The responses

Replies are open until Sunday 11 October 2026, extended on 13 September from the original 12 September. Every candidate the Clerk gave an address for was sent the same questions and has until then, so a name under not yet replied is a deadline that has not arrived, not a refusal. The 1 candidate who publishes no contact address could not be asked at all — that is this site’s gap, not theirs, and it is not the same as declining to answer. 1 candidate wrote back without answering; the date is on their row and their page, and their reply is not published.

Printed exactly as submitted. Nothing is edited, shortened, interpreted or scored. Where a question goes only to candidates for one office, it says so and gives the number of candidates it was put to — a question nobody has answered yet is shown, not left out.

Ada Nwosu · Town Councillor — Ward 4

Yes, I support the Official Plan as adopted. Milton is growing, and we need a plan that makes room for homes while protecting what makes this community special. My focus is making sure roads, transit, parks and community services keep pace. I will listen to residents, use the planning evidence and push for the infrastructure growth requires.

Adejisola Atiba · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

I broadly support the Official Plan as adopted — it reflects years of community consultation and provides the framework Milton needs to manage growth responsibly. However, support does not mean complacency. My concern is implementation: plans are only as good as the accountability structures behind them. I would push for stronger community benefit requirements tied to development approvals, clearer timelines for infrastructure delivery, and regular public reporting on how growth is actually being managed against the plan’s objectives. If specific provisions prove unworkable or inequitable in practice, I am open to evidence-based amendments through proper process — but I would not pursue changes driven by developer pressure or political convenience.

Adil Khalqi · Town Councillor — Ward 3

Yes. I support the new Official Plan as adopted by Council. It gives Milton a long-term framework to 2051 and, importantly, recognizes that growth needs to be accompanied by infrastructure, transportation, parks, recreation and other community services. My focus will be on implementation. A plan is only as good as its execution. I want to ensure that infrastructure and services keep pace with development and that new communities are complete, connected and livable.

Galen Naidoo Harris · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

I support the general direction of the Official Plan. In its next iteration, I'd like to see a stronger focus on employment growth and economic diversification, a more robust and regionally connected public transit system, and building complete, connected, livable communities where infrastructure and service levels match growth.

Ginni Malik · Town Councillor — Ward 4

Do you support the Official Plan?

I support the overall direction of the Official Plan adopted by Council. My priority is responsible implementation. As Milton grows, roads, transit, parks, recreation, and other infrastructure must keep pace. I will support evidence-based adjustments when needed, with meaningful resident consultation.

Gourav Suri · Town Councillor — Ward 1

I am in support of the new Official plan however would like it to be implemented responsibly and backed by data and constant checks.

John Challinor · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

I voted in favour of the Town of Milton's new Official Plan on June 22, 2026. I had advocated for such a plan when I ran for election in 2018 as Local Councillor, Ward 2, and actively participated in its development over the past six years. For example, I successfully requested that it be reviewed every five years to ensure it remains consistent with the will of Milton residents and businesses, senior Town staff and Milton Council. As background, it is a legal requirement in Ontario for municipalities to have an Official Plan. Under the Ontario Planning Act, local governments must maintain an Official Plan to guide future growth, land use and community development. Following its approval by Council, I wrote to Ontario Municipal Affairs & Housing Minister Rob Flack, asking him to fast-track his review and approval of the document because of important commercial/industrial and retail proposals now awaiting its approval before they can proceed.

Maliha K. Ahmed · Mayor — Town-wide

I wouldn’t say that I fully support the Official Plan as adopted. There are elements of it that I believe move Milton in the right direction, but there are also areas where I would want to see changes and continued review as our community grows.

My biggest concern is the pace and type of growth, and whether our infrastructure is actually keeping up with it. We cannot simply approve more density and thousands of new homes and assume everything else will somehow catch up. Housing has to be planned alongside transit, roads, schools, healthcare, parks, recreation and other community infrastructure.

I also believe we need to keep asking a very important question about affordability. It is not enough to say we are building thousands of units. I want to know: who can actually afford to live in them?

I support creating more housing choices and building complete communities, and I believe transit-supported development can make sense in the right locations. But I also want to protect our natural areas, agricultural lands and established communities from poorly planned development.

So I would not give the Official Plan a blanket endorsement. I would approach it with a critical eye and continue pushing for changes where necessary.

For me, the principle is simple: growth, yes — but responsible, affordable and infrastructure-supported growth.

⸻

Nabil Ahmed · Town Councillor — Ward 1

I support the overall direction of the Official Plan, particularly directing growth to appropriate areas, expanding housing options and protecting Milton's natural and rural areas.

My focus would be on implementation. Growth on paper has to be matched by roads, transit, stormwater infrastructure, parks and other services in the real world. I would closely review major applications against those impacts and push for infrastructure to keep pace rather than asking existing residents to absorb the consequences later.

Rahul Chaudhari · Town Councillor — Ward 1

I want to support well-researched, well-argued proposals, but I have real concerns when suburban sprawl is on the table. I care deeply about the Greenbelt and want to explore every method to preserve it while still leaving room for development that genuinely makes sense. This also has to include legislation that makes it easier for small businesses to diversify local employment, so no single industry has outsized sway over the town. Think mixed-use development: a little of everything, and incredible tax revenue to go with it.

Salman Zafar · Regional Councillor — Ward 3

I support the "We Make Milton" 2051 Official Plan’s shift away from car-centric sprawl toward urban intensification, but I would change how we sequence these developments. We cannot issue building permits for high-density areas, such as the 33-storey towers in the newly approved Agerton Secondary Plan, until the regional transit infrastructure like the Milton-Trafalgar GO Station is actually operational.

Sarah Marshall · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

Yes, I support the overall direction of Milton’s Official Plan. It provides an important framework for managing growth through 2051, while guiding where we build homes, employment, infrastructure and community services. The Official Plan’s focus on economic diversification, protecting employment lands and creating complete, connected communities is key. Milton needs to attract the right businesses, create good local jobs and strengthen our commercial and industrial tax base. We also need neighbourhoods where residents can access shops, services, recreation and transit without always relying on a car.

There are two areas I would strengthen: (1) Employment growth must keep pace with residential growth. We need to be more intentional about attracting businesses and investments that provide diverse, good-paying local jobs so more residents can live and work in Milton. (2) Transportation infrastructure must keep pace with growth. I would continue advocating for stronger regional transit connections while improving local transit service, frequency and coverage.

Overall, the Official Plan provides a strong foundation, but we must ensure growth delivers jobs, infrastructure, financial sustainability and a high quality of life for Milton residents.

Tahira Haroon · Town Councillor — Ward 4

I support the overall direction of the Official Plan, particularly the focus on planned growth and complete communities. However, I believe implementation must be closely monitored. Growth should be matched with roads, transit, parks, recreation, schools and other infrastructure. Where gaps become clear, Council should review whether policies or phasing need to change.

Youssef Roshdy · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

I support the overall direction of the new Official Plan as adopted by Council, recognizing that it has been submitted to the Province for approval and is not yet in effect.

I do not, however, regard adoption of a long-term plan as the end of the planning process or as a blank cheque for development.

Milton needs housing, employment lands, transportation infrastructure and a broader tax base. The key question is whether they arrive in the right order.

My priority would be implementation that ties growth much more clearly to infrastructure capacity. New density should be accompanied by realistic plans for roads, transit, water and wastewater, parks, emergency services and community facilities.

I would also want strong attention paid to transitions between higher-density development and established low-rise neighbourhoods, protection of employment lands, and preservation of rural, agricultural and environmentally sensitive areas.

The Official Plan should be treated as a living planning framework. If monitoring shows that infrastructure is falling materially behind population growth, Council should be prepared to adjust phasing and implementation rather than simply continuing growth and asking existing residents to absorb the consequences.

Zainab Azim · Mayor — Town-wide

I support the Plan, especially its commitment to complete communities and protecting space for jobs as Milton grows. But we shouldn’t stop at adopting an Official Plan.

The Plan says growth should be phased with the infrastructure and public services needed to support it, and that development should carry its share of those costs rather than leaving existing taxpayers to pick up the bill. It also plans jobs alongside the population. By 2051, Milton is planning for roughly 400,000 residents and 156,000 jobs. This is the kind of growth I hope to see: homes tied to employment, transit and services, not another generation of Miltonians being told to drive somewhere else for opportunity. Where I would push harder is implementation. Every year, I would report publicly on how many homes were built, how many jobs were added, and whether transit, roads, parks and community facilities kept pace. Milton cannot become a place where you can afford to grow up but not build a future. The next Council needs to prove the Plan became reality.

Ada Nwosu · Town Councillor — Ward 4

I support more density near the GO station, downtown and planned transit corridors, including appropriate sites along Regional Road 25. New buildings should fit their surroundings and come with safe roads, transit, parks and services. I also want to protect established neighbourhoods from abrupt change, and protect rural Milton, the Greenbelt, the Escarpment and natural areas from avoidable development.

Adejisola Atiba · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

Higher density belongs near established commercial nodes, employment lands, and along key arterial corridors where infrastructure capacity exists or is committed. It does not belong in established low-density residential neighbourhoods where schools, services, and infrastructure are already under pressure. Ward 4 contains a mix of growing areas and established family neighbourhoods — I will support density where infrastructure genuinely supports it and community benefit is clear, and resist it where development is simply opportunistic. Every density decision must be tied to a specific, funded infrastructure plan — not a promise to catch up later.

Adil Khalqi · Town Councillor — Ward 3

Higher density belongs where it makes planning and transportation sense: around Milton GO, major transit corridors, key intersections and planned community hubs where residents can access services, transit, parks and amenities. I don't believe every neighbourhood should be treated the same. Established low-rise residential areas should maintain their character, while appropriate transitions should be required where higher-density development meets existing neighbourhoods.

Galen Naidoo Harris · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

I believe higher density belongs in areas whose built form can be reasonably modified to accommodate that growth with minimal disruption. Generally speaking, I support densification along major transit corridors and arterial roads, but only when sufficient infrastructure and services are in place first and where steps are taken to minimize disruption to existing residents.

Ginni Malik · Town Councillor — Ward 4

Where should higher density go?

Higher density makes the most sense around major transit areas and corridors where infrastructure can support it. In established neighbourhoods, we need to carefully consider traffic, parking, pedestrian safety, and neighbourhood character. Growth should be planned, not simply added wherever space is available.

Gourav Suri · Town Councillor — Ward 1

Ward 1 is very unique in terms of populations as Ward1 has all elements of a great city in itself including the Urban, Rural, Industrial and Commercial Area. the current dense population is towards Between south of Main Street and West of Bronte and Rural areas are the one with lighter density.

John Challinor · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

Over the next 25 years, much of Milton's higher density construction will take place in Ward 2, principally along Main Street East between Ontario Street and Thompson Road, but also along the Trafalgar Road corridor between Highway 401 and Derry Road. In my view, higher density buildings should only be built along major arterial roads, rather than along local neighbourhood streets. Why? Properly constructed, arterial roads have the ability to support complementary public transit, higher traffic volumes and large-scale retail/commercial employment and shopping entities.

Maliha K. Ahmed · Mayor — Town-wide

Higher density makes the most sense around major transit corridors, particularly around the Milton GO Station and other areas where people can realistically live without depending on a car for every trip.

It also makes sense in planned growth areas where infrastructure can be designed for that density from the beginning.

What I don’t support is dropping very high density into established neighbourhoods without considering traffic, schools, parking, parks and the existing character of that community.

And I would be extremely cautious about development that threatens the Niagara Escarpment, environmentally sensitive lands or productive agricultural land.

Density itself isn’t the enemy.

Poorly planned density is.

⸻

Nabil Ahmed · Town Councillor — Ward 1

Higher density makes the most sense in serviced urban areas close to transit, major corridors and destinations people use every day.

I do not support simply spreading high density everywhere. Rural Ward 1, agricultural lands and established low-rise neighbourhoods require a different approach. That does not mean opposing gentle density within existing neighbourhoods. Secondary suites and other modest housing options can fit well when done appropriately.

Where larger-scale density is proposed, there should be sensible transitions, adequate infrastructure, parking considerations and realistic transportation options.

Rahul Chaudhari · Town Councillor — Ward 1

Higher density belongs where people actually want to live, not just where it's convenient to build. Too often the latter wins out. That said, congestion solutions need to be in place before approvals are given, otherwise the rollout causes real problems. People want to be near Main Street, but if density gets added before congestion is solved, traffic will be horrible.

Salman Zafar · Regional Councillor — Ward 3

Higher density belongs strictly around planned major transit hubs, specifically the future Milton-Trafalgar GO Station to attract employers, shorten commutes, and diversify our commercial tax base, provided that transit delivery timelines are guaranteed before occupancy. It does not belong around the existing downtown GO station or older urban corridors, where road networks and underground utility infrastructure are already constrained. Within established single-family neighbourhoods, "gentle density" (such as duplexes) can be safely integrated, provided schools, community services and emergency response services have verified capacity to absorb that localized growth. Sprawling residential density does not belong on protected agricultural lands.

Sarah Marshall · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

Higher density belongs where it can be supported by the infrastructure and services that residents need. This would include along major transportation corridors, for example Regional Road 25, near transit, and in areas where we can provide convenient access to shops, employment, recreation and other community amenities.

In Ward 4, I believe we need to be thoughtful about where that growth occurs. Density should not be added to existing neighbourhoods without considering traffic, parking, schools, parks, transit and the overall character of the community. Established low-rise residential areas should be protected from intensification that puts pressure on infrastructure or changes their character too dramatically.

Put more homes where they make sense, ensure the necessary infrastructure comes with them, and protect the established neighbourhoods and community spaces that make Ward 4 a great place to live.

Tahira Haroon · Town Councillor — Ward 4

Higher density makes the most sense around major transit, the GO station, major roads and areas where infrastructure can support it. I do not believe every neighbourhood should be treated the same. Established low-density residential streets, areas near schools and parks, and locations where infrastructure is already under pressure need careful consideration. Density should come with the infrastructure to support it.

Youssef Roshdy · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

Higher density belongs where the transportation network and community infrastructure can support it.

In Ward 4, that means concentrating significant new density around major corridors, planned mixed-use areas and locations such as the Milton Education Village, rather than inserting high-rise development indiscriminately into established residential streets.

Areas around major corridors such as Derry Road, Bronte Street, Louis St. Laurent Avenue and Tremaine Road can accommodate different levels of intensification where appropriate infrastructure and good urban design are in place. The Education Village in particular presents an opportunity to build a walkable, transit-supportive community from the beginning rather than attempting to retrofit one later.

I do not support abrupt high-density development in the middle of established low-rise neighbourhoods without appropriate transitions. Nor should environmentally sensitive lands, the Escarpment, important natural heritage features or productive rural and agricultural areas simply become the next available location for urban expansion.

Density is not inherently good or bad. *Poorly planned density is the problem.*

Zainab Azim · Mayor — Town-wide

Higher density belongs where we have the infrastructure to support it. Around the Milton GO station, the Milton Education Village, and along the corridors where people can actually access transit, jobs and services.

The Official Plan directs Milton’s highest densities and tallest buildings around the GO station. That makes sense. If we are going to welcome more people, we should put more homes within walking distance of transit and businesses instead of adding thousands more cars to roads that are already congested. But not every conversation about adding homes is a conversation about towers. A basement apartment or a unit above a garage can give a young person a way to stay in Milton, or allow parents and grandparents to live closer together, without fundamentally changing the character of a neighbourhood. Downtown can welcome more residents while protecting the historic character that makes it special. The Escarpment, Greenbelt and farmland should remain protected. Our goal is complete communities like housing tied to jobs, transit and services, so affording a home in Milton does not mean losing three hours of your day getting everywhere else.

Ada Nwosu · Town Councillor — Ward 4

I would listen to residents and look carefully at both the planning evidence and the likely effects on the neighbourhood. Official Plan compliance matters, but I would still ask about traffic, safety, servicing, design and what can be improved. If the application meets the rules and impacts can be addressed, I would explain that clearly. If there are sound planning reasons to oppose it or seek changes, I would act on them.

