Toronto Centre is one of the most diverse, vibrant, and resilient communities in the city. But too many residents are being pushed out, priced out, ignored, or left behind. Our campaign is rooted in a simple belief: people deserve to live with dignity, stability, opportunity, and respect.
As your councillor, Walied will listen, show up, and deliver.
Build housing tied to people's incomes, not market speculation.
Safer neighbourhoods start with investment, not neglect.
Community space is essential infrastructure.
Opportunity shouldn't be seasonal.
No child, senior, or family should go hungry in our city.
Climate action that protects the people already feeling it first.
Toronto Centre’s small businesses are under pressure — from rising rents, property costs, safety concerns, construction disruption, and the growing cost of operating in a rapidly changing city.
Walied believes local businesses are essential to strong communities. They create jobs, support artists and workers, feed families, animate our main streets, and give each neighbourhood its character.
As City Councillor, Walied will support existing BIAs, help expand new BIAs and business associations, keep property taxes low for small businesses, and fight for a dedicated Toronto Centre Main Streets Fund tied to the City’s Sidewalks to Skylines economic plan.
That means investing in safer streets, better sidewalks, lighting, storefronts, festivals, local hiring, affordable commercial space, and practical supports for businesses facing street-level challenges.
Respect for communities means respect for the small businesses that help our communities thrive.
Small businesses are community anchors. They deserve a councillor who listens, responds, and helps them navigate City Hall.
Invest in safe, clean, accessible, and welcoming main streets with better sidewalks, lighting, storefronts, trees, parking/loading options, and public spaces.
Keep property taxes low for small businesses and strengthen the small business property tax subclass to protect independent businesses from rising costs.
Support existing BIAs, expand business associations where local businesses want them, and help emerging main streets organize for funding and advocacy.
Expand proactive crisis response and street outreach so businesses are not left alone to manage homelessness, addiction, mental health crises, and public safety concerns.
Require new development to protect independent businesses, create affordable commercial space, support local hiring, and contribute to main street improvements.
Support festivals, artists, cultural events, and local markets as part of a strong local economy.
Use City tools, community benefits, and development agreements to create local jobs and support local businesses.
Design streets that work for pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, drivers, delivery workers, seniors, people with disabilities, and local businesses.
Walied will work directly with BIAs, businesses, workers, residents, and community groups to solve problems and bring practical support to every main street in Ward 13.
That means affordable housing based on people's incomes, not market speculation. It means investing in local leadership, youth, seniors, newcomers, families, and community spaces. It means building a city where everyone belongs.
Walied will fight for a Toronto Centre where development serves people, public land serves the public good, and every neighbourhood receives the investment it deserves.
