MY STORIES

This is my fourth time running for office.

Over the years, I’ve knocked on thousands of doors and spoken face-to-face with tens of thousands of residents.

I’ve heard many stories.

Some made me angry.

Some broke my heart.

And many times, I’ve asked myself:

If I know people are suffering, can I just walk away?

I can’t.

That’s why I’m standing up.

Recently, I met a business owner in Ward 5.

She told me something that shocked me:

Her store was robbed three times in just 10 days.

Not three months.

Not one year.

Ten days.

Even worse,

during one of the robberies,

one of her employees was injured in the head.

That employee came to work to earn a living.

Not to get assaulted at work.

After what happened, the owner had to increase security.

Install a doorbell.

Add more cameras.

Take more precautions.

But the problem didn’t simply disappear.

Now, when customers arrive,

they have to ring the doorbell before entering.

Think about that.

A normal business.

A customer arrives.

Instead of simply opening the door,

they have to stand outside and wait:

Ring the bell.

The owner told me:

“It’s frustrating.”

And I understand why.

Because she’s not just worried about crime.

She’s dealing with:

declining business.

higher costs.

an injured employee.

customers being inconvenienced.

And growing stress.

This isn’t just one robbery.

It’s a small-business owner losing her sense of security, income, and peace of mind—one incident at a time.

So I want to ask the people of Mississauga:

How much are we paying in taxes?

How much should residents have to pay before they can expect basic public safety?

Government can tell us how big the budget is.

It can tell us how many programs we have.

It can tell us how much money has been spent.

But I want to ask:

If the money has been spent, where is the safety?

A business is robbed three times in 10 days.

An employee is injured.

The owner has to spend more money on cameras and security.

And customers have to ring a doorbell just to enter the store.

Is this acceptable?

I don’t think so.

But government has a responsibility to do everything within its power to prevent crime, protect businesses, support victims, and make our communities safer.

Residents pay taxes because we expect government to manage our city properly.

Public safety is part of that responsibility.

Our government must work harder to make sure criminals understand:

Mississauga is not a place where crime is tolerated.

Businesses should feel safe opening their doors.

Employees should feel safe going to work.

Customers should feel safe walking into a store.

Families should feel safe in their neighbourhoods.

That’s what a city should provide.

I’m not standing here simply to attack people.

I’m standing here to say:

If what we’re doing isn’t working, we need to change it.

If our policies aren’t effective enough, we need to improve them.

If elected officials are not delivering results, voters should hold them accountable.

Your vote isn’t a thank-you note to government.

Your vote is your way of holding government accountable.

Residents give government power.

Government must answer to the residents.

So I ask:

Isn’t it time for change?

If you believe Mississauga needs a safer environment for local businesses—

GO VOTE.

If you believe taxpayers deserve better value for their money—

GO VOTE.

If you believe public safety should be a higher priority—

GO VOTE.

And if you’re tired of seeing:

businesses robbed, employees injured, customers afraid, businesses losing revenue, and costs going up—

then:

Don’t just complain.

GO VOTE!

Because complaining can release frustration.

Your vote can change who makes the decisions.

Never forget how many people are struggling.

And never forget:

The people have the vote.

To learn more about my platform and priorities, please visit my website.

If you don’t want property taxes to rise another 9.2%, please go vote.

If you don’t want your family and friends to have less money in their pockets, please share this.

If you’re willing to stand up and do something real for our community, please contact me.

I have spoken with tens of thousands of residents.

Over the years, I’ve knocked on thousands of doors, walked through countless neighbourhoods, and sat down with ordinary people to hear their stories.

I’ve learned something:

Financial pressure doesn’t always show on someone’s face.

Someone may look perfectly calm,

while worrying about the next bill.

Someone may be sitting quietly in a restaurant with a cup of coffee,

but instead of relaxing,

they may be looking for a job, doing research, studying, or simply trying to figure out how to get through the month.