Adejisola Atiba · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

Compliance with the Official Plan is the floor, not the ceiling. When a proposal complies technically but faces genuine community opposition, my obligation is to understand why. Is the opposition about traffic, design, servicing capacity, or a deeper concern about neighbourhood character? I will not dismiss community voices simply because a developer has checked the regulatory boxes. I will ask hard questions: Does this development include community benefits? Is infrastructure truly ready? Has consultation been meaningful? Where legitimate concerns exist, I will advocate for conditions, amendments, or phasing that address them. Where opposition is unfounded, I will explain my reasoning clearly and be accountable for my vote.

Adil Khalqi · Town Councillor — Ward 3

I listen carefully to residents, but Council also has to follow the law and make decisions based on planning principles and evidence. If a proposal complies with the Official Plan, I would look at whether it meets zoning, transportation, servicing, environmental, safety and other applicable requirements. Where concerns can be addressed through revisions or conditions, I would advocate for those changes. Being a councillor means representing residents while also making responsible decisions for the entire community. I would put the voice of Ward 3 residents first at every opportunity.

Arjun Joshi · Mayor — Town-wide

If no compromise can reconcile the development application with community opposition and the official plan, I would still choose to proceed, as development should not be stopped solely because of community concerns. For example, in an effort to make Milton a more affordable city for incoming residents, increased mixed-use zoning development opportunities may lower property values for existing residents who may protest. In this case, the development would benefit the community as a whole, for the sake of property values affecting few within the community. Similar to the question presented, the case example I provided demonstrates a very binary problem and does not reflect real conditions that will often occur between community opposition and other stakeholders. In reality, I would reflect strongly on the community's concerns and attempt to find solutions that satisfy both parties or mitigate potential issues.

Galen Naidoo Harris · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

I have spent a meaningful portion of my career working in collaboration with people from a variety of backgrounds with strong opinions and conflicting interests to deliver mutually beneficial outcomes. I believe I would find success working with developers and community members to find a comfortable middle ground for development proposals in my ward, but if a situation is for some reason zero-sum and I have to choose between compliance with the Official Plan or alignment with my ward, my first responsibility will always be to my constituents. If, after meaningful engagement and public consultation, our ward is aligned that a development proposal is not in its best interest, I will not support it, full stop.

Ginni Malik · Town Councillor — Ward 4

Development complies with the Plan, but residents oppose it. What do you do?

I would listen to residents, review the planning evidence, and understand the impacts before deciding. Following the Official Plan is important, but so are legitimate concerns about traffic, parking, safety, and infrastructure. My job is to represent residents while making responsible, evidence-based decisions within the Town’s authority.

Housing & Affordability

Gourav Suri · Town Councillor — Ward 1

When a development application conflicts with community opposition but complies with the Official Plan, planning authorities and councils typically prioritize compliance with the Official Plan and provincial policy over public opinion. The Official Plan is a legally binding document that underwent its own public consultation process, applications that align with it carry a strong presumption of approval. However that being said, the consultation with the community and the land use implementation should start early in the process to understand the impact on the community and how it can impact the long-term development. i also believe that there is always a mitigation factor for which should be brought in discussions to bridge any gaps that may have raised due to this application.

John Challinor · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

Over my years of service as a municipal councillor, I have been mostly successful in helping local residents and the development community find common ground with which to proceed with development. On those occasions where I could not achieve compromise, I voted against the development. I prefer to find a solution that works for everyone because, when a development proposal is rejected by Milton Council and the developer takes the Town of Milton before the Ontario Land Tribunal, the proposal is typically approved by the hearing officer and the community loses financially, structurally and planning-wise.

Maliha K. Ahmed · Mayor — Town-wide

I would start by listening.

Compliance with the Official Plan is obviously important, and council has legal responsibilities under the Planning Act. But meeting the minimum legal requirements doesn’t automatically mean every concern raised by residents is unreasonable.

I would ask: What exactly are residents objecting to? Is it height? Traffic? Safety? Infrastructure? Environmental impact? Lack of affordable housing?

Then I would look for changes that address legitimate concerns while staying within the law.

Residents should not discover that consultation means, “Thank you for coming, but everything has already been decided.”

At the same time, leadership also means being honest when council does not legally have the power to simply reject an application.

My commitment is that people will understand why I made the decision, even when they don’t agree with it.

Nabil Ahmed · Town Councillor — Ward 1

I would listen carefully to residents, but I also have to make decisions based on the planning rules, evidence and the authority Council actually has.

Community opposition alone should not automatically stop a compliant project, but compliance should not mean legitimate concerns are ignored. I would look closely at traffic, servicing, parking, safety, stormwater, design and neighbourhood impacts and use the legal planning tools available to improve a proposal.

Most importantly, I would explain clearly to residents what Council can and cannot change and why I voted the way I did.

Rahul Chaudhari · Town Councillor — Ward 1

Milton is going through growing pains, and I'd rather face that head-on than pretend it isn't happening. When there's real friction between a developer and a community, I expect conspicuous kindness from whichever side is entering the relationship, sometimes that means unfavourable terms or taxes for the newcomer, sometimes it means cooperating well beyond what staff require. At the same time, when opposition represents only a small slice of the community, it's hard to treat it as a mandate. I trust residents who've done their homework and are willing to talk. My job is to mediate that conflict, not put my thumb on the scale. There are people with more expertise and more lived experience in this community than me, and I intend to lean on them.

Salman Zafar · Regional Councillor — Ward 3

I rely on my core principle of "Evidence Over Populism" while proactively engaging residents to share the facts, trade-offs, and long-term financial implications of every scenario. If a development complies with the Official Plan on paper, but objective data shows that our roads, water and wastewater networks, or emergency services lack verified capacity to handle the demand, I will not support rubber-stamping it. True leadership means refusing to cave to political convenience or blindly approve applications; every decision must be justified by verified capacity and long-term fiscal responsibility.

Sarah Marshall · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

If after consulting with the residents of Ward 4 strong community opposition existed, I would not vote to support it.

Tahira Haroon · Town Councillor — Ward 4

I would listen carefully to residents, but I would also look at the planning evidence, infrastructure capacity, traffic, servicing, environmental impacts and the legal planning framework. Community opposition should never simply be ignored, but Council also has to make decisions based on evidence and the law. My goal would be to find the best outcome for the community while ensuring residents' concerns are properly considered.

Youssef Roshdy · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

Community opposition must be taken seriously, but elected officials also have a responsibility to make decisions based on planning law, evidence and the policies Council itself has adopted.

If an application genuinely conforms with the Official Plan and applicable law, I would not promise residents that Council can simply reject it because it is unpopular. Doing so can expose the municipality to appeals, costs and potentially a development outcome over which Council has even less control.

Instead, I would determine what residents' actual concerns are—traffic, height, setbacks, privacy, drainage, parking, construction impacts or something else—and determine what can legally be changed, conditioned or mitigated.

Listening to residents does not mean promising an outcome Council has no legal authority to deliver. It means bringing their concerns into the process early enough that they can actually affect the result. ------------------------------

Zainab Azim · Mayor — Town-wide

I would start by being honest about how the decision gets made and what Council can and cannot do. I would look at whether the development follows our planning rules, but also what residents will live with once it is built: more traffic, pressure on services, and how it fits into their neighbourhood. Our platform was built in living rooms, not boardrooms. That is how I would approach development too: bring people in early, before the options have narrowed, at times families can attend and in ways people can understand. Residents should know how traffic will move, how a development is serviced, and when infrastructure will arrive. If we ask people to show up and give us their time, we owe them more than a thank you. They should see what changed because they were there. On the CN intermodal, we committed to an accountability office and public dashboard. I would bring that same approach to major developments: publish what residents asked for, what was agreed to, and what is actually being built.

Ada Nwosu · Town Councillor — Ward 4

Milton needs more homes, but residents are right to question the pace when roads, transit and services are not keeping up. I do not think the answer is to stop building. The Town should plan where and how growth happens and keep pressing the Region and Province for roads, transit, schools, health care and community spaces alongside it.

Adejisola Atiba · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

Milton is meeting its housing targets — but the more important question is what kind of housing is being built and who it actually serves. Volume without attainability is not success. Too much of what is being approved serves the upper end of the market, while first-time buyers, young families, newcomers, and seniors on fixed incomes are being priced out of the community. I would not characterize the pace as necessarily too fast — Milton needs housing — but I would strongly argue that the composition of that housing needs to shift. Supply alone does not solve affordability. We need the right supply, in the right form, at the right price points.

Adil Khalqi · Town Councillor — Ward 3

Building housing is important, but the number of homes alone cannot be the measure of success. Milton has been exceeding its provincial housing targets. The bigger question is whether we are building the right mix of housing and whether roads, transit, schools, parks, recreation, emergency services and other infrastructure are keeping pace. I support continued housing growth, but I want growth to be planned and serviced properly. We should not sacrifice livability simply to meet a numerical target.

Galen Naidoo Harris · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

Milton has grown quickly, but I don't think that's a problem in and of itself. My issues are where and how we've been growing and that our growth hasn't been complemented by adequate infrastructure and improved service delivery. When residents arrive before needed improvements to infrastructure and services, the resulting strain on existing resources diminishes everyone's quality of life.

Ginni Malik · Town Councillor — Ward 4

Is Milton’s housing target right, too low or too fast?

Milton needs more housing, but success cannot be measured by unit numbers alone. Roads, transit, schools, parks and community services need to keep pace. I support meeting our housing needs while ensuring growth is responsible and supported by infrastructure.

Gourav Suri · Town Councillor — Ward 1

Yes, Milton is constantly hitting its provincially mandated housing target however the targets are low, high or right depends on who the stakeholder here is. As noticed in the previous years the housing shortage created unprecedented price war, and the houses became unaffordable to many including the first-time home buyers. This further created rental shortage as more people were staying with their Parents, families, or renting. the housing, no matter what phase they grow by should always be affordable for all. on the other hand, we noticed that infrastructure is not keeping up pace with the new housing development and local resources including roads, transit, schools, shopping areas and family spaces are now overburdened and needs support.

John Challinor · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

The housing targets are established by the Town of Milton based on anticipated building permit approvals or anticipated development industry activity so, ultimately, they are based on housing market conditions. The Town does not and cannot control the pace of development activity, to any great extent. As we have seen over the last few years, that pace is based on interest rates, general employment conditions, housing demand, general economic health, construction material costs, etc.

Maliha K. Ahmed · Mayor — Town-wide

I don’t judge housing success by one number.

Milton has committed to facilitating 21,000 homes by 2031, and exceeding housing targets can certainly be positive.

But if we build 21,000 homes and teachers, young families, seniors and our own children still can’t afford them, have we really solved the housing problem?

For me there are three measurements:

How many homes are we building?

Can ordinary people afford them?

And is the infrastructure keeping pace?

We need all three.

⸻

Nabil Ahmed · Town Councillor — Ward 1

I don't think the housing target should be judged in isolation.

Milton needs more housing, including options that first-time buyers, renters, young families and seniors can realistically use. But hitting a numerical target while transportation, infrastructure and services fall further behind would not be responsible growth.

I support continued housing construction, but the pace and location need to be connected to roads, transit, servicing, parks and other community infrastructure.

Rahul Chaudhari · Town Councillor — Ward 1

Housing demand is largely out of our hands, that's set by immigration policy, but housing type is within our control. More people are coming to Milton whether we like it or not, and we need to service them at the lowest reasonable cost to tax revenue. I'll support whichever housing types make sense for fiscal sustainability and community cohesion.

Salman Zafar · Regional Councillor — Ward 3

We are building too fast for our infrastructure to keep up. Surface-level housing is currently being approved much faster than the highly expensive transportation, water, and wastewater infrastructure required to support it. We must tie new subdivision approvals directly to our actual, verified capacity to meet demand, rather than simply reacting to growth.

Sarah Marshall · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

Housing targets are set by the Province. The Town’s role is to determine how and where that growth occurs.

Development is a positive part of Milton’s future when it is matched with the infrastructure and services needed to support it. When new residents arrive before roads, transit, schools, parks, recreation facilities and other community infrastructure are ready, the result is more congestion, pressure on existing services and a reduced quality of life.

Growth should not be measured by how many homes are approved or built. We should also ask whether the infrastructure needed to support those homes is being delivered at the same pace.

Tahira Haroon · Town Councillor — Ward 4

Housing targets are important, but numbers alone cannot define successful growth. Milton needs housing, but growth must be matched with infrastructure and services. I would rather see growth that is properly planned and supported than simply measure success by how many units are approved.

Youssef Roshdy · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

Milton's provincial housing target is 21,000 homes by 2031, and Milton has exceeded its annual provincial targets in recent years.

I do not think the number alone tells us whether Milton is succeeding.

If we achieve the numerical target but residents still cannot afford housing, transportation becomes worse, infrastructure falls behind and young people who grew up here cannot afford to remain here, then hitting the target is not enough.

I support Milton doing its share to address Ontario's housing shortage. But the pace of housing construction must be matched by the pace of infrastructure, and the housing mix matters.

We need ownership opportunities, purpose-built rental, family-sized units, townhouses, apartments, seniors' housing and genuinely attainable options—not simply the greatest possible unit count.

My position is therefore: *meet our housing obligations, but measure success by affordability, infrastructure and quality of community as well as unit counts.*

Zainab Azim · Mayor — Town-wide

I think the target is right. I don't want to slow homebuilding when the youth we talk to wonder whether they can afford to stay. But hitting a housing target cannot be our only measure of success. A new neighbourhood needs more than houses. It needs parks, community spaces, schools, roads and transit. Many times, families move in first and wait for the community around them to catch up. We don't always need another expensive building. Our Alive After Five policy opens spaces Milton already owns for evening and weekend programming, so families have somewhere to go nearby. New development should also deliver the parks and community spaces growth requires. At the doors, people don't talk about housing targets. They talk about the park their kids are waiting for, the commute taking them away from family, or having nowhere to go after five. Those stories tell me whether Milton's growth is actually working for them.

Ada Nwosu · Town Councillor — Ward 4

I would ask staff to identify Town-owned land that could be used with a non-profit or private partner for mixed-income housing, including purpose-built rentals and smaller homes for first-time buyers. Any partnership should include clear affordability terms. The Town can also keep making it easier to add legal secondary suites, so existing homes can offer more options.

Adejisola Atiba · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

One concrete action: mandatory inclusionary zoning with teeth. Milton should require that a meaningful percentage of units in new developments — I would advocate for a minimum of ten percent — be priced at attainable levels for first-time buyers and renters, with long-term affordability covenants attached so units cannot simply flip to market rate after a few years. This is not radical — it is standard practice in comparable municipalities. The challenge is political will. Developers will push back. But if we are serious about Support For Every Family, we cannot keep approving developments that serve only those who can already afford Milton.

Adil Khalqi · Town Councillor — Ward 3

I would focus on creating the conditions required to support the supply of genuinely attainable housing, including purpose-built rental and affordable housing, while using municipal planning tools to reduce unnecessary barriers and delays. One of Milton's first purpose-built rental buildings, for example, is currently being built in Ward 3 near Metro. Through advocacy work, and lots of work with the local developer, 46 of the rental units within that project will be deeply affordable. The Town should also continue working with Halton Region, non-profit housing providers and senior governments to make use of available public land and funding opportunities. Housing affordability is not solved by simply building more expensive homes. I also want to note that the Town of Milton does not build housing, but we can create the conditions for affordable housing and establish appropriate incentives.

Galen Naidoo Harris · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

Council doesn't have as much control over housing affordability as other orders of government, but that doesn't mean we should just throw up our arms, say it's someone else's problem, and not participate in finding solutions. One thing I'd like to see is council do more to ensure Milton gets its fair share of funding from other orders of government. The feds and the province are investing heavily in infrastructure and housing right now and we need to do a better job of capturing and keeping their attention. I'd like to see us identify more opportunities to collaborate with our provincial and federal partners going forward, including by revisiting our potential participation in the Development Charge Reduction Program, which we've seen lower the up-front cost of housing in peer communities, leading to more homes being built more quickly and becoming available at a lower cost to buyers and renters.

