Here Are the Don Valley West By-Election Candidates

Biography: Rachel Chernos Lin has been the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) trustee for Ward 11 since 2018 and chair of the board since 2022. She has advocated for issues like food security, mental health supports, and youth violence prevention, among others. Most notably, Chernos Lin has been part of the team spearheading a lawsuit by Ontario school boards against social media giants TikTok, Meta, and Snapchat. The lawsuit, filed in March of this year, is backed by 14 school boards across Ontario, the majority of which are public boards, including the TDSB and Ottawa-Carleton. It cites the impact of social media on youth mental health, attention spans, vulnerability to misinformation, and the fallout for educators as reasons for the lawsuit. Chernos Lin also brought forward a successful TDSB motion in January for the board to develop a cell phone use policy for students, which has coincided with the province’s ban on classroom cell phone use.

She has also been outspoken on the issue of the TDSB budget, expressing concern that this year’s budget has only temporarily put off the inevitable cuts demanded by an underfunded and strained system. Chernos Lin has also been at the forefront of conversations regarding inclusion in schools. She voted this summer in favour of a TDSB report that recommended adding anti-Palestinian racism to the board’s anti-racism strategy; however, she had initially introduced a failed motion to send back the report, asking for a clearer definition of anti-Palestinian racism. She separately introduced a successful amendment asking staff to acknowledge a recent rise in antisemitism and a resultant need for action in the report, and to centre “student belonging for all students.” In a June 2024 CBC interview she said the lack of a definition had “caused fear” among some, including Jewish community members.

Chernos Lin’s current campaign for city council has received endorsements from the Liberal MPP and MP for Don Valley West, Stephanie Bowman and Rob Oliphant, as well as Toronto Deputy Mayors Jennifer McKelvie and Mike Colle, as well as city councillors Josh Matlow and Shelley Carroll. She has also been endorsed by former Ontario premier and Liberal MPP for the ward, Kathleen Wynne, whose partner is chair of the Chernos Lin campaign’s fundraising efforts.

On October 22, Chernos Lin received endorsements from Evan Sambasivam and Dhruv Jain, two of her fellow candidates who dropped out of the race citing a desire to help Chernos Lin defeat right-wing candidate Anthony Furey. Their decisions came a day after a Liaison Strategies poll of more than 500 Don Valley West voters showed Furey in the lead, 4-5 points ahead of Chernos Lin.

Platform: On Chernos Lin’s website, she mentions wanting to reduce gridlock in the ward by enforcing traffic calming measures, and streamlining public transit through better infrastructure and intelligent transportation systems (a technology that combines information from cameras, Bluetooth detection, and more for traffic management). She also wants to impose higher road occupation fees for construction to “prevent private developers from blocking traffic lanes for years at a time.” Chernos Lin wants to make communities more walkable by installing additional “Watch Your Speed” signs and automated speed enforcement. Her website also mentions investing in local parks and recreation spaces for more walkable neighbourhoods, ensuring public consultations for development in the ward, stronger tenant protections, saving the Ontario Science Centre, and “holding Metrolinx accountable” as construction for the Ontario Line happens. Chernos Lin also wants to improve 311 response times, expedite construction projects to tackle “crumbling” infrastructure, and push for more investment from other levels of government. In an interview with the Leaside Residents Association, Chernos Lin committed to mitigating the traffic impacts of construction projects in the area, and expanding community safety zones (a residential road safety measure). Chernos Lin also wants to enhance the Toronto Police Service’s Neighbourhood Community Officer Programme, though she doesn’t specify how.

Biography: According to her LinkedIn, Desai has a background in international development and is the founder and sole employee of B-Love Consulting, a management consultancy. Desai is a frequent city council candidate, previously having run for mayor in 2023, when she finished with fewer than 200 votes, for Ward 24—Scarborough-Guildwood city councillor in 2022, and as an independent candidate for Toronto-Danforth in the 2021 federal election. In 2022, she appeared to have helped her mother run as one of two candidates for trustee in the French-language secular school board, Viamonde. That election stirred controversy because neither candidate spoke French, and was subsequently voided as one candidate was found to be ineligible for the role. (As per municipal law, if a candidate’s ineligibility results in an uncontested race, the election is voided and a by-election is held to fill the role at a later date. In an email to The Local, Desai said her mother expressed that she should have been declared the winner by default.)

