Biography: Alejandra Bravo has been councillor for Ward 9 since 2022. She is an ally of Mayor Olivia Chow.

During her time in office, the councillor supported expanded library hours in Davenport and helped to secure more affordable housing for the ward, like the 51 affordable units coming to Perth Avenue. Bravo also moved a motion asking city bureaucrats to speed up the timeline of a maximum temperature bylaw, which would require landlords to keep tenants’ units at safe levels during heat waves; the bylaw hasn’t yet come into force.

Bravo co-sponsored a motion with Mayor Chow to ban surveillance pricing, a retail practice that uses customers’ personal data to charge them different prices, but which grocers say does not exist in Canadian grocery stores.

Bravo supported proposals to allow small businesses on residential streets and in parks. She moved to limit the number of street parking passes issued to residents of new multiplexes, which she says will ease a shortage of parking spaces and encourage public transit use. She unsuccessfully attempted to cut $900,000 from the police budget and put it towards 24/7 homeless drop-ins.

The councillor has openly opposed Premier Doug Ford, including his introduction of strong mayor powers, and his banning of speed cameras.

Before entering politics, Bravo worked at progressive non-profits like the Broadbent Institute and Maytree.

In 2021, she ran federally for the NDP in Davenport, placing second out of seven. Bravo also ran in the 2003, 2006, and 2014 municipal elections in her ward, coming second to incumbent councillor Cesar Palacio each time.

Platform: Bravo has not released a detailed policy platform at the time of publication. But she says on Instagram that Toronto needs tougher rules for e-bikes and e-scooters, as well as safer batteries and more enforcement. She also mentions TTC affordability and the need for more provincial support on housing and health care.

Biography: No information could be found online about this candidate at the time of publishing.

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

Biography: Marco Martins is a realtor. There is little information available about him online.

Platform: Martins calls his platform an “action plan for Davenport,” listing his priorities as accountability, safety, affordability, effective transportation, smart growth and support for small businesses. He promises to hold “meaningful consultations” with constituents, push for “visible, community-friendly policing,” cut red tape for businesses, support cycling infrastructure, and advocate for more frequent TTC service on overcrowded bus routes. Martins claims that Davenport does not receive its fair share of funding for parks and services, and commits to rectifying this if elected.

Biography: Little information about Neil Simon is available online. He describes himself as “a community leader, pastor, entrepreneur, and—most importantly—someone who believes deeply in the power of people working together.”

In 2025, Simon ran in the federal election as an independent candidate in Etobicoke North, finishing sixth of six.

Platform: On his campaign website, Simon says his commitments include protections for renters, building “genuinely affordable” housing, lighting and traffic calming measures on the busiest streets, supporting local businesses, improving greenery, and engaging in “real consultation” with constituents.

Biography: While there is a Matt Banninga who is a government relations officer at York University, The Local could not confirm if this is the same individual seeking election.

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

Biography: No information about Daniel Choi is available online at this time.

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

Biography: Alexis Dawson is a trustee for TDSB Ward 9. She was first appointed as interim trustee for the ward in 2018 and was elected for the same role in the municipal election in 2022, when she was endorsed by provincial NDP party leader Marit Stiles.

Dawson has been a vocal critic of the provincial government’s takeover of the TDSB. In March of this year, she said summer school programs declined this summer due to a lack of funding by the provincial government. Later in May, Dawson requested Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Education Paul Calandra to fund TDSB model schools, which she says serves “56,000 of the most vulnerable students” in the board.

Dawson was also critical of the province’s decision to reduce the number of TDSB trustees by half, calling it “a big f— you to Toronto.”

In 2024 Dawson criticized the city’s handling of park upgrades in Kensington-Chinatown, saying that the TDSB should have been consulted.

Dawson is endorsed by the Labour Toronto & York Region Council, Progress Toronto, and by Toronto Education Workers/Local 4400, a division of the Canadian Union of Public Employees.

Platform: Dawson’s platform focuses on more funding for school programs, improving mental health services within schools, tracking students’ literacy and numeracy skills, and pushing for funding to repair and upkeep schools within the ward. She wants to support special education resources, and work on advancing Truth and Reconciliation efforts at the board.

Biography: Christina Gural is a lawyer who worked at the city’s Administrative Penalty Tribunal. On her website, she says that she has served as school representative on the previous trustee’s ward council, as well as on parent council, where she has volunteered and coached. She also says she has advocated for road safety to the City.

Platform: This candidate does not have a platform available online at the time of publication. Her website mentions academic excellence and school safety.

Biography: Fatin Ishraq is the founder of Fatin Ishraq Studios, a consulting service for “NGOs, movements, institutions  and innovating entrepreneurs” and a photo studio. Their professional website says they do community work both in Canada and Bangladesh.