Ginni Malik · Town Councillor — Ward 4

One concrete action for first-time buyers and renters?

Encourage a broader range of housing choices, including smaller ownership units, purpose-built rentals, secondary suites, and appropriate missing-middle housing. More choices at different price points can help first-time buyers and renters while allowing people to remain in Milton through different stages of life.

Gourav Suri · Town Councillor — Ward 1

There are many ways the council can improve attainability for 1st time buyers. the ese 1st time buyers could be given cash incentives or in-kind incentives. Several individual municipalities and regions in Ontario offer down payment assistance programs, usually structured as 20-year forgivable loans for low-to-moderate-income renters. Other programs like reserving a portion of the development project can be made to accommodate renters or to help 1st time buyers.

John Challinor · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

Milton Council and municipal governments, in general, do not have access to those key levers that greatly assist first-time home buyers, like setting interest rate policy. However, by keeping development charges and property taxes low, Milton Council can positively impact the cost of purchasing a new home as well as positively impact the cost of maintaining that new home. The Town's current development charges are the lowest in the Greater Toronto Area, as are its residential property taxes -- although local property taxes have been drifting higher much faster than is prudent, in recent years. I have introduced initiatives to control taxation levels -- some of which were adopted by Council. Others simply weren't.

Maliha K. Ahmed · Mayor — Town-wide

I would use municipal incentives much more strategically.

If a developer is receiving municipal incentives, faster approvals or other benefits, I want the public to receive something meaningful in return — particularly affordable and below-market housing.

My platform supports incentives for builders who create subsidized, environmentally responsible housing.

I also want Milton to encourage a wider range of housing — smaller ownership units, purpose-built rentals, secondary units, townhomes and family-sized apartments.

We cannot keep building communities where the only choices are a very expensive detached house or a small condo.

Housing policy should help people build a life, not simply increase the number of units on a spreadsheet.

⸻

Nabil Ahmed · Town Councillor — Ward 1

One practical action is making it easier to build more attainable types of housing in appropriate serviced areas, including townhomes, smaller units, secondary units and modest mid-rise housing.

Long and unpredictable approval processes add costs that can eventually appear in the purchase price or rent. Council can establish clearer rules and pre-zone appropriate areas so suitable projects are not unnecessarily delayed.

That does not solve affordability on its own, but it is one municipal tool that can expand housing choice without abandoning good planning.

Rahul Chaudhari · Town Councillor — Ward 1

This is one of my biggest concerns. Any real solution here will be unpopular with investors and speculators, and could bring some volatility to home prices. One option for first-time buyers and renters is more multi-unit building types, though even that draws investor interest and pushes cost back up. It's not a clean fix, but it will at least give first-time buyers a different set of pricing options.

Salman Zafar · Regional Councillor — Ward 3

I will advocate for treating housing as a basic necessity not as a tool for wealth generation. I am in favor of implementing a Vacant Home Tax to discourage market speculation and increase local supply for both first-time buyers and renters. To protect renters from losing the affordable homes we already have, Council must also enact a Rental Renovation Licensing Bylaw to stop bad-faith renovictions. We cannot simply build new units while letting existing attainable homes disappear. We must ensure the next generation isn't priced out of the community they grew up in.

Sarah Marshall · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

Housing affordability was reviewed in February, 2026 by the current council. The review found that the Town’s residential development charges were already at the lower end of comparable municipalities, with the proposed rates moving Milton into the lower-to-mid range.

Tahira Haroon · Town Councillor — Ward 4

Council should focus on a broader range of housing options, including smaller and more attainable homes, while reviewing municipal policies and fees that can affect the cost of development. We also need to make better use of existing housing and support appropriate secondary units where permitted. Affordability is not solved simply by building more expensive homes.

Youssef Roshdy · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

Use public land strategically.

Where the Town or Region owns surplus or redevelopment-capable land that is appropriate for housing, I would support partnerships where the public contribution is exchanged for clearly defined and enforceable affordability outcomes.

One model worth considering is retaining public ownership of suitable land through a long-term ground lease while a non-profit, co-operative or qualified development partner provides below-market rental or attainable ownership housing.

Land is one of the largest components of housing cost. Reducing that cost in selected projects can produce affordability more directly than simply adding market supply and hoping prices eventually fall.

Any program would need transparent eligibility requirements, competitive procurement, long-term affordability protections and safeguards preventing publicly supported units from simply becoming speculative investments.

Zainab Azim · Mayor — Town-wide

I would increase the number of two-suite units in new developments and make it easier for Miltonians to build legal Additional Residential Units (ARUs/ADUs) on properties that can accommodate them. That means working with builders so more new homes are designed for a second suite from the beginning, while streamlining the permitting process for homeowners who want to add a basement apartment, garden suite or unit above a garage. I would also review the municipal fees and red tape that can make these projects unnecessarily difficult or expensive. This gives people more ways into Milton’s housing market. A first-time buyer can use rental income to help with the mortgage. A renter gets another option. Parents can give an adult child a place to start, or grandparents can live independently while staying close to family. We should be making it easier for Milton families to create housing safely and legally, not putting Town Hall in their way.

Ada Nwosu · Town Councillor — Ward 4

Yes, these tools should be used where they fit. Pre-zoning near GO and transit can add certainty and homes where people have more travel options. Parking requirements should reflect transit, local services, accessibility and residents’ needs. Inclusionary zoning is worth pursuing where the rules allow it and where the numbers show affordable units can actually be delivered.

Adejisola Atiba · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

Yes to all three — applied strategically. Inclusionary zoning should apply to developments of meaningful scale across the municipality. Pre-zoning around transit nodes and planned transit corridors is essential to capture land value uplift for community benefit before speculation drives prices beyond reach. Reduced parking minimums make sense in transit-accessible areas where car dependency can genuinely be reduced, but should not be applied uniformly across Ward 4 where transit alternatives remain inadequate. These tools work best in combination, not isolation, and must be paired with infrastructure investment to be credible.

Adil Khalqi · Town Councillor — Ward 3

Ontario allows for us to incorporate provisions of inclusionary zoning, but only in select areas. I support greater density and more flexible parking requirements around Milton GO and other areas that will have strong transit access. Unless we have transit appropriately in place, I do not support reduced parking minimums. In fact, I have personally opposed reductions to parking minimums. Traffic congestion in our Town is a challenge, as is parking. We should not be creating opportunity for gridlock and should ensure the parking needs for our community make sense. I also support exploring inclusionary zoning or similar tools where legally permitted and financially viable, particularly around major transit areas, provided it is designed carefully so that it actually produces affordable housing rather than discouraging development altogether.

Arjun Joshi · Mayor — Town-wide

Milton is a rapidly growing city with the population set to exceed 400, 000 residents by the year 2050. To reduce the housing strain Milton will face, it is important that the city implement several measures to ensure that incoming residents will have the ability to afford good housing conditions. This means using planning tools such as density bonusing and even inclusionary zoning in some areas. Pre-zoning could be an option as well, particularly near transit corridor hubs in the city, but only where residents, and businesses agree upon it. For parking, I would not support a one-size-fits-all minimum across Milton in areas with strong transit access, particularly around major transit hubs. I would rather that the city work towards improving transit infrastructure to meet that demand that would otherwise be required of parking minimums.

Galen Naidoo Harris · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

I support the targeted deployment of tools like inclusionary zoning and pre-zoning where appropriate. I look forward to living in a community which is better equipped for us to be able to reduce parking minimums and I think enhancements to public transit and active transit options will be key to getting us there, but for now we remain incredibly car-dependent and I do not feel it would be appropriate to reduce parking minimums on a regular basis at this time.

Ginni Malik · Town Councillor — Ward 4

Inclusionary zoning, pre-zoning, or reduced parking minimums?

I support using these tools where they make sense rather than applying them uniformly across Milton. Pre-zoning and appropriate density around major transit areas make sense. Parking requirements should reflect how people travel in each area, and affordability tools should be used where legally available and proven effective.

Gourav Suri · Town Councillor — Ward 1

Yes, Milton should utilize all three tools, but they must be applied selectively and in different areas based on the town's current transit capacity and growth realities.

It can be implemented in 1. Pre-Zoning Around Transit should be the highest priority. A high density residential, commercial growth area should be planned next to a. The Current Milton GO Transit Station on Main Street/Drew Centre b. The Future Milton Trafalgar Station proposed at Derry/Trafalgar 2. Reduced Parking Minimums which are Currently Implemented. It can be implemented in a. The current Urban High-Density Area b. Additional residential Units/ secondary Units/Basement Units.

John Challinor · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

The Town of Milton has used inclusionary zoning in some condominium developments in recent years and pre-zoning around transit in the Mobility Hub area on Main Street East near the GO Train station. Given the nature and volume of vehicle usage in Milton, reduced parking minimums have not been deployed and, based on what the community is experiencing today, I would not advocate that it be considered, at this writing.

Maliha K. Ahmed · Mayor — Town-wide

Yes, but strategically.

I support transit-oriented pre-zoning around areas such as the Milton GO Station because if we want people to use transit, housing and jobs need to be close to transit.

I also support exploring inclusionary zoning wherever provincial legislation allows Milton to use it effectively, because some of the value created by major development should translate into attainable housing.

And I support reduced parking requirements in genuinely transit-supported locations.

But I would not apply reduced parking requirements everywhere. If the transit isn’t there yet, removing parking doesn’t magically make people stop needing cars.

Build the transit and density together.

Nabil Ahmed · Town Councillor — Ward 1

Yes, selectively.

I support pre-zoning appropriate areas around major transit and the GO station for transit-supportive housing so expectations are clearer from the beginning.

I would also consider reduced parking requirements where residents have realistic transportation alternatives rather than applying the same standard everywhere.

Inclusionary zoning can also be considered where provincial law permits it, but I would want the financial impact examined carefully so the policy actually delivers affordable units instead of unintentionally preventing projects from proceeding.

Rural and car-dependent areas require different standards from major transit areas.

Rahul Chaudhari · Town Councillor — Ward 1

Simple: I'm for whatever helps someone with an enterprising spirit get a home, a business, or an idea off the ground. That means letting businesses in denser areas operate under different requirements than rural ones, and letting business size shape the rules too. We shouldn't copy-paste the same regulations onto areas with completely different needs, lots of parking makes sense in rural zones, less makes sense near transit. A one-size-fits-all rule only serves whoever's too lazy to write a better one.

Salman Zafar · Regional Councillor — Ward 3

We should utilize pre-zoning and inclusionary zoning exclusively within Protected Major Transit Station Areas (like the future Milton-Trafalgar GO hub), legally requiring developers to build affordable units while ensuring building permits are strictly tied to operational transit timelines. However, I oppose blanket reductions to parking minimums before all-day transit is established. Instead, Council must mandate that high-density developments provide sufficient underground or structured parking to prevent gridlock and avoid spilling into residential neighbourhoods.

Sarah Marshall · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

Yes, Milton should make use of these tools. In fact, it already is and should continue to do so.

These tools should continue to be used on a targeted basis. For example, the use of pre-zoning and reduced parking around Milton GO and major transit corridors would be appropriate. These are areas where higher density makes sense and lower parking requirements can reduce construction costs.

The use of inclusionary zoning selectively around Milton GO and other major redevelopment sites would help ensure a defined portion of new units are genuinely affordable.

Tahira Haroon · Town Councillor — Ward 4

I would consider these tools where they make sense, particularly around major transit and the GO station. However, they should be applied based on local infrastructure and community conditions. Reducing parking requirements, for example, should not create parking problems on surrounding residential streets.

Youssef Roshdy · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

Yes, but selectively rather than as a town-wide ideology.

I support pre-zoning for appropriate density around major transit infrastructure, particularly the Milton GO Station area and future higher-order transit nodes. If we say we want transit-oriented communities, our zoning should actually permit them.

I also support reduced parking requirements in genuinely transit-supportive locations. Requiring the same parking ratio beside major transit as in an automobile-dependent neighbourhood adds construction costs and consumes valuable land.

I would consider inclusionary zoning where Ontario law permits it and where economic analysis demonstrates that it can actually produce affordable units without making development unviable.

Different tools belong in different places. ------------------------------

Zainab Azim · Mayor — Town-wide

I support pre-zoning around transit, starting around the Milton GO station and applying the same approach around future GO stations and other major transit hubs. Inclusionary zoning could be worth exploring in higher growth areas if it helps us secure genuinely affordable homes, not just more units. I am more cautious about reducing parking minimums. At the doors, people tell us about the hours lost in traffic, needing a second car, or their kids wondering whether they can afford to stay in Milton. I want fewer families to need two cars, but we have to give them a real alternative first. That is why Transit in 20 matters.

If more people can live within walking distance of GO, local transit, shops and jobs, we can add homes without automatically adding the same number of cars to already busy roads. Transit in 20 and housing policy belong together. We should put more homes where we are also giving people more ways to get around.

Ada Nwosu · Town Councillor — Ward 4

Council can use its relationships and public voice to keep pressure on the governments and agency responsible. I would work with neighbouring municipalities and Halton to meet regularly with Metrolinx, the Province, our MP and MPP, and press for a public schedule toward two-way all-day GO by 2031. I would ask for regular progress updates residents can track, not just another motion.

Adejisola Atiba · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

Motions matter but they are not enough. Beyond passing resolutions, a Milton council member can: build a formal coalition with other underserved GO line municipalities to present a unified case to Metrolinx and the Province; engage directly with the Minister of Transportation and our local MPP with specific, data-backed asks rather than general advocacy; commission or request ridership and economic impact studies that make the business case for all-day service; and hold public accountability events that keep pressure visible. I would also push for Milton to formally participate in Metrolinx’s service planning consultations rather than simply reacting to announcements. Persistence, specificity, and coalition-building are what will move this issue.

Adil Khalqi · Town Councillor — Ward 3

A councillor cannot deliver GO service independently because GO Transit is a provincial responsibility. But we can do much more than pass motions.

I would continue direct advocacy with the provincial government and Metrolinx, work with our Mayor, Regional Council and neighbouring municipalities, build relationships with provincial decision-makers, and make Milton's case collectively rather than individually. We also need to keep demonstrating that Milton is ready for the service through ridership growth, local transit connections and transit-supportive development.

All-day, two-way GO is critical to Milton's future, and it is something that the Town of Milton is already supportive of too.

Galen Naidoo Harris · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

The proverbial ball on all-day two-way GO service is squarely in the province's court. They are the decision-making authority and need to deliver on their repeated election promises around this issue. As Ward 2's Regional Councillor, I will work with partners around our council table and Mississauga's (as they too have been clamoring for improvements to this line for years) to advocate strongly to our MPP and other provincial partners for these sorely-needed enhancements.

Ginni Malik · Town Councillor — Ward 4

How would you advance all-day, two-way GO?

Council cannot deliver GO service alone, but we can advocate consistently. I would work with Metrolinx, the Province, our MPPs and MPs, Halton, and neighbouring municipalities, backed by evidence on Milton’s growth, congestion, and ridership. Residents should also receive regular updates on progress.

Gourav Suri · Town Councillor — Ward 1

Action speaks louder than words. the passing of a motion doesn't mean anything unless an action is taken on that which means, Milton council member can leverage local infrastructure, zoning powers, regional partnerships, and localized transit coordination to make Milton "rail-ready" and increase pressure on higher levels of government. further 1. The local Station can be upgraded with latest and updated infrastructure and make it expansion ready. 2. Lobby Federal Government to get more funding 3. Create a 5-year plan and invest heavily into it to make it a transit Hub connecting multi cities. 4. Connect more ridership to Go Transit by developing the infrastructure and making it a transit Hub

John Challinor · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

The Province and Federal governments have promised all-day, two-way GO transit service for more than 25 years. Until they widen one particular piece of bridge infrastructure in western Toronto to accommodate more lines, at a cost that is estimated to be between $7 and $8 billion, that won’t happen. It’s time that fact was acknowledged publicly and the work begun in earnest by the senior levels of government. All Milton Council can do is to continue to advocate with the senior levels of government for appropriate action, which it has done consistently over that time, in my experience.