Platform: Desai is an outspoken advocate for the police, and her platform proposes a salary increase of $41,000 and a housing subsidy of $50,000 for every police officer in order to improve recruitment and retention. Desai also wishes to station police officers in high schools to lead clubs and sports teams, and create a women-only police station and adjoining emergency room to handle cases of gender-based and domestic violence. She proposed a community safety initiative called “Paw Patrol,” which would see a team of volunteers and dogs patrol schools, restaurants and shopping centres. She additionally wants to build an athletics facility in the ward, funded by the revenue from high-profile celebrity fight nights, and wants to lobby for Elon Musk to purchase the Ontario Science Centre and turn it into the Elon Musk Space and Science Centre, a site for education and innovation.  She proposes making the TTC free for residents of Thorncliffe Park as part of a Community Benefits Agreement with Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx.

Biography: Anthony Furey is best-known as a political commentator with right-wing views. He works as a senior associate at an Ottawa-based communications and lobbying firm called Sandstone Group, was a longtime columnist for the Toronto Sun, and formerly served as vice-president of editorial and content for the far-right media outlet and advocacy organization True North. He ran for mayor in 2023, finishing in fourth place with about five percent of the vote. In Furey’s more than a decade-long career in punditry, he has frequently promoted right-wing views: he expressed sympathy for the 2022 Freedom Convoy , and has criticized “critical race theory and gender ideology” in schools. Furey also has an approximately decade-long record of publicly criticizing Islam, including cautioning against allowing Muslim immigrants into Canada, and opposing a federal motion condemning Islamophobia in the aftermath of the 2017 Quebec City mosque shooting. Furey reportedly spoke at an April 2023 far-right event where two of his fellow speakers were anti-trans, anti-LGBT activists, known for a disruptive rally targeting Ottawa schools that forced students to shelter in place. Furey rejects any allegations of transphobia and Islamophobia.

Platform: Furey has released a limited platform at the time of publishing, in which he describes traffic, crime prevention, and limiting tax increases as his key priorities. He advocates for increased policing and the elimination of safe injection sites. He opposes additional bike lanes on major roads and wants to enforce traffic laws more strictly. He wants to address crime rates, including increasing incidents of car theft in Don Valley West. Furey also criticizes the city’s spending on “pet projects” like the renaming of Yonge-Dundas Square. His platform opposes raising property taxes. Furey’s current campaign for city council received an endorsement from Yvonne Robertson, the federal conservative candidate for Don Valley West. He also seems to have support from Ontario’s energy minister, Stephen Lecce, who, according to Furey’s social media, recently canvassed alongside him.

Biography: There is little information available about Peter Handjis online. According to his X (formerly Twitter) profile, he has more than two decades of experience as a business owner and manager. He is a frequent city council candidate. He ran in last year’s Scarborough Southwest by-election, coming 20th of 23. He also ran for mayor in 2023—a campaign during which he shared doctored photos of Olivia Chow endorsing him for mayor—and in 2022, in which he placed last.

Platform: Handjis’s platform includes capping electricity rates for low-income seniors, extending Wheel-Trans availability, and establishing a dedicated city-run website or app to promote public transit use and local businesses. It also mentions not rezoning factory lands, deploying “existing city departments, agencies to deal with vagrancy,” and restoring sport and academic-focused after-school programs.

Biography: Little information about Syed Jaffery is available online. On a previous campaign website, Jaffery said he had worked in real estate, completed two years of medical school, and participated in political campaigning and volunteering. He has run for office many times, most recently for the 2024 mayoral by-election in Mississauga, coming last. Last year, Jaffery ran in Toronto’s mayoral by-election, and in the city councillor by-election in Ward 20—Scarborough Southwest. In 2021, Jaffery ran for federal office in Toronto Centre as a member of the People’s Party of Canada.

Platform: Jaffery has not released his platform at time of publication.

Biography: Although Dhruv Jain’s name will still appear on the ballot, he dropped out of the race on October 22 to endorse his fellow candidate Rachel Chernos Lin, citing concerns about a potential victory by right-wing candidate Anthony Furey. Jain is a policy advisor, labour organizer, and campaign manager. He completed his PhD in philosophy, social and political thought from York University, where he was also a contract instructor involved in strike organizing with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) 3903’s bargaining unit. He has since worked as an organizer for the Elementary Teachers of Toronto, which represents 11,000 kindergarten to grade 8 teachers in the TDSB. On LinkedIn, Jain lists experience managing political campaigns at the level of the Toronto school board and the province. He served as Don Valley West MPP Stephanie Bowman’s executive assistant in 2023, and is also executive vice-president of the ward’s Provincial Liberal Association. From December 2023, Jain has been the director of transit policy for TTC Chair Jamaal Myers, a role from which he is currently on leave. He’s also been on the boards of organizations like the Toronto Public Library and The Churchill Society for Parliamentary Democracy.