I often see people sitting in restaurants with:

a coffee,

a tea,

a laptop,

a phone,

and a pile of papers.

They work online.

They search for information.

They study.

They look for jobs.

Some stay for half a day.

Some seem to come almost every day.

And sometimes I wonder:

Why aren’t they doing this at home?

Then I heard one man’s story.

He told me:

“I’m a tenant.”

He lives in a house with the landlord and five other tenants.

He told me the landlord is very careful about expenses.

The air conditioning isn’t always turned on in the summer.

The heat isn’t always turned on in the winter.

The internet frequently goes down.

And yet,

the rent goes up year after year.

He is currently looking for work.

So he comes to a nearby restaurant.

He buys a coffee.

Finds a table.

Opens his laptop.

And turns the restaurant into his temporary office—

his temporary study.

When I heard that, it really hurt.

Because behind that cup of coffee,

there may be no relaxation at all.

There may be someone desperately trying

to find a way forward.

We often talk about property taxes.

And naturally, we think about homeowners.

But I want people to remember:

The impact of rising property taxes doesn’t necessarily stop with the homeowner.

Landlords facing higher property taxes, insurance, maintenance costs, and other expenses may face greater financial pressure.

And in some cases, those higher costs can be passed on through rent.

So:

Landlords feel the pressure.

Tenants feel the pressure too.

And tenants don’t have a house they can simply sell.

They have to deal with rising rent and rising living costs.

For someone looking for work,

another $50 or $100 a month in rent

can mean fewer meals,

fewer trips,

fewer necessities,

and another round of calculations at the end of every month.

So I ask:

When ordinary families are already trying to stretch every dollar, shouldn’t our city government be just as careful with taxpayers’ money?

Can we reduce waste?

Can we improve efficiency?

Can we make every taxpayer dollar work harder?

And before increasing the burden on residents,

can we simply ask:

“Can they afford it?”

This isn’t an abstract question.

This is real life.

It’s the tenant sitting in a restaurant looking for work.

It’s the family afraid to turn on the heat.

It’s the family afraid to turn on the air conditioning.

It’s the parent working every hour they can.

It’s the senior who is still working.

These people are not numbers.

They are our neighbours.

I’ve spoken with tens of thousands of residents.

And when I see people struggling,

it genuinely hurts me.

That’s why I don’t want to simply listen.

I want to do something real for them.

City Council needs to understand what people are actually going through.

Don’t just look at the numbers in the budget.

Look at the people behind those numbers.

Look at the people searching for work.

Look at parents trying to support their families.

Look at people calculating every bill.

Because:

What government sees as “just a little more”

may be a very big amount to an ordinary family.

So if you don’t want property taxes to rise another 9.2%—

GO VOTE!

If you don’t want your family and friends to have less money in their pockets—

PLEASE SHARE THIS!

Every share gives our voice more strength.

Every person who pays attention brings us one step closer to change.

If you’re willing to stand up and do something real for ordinary residents—

CONTACT ME AND JOIN OUR VOLUNTEER TEAM!

And I want to hear from the people of Mississauga:

How are you really doing?

What is putting the most pressure on you right now?

What do you want to see change in our city?

You speak.

I listen.

City Council needs to listen to the people.

Never forget how many people are struggling.

To learn more about my platform and priorities, please visit my website.

If you don’t want property taxes to rise another 9.2%—

GO VOTE!

If you don’t want your family and friends to have less money in their pockets—

PLEASE SHARE THIS!

If you’re willing to stand up and do something real for our community—

CONTACT ME!

Over the years,

I’ve knocked on thousands of doors

and spoken face-to-face with tens of thousands of residents.

I know many people are struggling.

I’ve seen people counting every dollar,

cutting every unnecessary expense,

and trying to make their money stretch just a little further.

And honestly,

it hurts me to see it.

I’ve come to realize something:

Rising property taxes don’t affect homeowners alone.

They can affect tenants too.