Maliha K. Ahmed · Mayor — Town-wide

This is where I think municipal leadership needs to become much more persistent.

Milton cannot order Metrolinx to provide all-day two-way GO service. So I would never pretend the Mayor has a magic button.

But the Mayor can build a coordinated advocacy campaign with Halton Region, neighbouring municipalities, our MPPs, MPs, major employers, educational institutions and residents.

I would push for regular meetings with Metrolinx and the Province, ask for clear milestones, and publicly report progress.

I would also make the economic case.

All-day GO isn’t simply a transportation issue. It affects investment, employment, housing and quality of life.

Milton has spent years asking for it.

It is time to move from asking occasionally to advocating relentlessly.

⸻

Nabil Ahmed · Town Councillor — Ward 1

A Town councillor cannot order Metrolinx to provide all-day two-way GO service, and I will not pretend otherwise.

What Council can do is maintain sustained pressure on the Province and Metrolinx, demonstrate Milton's growth and ridership case, coordinate local transit and station access, and ensure planning around the station supports the service we are requesting.

I would also push for regular public reporting on discussions, commitments and timelines so advocacy is not reduced to occasional motions. Residents should be able to see what Milton has asked for and what response we have received.

Rahul Chaudhari · Town Councillor — Ward 1

Pushing Metrolinx is a real option. Building transit-oriented communities near the stations gives them a financial reason to justify expanding service. Solving the "last mile" problem will also go a long way toward convincing commuters they can rely on transit fully.

Salman Zafar · Regional Councillor — Ward 3

As your Regional Councillor, I will aggressively advocate directly to Metrolinx and the provincial government to deliver all-day, two-way 15-minute GO rail service on the Milton line, making it a mandatory condition for meeting provincial housing targets. The Province cannot demand rapid housing growth without delivering the required rail infrastructure to support it.

Sarah Marshall · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

Our community has already waited too long for this to become a reality. I will be a persistent and ongoing advocate of the need for this service to our local MPs, MPP, the Minister of Transportation and Metrolinx.

Tahira Haroon · Town Councillor — Ward 4

A councillor can work with the Mayor, Halton representatives, Metrolinx and the Province to maintain sustained advocacy, participate in meetings and provide clear evidence of Milton's transportation needs. Council should also continue building the case through ridership, growth and economic data. This cannot be treated as a one-time motion; it requires continued pressure and coordination.

Youssef Roshdy · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

This is one area where simply passing another resolution is not enough.

The Milton GO line operates on a heavily used freight corridor outside Metrolinx's control. Expanding passenger service requires substantial infrastructure, senior-government investment and agreements involving the freight railway.

As Regional Councillor, I would push for a permanent intergovernmental working structure involving Milton, Halton Region, Metrolinx, the Province, federal representatives and the railway, with published milestones rather than occasional political announcements.

I would advocate for:

-

a defined corridor-capacity and infrastructure plan; -

identified capital requirements and funding responsibilities; -

regular public reporting on progress toward expanded Milton service; -

protection of land and infrastructure required for future passenger capacity; -

stronger Milton Transit connections to the GO station so expanded rail service can actually be used effectively; and -

coordination with Mississauga and other municipalities along the corridor, because this cannot realistically be solved by Milton acting alone.

The role of a municipal representative is not to pretend we control GO Transit.

It is to turn Milton into an organized, persistent and evidence-based advocate that other governments cannot conveniently ignore.

Zainab Azim · Mayor — Town-wide

All-Day GO has been promised to Milton for 25 years, yet it still has not been delivered. This is an issue I feel strongly about because I spent most of my education travelling between Milton and Toronto, and I know the time and sacrifices that limited transit can create. A mayor or council member cannot add train service alone, but they can build the coalition needed to make Milton impossible to ignore. We will bring together neighbouring municipalities, businesses, riders, and provincial and federal representatives, use Milton’s growth and ridership data to strengthen the case, and maintain sustained advocacy with Metrolinx and the Province. Hamilton shows what this approach can achieve. After its LRT was cancelled in 2019, an organized coalition helped bring the project back with $3.4 billion in provincial and federal funding by 2021. Milton needs that same sustained, coordinated approach.

Ada Nwosu · Town Councillor — Ward 4

Yes. I would support a gradual expansion of service, especially in the evenings and on weekends, with better connections from growing areas to GO. The Town already has a five-year transit plan, and Council should track service gaps and progress each year. We should pursue transit grants, use growth-related funding for eligible capital costs and collect fares. I would bring operating costs to Council openly and phase improvements in responsibly.

Adejisola Atiba · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

Yes — I support increasing Milton Transit’s budget and service hours. The how matters: I would pursue a combination of development charge contributions from growth areas that directly benefit from transit, Provincial and Federal transit funding partnerships, and reallocation of efficiency savings from shared regional services. I would not support putting the full burden on residential property taxpayers without exhausting other revenue sources first. Expanded service hours — particularly evenings and weekends — are the minimum needed to make transit a genuine choice rather than a last resort for Milton residents.

Adil Khalqi · Town Councillor — Ward 3

Yes, where increased service is supported by ridership demand and responsible financial planning. Milton has already expanded Sunday and weekday service, and service is being expanded into growing communities. I support continuing to grow transit as Milton grows. I also supported adding additional buses to our fleet. Transit investments by this term of Council has resulted in ridership increasing by over 1,000,000 trips on our transit network, which is good to see, and record setting. We have also delivered Canada's first mid-life diesel to fully battery electric bus over this term of Council. We should fund expansion through a combination of property-tax revenue, fares, development-related funding, provincial and federal transit programs and efficiencies wherever possible. Growth should also contribute appropriately to the infrastructure required to serve that growth.

Arjun Joshi · Mayor — Town-wide

I would support increasing the Milton Transit budget and service hours for a variety of reasons that would benefit both citizens and local businesses. To pay for these services, however, it does not need to significantly hit the taxpayer, as I believe a shift in budget priorities is needed to pay for the increased service. For instance, oftentimes transportation infrastructure like roads need to be fixed and replaced due to the sheer number of cars that travel through them each day. By investing in transit, the city would not need to spend nearly as much money on things like road repair services by decentring car-related infrastructure. In the budget, this would reflect as a reduction in capital expenditures towards transportation, towards transit infrastructure.

Galen Naidoo Harris · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

Yes, I would support increasing Milton Transit's budget and service hours. There is a ton of pent-up demand for public transit in Milton. I've heard from family after family at the doors and over my years living in town that our residents would love to be able to leave their cars at home, but they don't feel the reach and frequency of Milton Transit buses is reliable enough for them to do so. There is a large body of evidence that when you make investments to enhance transit service and frequency in communities with low ridership, that ridership rises dramatically as residents realize the public transit system is a viable alternative. I believe this would be the case in Milton too and support phasing in enhancements funded through a combination of capital investment, growth-related funding, provincial and federal grants, and anticipated fare growth.

Ginni Malik · Town Councillor — Ward 4

Increase Milton Transit spending and hours?

Yes, where ridership and community need justify it. Growing and underserved neighbourhoods need better connections. I would first pursue provincial and federal funding, growth-related funding, and efficiencies before relying heavily on property taxes. Transit expansion should have measurable service and ridership goals.

Gourav Suri · Town Councillor — Ward 1

Yes, I support increasing Milton Transit's budget however that should be Data-Driven. the focus should be on more ridership and how that can be achieved, increasing efficiency and growing the transit base accordingly. the program can be paid by bringing in Business Sponsorships, more advertisement volume, connecting transit to other nearby cities for more ridership and business. offering incentives to make transit more rider friendly.

John Challinor · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

Milton Transit's operating budget has grown from about $5.5 million to over $11 million over the past eight years, driven by system expansion and a rise in ridership that is now past the one million mark. Its budget and service hours have both increased based on demonstrated need, which is a responsible course of action. Milton Council approved a broader five-year service and master plan in 2024 involving nearly $50 million in capital and operating investments running through 2029. Mllton Transit's capital budget is funded from the Town's capital reserves as well as from provincial and federal grants. Its operating budget is funded by transit fees and property taxes. The Town is not borrowing money to help fund its transit operations. That would be irresponsible.

Maliha K. Ahmed · Mayor — Town-wide

Yes.

If we want people to use transit, transit has to be available when people actually need it.

Milton Transit currently operates much shorter hours on weekends than weekdays, and there is no regular statutory-holiday service. For a rapidly growing community, we need to keep improving that.

I would expand service gradually based on ridership and need, pursue provincial and federal transit funding aggressively, use growth-related revenues where legally appropriate, and make transit a higher budget priority.

My platform also looks at targeted fare relief for seniors, students and GO commuters.

I see public transit as infrastructure — not charity.

Good transit reduces congestion, improves access to employment and makes Milton more affordable.

⸻

Nabil Ahmed · Town Councillor — Ward 1

I would support targeted increases where ridership data and documented service gaps justify them.

A growing municipality cannot expect transit to become a realistic alternative to driving if routes are too infrequent or unavailable when residents need them.

I would first look to provincial and federal funding, available growth-related funding, fare revenue and operational efficiencies. Any additional Town funding should be connected to a specific, measurable service improvement such as frequency, coverage or reliability.

I support better transit, but spending more should produce a result residents can actually see.

Rahul Chaudhari · Town Councillor — Ward 1

Yes, if it's done thoughtfully. Understanding how people actually move through Milton is essential to designing a transit system that works, and we can't afford to be wasteful. If an investment doesn't reduce traffic load where it's needed, it's hard to justify the cost. The developments around transit hubs stand to benefit most, so I believe that's where most of the funding should come from.

Salman Zafar · Regional Councillor — Ward 3

Yes, I strongly support investments to annualize Sunday transit service, extend weekday service to 10:30 p.m. We must sustainably fund these enhancements through growth revenues and senior government partnerships, as I strongly disagree with improving local transit by imposing higher fares that penalize everyday commuters. I will also build a data-driven business case for free transit to our seniors to promote active living. It will have a negligible impact on operating costs as the majority of transit revenue comes from peak-hour commuters and students. Seniors predominantly travel during off-peak hours when buses run with significant empty seat capacity. Boarding seniors onto an already scheduled, half-empty off-peak bus incurs zero marginal operating cost as it requires no additional buses, driver hours, or extra fuel.

Sarah Marshall · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

Yes. I would support increasing Milton Transit’s budget and service hours, with improvements tied to measurable ridership and service goals.

As Ward 4’s local councillor, I supported Milton Transit’s Five-Year Service Plan which targets a major expansion in service, including more frequent routes, extended evening service and Sunday operations.

I would fund the expansion through a balanced, multi-year approach that prioritizes transit within the existing operating budget, using development charges and other growth-related funding for eligible capital costs, aggressive pursuit of provincial and federal grants, and growing fare revenue as ridership increases.

I would avoid relying exclusively on property tax increases. Instead, I would use the Town’s multi-year financial planning approach to phase in improvements while protecting affordability.

Tahira Haroon · Town Councillor — Ward 4

I support transit service keeping pace with Milton's growth. Milton has already expanded service, including additional service in growing areas. Further increases should be based on ridership demand, service gaps and affordability. I would look first at the existing budget, growth-related funding and available provincial/federal funding before automatically placing the full cost on property taxpayers.

Youssef Roshdy · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

Yes, where ridership, population growth and service data justify the investment.

Milton has already expanded service significantly, including seven-day service, and further service improvements are continuing. The long-term objective should be a network residents can rely on for work, school and daily life rather than one useful only for a limited number of trips.

I would favour incremental expansion based on ridership, population growth and demonstrated service gaps.

Funding should come from a combination of development-related revenue where legally available, provincial and federal transit programs, fare revenue, operational efficiencies and the municipal tax base where necessary.

I would not promise major service expansion while simultaneously promising that nobody will have to pay for it.

Responsible leadership means telling residents both what a service costs and what they receive in return.

Zainab Azim · Mayor — Town-wide

Yes, I would support increasing Milton Transit’s budget and service hours, but I would do so through phased investment and multiple funding sources. Trusted Transit in 20 would begin with 20-minute service on Milton’s busiest routes, then expand as ridership and demand grow. We would use the Town’s annual transit budget alongside Provincial Gas Tax funding and the Federal Permanent Public Transit Fund, while pursuing cost-sharing partnerships with schools and post-secondary institutions. Milton has also already approved seven new buses for 2026, providing additional capacity for service improvements. This approach allows us to increase service where it is most needed, build ridership over time, and reduce pressure on local taxpayers rather than relying on property taxes alone.

Ada Nwosu · Town Councillor — Ward 4

The Derry–Britannia corridor is the single pinch point I would prioritize in Ward 4. I would work with Halton Region to review traffic volumes, signal timing, turning movements and safe crossings, then publish a corridor plan with short- and longer-term fixes. New development should be assessed against its cumulative effect on the corridor, not one application at a time.

Adejisola Atiba · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

Ward 4’s most persistent traffic concerns are not a single pinch point but a pattern: speeding and cut-through traffic on residential collector streets as drivers avoid arterial congestion. Fourth Line between Louis St. Laurent Avenue and Derry Road has been flagged repeatedly for speeding and pedestrian safety. The McLaughlin Avenue and Farmstead Drive intersection was selected for a pilot safety initiative due to collision reports. Farmstead Drive, Etheridge Avenue, and Bennett Boulevard all experience heavy local volume. My approach: expand and accelerate the Town’s traffic calming program — speed cushions, raised crosswalks, and pedestrian beacons where warranted — and address the root cause by improving transit so fewer residents default to cutting through residential streets.

Adil Khalqi · Town Councillor — Ward 3

The Louis St. Laurent Avenue and Kennedy Circle area has been a significant concern, particularly around the schools and the roundabout. We have seen collisions and some near misses involving students, and I have personally worked with residents, the Town and school officials on safety concerns. My approach is not to pretend there is one magic solution. We need a combination of engineering, lighting, signage, pedestrian infrastructure, enforcement and traffic-calming measures, followed by monitoring to see whether those interventions are working. I have already pushed for stronger traffic-safety measures in Ward 3, including at this location and I will continue doing so.

Galen Naidoo Harris · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

Thompson between Laurier and Main. Unfortunately, there's no easy solution, as past iterations of council have supported developments that have significantly increased population density in an area where road widening is impractical, if not impossible. The best we will be able to do is slightly relieve pressure through a combination of traffic signal recalibration, longer advanced greens to move cars more efficiently off of Thompson onto Childs, Nipissing, Drew Centre, and Main, and enhancements to public and active transit options to pull more cars off of the road.

Ginni Malik · Town Councillor — Ward 4

Worst Ward 4 traffic pinch point? Bronte Street South and Britannia Road is one of the key traffic pressure points in Ward 4, particularly as surrounding neighbourhoods continue to grow. I would advocate for continued traffic monitoring and improvements based on traffic volumes, safety and future growth, while ensuring pedestrian and cycling safety are part of the solution. We need to plan road infrastructure ahead of growth rather than waiting for congestion to become worse.

Taxes & Infrastructure

Gourav Suri · Town Councillor — Ward 1

the single worst traffic pinch point in my Ward is Bronte south of Steeles up to Derry. the best way would be to at east double the lanes for an easy move of traffic. with high density development proposed in that area, this road needs an urgent attention.

John Challinor · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

The single worst traffic pinch in Ward 2 can be found on Thompson Road, between Main Street East and McCuaig Drive. There are five intersections in a less than one kilometre span. The challenge typically occurs when an emergency vehicle enters the area and changes the traffic light sequence to get through it as quickly as possible. Once the software technology that manages the five interchanges is tripped, it takes six full interchange sequences to properly re-calibrate it. Town of Milton Engineering staff are working with the software service provider to find a solution that re-caiibrates the intersections after one interchange sequence. And, yes, the interchange sequencing can also be tripped by a power failure or weather event like lightning.