Platform: On October 22, Jain announced he was dropping out of the race, and endorsed Rachel Chernos Lin. His name will still appear on the ballot.

Jain’s platform prioritized “missing middle” housing, like townhomes and low-rise multiplexes, over high-rise buildings with small one- and two-bedroom units. He said he’ll expand the number of family-sized units through zoning policies that require a certain portion of them in all new “high-density housing projects,”  as well as public-private partnerships and retrofitting existing buildings. Jain also supports the expansion of bike lanes on side streets, increasing the presence of “TTC personnel” on public transit, and adding more red-light cameras on city streets. He has committed to working closely with the Toronto Police Service and their Provincial Carjacking Task Force to mitigate car theft in the ward. Jain additionally mentions infrastructure improvements, including climate-change-resilient upgrades and preemptive identification of vulnerabilities that warrant investment. He proposes increased social support workers and community resources to address “security issues” associated with homelessness and mental health crises.

Biography: Information about this candidate could not be found at time of publication.

Platform: Lamanna has not released a platform at time of publication.

Biography: Little information is available online about Cleveland Marshall. On his campaign website, Marshall says he is the founder of a company called The Calvin Partners International, and has worked for two management consulting firms. The Local was not able to reach The Calvin Partners. Marshall ran for mayor in the 2023 by-election, finishing 33rd out of 102 candidates, and ran for Ward 13—Toronto Center councillor in 2022, placing eighth out of nine candidates.

Platform: Marshall’s platform mentions implementing electric school buses in the ward. He says he wants to “stop encampments” and resolve the housing crisis by building “supportive,” drug-free housing. He also advocates for tenant rights and opposes evictions. Marshall’s site features a “Pride” section with the phrase “We All Belong,” but does not detail specific objectives or plans.

Biography: Sam Robinson is the son of former Ward 15 councillor Jaye Robinson, who held the seat for 14 years before she died in May 2024, triggering the current by-election to fill her seat. On his website and on LinkedIn, he mentions a background in sales, and extensive volunteer experience on issues like homelessness, food security, and supporting local businesses. Robinson previously completed internships at a Toronto-based studio called Cream Productions, where he worked as a production and visual research assistant. On his website, Robinson promises to remain unaffiliated with any political party.

 Platform: On his website, Robinson’s priorities include community consultation and transparency at City Hall, expanding green spaces, and tackling congestion. Robinson wants to improve safety in Don Valley West through reducing street traffic, increasing automated speed enforcement, and implementing community-based safety measures like neighbourhood watch programs and stronger communication between the community and police. Robinson plans to reduce traffic congestion in the ward through advocating for more funding for the TTC, and reducing gridlock through installing traffic cameras and mitigating construction-related congestion. Robinson also wants to “control taxes by finding efficiencies” at City Hall, and wishes to advocate for tenant rights in the ward.

Robinson was one of five candidates who responded to The Local’s “City Hall Simulator” survey, in which candidates cast their votes on ten motions that were debated in City Hall this past term. In his survey results, Robinson indicated support for this year’s $20 million police budget increase, and voted against the 9.5 percent property tax increase. He supports housing densification on major streets, but also supported a motion that would eliminate the City’s ability to serve as a “public builder” on affordable housing development, an initiative that was begun to secure more public and not-for-profit housing on faster timelines. Robinson indicated that his support for bike lanes would be predicated on their impact on traffic, and identified crime and congestion as the biggest issues facing the ward.

Biography: Although Evan Sambasivam’s name will still appear on the ballot, he dropped out of the race on October 22 and endorsed Rachel Chernos Lin with an eye to defeating right-wing candidate Anthony Furey.

Sambasivam is a policy advisor for the federal Liberal Party, and describes himself as a mental health advocate. Sambasivam ran for city council in 2022, placing second among five candidates in Ward 8—Eglinton-Lawrence. During the past year, Sambasivam has served as a legislative assistant to Scarborough–Rouge Park MP Gary Anandsangaree and as an advisor to Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine MP Diane Lebouthillier. On Lebouthillier’s team, he worked at the Ministry of National Revenue and the Ministry of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard. He previously worked as a youth mental health consultant at Capitalize for Kids and led a chapter of Jack.org, a mental health advocacy group, while pursuing his undergraduate degree. Sambasivam says he is running for council in honour of his friend who died from causes related to homelessness and mental illness.