I’ve heard many renters tell me:

“These property tax increases are becoming unbearable.”

Some have told me:

“My landlord raised my rent again this year.”

I asked why.

They told me:

“My landlord says property taxes went up again.”

This is the reality of a cost increase moving through the system.

When landlords face higher carrying costs,

some may pass part of that pressure on through rent.

And when rent goes up,

the tenant has to find more money from the same paycheck.

So:

The landlord feels the pressure.

The tenant feels the pressure.

And ultimately,

ordinary residents feel the pressure.

That’s why I want to make this clear:

Property taxes aren’t just a homeowner issue.

They can become a tenant issue too.

Homeowners work hard to pay for:

mortgages,

property taxes,

insurance,

repairs,

and maintenance.

Renters work hard to pay for:

rent,

utilities,

groceries,

transportation,

and everyday expenses.

Everyone is under pressure.

And when the cost of living keeps rising,

government needs to understand

what ordinary people are actually going through.

Every dollar government spends

comes from taxpayers.

Before asking residents to pay more,

shouldn’t we first ask:

Can we reduce waste?

Can we improve efficiency?

Can we cut unnecessary spending?

Can we make every taxpayer dollar work harder?

Because to government,

9.2% may be just a percentage.

But to a family,

it’s a real bill.

For a landlord,

it can mean higher carrying costs.

For a tenant,

it can mean greater pressure on rent.

And for an ordinary family,

it means less money left in the pocket.

So I have a simple message:

City Council needs to listen to the people.

Don’t just look at the numbers on a budget sheet.

Look at the people behind those numbers.

Look at the people working every day.

Look at parents trying to support their families.

Look at seniors trying to live on fixed incomes.

Look at people searching for work.

Look at families already cutting back

and still finding life harder every year.

I am running for office

because I want to hear the people.

Not just the politicians.

You speak.

I listen.

If you don’t want property taxes to keep rising sharply—

GO VOTE!

If you don’t want your family and friends

to have less money in their pockets—

PLEASE SHARE THIS!

Every share gives our voice more strength.

If you’re willing to stand up

and do something for our community—

CONTACT ME AND JOIN OUR VOLUNTEER TEAM!

Residents of Mississauga, tell me:

How are you doing?

Where is the pressure coming from?

What do you want to see change?

City Council needs to listen to the people.

NEVER FORGET HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING.

If you don’t want property taxes to rise another 9.2%, costing you another $900—

GO VOTE!

If you don’t want your family and friends to have less money in their pockets—

PLEASE SHARE THIS!

Every share brings more strength.

Every share brings more attention.

And every voice brings us one step closer to change.

If you’re willing to stand up and do something real for ordinary residents—

CONTACT ME AND JOIN OUR VOLUNTEER TEAM!

Over the years,

I have knocked on thousands of doors

and spoken with tens of thousands of residents.

I’ve seen ordinary people

working hard,

struggling hard,

and doing everything they can

to keep their families going.

Seeing this genuinely hurts me.

And I’ve told myself:

I can’t just listen.

I want to do something for them.

One day, I came across a resident

working on his car outside his home.

I handed him some campaign material.

He didn’t even look at it.

He simply said:

“Just put it on the chair.”

I politely asked:

“Can I talk to you for one minute?”

He said:

“Sure. As long as it doesn’t interrupt my work.”

I asked:

“What’s wrong with the car?”

He said:

“It doesn’t have air conditioning.”

It was hot outside.

So he had to roll the windows down.

But now the window mechanism wasn’t working properly.

He said:

“I’m fixing it.”

I said:

“It’s pretty uncomfortable not having AC in the summer.”

He looked at me and said:

“Even if I had AC, I wouldn’t want to turn it on.”

I paused.

Then he said:

“Everything costs more these days.”

He told me:

“At home, I don’t use the AC in the summer. I open the windows.”

“And in the winter, I don’t turn on the heat unless I absolutely have to.”

He said it calmly.