Maliha K. Ahmed · Mayor — Town-wide

Rather than pretend there is only one bad intersection, I would point to the Derry Road corridor and the connections feeding it, particularly around major north-south routes.

Milton’s own transportation planning identifies Derry Road as one of the major congested east-west corridors.

But we cannot road-widen our way out of every traffic problem.

My approach is coordinated: intersection improvements where needed, better traffic-signal timing, completing planned road connections, stronger transit and active transportation, and pushing harder for all-day GO.

The long-term solution to congestion is giving people more ways to move, not simply putting more cars onto wider roads.

Nabil Ahmed · Town Councillor — Ward 1

If I have to identify one, I would point to the Tremaine Road corridor around Main Street and toward Highway 401.

I use this corridor regularly and see the pressure firsthand. Tremaine Road is Halton Regional Road 22, so I would be clear with residents that major road decisions there sit primarily with Halton Region, not Milton Town Council.

My role would be to push the Region using current traffic, collision and intersection data, advocate for appropriate capacity and signal improvements, and make sure Town planning decisions do not make the problem worse. Better local transit also has to be part of the long-term solution.

Rahul Chaudhari · Town Councillor — Ward 1

This is hard to pin down because it depends so much on individual schedules. Encouraging higher-density transportation options could ease congestion everywhere. One tool worth exploring is the "road diet": converting a four-lane undivided road into a three-lane cross-section, one travel lane each direction plus a shared center turning lane, often with a slip lane or right-turn channel at intersections to keep traffic moving smoothly.

Salman Zafar · Regional Councillor — Ward 3

The single worst impending pinch point is the CN Logistics Hub, which is projected to add up to 1,600 transport trucks daily to our roads starting 2027. My fix is two-pronged: push Halton Region to build dedicated truck lanes along the Britannia and Tremaine corridors to physically separate freight from daily commuter traffic, and enforce strict Heavy Truck Route By-laws to legally prevent transport trucks from cutting through the residential neighbourhoods along the James Snow Parkway corridor.

Sarah Marshall · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

We see the most congestion in Ward 4 is the Regional Road 25 corridor, particularly between Derry Road and Britannia.

Britannia has already received its major widening, including six lanes through Ward 4. The remaining problem is that RR25 is becoming the bottleneck that feeds traffic into and out of that expanded east-west network.

My fix would be to make the RR25 expansion a priority. I would advocate for Halton Region to accelerate the widening of RR25, while immediately optimizing signal timing and turn phases at the major intersections. I would also require traffic from new developments to be incorporated into a corridor-wide plan rather than solving each intersection independently.

Tahira Haroon · Town Councillor — Ward 4

The Britannia Road and Louis St. Laurent Avenue area is a significant concern for residents, particularly as the surrounding area continues to grow. I would push for updated traffic analysis, signalization and intersection improvements where warranted, and better coordination between development approvals and transportation infrastructure. I would also continue raising speeding and neighbourhood traffic concerns.

Youssef Roshdy · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

My choice would be the *Derry Road/Bronte Street area and the surrounding Derry corridor*.

Importantly, Derry Road is a Halton Regional road while surrounding local roads involve Town responsibilities. A Regional Councillor sits on both councils, which puts this office in a particularly useful position to coordinate the two levels rather than allowing residents to be bounced between them.

My first step would be a joint Town-Halton operational review using current turning counts, collision data, queue lengths and peak-period travel times rather than designing a solution around anecdotes.

Short-term measures should examine signal optimization, turning movements, intersection geometry, pedestrian safety and signal coordination along the corridor.

The longer-term answer is not simply another lane everywhere. We need to prevent continued growth from funnelling more trips onto the same few arterials by completing the planned transportation network, improving north-south connectivity, expanding transit and making more local trips possible without requiring residents to use Derry Road for everything. ------------------------------

Zainab Azim · Mayor — Town-wide

If picking only one, perhaps Derry Road. Miltonians are funnelled onto the same routes to get to work, GO, and the 401. I would work with Halton Region on signal timing and intersection improvements, while also giving people more ways to avoid driving through Derry and Trafalgar altogether. That means Transit in 20, better connections to GO, and giving buses priority where it can make service faster and more reliable. I also want safer alternatives for shorter trips. On existing painted bike lanes, we can pilot flexible barriers that physically separate cyclists from traffic before committing to permanent infrastructure. Curb extensions can also be incorporated where appropriate to shorten pedestrian crossings and slow turning vehicles. Careers Close to Home means attracting more jobs to Milton so fewer residents are forced onto Derry and the 401 every morning. There is no single fix for congestion. We need to manage the intersection, the corridor and the demand together.

Ada Nwosu · Town Councillor — Ward 4

My first choice would be to defer projects that can safely wait, followed by a modest and explainable tax increase. I would use debt for long-lasting assets when it makes financial sense, and treat service cuts as a last resort. We should also pursue grants and efficiencies. I would not borrow to cover everyday operating costs.

Adejisola Atiba · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

My ranked preference: first, pursue efficiency and alternative revenues before touching any of the four options listed. Within the four, I would accept modest and justified property tax increases before deferring projects or reducing services — deferred infrastructure always costs more later, and reduced services hurt the most vulnerable residents first. I would avoid new debt for operating purposes but accept it for major capital infrastructure with clear long-term community benefit. What I will not accept is using fiscal pressure as cover for cutting services that Ward 4 families depend on.

Adil Khalqi · Town Councillor — Ward 3

My preference is not to automatically choose any one of those four.

First, we should protect essential services and eliminate unnecessary spending. Second, we should maximize development charges, grants, reserves and other non-tax sources. Third, debt should be used responsibly for long-lived infrastructure where appropriate. I would prefer a reasonable and low property-tax increase over allowing essential infrastructure to deteriorate or cutting services residents depend on. However, every tax increase should come with a clear explanation of what residents are receiving for it. Milton does not have a spending problem, we have a revenue problem and I will always engage in advocacy to create new funding streams, rather then simply relying on property tax increases, which over the long-term is not sustainable.

Galen Naidoo Harris · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

I think this is a bit of a false choice. The question proposes a series of solutions with the implication that they are the only options that will allow us to maintain existing spending in the face of declining revenues. I would rather see us conduct a review of core services and new spending with a particular focus on new expenditures approved over the past term of council, to find efficiencies, and for us to do a far better job of petitioning the provincial and federal governments and private partners to ensure we receive our fair share of investment.

Ginni Malik · Town Councillor — Ward 4

Rank taxes, debt, deferred projects, and reduced services.

My preference is: defer or phase lower-priority projects first, responsibly use debt for long-term infrastructure, review service efficiencies, and consider higher property taxes last. Essential services and public safety must remain priorities. Before asking taxpayers for more, Council should demonstrate that other reasonable options were considered.

Gourav Suri · Town Councillor — Ward 1

I would rank my preferences as below: - Defer Capital Projects: - Higher Property Taxes: - Service Levels - More Debts All the above are intertwined, deferring a Capital project will sure stop future spending on the project however will create a risk of stalled growth thus now relying on the property tax only which again is a stable form of income for the city however with time the taxes will go up as there are no new project that could bring in more revenue to keep taxes affordable. if lower taxes are kept, the services over time will be affected which will further create a debt trap. Debts should only be for projects that can generate more income or should be for investments. the debts if used for running the city only will further affect the city's ratings and increasing future borrowing costs thus further pushing the city into a difficult financial roadblock.

John Challinor · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

The Town of Milton's operating revenues and budget have grown significantly over the last eight years, increasing from roughly $137 million in 2019 to $236.1 million in 2026. Growth-related revenue is not shrinking much, if at all, at the Town of Milton. Rather, operating expenses are growing faster than operating revenues are. Higher property taxes, increased debt loads, deferred projects and reduced service levels are not the solutions required. When I ran as a Local Councillor in 2018, I advocated for a core services review if I was elected. It took place in 2020, saved the organization about $750,000 and triggered automated and improved service delivery to all Miltonians, through investments in training, technology and work processes. If re-elected, I will call for another Core Services Review, as they should be conducted every eight years, in my view. Further, I successfully brought forward an investment fund idea that would reduce the operating budget impact on property taxpayers by $1 million or 1% every budget year, from 2026 forward. I also brought forward a second investment fund notion that would reduce the capital budget impact on property taxpayers by another $1 million or an additional 1% every budget year. I hope Council permits the second fund to be implemented permanently, beginning in 2027. Moving forward, we need to identify non-tax, non-debt new revenue streams, control and better prioritize spending and provide core services more efficiently and effectively. What I have proposed will do just that.

Maliha K. Ahmed · Mayor — Town-wide

My order would be:

First, carefully defer non-essential projects.

Second, use responsible long-term debt for long-lived infrastructure where appropriate.

Third, consider modest property-tax increases when necessary.

Reduced essential services would be my last choice.

I don’t believe balancing a budget by cutting the services families depend on is responsible government.

At the same time, I don’t believe residents should automatically receive the bill every time government faces pressure.

Before increasing taxes, I want to know that we have reviewed spending, pursued provincial and federal funding, examined partnerships and made sure growth is contributing its fair share.

Fiscal responsibility isn’t simply spending less.

It’s spending wisely.

⸻

Nabil Ahmed · Town Councillor — Ward 1

My order would be:

1. Defer or phase lower-priority projects. 2. Reduce or delay non-core service expansions where necessary. 3. Use debt selectively for long-lived infrastructure where future residents will also benefit. 4. Increase property taxes only after those options have been seriously examined.

I would not reduce core services such as fire protection, road maintenance, snow clearing or essential infrastructure simply to produce a lower number on paper.

Debt also cannot become a substitute for financial discipline. Every major expenditure should have a clear purpose, measurable result and realistic funding plan.

Rahul Chaudhari · Town Councillor — Ward 1

I'd resort to deferred projects, then reduced service levels. That's a stark admission on its own, if a municipality can't withstand a dip in growth revenue without immediately halting progress or slashing standard services, it proves the baseline budget was built on an unsustainable, inefficient foundation rather than resilient fiscal management. Higher property taxes and more debt only fuel that same spending habit with no regard for efficiency.

Salman Zafar · Regional Councillor — Ward 3

My Ranking: (1) Strategic Debt / Internal Borrowing, (2) Deferred Non-Critical Projects, (3) Property Tax Adjustments, (4) Reduced Service Levels. Reducing core services or deferring maintenance creates a massive infrastructure deficit that acts as a hidden tax on our children. Cutting frontline services is an absolute non-starter. To bridge growth-revenue shortfalls without burdening existing taxpayers, we must strategically utilize internal borrowing from reserve funds to provide interim financing for capital costs. This ensures projects advance while holding future Development Charges accountable to repay the funds, ensuring developers ultimately pay their equitable share so that growth pays for growth. Where tough choices are required, we must apply strict project-selection criteria rooted in whole lifecycle costing, prioritizing only the most cost-effective, essential projects based on realistic inflation-adjusted budgets. Non-essential expansion projects can be deferred until revenues catch up, utilizing property taxes solely for keeping our existing infrastructure assets in a state of good repair to maintain our current service levels.

Sarah Marshall · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

I would rank these as follows: (1) higher property taxes (2) defer lower-priority projects (3) more debt and (4) reduced service levels.

I would choose modest, predictable property-tax increases before cutting core services. These are difficult decisions to make and I will always consider balancing affordability with investments in transit, infrastructure, fire protection and other services.

Second, I would defer projects that are desirable but not urgent, rather than reduce day-to-day services residents rely on.

Third, I would use debt selectively, primarily for major infrastructure with a long, useful life. The 2026 capital program is $125.8 million, with almost three quarters of that program funded externally, demonstrating that Milton can limit the tax burden by maximizing development charges, grants and other funding.

Service cuts would be my last resort*.* Milton is growing rapidly, and we need to continue to prioritize connected transit, quality facilities and planned growth.

Tahira Haroon · Town Councillor — Ward 4

I would not automatically choose one of these options without reviewing the actual budget pressures. My first priority would be responsible spending: reviewing expenditures, avoiding unnecessary spending and making sure taxpayer money is being used effectively. Essential services and infrastructure should not simply be deferred. Debt should be used carefully for appropriate long-term capital investments, not to cover ongoing operating costs. Tax increases should be considered only after responsible budget review.

Youssef Roshdy · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

My order would be:

*1. Deferred or re-phased non-critical projects* *2. Responsible debt for long-life capital infrastructure* *3. Higher property taxes* *4. Reduced core service levels*

That ranking requires an important qualification.

I would defer or re-phase projects that are desirable but not immediately necessary before reducing essential services or imposing unnecessary tax increases.

Debt can be appropriate when it finances long-life infrastructure that will serve residents for decades. Future residents who use that infrastructure can appropriately contribute to paying for it. What I oppose is using debt to cover routine operating expenses.

Property taxes may sometimes have to increase to maintain services and infrastructure, but tax increases should come after Council has reviewed spending, project phasing, reserves, procurement, external funding and efficiencies.

Reducing essential service levels—fire protection, road maintenance, transit reliability, community safety or core infrastructure maintenance—would be my last choice because allowing essential infrastructure to deteriorate frequently costs taxpayers substantially more later.

Zainab Azim · Mayor — Town-wide

The either-or framing does not do justice to our fiscal reality. My pledge to Miltonians is to start somewhere else. Growth should help pay for growth, and Milton should be first in line for provincial and federal funding. We need more than houses and warehouses. Our platform brings office employers here through a Community Improvement Plan: no cheques up front, nothing paid unless the project is built, and the rebate comes from new taxes that building creates, not residential taxes. Alongside that: build on work already underway, use what we have before building new, grants first, partner where we can, invest in phases through the normal budget process. We will only look at debt for things that last generations, because a road or a recreation centre serves decades of residents. Deferrals, if any, need to be published honestly. New revenue tied to a plan people can see. Service cuts move us backwards.

Ada Nwosu · Town Councillor — Ward 4

For the Town portion of the property tax bill, my working target for 2027 is 3–5%. It is a target, not a promise to cap taxes at that level. I would first look for savings, grants and projects that can safely wait. Going above it would need to be justified by urgent safety or infrastructure needs, or by protecting essential services. Residents should see the full blended bill and what each level of government adds.

Adejisola Atiba · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

Residents in Milton have absorbed significant tax increases in recent years — and I will not commit to further increases before I have a clear picture of the current budget, existing commitments, and where efficiencies have and have not been pursued. My starting position is that the burden should not default to residents. Before any increase is considered, I will push for a thorough review of alternative revenue sources — development charges, community benefit agreements, Provincial and Federal funding partnerships, and shared services efficiencies with neighbouring municipalities. Residents deserve a councillor who exhausts every other option first.

Adil Khalqi · Town Councillor — Ward 3

I don't think it is responsible to pick a percentage before seeing the actual 2027 budget pressures. My priority is keeping the increase (if any) as low as responsibly possible while maintaining essential services and investing in infrastructure. If Council proposes exceeding that level, I would expect a clear justification: essential service pressures, critical infrastructure needs, emergency requirements or investments that cannot responsibly be deferred. Residents deserve both affordability and quality municipal services.

Galen Naidoo Harris · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

At or below the rate of inflation. As Ward 2's Regional Councillor, my priority will be keeping any property tax increase as low as possible while delivering core services as efficiently as possible and diversifying town revenue streams to minimize the burden on property tax payers.

Ginni Malik · Town Councillor — Ward 4

Acceptable 2027 tax increase?

My goal would be to keep increases as close to inflation as reasonably possible while protecting essential services. Any significantly higher increase should require a clear public explanation showing why it is necessary and what efficiencies, grants or spending reductions were considered first.