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

Biography: Little information is available about Justin Mensah online. There is an individual of the same name who is a mobile crisis worker at the Canadian Mental Health Association. His LinkedIn says he has a background in social work. The Local could not confirm if this is the same person seeking election.

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

Biography: Andrew Waters works at the City of Toronto, and currently as a project manager in business transformation. Waters ran for trustee in Ward 11 Don Valley West by-election in 2025, coming in fifth out of ten candidates. He vocally opposed the city building housing on school land.

Platform: Water’s campaign website says he will focus on transparency, excellence, responsiveness, and accountability. His platform mentions safe, inclusive schools, and fighting for better funding from the province.

Biography: Little information about Jennifer Webster is available online. In an Instagram post, Webster says her children have attended TDSB schools, and that she has volunteered as a lunchroom supervisor and on parent council.

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

Frank D’Amico has been the TCDSB trustee for the ward since 2010. He is running unopposed in the TCDSB ward, making him elected by acclamation.

Biography: During his time as trustee, D’Amico held a number of positions including vice-chair and chair of the board, and member of the Safe Schools Advisory Committee and the Special Education Advisory Committee. D’Amico is also currently employed as a Canadian Armed Forces soldier, according to his LinkedIn. He has previously run for mayor in the 2023 Toronto by-election, coming in 24th out of 102 candidates.

In 2021, D’Amico voted in favour of the TCDSB recognizing Pride Month. In 2019, he voted in favour of adding family status, marital status, gender identity, and gender expression as protected categories in the TCDSB’s code of conduct.

In March 2026, D’Amico co-wrote an op-ed criticizing the Ford government for centralizing control over education, weakening local school boards, and making changes to OSAP that replace much of students’ grant funding with loans.

Geneviève Oger is the incumbent trustee for Conseil scolaire Viamonde Ward 4 – Toronto Ouest. Oger ran unopposed for the Viamonde ward and has therefore been elected by acclamation.

Biography: Oger has served in the role since 2018, when she unseated current Ward 3 candidate Jean-François L’Heureux. She subsequently won the 2022 election by acclamation as a result of running unopposed. She was elected vice-chair of the school board from 2019 to 2021 and chair from 2021 to 2024. In addition to working within Conseil scolaire Viamonde, Oger also works as a bilingual communications manager within Ontario’s Ministry of Francophone Affairs.

Platform: Oger lists her priorities as consulting with parents, and creating inclusive environments for francophone students from any background. She wants to create opportunities for parents to pass down francophone culture to their children.

Biography: Josiane Aboungono is a tenant council member of Toronto Community Housing, representing Champlain Place. Aboungono also says she’s worked as an executive assistant to the parliamentary assistant within the province’s francophone affairs department. Her campaign website also says that she volunteered at Matthew House Toronto, an organization that provides shelter and support to refugee claimants.

Platform: On her website, Aboungono says she wants to strengthen Catholic identity in schools as one of her priorities, alongside hiring French-speaking staff. Aboungono also wants to showcase francophone culture through supporting “cultural, artistic and sports activities in French.” She pledges to be transparent with decision-making, while also listening to the input of staff, parishes, and parents.

Biography: Yelena Nichilo says she’s worked in the financial services sector for over 20 years and has two children attending École élémentaire catholique du Sacré-Cœur. Nichilo is the president of the parent council at her children’s school, where she has advocated for things including transparency from the school board regarding changed design plans for the school’s soccer pitch. In her role at parent council, Nichilo also says she led a parent engagement survey which led to more community events, free snacks for students, more French-language extracurricular programs, and parent communication groups for each classroom.

Platform: If elected, Nichilo says she will prioritize transparency, communication, and consultation with parents. She mentions responsible management of public funds, and meaningful accountability at every level of the school board.

Biography: Angela Ogang is a lawyer who practices in both English and French. She runs her own law firm and her website says she teaches at Université de l’Ontario français. Ogang sits on the steering committee of the National Association of Women and the Law, was the 2025-2026 chair of the Canadian Bar Association’s Women Lawyers Forum. She served as the director of communications for the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers. Ogang also says she provides legal services for Pro Bono Ontario, Ontario Action Against Violence Against Women, Southwestern Ontario Women’s Network, and the Law Society of Ontario’s mentoring network.

Platform: Ogang says she is running because she wants children to be able to “fully exercise their language rights.” She supports French education as a means to protect the language, but also to promote and transmit francophone culture, and help students develop a francophone identity and a sense of belonging in the community. Ogang promises to put students at the heart of her decisions and create opportunities to genuinely consult parents. She places an emphasis on meeting the needs of diverse francophone families, including if they are new to Canada or have one non-francophone parent.