But it hit me hard.

Because this wasn’t really about comfort.

It was a family calculating

how much money they could save.

During my door-to-door visits,

I’ve met many residents like him.

People who hesitate to turn on the heat in winter.

People who avoid using air conditioning in summer.

Not because they don’t feel the cold.

Not because they don’t feel the heat.

But because they know:

There are bills waiting at the end of the month.

The mortgage.

The car payment.

Insurance.

Utilities.

Groceries.

And property taxes.

But income doesn’t automatically increase

just because the bills do.

So I have a question:

Can government learn to be just as careful with money as ordinary families are?

Before asking residents for more money, can government make sure every taxpayer dollar is being spent as efficiently as possible?

Because to government,

9.2% may look like just another number in a budget.

But to an ordinary family,

it could mean $900.

And that $900 could mean:

months of household expenses,

a child’s needs,

a necessary repair,

or simply—

the reason a family decides not to turn on the AC or the heat.

So remember:

Property taxes aren’t just numbers on a government budget.

They’re real money coming out of residents’ pockets.

If you don’t want property taxes to rise another 9.2%, costing you another $900—

GO VOTE!

If you don’t want your family and friends to have less money in their pockets—

PLEASE SHARE THIS!

Every share brings more strength and more attention.

If you’re willing to volunteer—

CONTACT ME!

I welcome residents of Mississauga to tell me about your lives.

You speak.

I listen.

To learn more about my platform and priorities, please visit my website.

NEVER FORGET HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING.

I have run for public office in Canada four times.

Over the years, I’ve knocked on thousands of doors and spoken face-to-face with tens of thousands of residents.

What I’ve seen is simple:

Ordinary people are working incredibly hard just to keep their families going.

That’s why I want to make one thing clear:

I’m not someone sitting in an office looking at spreadsheets.

I’ve walked into neighbourhoods.

I’ve knocked on doors.

I’ve listened to thousands of residents.

One resident told me:

“I’m a truck driver. I make a decent income.”

But he sold his home.

Now he lives in a rental.

Why?

He told me:

“Property taxes in Mississauga have become ridiculous. They’re too expensive.”

Then he asked me:

“How can they raise property taxes by 9.2% in one year?”

Then he asked a question that hit hard:

“Do the people on council really understand what ordinary people are going through?”

I haven’t forgotten those words.

Because this isn’t a man who refuses to work.

He’s a working father.

He drives a truck.

He has three children.

And one of his children requires daily care.

Think about that.

A father works hard every day.

He supports three children.

He cares for a child who needs daily attention.

And then the city tells him:

“Your property taxes are going up again.”

By 9.2%.

To some people, that may look like just another percentage on a budget sheet.

But to an ordinary family,

it’s money for the children.

It’s money for groceries.

It’s money for caregiving.

It’s money that parents simply don’t have to spare.

So I have a question:

Why can’t government find savings before asking residents for more money?

Why should government spending keep increasing while the burden on ordinary families keeps increasing?

Why should a hardworking father have to sell his home and move into a rental?

Let me put it bluntly:

Taxpayers are not ATMs.

Residents’ money is not government money.

Every dollar comes from someone who worked for it.

A truck driver.

A factory worker.

A restaurant employee.

A small-business owner.

A senior who spent decades saving.

Every dollar government spends is a dollar taxpayers worked for.

That’s why I’m running.

I’m not running to give City Hall a bigger cheque.

I’m running to ask a simple question:

Can we make every taxpayer dollar work harder?

Can we reduce waste?

Can we improve efficiency?

Can we prioritize what actually matters?

And before asking residents for more money,

can we first ask:

“Can ordinary families afford it?”

This is my fourth time running for office.

Not because I love politics.

Because I’ve heard too many residents.

They don’t have a microphone.

I am willing to speak for them.

They don’t have political power.

They have a vote.

And your vote can send a very clear message:

ENOUGH.

