Ward 6 — York Centre

Biography: Little information is available online about Alexander Artamonov. A petition started by someone of the same name argues against the removal of bike lanes in the city. The Local is unable to confirm if this is the same person seeking candidacy.

Platform: This candidate does not have a platform available online at the time of publication.

Biography: Conroy Irving’s LinkedIn says that he’s the president of private security company Irving Security Corps. His website says that he dropped out of high school and is a self-published author.

Platform: According to his website, his priorities include keeping taxes affordable, supporting affordable housing, park infrastructures, and better planning for “major event impacts.” He also says he will “work with residents, police and community organizations” to create safer spaces.

Biography: James Pasternak is the current city councillor for York Centre, having held that position since 2010. He’s the chair of the North York Community Council. Prior to being councillor, Pasternak was a TDSB trustee from 2006 to 2010.

Since becoming councillor, Pasternak has advocated for fixing flooding in his ward, preserving parking spots at subway stations, and easing traffic caused by construction closures. He has proposed the “North York Relief Line”, a subway line that connects Sheppard West station (formerly Downsview) to Sheppard-Yonge station, and called for better crowd control and noise control at Rogers Stadium.

Pasternak also proposed giving more resources to police as a result of hate crimes spiking upwards in 2020.

In 2023, Pasternak opposed the city’s Alcohol in Parks Pilot Program, claiming that the city didn’t have enough resources to collect beer cans and public education on alcohol and park rule etiquette.

In 2025, Pasternak and fellow councillor Mike Colle were under scrutiny for taking a trip to Israel as part of a “Canadian political leadership mission.” The trip took place in November, just over two months after a United Nations Commission of Inquiry found that Israel was committing genocide in the Gaza Strip. In December 2025, Pasternak and Colle disclosed to the city’s integrity commissioner that Israel had paid almost $10,000 in travel costs for them. This year, Pasternak and councillor Brad Bradford called for an injunction to stop the annual Al-Quds Day rally.

Platform: If elected, Pasternak says he will work on making housing affordable, improving parks and recreation programs, and hosting town halls to collaborate on transit safety, student nutrition and youth opportunities.