Platform: On October 22, Sambasivam dropped out of the race, endorsing Rachel Chernos Lin, though his name will still appear on the ballot.

In his platform, Sambasivam supports new housing projects and social services to alleviate Toronto’s homelessness crisis. He wants to provide more legal and regulatory support for renters, and supports incentives to build more varied housing options, like mid-rise apartments. He wants to expand Toronto’s stormwater infrastructure and revitalize Don Valley West’s many ravines to mitigate flooding. He has opposed the proposed relocation of the Science Centre, which is located in the neighbouring ward. To make the TTC more accessible and reliable, and to reduce traffic congestion, Sambasivam proposes a fare cap for students and seniors, better accountability for maintenance-related delays, and transit priority signals for certain bus routes. Sambasivam also wants to tackle food insecurity by advocating for tax abatements for locally-owned grocery stores and expanding access and eligibility for food security programs, like the city’s Student Nutrition Program and the new National School Food program.

Biography: Shakhlo Sharipova is an ophthalmologist and the founder of the Thorncliffe Park Autism Support Network (TPASN), a grassroots organization that provides free community-based services for children with disabilities. In 2023, the City recognized her work with TPASN through the Disability Access Award. Sharipova is a member of the 53 Division Community Police Liaison Committee, a group of local volunteers who work with local police officers. She is a resident of Thorncliffe Park, and received the Agnes Macphail Award in 2023 for her contributions to the East York community.

Platform: Sharipova plans to expand the Jenner Jean-Marie Community Centre or open additional recreational spaces. She mentions social justice as central to her platform, and said on social media she hopes to establish charitable partners to support the community’s needs. Sharipova lists affordable housing, tenant rights, public transit improvements, and local entrepreneurship as her priorities. For development and traffic decisions, she suggests an advisory committee that includes representatives from every impacted neighbourhood. She wants to improve winter bike lane maintenance. Her climate policy proposals include budget increases for community-led gardening and hiring local residents for park maintenance, as well as working with building managers to enforce the Toronto Green Standard—the city’s sustainable design and performance requirements for all new developments. Sharipova says she will conduct an assessment of the community’s public safety needs, and that community consultation is central to her approach.

Sharipova was one of five candidates who responded to The Local’s “City Hall Simulator” survey, in which candidates cast their votes on ten motions that were debated in City Hall this past term. In her survey results, Sharipova indicated support for this year’s $20 million police budget increase, and voted against the 9.5 percent property tax increase. She supports housing densification on major streets and the creation of a stormwater charge to generate revenue that would aid the City in managing flooding. She indicated that her support for bike lanes would be predicated on their impact on traffic.

Biography: Sheena Sharp is an architect with more than 25 years of experience in the field. She is a member of the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA), and has held several positions in the organization, including president, treasurer, various vice-president roles, and 12 years on the governing council. She has served on additional boards, including for the OAA’s insurance company, Pro-Demnity, and for District 2030, a private-public initiative focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from buildings. She is the founder of Coolearth Architecture, a firm focused on designing low-carbon buildings, where she has worked for 16 years, according to her LinkedIn. Sharp previously ran for the Don Valley West council seat in 2022, finishing in second place out of four candidates. She also ran as the Green Party candidate in the ward’s 2022 provincial election, finishing in fourth place.

Platform: Sharp’s platform focuses on climate action and housing affordability. She wants to prioritize non-profit and co-op housing and ease the planning and approvals process for buildings under six storeys, alongside generally advocating for a faster planning process so the city can approve and start construction on housing sooner. Sharp also advocates for halting the demolition of apartment buildings before its tenants are able to find new housing at “reasonable prices.” She plans to help seniors downsize by supporting non-profit rental housing for older adults, as well as “management services” for seniors who want to create a second in-home unit. She wants to decarbonize homes by transitioning from natural gas to electric heating when existing homes undergo renovation or repairs, and mandating heat pumps (a low-emissions heating system) in all new homes. She supports electric transportation, and improvements to TTC service, including increasing the number of buses that connect neighbourhoods. Sharp also supports bike lanes, and wants to create a connected network of them in the city. She also wants to give buses a dedicated lane on busy routes, and ensure higher cleanliness standards on TTC vehicles and in stations. She additionally wants to revive the Regent Theatre.