If you don’t want property taxes to keep rising—

GO VOTE!

If you don’t want your family and friends to have less money in their pockets—

PLEASE SHARE THIS!

One share may be just one message.

A thousand shares become a voice.

Ten thousand shares can become a force for change.

And if you’re willing to stand up and do something real for ordinary residents—

CONTACT ME AND JOIN OUR VOLUNTEER TEAM!

You speak.

I listen.

Together, we can make a difference.

NEVER FORGET HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING.

This is my fourth time running for public office.

Over the years,

I have knocked on thousands of doors

and spoken with tens of thousands of residents.

I’ve heard many stories.

And I’ve come to understand something:

Many people are not failing because they aren’t trying.

They are already giving everything they have,

and life is still pushing them to the limit.

I genuinely want to do something good for the people in our community.

Because what I see

is not just numbers on a spreadsheet.

I see people trying to survive.

One resident told me:

“I’ll do any dirty job, any hard job,

as long as it helps me support my family and keep my home.”

He repairs toilets.

Cuts down trees.

Cuts grass.

Cuts hair.

Shovels snow.

Repairs sewers.

Delivers food.

Whatever honest work he can find,

he does it.

He told me that delivering food in the winter

is especially difficult.

Freezing temperatures.

Bitter winds.

Snow and ice.

Sometimes struggling through deep snow,

with his hands and feet going numb from the cold.

Sometimes his vehicle slips.

Sometimes traffic brings everything to a standstill.

Sometimes he delivers late because of the weather or traffic.

And then—

the customer gives him a bad review.

He told me:

“I only make a few dollars for each delivery.”

Then he paused.

“It’s really hard.”

That sentence stayed with me.

Because I thought:

How hard does someone have to work

just to keep a family going?

How many jobs does one person have to take

just to keep up with a mortgage,

property taxes, and everyday expenses?

And this resident is highly educated.

A good education does not guarantee an easy life.

Sometimes,

a highly educated person

still has to deliver food through a Canadian winter

for a few dollars at a time.

Not because he is lazy.

Not because he doesn’t work hard.

Quite the opposite.

It’s because he is working so hard.

He told me:

“House prices have fallen.

Wages have gone down.

People have lost their jobs.”

Then he asked me:

“But what about the city councillors?”

“They keep raising property taxes every year,

and they raise their own salaries too.”

“Do they really understand what ordinary people are going through?”

I didn’t answer immediately.

Because that question isn’t just his question.

It’s a question many ordinary residents are asking.

When someone is out in a freezing Canadian winter

delivering food for a few dollars,

when a family is struggling to pay

the mortgage, the car payment, property taxes, and everyday bills,

we have to ask:

What should our city government be working for?

Should it be about making the numbers on a spreadsheet look better?

Or should it be about making life

a little more manageable for ordinary people?

I choose the latter.

That’s why I stepped forward.

This is my fourth time running for office in Canada.

Not because I don’t know how difficult it is.

But because I have heard too many stories.

People need someone to listen.

People need someone to speak.

People need someone willing to stand up for them.

If you don’t want property taxes to keep skyrocketing—

GO VOTE!

If you don’t want your family and friends

to have less money in their pockets—

PLEASE SHARE THIS!

If you’re willing to stand up

and do something for hardworking residents—

CONTACT ME AND JOIN OUR VOLUNTEER TEAM!

And I want to hear from the residents of Mississauga:

How are you really doing?

What are you working so hard for?

What is hurting the most?

You speak.

I listen.

Never forget how many people are struggling.

I have knocked on thousands of doors

and spoken face-to-face with tens of thousands of residents.

Over the years,

I have heard many stories.

And I know that many people in our community

are truly struggling.

Rising property taxes are putting tremendous pressure on ordinary families.

One resident told me:

“I’m 80 years old, and I’m still working.”

I asked him:

“Why?”

He said:

“Because property taxes are too high.”

That was hard to hear.

