague
Better parks and public spaces: Morgan
Fair share for the area (no measure named): Ho
Faster or more predictable development approvals: Azad
Growth should come with infrastructure and services: Kotecha
Keep taxes or bills down (no target named): Morgan
Community programs or support (no measure named): Morgan, Vijayarajan
More long-term care (no target named): Ho
Prevention-first approach to crime (no measure named): Ho
Protect heritage buildings and green space from development: Mantas
Protect or improve services (no measure named): Morgan
Support main streets and local businesses: Azad
Transit goals with no mechanism named: Kotecha, Morgan
Attract business and investment (no measure named): Mantas
Safer public spaces (no measure named): Morgan
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.
Azad: 18 on record, 5 firm. Possible but hard 4 · Outside City control 1 · Already exists 1 · Vague 11 · Not rated 1
Chan: 2 on record, 1 firm. Realistic 2
Ho: 17 on record, 1 firm. Realistic 2 · Possible but hard 4 · Outside City control 4 · Already exists 2 · Vague 5
Khatchadourian: 26 on record, 15 firm. Realistic 2 · Possible but hard 4 · Outside City control 5 · Already exists 5 · Vague 9 · Not rated 1
Kotecha: 25 on record, 19 firm. Realistic 6 · Possible but hard 4 · Outside City control 4 · Already exists 1 · Vague 9 · Not rated 1
Lal: 0 on record, 0 firm
Lovell: 21 on record, 3 firm. Realistic 1 · Possible but hard 12 · Outside City control 1 · Vague 6 · Not rated 1
Mantas: 5 on record, 2 firm. Possible but hard 1 · Already exists 1 · Vague 2 · Not rated 1
Morgan: 10 on record, 4 firm. Vague 10
Vijayarajan: 21 on record, 11 firm. Realistic 2 · Possible but hard 10 · Outside City control 3 · Already exists 1 · Vague 4 · Not rated 1
Numbers checked
Up to two checked figures per candidate, and every checked claim about a rival, compared with official records or dated news.
Figures candidates cite
✓Accurate: Ho: the ward still has no subway station. Correct: Line 4 ends at Don Mills, west of the ward, and Line 2 stations are south of the 401.. Sources
✓Accurate: Kotecha: councillor pay is benchmarked at the 75th percentile, and councillors vote on their own raises. Council adopted that benchmark 15-8 in March 2025.. Sources
≈Mostly accurate: Vijayarajan: $5 billion was cut from the Canada Public Transit Fund. A news report says the 2025 federal budget cut it from $30 billion to $25 billion over 10 years.. Sources
≈Mostly accurate: Lovell: Mantas supported privatizing City services. He voted for private snow-clearing contracts in 2021, though most of that work was already contracted out.. Sources
✓Accurate: Lovell: Mantas and Tory gave snow-clearing contracts to for-profit firms. Mantas voted for the 2021 awards (20-5); most snow work was already contracted out.. Sources
≈Mostly accurate: Vijayarajan: Mantas told the Star in 2021 he had spoken about bringing Line 4 to the ward; it hasn't come. He seconded a 2022 motion; the quote wasn't seen.. Sources
≈Mostly accurate: Vijayarajan: council reimbursed Mantas's 2023 Turin trip costs. It approved this 21-3 in February 2024, from his office budget; her $16,600 total was not in City records.. Sources
≈Mostly accurate: Vijayarajan: Mantas missed over 10% of meetings. City data: 12.2% of all sessions this term, 8.1% of Council sessions alone.. Sources
≈Mostly accurate: Vijayarajan: Tory endorsed Mantas, who sided with him on 79% of votes. The 2022 endorsement is confirmed; no source for 79% was found.. Sources
?Unverifiable: Vijayarajan: other candidates skipped the federal riding-redistribution meetings. The meetings aren't named or dated; no attendance record was found.. Sources
?Unverifiable: Vijayarajan: Lovell proposed a snack bar at Kidstown. His site doesn't mention it; the social-media post she cites could not be read.. Sources
≈Mostly accurate: Vijayarajan: Morgan was the Ontario Party's 2022 provincial candidate here. Secondary sources list a Donny Morgan; not confirmed as him.. Sources
Method: Built from 574 sourced rows read 12 October 2026: candidates' own materials, City records, dated news and organizers' surveys. Mantas has no campaign website; his rows come from his councillor-office site, his survey answers and council records. 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: Lovell's 2025 federal candidacy confirmed from official results; Morgan's unconfirmed candidacy removed; Azad's "advocates for" list and Mantas's office-site "champions" read Will push for; Lovell's bare platform items read Supports; tallies leave out opposed proposals.
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.