Sharp was one of five candidates who responded to The Local’s “City Hall Simulator” survey, in which candidates cast their votes on ten motions that were debated in City Hall this past term. In her survey results, Sharp indicated support for this year’s 9.5 percent property tax increase and against the $20 million police budget increase. She supports housing densification on major streets and the creation of a stormwater charge to generate revenue that would aid the City in managing flooding. Sharp was the only candidate who voted against the motion reconsidering the City’s Fair Wage Policy, a move that would have potentially eliminated a policy established to protect workers from exploitation in favour of financial efficiency. She also said in her survey response that traffic congestion would be the first issue she’d address as councillor, and that if she were to run in affiliation with a major Canadian political party it would be the Green Party.

Biography: Little information is available online about Jason Stevens. In 2010, he ran for City Council in former Ward 19—Trinity-Spadina, finishing last. On his personal Facebook page, where he appears to campaign, he says he has owned a small food business and has volunteer and political advocacy experience. In a brief YouTube video, Stevens claims to have run in 2016, but it’s not clear for which office. In answers Stevens gave to the Federation of North Toronto Residents’ Associations, he says he does not live in Don Valley West, but that his brother does.

Platform: Stevens appears to have launched a campaign website, but it does not include a platform at this time. In a brief YouTube video, he highlighted transit, safety, and housing as areas of focus. In a September interview with the Leaside Residents Association, Stevens said plans for new housing should avoid high concentrations of high-rises within a small area. He also said he plans to preserve small businesses within the community, but has not elaborated on any of these plans.

Stevens was one of five candidates who responded to The Local’s “City Hall Simulator” survey, in which candidates cast their votes on ten motions that were debated in City Hall this past term. In his survey results, Stevens expressed approval for this year’s 9.5 percent property tax increase, but believes tax increases can be mitigated altogether with improved budget efficiency. He does not support this year’s $20 million increase in the police budget. He voted in favour of building more dense housing (including low-rise apartments) on major streets, and indicated that his support for bike lanes would be predicated on their impact on traffic. Stevens said in his survey response that affordable rent is the biggest issue facing the ward.

Biography: Lesley Stoyan is a culinary nutritionist and co-founder of The AppleTree Group, a non-profit that promotes urban health, food security, and access to public space. She is also the owner of Daily Apple, a “food and lifestyle education group” that has hosted yoga events and more. She has been involved in multiple initiatives, including a community garden in Davisville and starting a farmers market in Eglinton Park. According to her site, she has organized educational programs about food security in public and private schools.

Platform: Stoyan’s campaign priorities are road safety and traffic reduction, food security in vulnerable neighbourhoods, and support for small businesses. She also wants to encourage alternatives to car travel and overhaul Vision Zero (a city safety plan to reduce traffic fatalities), though she hasn’t elaborated as to how. On social media, Stoyan says Ward 15 has nine distinct neighbourhoods, so broad-stroke policies won’t work as a result—she has committed to hearing from each of these neighbourhoods in her leadership efforts. In a campaign speech, she expressed wanting to protect the neighbourhood from corporate development.

Biography: Daniel Trayes is a harm reduction and housing advocate. He previously ran for council in the Ward 22—Scarborough-Agincourt by-election in 2021, placing 24th of 27, and in Ward 14—Toronto Danforth in the 2014 municipal election, coming last. Trayes experienced homelessness in Toronto for nearly 20 years, and says City Council lacks the necessary lived experience to address the issue. Trayes has worked for Scarborough-Guildwood councillor Paul Ainslie, who endorsed him during the 2021 by-election.

Platform: Trayes’s platform mentions the Ontario Science Centre, the Eglinton Crosstown and the Ontario Line, and Toronto’s unhoused. He emphasizes that more money needs to be allocated towards supporting the unhoused. He does not elaborate on his plans to address these issues.

Trayes was one of five candidates who responded to The Local’s “City Hall Simulator” survey, in which candidates cast their votes on ten motions that were debated in City Hall this past term. In his survey results, Trayes voted for this year’s 9.5 percent property tax increase, and against this year’s police budget increase of $20 million. He voted in favour of building more dense housing (including low-rise apartments) on major streets, but also supported a motion that would eliminate the City’s ability to serve as a “public builder” on affordable housing development, an initiative that was begun to secure more public and not-for-profit housing on faster timelines. He does not support the reintroduction of a stormwater charge, a revenue tool that would help with flood management in the city. Trayes said in his survey response that the Eglinton Crosstown LRT is the biggest issue facing the ward.

Biography: Little is available online about Calvin Xu. Xu ran for council in Ward 17—Don Valley North in 2022, placing third of six candidates with 7.6 percent of the vote.

Platform: Xu has not released his platform at time of publication.