Gourav Suri · Town Councillor — Ward 1

I would consider tax increase that can beat the inflation in 2027. Milton had seen a time of zero tax increase thus later seeing a jumbo tax increase of approx. 37% over 3 years. a modest tax increase is always suggested and advised being increased.

John Challinor · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

Tax increases should be no more than the annual rate of inflation, plus the annual rate of development growth. I brought forward a motion in 2025 that would limit property tax increases to the rate of inflation plus the percentage increase in growth activity. It was narrowly rejected by Council. If approved, it would have limited annual operating budget increases to about 5% to 5.5% or 2.5% to 3%, when Regional Municipality of Halton and school board property tax increases are included. Council approved a tax increase of 6.94% in December 2025, which I did not support. If re-elected, I will continue to advocate for fiscal responsibility at the Town and the Region.

Maliha K. Ahmed · Mayor — Town-wide

I would not responsibly promise an exact number before seeing the 2027 budget pressures, because that would be politics rather than budgeting.

My goal would be to keep the Town portion of the increase as close to inflation and household affordability as reasonably possible.

I would only support going significantly beyond that if there were a clear, publicly explained need — for example fire protection, critical infrastructure, transit or another essential service required by Milton’s growth.

And if I ask residents to pay more, I should be able to show them exactly what they are getting for it.

⸻

Nabil Ahmed · Town Councillor — Ward 1

As a starting target, I would aim to keep the Town-controlled portion of the residential property-tax increase in roughly the 3 to 5 per cent range, with the lower end preferable.

I would only support exceeding that range if Council could demonstrate an unavoidable need involving essential infrastructure, public safety, legislated requirements or a serious service pressure that could not responsibly be deferred or funded another way.

Before asking residents to pay more, I would expect Council to examine project timing, efficiencies, available grants, development-related revenues and non-essential spending.

The important distinction is that Council controls the Town portion, not the entire combined property-tax bill. In 2026 the Town portion rose 6.94 per cent, while the estimated combined residential increase was approximately 4.75 per cent.

Rahul Chaudhari · Town Councillor — Ward 1

The key is making sure our taxes don't grow faster than the actual cost of services, the two have to move together. If service costs go down, tax growth should follow. And as assessed property values rise, the tax rate should adjust down proportionally, so owners aren't paying more just because their assessment went up on top of the rate itself.

Salman Zafar · Regional Councillor — Ward 3

I aim to keep property tax adjustments aligned with inflation and household affordability while safeguarding essential services. Exceeding that threshold is only justified when backed by transparent, validated data to fund strategic asset lifecycle interventions that prevent costly premature infrastructure failure and protect future taxpayers. It is like paying slightly more today to avoid a major expense a few years down the road. We need political leadership willing to think holistically beyond the term of Council.

Sarah Marshall · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

The Town’s 2026 budget included a 6.94% (approximately $24.61 per $100,000 of assessment) increase in the Town’s portion of the residential tax bill. Rather than viewing that as a new normal, I would use the Town’s multi-year financial strategy to provide greater predictability and carefully manage the pace of future increases. Inflation is an important factor, but so are efficiencies, project timing, grants, development charges and other sources of revenue.

I believe Milton should aim for a responsible and predictable property-tax increase in the 5–7% range for 2027 (approximately $29 per $100,000 of assessment), while recognizing that any increase must be considered in the context of inflation (estimated to be around 3%), household affordability and the Town’s multi-year financial strategy.

Just as important, Milton needs to grow its way into a stronger financial position. Over the next four years, economic development must be the priority. I will advocate for attracting businesses, investment and good jobs that broaden Milton’s commercial and industrial assessment base. A stronger non-residential tax base can help pay for the services our growing community needs without placing the entire burden on homeowners.

I would only consider going above 7% if it can clearly demonstrate that it is necessary to protect essential services or address critical infrastructure needs, after other options have been fully explored.

My priority is to keep increases manageable and predictable while building a stronger local economy, maintaining services and putting Milton on a sustainable long-term financial path.

Tahira Haroon · Town Councillor — Ward 4

I would want to see the full 2027 budget before committing to a specific number. Residents deserve a transparent explanation of what is driving any increase and what they are receiving in return. If an increase beyond a reasonable level were proposed, I would expect clear evidence that the spending is necessary, that alternatives have been considered and that the Town is protecting essential services.

Youssef Roshdy · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

For the *Town-controlled portion*, my planning objective for 2027 would be approximately *2 to 4 per cent*, subject to the actual budget, inflation, assessment impacts, contractual obligations and service pressures.

I am deliberately giving a range rather than pretending that a responsible budget can be reduced to a campaign slogan before the numbers are available.

That discipline matters particularly after the Town's portion of residential property taxes increased *6.94 per cent for 2026*, alongside a *4.59 per cent Regional increase*, resulting in an estimated *4.75 per cent blended residential increase*.

Residents are entitled to ask whether increases of that magnitude are becoming structural and what Council is doing to bring the rate of spending growth under control.

Before supporting a Town increase above that range, I would expect Council to demonstrate that it had examined discretionary expenditures, project timing, vacancies, procurement, external consulting, reserves, user-fee revenue and available provincial or federal funding.

Exceeding the range would require a clearly demonstrated reason—for example, an urgent public-safety requirement, unavoidable infrastructure obligation, significant contractual or inflationary pressure, or evidence that failing to invest now would ultimately cost taxpayers more.

Most importantly, Council should identify publicly what portion of an increase maintains existing services, what portion pays for growth, and what portion funds new or enhanced services.

I would rather give residents an honest range with those conditions than promise an artificially low number and later hide the consequences through service reductions.

Zainab Azim · Mayor — Town-wide

It is a fair question, so here is what I can say about it. Our community's tax bill carries the Town, the Region and the school boards. As Mayor, I would be accountable for the Town's portion. My pledge to Miltonians is that taxes are the last place I look. Grants, growth revenue, partnerships and better use of what we own come first, and residents should see that work before being asked for more. If the rate has to move, residents deserve to know why, in public, with every tradeoff published at the time. I believe a community that trusts its government to tell it the whole story is worth more. To be transparent on what can change that: another government shifting cost onto us. A genuine emergency. That would be a deliberate choice made in the open.

Ada Nwosu · Town Councillor — Ward 4

I would add a modest, targeted investment in local business attraction and retention, tied to clear goals for jobs and services residents need. Before spending, the Town should identify gaps and work with local business groups to attract businesses that help fill them. I would report back on results so residents can see whether the investment delivered.

Adejisola Atiba · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

Add: a dedicated youth centre capital reserve fund — starting small and building annually, so that when the right site and partnership emerge, the funding foundation exists rather than requiring a one-time budget shock. Cut: I would scrutinize recurring consulting expenditures for functions that could be built in-house over time. Repeatedly outsourcing the same advisory functions is not cost-effective and does not build institutional knowledge. I would commission a review of consulting spend in the first term to identify where internalization makes financial sense.

Adil Khalqi · Town Councillor — Ward 3

I would add targeted investments in traffic safety and pedestrian infrastructure. I have already advocated for measures such as neighbourhood traffic calming, raised crosswalks and improved street lighting. In a rapidly growing community, relatively modest investments in safety can have a significant impact. At the same time, I will continue looking for efficiencies and opportunities to reduce costs without reducing essential services.

Galen Naidoo Harris · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

I would support targeted investment in increased by-law enforcement. Milton's reactive by-law enforcement approach is not meeting the mark. Peer communities have been successful in increasing by-law compliance by proactively targeting rule-breakers in the areas with the most violations, which also generates increased revenue to offset the up-front cost of the increased service.

Ginni Malik · Town Councillor — Ward 4

One expenditure you would cut or add?

I would prioritize additional investment in school-zone and pedestrian safety, including crossing guards, safer crossings, and appropriate traffic-calming measures. These are practical municipal investments that can directly improve safety for children and families.

Community Services

Gourav Suri · Town Councillor — Ward 1

Milton is growing town and needs most services that can attract new residents and business. I would in fact like town to implement Artificial Intelligence in the areas or division where we see repetition of work which also requires minimal human interference. this may further help the town with improved efficiency and lower cost.

John Challinor · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

I would not add an additional expenditure to the current operating budget as I strongly believe that the Town of Milton is meeting its obligations to all Miltonians under the Ontario Municipal Act. And, in a recent survey of Milton property taxpayers, about 75% of them agree. Through the core services review that I will call for if I am re-elected, I will await the findings of that review because it will clearly identify millions of dollars in expenditure reductions and productivity savings and improvements, just as it did when it was last conducted at my request in 2020. There are still savings to be had from the last core services review because the Council of the day chose not to implement them.

Maliha K. Ahmed · Mayor — Town-wide

I would add investment in public transit and community food security.

I’ve worked directly with food drives and community food initiatives, so I have seen that food insecurity isn’t an abstract statistic. It is happening to working families, seniors and children in our community.

I want the Town to become a stronger partner with community organizations through initiatives such as community gardens, food forests and better coordination of food-support programs.

And I would review discretionary consulting and administrative expenditures before cutting frontline community services.

Nabil Ahmed · Town Councillor — Ward 1

I would add targeted funding for road-safety improvements at documented high-risk intersections and speeding locations.

I want those investments driven by collision data, speed studies and documented resident concerns rather than politics. Depending on the location, that could mean intersection or signal changes, pedestrian improvements, speed-management measures or better lighting.

Road safety is something residents experience every day, and it is an area where municipal spending can produce a visible and measurable result.

Rahul Chaudhari · Town Councillor — Ward 1

Easy one for me, I love native plants and pollinators. We should reduce mowing in areas with essentially no foot traffic, keeping it along roadsides for sightlines. We should also end practices like mulch mountains, which actively kill trees and leave us paying to replace boulevard trees every few years. These are small, low-visibility changes that save real money for almost no downside.

Salman Zafar · Regional Councillor — Ward 3

I would add dedicated funding to expand our local by-law enforcement team paired with proactive public education, upholding shared community standards and fostering harmony between existing and new residents. To fund this without raising taxes, we should realize savings by auditing major operational contracts and deploying corporate decision-support tools to streamline analytics, eliminate departmental data silos, and boost staff productivity.

Sarah Marshall · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

I would add targeted funding for economic development and business attraction.

Milton is growing rapidly, and we cannot continue relying primarily on residential property taxes to finance that growth. Over the next four years, we should focus on attracting businesses, investment and good-paying jobs that expand Milton’s commercial and industrial tax base.

This investment should come with clear, measurable targets for new jobs, businesses and assessment growth. By strengthening our economic base, we can help pay for the infrastructure and services our growing community needs while reducing pressure on homeowners.

Tahira Haroon · Town Councillor — Ward 4

I would not promise to cut a particular program without reviewing the numbers and its impact on residents. I would prioritize spending that directly supports core municipal services such as roads, snow clearing, parks, public safety, transit and infrastructure. I would also strengthen resources for responding to property maintenance, illegal dumping and neighbourhood concerns.

Youssef Roshdy · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

I would add a dedicated *neighbourhood traffic-safety implementation fund* tied directly to evidence from traffic studies and resident reports.

Residents repeatedly raise speeding, dangerous crossings and cut-through traffic, but too often the response becomes another study followed by a long wait for implementation.

The fund would allow appropriate lower-cost interventions—crossings, traffic-calming measures, signage, signal improvements and other neighbourhood safety measures—to move from evidence to implementation faster.

I would look for offsetting savings by scrutinizing discretionary external consulting and communications spending and bringing work in-house where Town staff can reasonably and cost-effectively perform it. ------------------------------

Zainab Azim · Mayor — Town-wide

I pledge not to build anything new before we have used everything we already have. Our arenas and gyms are close to full at exactly the hours families need them. We need to continue looking at school gymnasiums to close the gap. Partnering for space we do not have to build is cheaper, it is faster, and it gets people something now instead of next decade. I will add more capacity where residents are actually waiting: approvals and permits. A family waiting on a permit for a basement apartment. A small business waiting to open its doors. A builder carrying costs while a file sits. Every week that queue comes out of somebody's pocket. And I would publish how long the waiting actually takes.

Ada Nwosu · Town Councillor — Ward 4

As a parent and Co-Chair of the Halton Catholic District School Board’s Parent Involvement Committee, I know how much families feel these gaps. I would make direct, ongoing asks of the school boards, Halton Healthcare, the Region and the Province for school capacity, hospital services and primary care. Residents should be able to track those requests, meetings, commitments and timelines through regular public updates.

Adejisola Atiba · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

My advocacy plan: formally identify the top three service gaps affecting Ward 4 residents — I expect these to be emergency wait times, school capacity, and mental health access — and write specific, documented asks to the relevant Provincial ministries through Regional Council. I would partner with Halton Healthcare and the school boards to understand their capital plans and advocate loudly where Milton’s growth projections are not reflected in their timelines. Residents will measure whether it worked by tracking specific metrics I commit to publicly: wait times, portable classroom counts, and mental health referral capacity — reported annually.

Adil Khalqi · Town Councillor — Ward 3

Milton's population has grown tremendously, and our healthcare and education infrastructure needs to reflect that reality. My role is to work directly and indirectly with our Regional Councillors, Mayor, school trustees and provincial representatives to advocate collectively for the facilities and services Milton needs. Residents should measure success through tangible outcomes: additional healthcare capacity, school capacity that keeps pace with growth, reduced reliance on temporary solutions and clear timelines from the responsible governments. I will continue raising these issues with senior governments rather than simply passing resolutions and moving on.

Galen Naidoo Harris · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

Healthcare and education may not fall under the jurisdiction of the Town or Region, but I believe strongly that effective elected officials do their part to ensure their constituents are well-served by all levels of government, not just the ones they represent. As Milton's population has grown, its healthcare and education infrastructure have not kept pace. Our ER, hospital and healthcare workers are under immense stress. Our schools are overcrowded and our educators overburdened. I have known our Member of Provincial Parliament for more than a decade. We shared a ballot two years ago and have a good relationship. I have worked in the offices of the provincial Ministers of Labour and Indigenous Affairs, currently serve as General Manager for the former Minister of Finance for the province, and am the son of a former provincial cabinet minister. As Ward 2's Regional Councillor, I'll leverage my provincial experience and relationships to ensure our residents get the support they need from the province. Residents should measure my performance- and, much more importantly, the performance of the provincial government- through measurable outcomes: class sizes, wait times, and system capacity.

Ginni Malik · Town Councillor — Ward 4

How would you advocate for healthcare and schools?

Even when another level of government is responsible, Council should advocate strongly for Milton. I would work with our MPPs, MPs, school boards and healthcare partners and provide residents with regular updates on what was requested, what commitments were received and what remains outstanding.

Gourav Suri · Town Councillor — Ward 1

my Plan would be as follows 1. Form Action-Oriented Coalitions like creating a Joint Task Force and reinforcing and partner with bodies like Municipal Association of Ontario for collectively structure Funding 2. We can offer incentives to Medical Practitioners to open their practice locally 3. We can also reserve sites for School in advance or land-banking education sites before even a new subdivision is planned. 4. we need evidence-based Business Cases to ask for more services - for e.g. We still have Temporary portable Classroom outside many Schools in Milton from over decades which shows lack of proper planning and action.

John Challinor · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

While health care and education are provincial responsibilities, the Town of Milton has historically played an active role in advocating for timely construction of new schools, hospitals and other health care facilities. The Town drifted away from this practice at times over the last 25 years. Led by the Mayor, the CAO and selected members of Council and senior staff, the Town needs to visit Queen's Park on a regular basis and meet the Premier, the Treasurer and the Ministers responsible to share its growth plans and obtain their timely commitment, as was done in the 1990s when this latest growth plan was originally developed. Future school and healthcare facility construction that follows residential construction in a timely fashion will be the proof in this particular pudding.

Maliha K. Ahmed · Mayor — Town-wide

Saying “that’s not municipal jurisdiction” may technically be correct, but it doesn’t help the parent who can’t find a family doctor or the child sitting in an overcrowded classroom.

The Mayor’s job is also to advocate.

I would establish clear advocacy priorities with the Province and school boards and publish them.