I asked him:

“Why don’t you sell your house?”

He said:

“I could.”

“I could probably sell it for one or two million dollars.”

I asked:

“Then where would you live?”

He paused.

Then he said:

“Where would I live?”

That question stayed with me.

Because to some people,

a house is a price.

One million dollars.

Two million dollars.

Just a number.

But to an 80-year-old man

who has lived in the same neighbourhood for decades,

it is much more than a house.

It is his home.

It is decades of memories.

It is the streets he knows.

The neighbours he knows.

The familiar faces he has seen for years.

He told me:

“I’ve lived in this neighbourhood for decades.”

“I have a very good relationship with my neighbours.”

“Everyone knows me, and I know everyone.”

“I don’t want to leave them.”

He kept talking.

And I kept listening.

I didn’t interrupt him.

Because I realized that what he really wanted to tell me

wasn’t about how much his house was worth.

He was telling me:

“I’m 80 years old.

I just want to stay in my own home

and live out my later years in peace.”

And yet,

an 80-year-old man

is still working

because the cost of living and property taxes

have become too heavy.

That moment reminded me of something:

Municipal government is not just about numbers on a budget sheet.

Behind every number

is a family.

A senior.

A child.

A real person.

A real life.

That’s why I say:

He speaks.

I listen.

He tells me his story.

I listen to his concerns.

And I hope that one day,

our city can be a place where seniors can retire with dignity,

where hardworking people can live with less pressure,

and where someone can remain in the home

they have loved for decades

without being forced out

because the cost of staying has become too high.

If you don’t want property taxes to keep rising—

GO VOTE!

If you don’t want your family and friends

to have less money in their pockets—

PLEASE SHARE THIS!

Every share gives our voice a little more strength.

If you are willing to stand up

and help hardworking residents in our community—

CONTACT ME AND JOIN OUR VOLUNTEER TEAM!

And I want to hear from the residents of Mississauga:

What’s your story?

What pressures are you facing?

What would you like to see change in our city?

He speaks.

I listen.

Never forget how many people are struggling.

To learn more about my platform and priorities, please visit my website.

This year is my fourth time running for office.

Over the years, I’ve knocked on thousands of doors and spoken with tens of thousands of residents.

I know what people care about.

And I know what many people worry about.

Some worry about their children’s future.

Some worry about their mortgage.

Some worry about rent.

But for some people, the biggest worry is much simpler:

“Will I have enough money to pay my bills next month?”

I’ve seen people struggling.

And honestly,

it hurts me.

I want to do something real for them.

I met a resident in Ward 8 who told me:

“I often work 80 hours a week.”

I asked him:

“Why do you have to work so much?”

He told me he works as a dishwasher in three different restaurants every week.

Restaurant after restaurant.

Week after week.

Year after year.

He spends so much time bending over washing dishes

that his back has become severely hunched.

When I saw him standing there,

it broke my heart.

Because before he came to Canada,

he was a well-known photographer.

He once held a camera in his hands.

He had a career.

He had dreams.

He had a life.

But after coming to Canada,

to pay the bills,

to support his family,

to survive,

he now spends his days

bending over sinks and washing dishes.

Eighty hours a week.

And I kept thinking:

How many hours should a person have to work just to live an ordinary life?

We often talk about Canada as a country of opportunity.

But when someone with talent, experience and a professional career

has to work 80 hours a week

just to keep up with the cost of living,

shouldn’t we stop and ask ourselves:

Is there a better way?

If government can reduce waste,

improve efficiency,

control spending,

and reduce unnecessary burdens on residents,

then maybe—

some people wouldn’t have to work 80 hours a week.

Maybe he could wash fewer dishes.

Maybe he could work fewer hours.

Maybe he could spend more time with his family.

Maybe he could pick up his camera again.

Maybe he could become the person he once was.

That’s why I’m running.

I’m not running just to hold office.

I’m running because I’ve heard too many ordinary people.

I’ve seen their struggles.

I’ve seen their frustration.

I’ve seen people working harder and harder

just to stay where they are.

So I believe:

Government should not only ask, “How much more can we collect?”

Government should also ask, “How can we make life easier for the people?”

And I make this commitment:

If elected, I will work to keep property taxes from increasing during my term.

Because I believe:

Government should work for the people.

Not make people work harder

just to keep up with government spending.

Never forget how many people are struggling.

You speak. I listen.

If you’re struggling, I hear you.

If you want change, I’m willing to stand up and fight for it.

On June 10, 2024, Mississauga held its mayoral election.

Before voting day, there was a mayoral candidates’ debate.

On the big screen at the venue were the words:

“WELCOME MAYORAL CANDIDATES

CHALLENGE.”

I arrived early and registered.

Someone from the organizers welcomed me:

“Welcome to accept the challenge.”

I walked into the room.

Then things changed.

There were five tables and chairs on the stage.

I asked:

“Which seat is mine?”

I was told:

“They’re all taken.”

One of the seats belonged to CP.

I said:

“Can I sit at the very end?”

The answer was:

“Because of fire regulations, we can’t have too many people on the stage.”

Fine.

I offered another solution.

I said:

“Then I won’t sit on the stage. Can I at least put one of my campaign signs beside the stage?”

Again:

No.

That’s when I raised my voice.

I said:

“Your screen says, ‘Welcome mayoral candidates

challenge.’”

“I came.”

“But I can’t sit on the stage. I can’t even put up a campaign sign.”

And I said:

“THIS IS NOT FAIR.”

There were nearly 100 people in the room already.

The organizer asked me to step outside to discuss it.

I refused.

I said:

“If there’s an issue, let’s discuss it here.”

Eventually, she offered me a compromise:

“Before the debate begins, every mayoral candidate gets one minute to introduce themselves. I’ll give you one minute to introduce yourself from the audience. Is that okay?”

I wasn’t happy.

But I accepted.

I thought:

At least I will have one minute to tell the voters who I am.

Then the debate began.

Candidate after candidate introduced themselves.

One minute.

Another minute.

Another minute.

But my minute never came.

I sat there waiting.

And waiting.

But nobody called my name.

And then came the part that made the situation even harder to understand.

The seat belonging to CP—

was empty.

The organizers announced that CP would not attend and read her statement.

She wasn’t there.

But the seat was.

Empty.

And I was there—

sitting in the audience.

I wasn’t asking for special treatment.

I wasn’t asking for an advantage.

I was asking for something very simple:

One minute to introduce myself to the voters.

Even that one minute

wasn’t given to me.

Halfway through the debate,

I held up my sign

and walked out.

As I was leaving, mayoral candidate SD greeted me.

I said loudly:

“THIS IS NOT FAIR!”

As I walked out,

several residents shook my hand.

And at that moment, I realized something:

Sometimes you don’t need to stand on the stage for people to see you.

I’m telling this story today

not to ask for sympathy.

And I’m not asking anyone to vote for me simply because of what happened.

I’m asking one simple question:

If a candidate comes for the challenge,” and that candidate actually shows up, why shouldn’t that candidate receive a fair opportunity to be heard?

If fire regulations were the reason,

why wasn’t the rule made clear?

If every candidate was supposed to receive one minute,

why was my minute taken away?

If a seat was left empty,

why couldn’t the candidate who was actually there have an opportunity to speak?

Rules are necessary.

Safety is necessary.

Restrictions may be necessary.

But:

THE RULES MUST BE FAIR.

What is the most important thing in an election?

Not who has the loudest voice.

Not who has the biggest advertising budget.

Not who gets the biggest stage.

It is this:

Give voters the opportunity to hear the candidates and decide for themselves.

If candidates cannot receive a fair opportunity to be heard,

how can we expect voters to believe

that the process is fair?

I’ve experienced what it feels like to be treated unfairly.