Then I would report back publicly: Who did we meet? What did we ask for? What commitments were made? What changed?

Residents should be able to measure advocacy by results and progress, not photographs from meetings.

⸻

Nabil Ahmed · Town Councillor — Ward 1

I would be honest with residents that the Town does not operate hospitals or schools while still using the councillor's position to advocate consistently with the Province, school boards and other responsible bodies.

Residents should be able to see what was requested, who is responsible, what meetings or correspondence have taken place and what response was received.

I would report that work through my monthly councillor updates and, where relevant, connect outstanding Ward 1 issues to the Ward 1 Infrastructure & Issues Tracker.

Residents should not simply be told their councillor is "advocating." They should be able to see the follow-through.

Rahul Chaudhari · Town Councillor — Ward 1

This is town business no matter your politics. Provincial and federal debt is climbing, and it's our residents who feel the gap first, face to face. We should advocate for responsible spending at higher levels of government to ensure our community's health.

Salman Zafar · Regional Councillor — Ward 3

I will aggressively advocate to our provincial representatives for fair-share funding, pushing for legislation that synchronizes provincial capital investments in healthcare and schools with mandated housing targets. It will ensure social infrastructure is built proactively alongside new housing, rather than years later. Residents will measure success by seeing actual, data-driven alignment between new subdivision approvals and verified provincial funding commitments for school and healthcare capacity.

Sarah Marshall · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

Milton’s OP plans for school sites alongside new communities and encourages coordination with school boards, parks and recreation facilities. I would advocate for those planned sites to become schools as communities are built.

For healthcare, Milton needs provincial hospital funding that keeps pace with both our current growth and the population we are planning for through 2051. I would advocate for expanded Milton District Hospital capacity, while supporting additional primary-care options such as nurse practitioners and nurse-practitioner-led clinics.

Economic development also plays an important role by attracting healthcare professionals, businesses and investments that strengthen our tax base and helps support community services. At the same time, investing in parks, recreation and active transportation gives residents practical ways to stay healthy and can help reduce pressure on healthcare.

I would measure success through schools and hospital capacity delivered, increased primary-care access, economic investment, and improved recreation and active-transportation opportunities.

Tahira Haroon · Town Councillor — Ward 4

I would work with our MPP, MPs, school boards, health partners and Town Council to advocate for Milton's needs. For schools, that means continuing to push for facilities that keep pace with population growth. For healthcare, it means advocating for improved access to primary care and local services. Residents should be able to see what was requested, who was contacted and what response was received.

Youssef Roshdy · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

The first requirement is honesty about jurisdiction.

Milton Council cannot order Ontario to build a school, hire a family doctor or expand hospital services. Pretending otherwise makes for good campaign material but bad government.

What Council can do is provide population and development data, protect appropriate sites through planning, coordinate municipal infrastructure, bring school boards and healthcare institutions into growth discussions earlier, and advocate collectively with the Province.

I would establish a public *growth-services advocacy scorecard*, updated at least twice a year, identifying Milton's major requests to other governments and public agencies—for example, school capacity, hospital and healthcare investment and provincial transportation infrastructure.

For each priority, residents should be able to see:

-

what Milton requested; -

which government or agency is responsible; -

when advocacy meetings took place; -

what commitments were received; -

the expected timeline; and -

whether the commitment was actually delivered.

That is how residents should measure advocacy: *not by photographs of meetings, but by outcomes.*

Zainab Azim · Mayor — Town-wide

I noticed at the e-scooter town hall that residents don't always know which level of government is responsible for what, but they know when something in their community isn't working and wonder who can do something about it. I would hold regular Mayor’s Town Halls where residents can bring forward issues like school overcrowding or access to healthcare, and we bring the people responsible into the room: our MPP, school boards, healthcare leaders and Town officials. The mayor's job is to bridge the problem residents are experiencing to the government that can actually fix it. This will help shape Milton's advocacy agenda. If families are telling us schools are not keeping pace with new neighbourhoods, we take Milton's growth numbers to the Province and advocate for capacity before kids arrive. The same applies to primary and hospital care as our population grows. At the next Town Hall, residents get answers.

Ada Nwosu · Town Councillor — Ward 4

I support moving the Milton Education Village forward with clear steps and a public timeline. It should bring education, jobs, housing, health and recreation closer together, with transit, roads, walking and cycling connections, parks and services planned from the start. I would ask the Town and its partners to identify who is responsible for each milestone, what decisions remain and when residents can expect progress.

Adejisola Atiba · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

The Milton Education Village is a significant opportunity that must not be allowed to stall. My position is that timelines must be firm and publicly tracked. The combination of post-secondary, trades training, and community space it promises is exactly what Milton needs to develop local talent and reduce the skills gap I hear about from local employers. I would push for the Region and Town to be active partners in accelerating delivery — including advocating with the Province for capital funding — rather than passive observers waiting for other parties to act.

Adil Khalqi · Town Councillor — Ward 3

I strongly support the Milton Education Village. The MEV represents an opportunity to bring post-secondary education, research, innovation, recreation, active transportation and economic development together in Milton. Laurier and Conestoga have already established a presence here, and the long-term campus development should continue. The priority now should be moving from vision to delivery while ensuring transportation, infrastructure and community amenities keep pace. This is one of the most important long-term investments in Milton's future.

Galen Naidoo Harris · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

I am tremendously supportive of the Milton Education Village. I studied at the University of Waterloo, just down the street from Laurier and Conestoga, and worked for a time in the Office of Wilfrid Laurier University's President. I have to confess that I wish the province had sustained the $90 million infrastructure commitment it made and that the campus as originally envisioned was already in operation, but it's been wonderful to see Laurier and Conestoga establish an initial footprint in Milton and I look forward to seeing their full, vibrant, sprawling, sustainable, future-focused campus come to life. As Ward 2's Regional Councillor, I'll do all I can to support Laurier, Conestoga, and the development and ongoing success of the Milton Education Village.

Ginni Malik · Town Councillor — Ward 4

Milton Education Village?

I support the Milton Education Village and its potential to bring education, employment, healthcare, and other opportunities closer to home. My priority is ensuring transportation and infrastructure keep pace with development and that residents receive clear updates as major milestones are reached.

John Challinor · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

I am fully supportive of the Milton Education Village. It was originally identified in the Destiny Milton planning document in the mid-1990s. It was originally envisioned by former Local Councillor Wally Hunter. That document, which I had a hand in writing, identified the need for a post-secondary educational institution in Milton -- and we now have two: Conestoga College and Wilfrid Laurier University. Given the required investment by both institutions and the Government of Ontario, the timeline was realistic and has been met. These schools are amongst the Town's greatest assets, specifically in terms of providing advanced education locally, complementing the Town's economic development regimen and helping Ontario and Canada to further develop that knowledge-based economy they desire.

Maliha K. Ahmed · Mayor — Town-wide

I strongly support the Milton Education Village.

Having Wilfrid Laurier University and Conestoga College establish a presence here is important, but my vision for the MEV goes beyond campuses.

It should become a place where education connects directly to employment, innovation, healthcare, housing and transit.

I especially want young people who grow up in Milton to be able to study here, find meaningful employment here and afford to stay here.

The long-term plan anticipates at least 22,000 people and jobs in the area by 2051.

I want us to keep moving the permanent campuses, innovation district, housing and supporting infrastructure forward rather than allowing the project to lose momentum.

⸻

Nabil Ahmed · Town Councillor — Ward 1

I support the Milton Education Village and its potential to bring education, employment, innovation, housing and community amenities together.

My concern is making sure it develops as the complete community residents were promised rather than allowing the residential component to move substantially ahead while employment, institutional and transportation pieces lag behind.

Roads, transit, servicing, parks and connections to education and employment opportunities need to develop alongside housing. I would support clearer public milestones so residents can see which parts of the vision are progressing and which are falling behind.

Rahul Chaudhari · Town Councillor — Ward 1

For Milton's economy to diversify, we need room for people who innovate. My hope is that the students we're hosting help bring some of that here.

Salman Zafar · Regional Councillor — Ward 3

The Milton Education Village must prioritize what was promised: bringing Wilfrid Laurier University, Conestoga College, and high-skill jobs to Milton, not just more residential sprawl. Its timeline must be strictly tied to real infrastructure. Growth must pay for growth: meaning road upgrades along Tremaine and Britannia, local transit links, and regional water and sewer capacity must be built before new homes are occupied.

Sarah Marshall · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

My position on the Milton Education Village (MEV) is to keep the development moving forward, protect its original vision, and make sure infrastructure and community amenities keep pace with growth.

The MEV is much more than a university campus. The MEV is planned as a complete, mixed-use community connecting education, innovation, employment, housing, healthcare and recreation. The concept is that this area will be an innovation district supporting thousands of knowledge-based jobs.

Construction over at the MEV has already started and we can see The Village of Ridgeview Court being put to great use. The next stages of planning are underway and ongoing development should be visible soon.

My priorities for the MEV would be to maintain momentum while ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with development, particularly transit, roads, active transportation, parks and community facilities.

Tahira Haroon · Town Councillor — Ward 4

I support the Milton Education Village as a long-term opportunity for education, employment, healthcare, recreation and a complete community. The Town's current plan includes post-secondary institutions, long-term care, housing, parks and employment. The priority should be making sure these components develop in a coordinated way and that transportation and infrastructure keep pace with the community.

Youssef Roshdy · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

I strongly support the Milton Education Village, but its success should be measured by whether it becomes a genuine education, innovation and employment district—not simply another residential development carrying an education-themed name.

Its priorities should be:

*First*, permanent and expanding post-secondary institutions and the supporting innovation and employment district.

*Second*, water, wastewater, roads and transit capacity keeping pace with population growth.

*Third*, a walkable, mixed-use community with housing, services, parks and active transportation.

*Fourth*, strong integration with long-term care, schools, recreation and other community services.

The current secondary-plan framework contemplates *at least 22,000 people and jobs by 2051*, including an innovation district intended to accommodate approximately *2,900 knowledge-based jobs*.

That employment component matters enormously. Milton should not continue growing primarily as a bedroom community while residents have to commute elsewhere for opportunity.

I want Council to publish clearer milestone reporting for infrastructure, institutional development, employment and residential growth so residents can see whether the education and employment components are actually keeping pace with housing.

Zainab Azim · Mayor — Town-wide

I support the vision for the Milton Education Village, but Milton has been talking about its potential for years. My focus would be what we can actually unlock in the next four. My priority is a realistic first phase. I would bring the Town, Region, landowners and institutional partners around one timeline for water, wastewater, stormwater, roads and approvals, with clear milestones residents can follow. I would also assess financing options for that first infrastructure package, including a P3 only if it gives Milton better value. Once land is ready, I support targeted, time-limited incentives tied to actual new investment to help bring office, research and knowledge-based employers here. Careers Close to Home is about creating opportunity here in Milton. MEV is one of the biggest opportunities we already have to make that real.

Ada Nwosu · Town Councillor — Ward 4

I would prioritize more indoor recreation space in south Milton, especially Boyne, where many young families are settling. We need more gym and court time, program rooms and safe outdoor sport space. I would work with school boards and community groups to assess demand and explore shared-use options, then bring forward a costed plan residents can review.

Adejisola Atiba · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

A mega youth centre is my top priority — a fully equipped, accessible, year-round facility that serves youth of all backgrounds with sports, creative programming, mentorship, and mental health supports. Location matters: it should be in a transit-accessible area of Ward 4 that is central to where families with young people actually live. Beyond youth, I would also prioritize senior-accessible recreation programming, which is currently underprovided relative to our growing older adult population.

Adil Khalqi · Town Councillor — Ward 3

I would prioritize recreation and community infrastructure in areas experiencing the fastest growth, which includes Ward 3, while ensuring existing facilities are maintained properly. I also believe we need to think beyond simply building large facilities. Smaller community spaces, parks, outdoor amenities, libraries and gathering places are essential to creating complete communities. We should also broker partnerships with the private sector and the school boards wherever possible to deliver more opportunity for residents.

Galen Naidoo Harris · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

Since becoming a father last year, it's become increasingly clear to me that there is a meaningful and growing gap in the availability of recreation and community services. Community infrastructure hasn't kept pace with growth and parents are being put in the awkward position of having to compete with one another to guarantee their children access to recreation through the Town. I'm glad that the Town is already in the process of updating its Parks and Recreation Master Plan and, as Ward 2's Regional Councillor, I'll seek to balance support for additional recreation infrastructure in the fastest growing areas of town and the maintenance and expansion of facilities in established areas.

Ginni Malik · Town Councillor — Ward 4

What recreation/community facility gap would you prioritize?

I would prioritize accessible recreation for children, youth, and families in Milton’s growing neighbourhoods. Before building another major facility, I would review population growth, existing facility usage, and geographic gaps to make sure taxpayers’ money goes where the need is greatest.

Rural Milton & Environment

John Challinor · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

The next Community Services Master Plan (est. 2027) will identify the timing, locale and prioritization of future community centre facilities in the Boyne Secondary Plan, Britannia Secondary Plan, Agerton Secondary Plan and Trafalgar Secondary Plan areas, as these communities are now approved for development.

Maliha K. Ahmed · Mayor — Town-wide

Indoor sports capacity is a major gap.

I’ve seen this personally through my son, who used to run a volleyball league in Milton and often had to rent facilities in Mississauga or Brampton because appropriate space wasn’t available here.

That shouldn’t be normal in a town growing as quickly as Milton.

I would prioritize additional flexible indoor recreation space — courts that can support volleyball, basketball, badminton and community programming — particularly in the growing southern part of Milton where thousands of new residents are coming.

Recreation isn’t a luxury. It is youth development, physical health, mental well-being and community building.

Nabil Ahmed · Town Councillor — Ward 1

I would prioritize flexible youth recreation and community space serving Ward 1's growing urban neighbourhoods.

I hear at the doors in Ward 1 that young people need more places to participate in recreation, programs and social activities locally.

Before committing taxpayers to a major new building, I would review existing facility utilization, projected population growth and opportunities to expand useful programming or capacity within current facilities.

The goal should be meeting an actual service gap rather than building something simply because a capital project sounds attractive.

Rahul Chaudhari · Town Councillor — Ward 1

What's missing is support for childcare. We live in a world where a two-income household is the norm, and if childcare costs as much as a job pays, families are stuck choosing between earning income and spending those early years with their kids. I'd support almost anything aimed at children under ten. They have the capacity to become what we can't, so let's back them.

Salman Zafar · Regional Councillor — Ward 3

For all existing community centres, I will expand youth and senior programs to 12 hours a day, year-round to enhance quality of life for all demographics rooted in equity in service delivery. I will also prioritize installing additional play structures in growing neighbourhoods in Milton Ward 3 and Ward 4 with young families.

Sarah Marshall · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

It is important to note that the Town’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan is currently being updated. During the next term of council, council will need to reassess the number of facilities Milton has, where they are located, their capacity, and whether they adequately serve our community.

I would prioritize a new recreational facility in south Milton, serving residents south of Louis St. Laurent Avenue (Boyne survey).

I would advocate for a multi-purpose recreational facility that could include gymnasium and court space, ice pads, fitness and wellness areas, multi-purpose rooms, youth and seniors programming, outdoor space for a variety of outdoor sports and space for community organizations.

As Milton continues to grow, we need to ensure recreation infrastructure keeps pace with the communities we are building. Miltonians living south of Louis St. Laurent have already contributed development charges toward the infrastructure required to support growth. Those investments should translate into a recreational facility that is accessible to the neighbourhoods generating that growth and not require them to routinely travel across town to another existing facility.

Tahira Haroon · Town Councillor — Ward 4

I would prioritize recreation and community facilities based on where population growth is creating the greatest gap. Ward 4 residents have raised concerns about access to parks, recreation and well-maintained public spaces. Before committing to a new facility, I would want a clear assessment of population growth, current capacity, travel distances and future demand.