I know what that feels like.

And if one day I have the privilege of serving inside City Hall,

I will remember this experience.

I will remember the people whose voices are ignored.

I will remember the people who aren’t given an opportunity.

I will remember the people who are overlooked.

Because:

FAIRNESS SHOULD NOT BELONG ONLY TO PEOPLE WITH POWER.

FAIRNESS SHOULD BELONG TO EVERYONE.

Never forget how many people are struggling.

And never forget:

Every resident deserves the right to be heard.

In 2024, Mississauga held a mayoral by-election.

There were 20 candidates in the race.

Before voting, there was public discussion about inviting the leading candidates to participate in a televised debate.

I voted in the advance polls.

Based on the results I had at the time,

I was among the top five and was well ahead of several candidates behind me.

So I thought:

If the criteria are based on standing,

I should be invited.

But what happened?

The televised debate took place on May 30.

I wasn’t invited.

I wasn’t on that stage.

Public reporting confirms that the CBC debate featured D D，AT and SD，while CP declined to participate.

So I have one simple question:

“You said the leading candidates would be invited.”

I showed up.

But—

I wasn’t invited to the game.

And that taught me something:

IT’S NOT THAT YOU’RE NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

THEY JUST DIDN’T WANT YOU TO PLAY THE GAME.

I can lose.

I’m not afraid to lose.

When I run for office, I accept the voters’ decision.

If people don’t vote for me,

I accept it.

If my platform doesn’t convince people,

I’ll improve it.

If I need to do better,

I’ll work harder.

But what I cannot accept is being denied a fair opportunity to compete.

Because an election should not be a few people deciding:

“This candidate gets on television.

That candidate doesn’t.”

An election should be about this:

LET THE VOTERS DECIDE WHO IS GOOD ENOUGH.

You don’t have to like me.

You don’t have to agree with me.

You don’t even have to vote for me.

But let me speak.

Let me answer questions.

Let me face the other candidates.

Let the voters compare us.

And then—

LET THE VOTERS DECIDE.

That’s democracy.

I’ve run for office multiple times.

I understand politics.

And I know politics isn’t just about applause.

Politics should be able to withstand questions and competition.

A confident candidate should not be afraid of competition.

A fair election should not be afraid of different voices.

Because when people are afraid to let others speak,

you have to ask:

What are they afraid voters might hear?

So I have one message:

DON’T BE AFRAID OF COMPETITION.

LET THE VOTERS LISTEN.

LET THE VOTERS COMPARE.

LET THE VOTERS DECIDE.

That year,

I didn’t stand on that television debate stage.

I didn’t stand on that theater debate stage.

But I didn’t disappear.

I kept knocking on doors.

I kept walking through neighbourhoods.

I kept talking to residents.

I kept telling people:

You have the right to know who the candidates are.

You have the right to hear different voices.

You have the right to decide for yourself.

And I learned something important:

Sometimes,

not being invited to the table

doesn’t mean

you don’t deserve a seat.

Sometimes,

IT’S NOT THAT YOU’RE NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

THEY JUST DON’T WANT YOU IN THE GAME.

So what do you do?

Simple.

MAKE YOUR OWN VOICE HEARD.

GO DIRECTLY TO THE VOTERS.

LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE.

Because ultimately,

the real decision-makers are not television stations,

They are not political insiders.

They are not campaign organizations.

THE POWER IS IN THE VOTERS’ HANDS.

So to the people of Mississauga:

If you feel you haven’t been heard,

don’t stay silent.

If you believe something isn’t fair,

don’t give up.

If you believe our city needs change,

use your vote.

Because:

YOU MAY DENY ME AN INVITATION.

BUT YOU CANNOT TAKE AWAY THE VOTERS’ POWER.

Never forget how many people are struggling.

And never forget:

THE PEOPLE ARE THE REAL OWNERS OF AN ELECTION.

Dear voters of Mississauga,

Don’t let your vote go to waste!