Youssef Roshdy · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

I would prioritize additional *indoor multipurpose recreation and community capacity in south and southwest Milton*, particularly as the Boyne and Education Village areas continue to grow.

We need flexible space capable of supporting indoor courts, youth programming, community organizations, seniors, cultural programming and year-round recreation rather than designing every new facility around a single use.

The precise site should be determined through the Town's facilities and capital-planning process, but the important step is protecting suitable land and planning capacity before growth eliminates the best options. ------------------------------

Zainab Azim · Mayor — Town-wide

At the doors, parents tell us how frustrating it is when they cannot get their child into a program because it is already full. Residents with disabilities have told us that accessible programming exists, but sometimes at hours that simply do not work. Seniors have talked to us about isolation and loneliness. And we see teenagers spending their evenings in parking lots because they need somewhere to go. To me, that means our biggest gap is not automatically another building. It is making sure the spaces we already have are actually working for the people who need them. Alive After Five would open more Town spaces for evening and weekend programming. Then, through the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, I would look at where we genuinely need more year-round capacity. Before we count facilities, I want to know who we're still turning away.

Ada Nwosu · Town Councillor — Ward 4

Drinking water and public health have to come first. For any quarry or aggregate proposal, I would expect independent groundwater and environmental reviews, ongoing monitoring and public reporting residents can understand. I would work with the Region and Province, which also have roles in approvals and oversight. If serious risks to groundwater or nearby communities cannot be addressed, I would oppose the proposal.

Adejisola Atiba · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

Council must treat groundwater protection as a non-negotiable baseline — it is not a trade-off against economic activity, it is a precondition for community health. I support rigorous, independent hydrogeological assessments before any new or expanded aggregate approvals, with results made fully public. Community concerns must be formally heard and documented, not managed. Where aggregate operations have legitimate economic roles, conditions must be specific, enforceable, and monitored — not simply imposed at approval and forgotten. I would push for stronger municipal advocacy to the Province on aggregate reform.

Adil Khalqi · Town Councillor — Ward 3

This needs to be based on science, environmental protection and meaningful community consultation. Aggregate is an important provincial resource, but that does not mean every proposal should automatically proceed. Groundwater, agricultural land, natural heritage, traffic, noise, dust and the cumulative impact on surrounding communities must be properly assessed. Where the Town has jurisdiction, I will advocate for strong evidence, monitoring and mitigation. Where the Province has jurisdiction, Milton should still make its concerns clearly and forcefully known.

Galen Naidoo Harris · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

The province has a sufficient supply of aggregate and I have significant environmental and quality of life concerns relating to the proposed quarry development plans I've seen. I am not supportive of proposals to add any additional aggregate extraction facilities or capacity in Milton's urban boundary and I am grateful for the work of advocacy organizations like ACTION Milton and CORE Burlington to make the community's voice on these matters heard.

Ginni Malik · Town Councillor — Ward 4

Quarries versus groundwater/community concerns? Milton needs aggregate for roads, homes, and infrastructure, but protecting groundwater and nearby communities must remain a priority. I would support strong environmental review and groundwater monitoring, and ensure residents’ concerns about water, traffic, dust, and noise are properly considered. Where final authority rests with the Province, Milton should advocate strongly for appropriate safeguards.

Gourav Suri · Town Councillor — Ward 1

I strongly believe that balancing aggregate operations against quarry involves leveraging municipal and regional opposition while also having a strict provincial oversight on the matter. A rigorous environmental and technical reviews should also be done along with taking the citizen groups in the confidence.

John Challinor · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

Such a decision simply does not rest with any municipal level of government in Ontario. Decisions related to quarry development and operations and groundwater quantity and quality are the sole purview of the Government of Ontario and, specifically, the Ministry of Environment, Conservation & Parks and the Ministry of Natural Resources. A municipality may zone lands for consideration of the establishment of a quarry, but the siting of that quarry rests with the Government of Ontario.

Maliha K. Ahmed · Mayor — Town-wide

Groundwater protection has to be non-negotiable.

Aggregate resources are important, but once an aquifer is damaged, we cannot simply replace it.

For projects such as the Reid Road Reservoir Quarry, Milton isn’t the final approval authority. That distinction matters.

But being a commenting agency doesn’t mean being silent.

I would insist on rigorous independent science, cumulative-impact analysis, groundwater monitoring and meaningful consultation with rural residents.

Where there is credible risk to drinking water or environmentally sensitive areas, I believe the burden should be on the proponent to demonstrate safety — not on residents to prove future harm after it occurs.

⸻

Nabil Ahmed · Town Councillor — Ward 1

Groundwater and drinking-water protection have to be fundamental considerations, especially in rural Milton.

Aggregate resources have economic value, but residents should not be expected to accept unresolved risks involving private wells, groundwater, roads, dust, blasting or quality of life.

On files such as the Reid Road Reservoir Quarry, the Town is not the final approval authority, so I would be honest about that. Milton should still use every technical, planning and advocacy tool available, insist on strong evidence and continue raising unresolved concerns with provincial decision-makers.

Where significant risks remain unresolved, I would advocate against approval.

Rahul Chaudhari · Town Councillor — Ward 1

Milton's growth needs gravel, that's just true. But if a quarry threatens our shared groundwater, and the vegetation and natural heritage that depend on it, it shouldn't move forward unless the operator is prepared to cover the worst-case scenario the community identifies. There are only a handful of places in North America with thousand-year-old trees, only a few where nut trees grow like weeds. That's what we have here, so damage to the water table isn't a small risk, it's a threat to something genuinely rare. I understand quarries are necessary. I also know there's only one Escarpment.

Salman Zafar · Regional Councillor — Ward 3

Protecting our municipal drinking water and the environment is non-negotiable. Council must enforce the Halton-Hamilton Source Protection Plan and firmly oppose any aggregate extraction below the water table. Council must demand independent scientific reviews on all quarry applications and strictly control haul routes to keep dust and trucks away from neighbourhoods.

Sarah Marshall · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

Council should put groundwater and community concerns above aggregate and quarry operations. Blasting into an aquifer that supplies water to 20,000 residents is clearly a cause for worry should the quarry operations proceed, let alone the additional environmental concerns raised from the creation of fine dust particles associated with blasting and crushing. It has been estimated that there is surplus for more than a 35-year supply of aggregate which further illustrates there is no need for quarry operations to proceed at this location.

Tahira Haroon · Town Councillor — Ward 4

Council should rely on strong environmental and technical evidence and ensure groundwater, natural heritage, noise, traffic and community impacts are properly assessed. Aggregate resources are important, but that does not mean every proposal should automatically proceed. Residents deserve a transparent process and meaningful consideration of environmental and community concerns.

Youssef Roshdy · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

Groundwater protection must be treated as a threshold issue, not something addressed after extraction begins.

Aggregate resources are important to Ontario's construction industry, and the Province exercises significant authority over aggregate licensing. Municipal government nevertheless has a responsibility to use every planning, technical and advocacy tool legally available to protect residents and natural systems.

Where municipal decisions are involved, I would expect rigorous hydrological and hydrogeological evidence, consideration of cumulative impacts rather than examining every operation in isolation, protection of environmentally sensitive areas and the Escarpment, attention to truck routing and road safety, and effective monitoring where operations proceed.

Where credible evidence demonstrates an unacceptable risk to groundwater, private wells or significant natural heritage, economic benefit should not simply override that evidence.

Once an aquifer is damaged, a municipal resolution cannot restore it.

Zainab Azim · Mayor — Town-wide

As a municipality it's not in our power to outright stop the quarry from operating, we must act as an advocate for the people being affected, and also as a regulatory gatekeeper. Council should hire more experts on the matter as well as activating the Joint Agency Review Team (JART) the body responsible of keeping Miltonians safe and unaffected by the quarry, so it will let them ensure Rural Peoples concerns and problems will be addressed and heard. Currently, our primary gatekeeping tool is the Provincial Environmental Assessment Process, which has put the standard aggregate licensing on hold. Our team must use this process to intensely scrutinize the specific risks of the quarry on rural communities, including the groundwater contamination of private wells and the critical Kelso Wellfield

As well, councils should use their public platform to hold provincial leaders accountable in serving our needs as a community, and delivering on what they say. In July of 2020, Premier Doug Ford promised that the proposed Reid Road Reservoir Quarry in Campbellville would not go ahead due to steadfast opposition from many residents and the municipality. He since has not delivered on that promise.

Ada Nwosu · Town Councillor — Ward 4

Rural residents deserve safe roads, reliable internet and fair access to Town services. Roads involve both the Town and Region, so I would make responsibilities and repair timelines clear and press the right body for action. For broadband and cellular coverage, I would work with providers and senior governments. I would also support mobile or outreach options where a Town facility is far away.

Adejisola Atiba · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

I know rural Milton personally — not from briefing notes, but from knocking on doors during the 2025 Ward 1 by-election. I sat with residents and heard their concerns directly: quarry operations affecting their quality of life, unreliable internet cutting them off from work and services, and speeding on rural roads when the 401 backs up and drivers seek shortcuts through their neighbourhoods.

These are not abstract policy issues. They are daily realities for residents who pay the same taxes as everyone else and deserve the same attention.

My commitments: advocate for high-speed internet as essential infrastructure through Federal and Provincial programs; push for a transparent road maintenance schedule that treats rural roads equally; and ensure rural voices are formally represented in the Community Advisory Panel I will establish. No one should be an afterthought — rural or urban, every resident deserves to be heard and supported.

Adil Khalqi · Town Councillor — Ward 3

Rural residents should not feel like second-class residents because of where they live. I support continued investment in rural road maintenance, drainage, safety improvements and connectivity, while advocating with senior governments and telecommunications providers for reliable high-speed internet. Service equity doesn't necessarily mean identical services everywhere; it means residents should have reasonable access to the infrastructure and services necessary to live, work and participate in the community.

Galen Naidoo Harris · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

While rural internet access does not fall under the direct purview of the Town and Region, as mentioned above, I am a strong believer that elected officials' responsibilities extend beyond their jurisdiction and would welcome the opportunity to collaborate with Milton's MPs to ensure that as improvements are made in Milton writ large, rural residents can also look forward to better, more efficient, and reliable internet access. I would also work to ensure continued and improved equity of service and infrastructure for rural residents, including with regard to roads. My father's family homesteaded in British Columbia and I still have family today in rural areas across the country. As Milton continues to grow, rural residents cannot be made to feel like second-class citizens. I will continue to advocate to ensure they get their fair share.

Ginni Malik · Town Councillor — Ward 4

Rural roads, internet, and service equity?

Rural Milton should not be overlooked. I support safe and well-maintained roads, reliable connectivity, and fair access to municipal investment. Service equity does not always mean identical services; it means recognizing different community needs and treating rural residents fairly.

Gourav Suri · Town Councillor — Ward 1

the road and internet are a again a long-time demand that needs attention. i am in favor that rural areas should have proper roads, and internet and other services. while some decisions are purely commercial by the service providers, I promise that i would be working on with the locals and the service providers to come up with a solution that can benefit all.

John Challinor · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

It is important that no-one is left behind as Milton grows. That means that Miltonians living in established urban and rural parts of the community must continue to have access to the most up-to-date amenities, Ideally, the only way a visitor to our community should be able to differentiate old from the new would be by the size of the trees and the design of the homes. The roads, parks and other common municipal infrastructure and services should be of the same quality and of similar vintage. If re-elected, I will continue to advocate for this level of fairness between urban and rural property taxpayers.

Maliha K. Ahmed · Mayor — Town-wide

A Milton postal code should mean something whether you live downtown, in Boyne or in rural Milton.

Rural residents pay taxes too, and they deserve safe roads, reliable infrastructure, connectivity and reasonable access to municipal services.

I would continue investing in rural road rehabilitation and road safety and advocate with other levels of government and telecommunications providers to close remaining broadband gaps.

Service equity doesn’t mean every neighbourhood receives the exact same service.

It means nobody is forgotten because they live farther from Town Hall.

⸻

Nabil Ahmed · Town Councillor — Ward 1

Rural Ward 1 should not receive second-class attention because its population is spread across a larger area.

I would prioritize roads, bridges, culverts, drainage, intersection safety, truck traffic and winter maintenance and make those issues visible through the Ward 1 Infrastructure & Issues Tracker.

For broadband, I would work with providers and the other levels of government responsible for expansion rather than pretending the Town can solve the issue alone.

I also intend to hold a regular rural Ward 1 roundtable involving Campbellville, Brookville, Moffat and Nassagaweya so rural service priorities are heard consistently.

Rahul Chaudhari · Town Councillor — Ward 1

I live in rural Milton, so these aren't small issues to me, they're how we stay connected to the rest of the community. Our roads have different needs, spring thaw alone makes that clear. Internet here has improved, but it started from overpriced and unreliable, so there's still a long way to go. Service equity is genuinely complicated because the challenges out here differ so much from suburban Milton's.

Salman Zafar · Regional Councillor — Ward 3

I am committed to true service equity by establishing minimum acceptable service levels across all Milton communities, regardless of postal code. If elected, I will introduce transparent, auditable decision-making criteria ensuring rural road networks are never a lower priority in municipal budgets, while advocating to guarantee all residents have equitable and reliable access to high-speed broadband connectivity and emergency response services.

Sarah Marshall · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

I would advocate for continuing to prioritize safe, well-maintained rural roads and for reliable, affordable internet access. I respect that some residents value living outside the pace and infrastructure expectations of urban Milton and would not endeavor to change that.

I have sat on Milton Public Library’s Board for the last 12 years. I have continuously supported and advocated for a mobile library or bookmobile that could bring library services directly to rural Milton, in addition to families, seniors and residents who face greater distances to Milton’s library branches. This type of service needs to become a reality within the next 4 years.

Tahira Haroon · Town Councillor — Ward 4

Rural residents are Milton residents and should not feel forgotten. I would advocate for safe and properly maintained roads, reliable internet and fair access to municipal services. Rural areas have different needs from urban neighbourhoods, so service planning should recognize those differences rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.

Youssef Roshdy · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

Rural residents pay taxes too, and service equity does not mean every rural road must look like an urban street. It means rural residents should receive a reasonable and transparent level of service appropriate to their communities.

For roads, I would protect state-of-good-repair investment in roads, bridges, drainage and culverts and ensure rural conditions are properly incorporated into capital prioritization rather than continually losing out to urban growth projects.

For internet connectivity, I would continue working with telecommunications providers and senior governments to eliminate remaining rural broadband gaps. Reliable high-speed internet is now economic infrastructure, particularly for farms, home businesses, education and remote work.

I also want meaningful rural service standards and performance information reported publicly so residents can see what is planned and what has actually been delivered.

Zainab Azim · Mayor — Town-wide

When we talk to residents in rural Milton, road safety comes up again and again. People are seeing more traffic through their communities, including concerns around Costco and the impact major projects like the CN Logistics Hub could have on local roads. My commitment is to prioritize rural road safety and winter maintenance. Where traffic is increasing, we should proactively look at intersections, signage, speed management and road design rather than waiting for an accident to tell us there is a problem. Reliable internet is a necessity. Rural residents need it to work, study, run businesses and stay connected. I won't promise something the Town cannot deliver alone, but I will work with Halton Region and providers to identify coverage gaps, pursue provincial and federal funding, and explore solutions already tested in rural Milton. Service equity acknowledges that rural and urban Milton require different solutions, and we need to work just as hard to find them.

Ada Nwosu · Town Councillor — Ward 4

No, I do not support expanding the urban boundary during this term. Our priority should be servicing the growth already planned and making sure infrastructure catches up. I would reconsider only if there were clear evidence of unmet housing need that cannot be addressed within the existing boundary, with full study of infrastructure costs, environmental impacts and meaningful public input.

Adejisola Atiba · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

Milton is growing — we all know it. The question I keep asking is: why are we still waiting to build the infrastructure that supports the families already arriving?

Ten years ago I was a Milton newcomer myself. My son moved through multiple elementary and high schools because existing ones could not accommodate the growth. He sat in portacabins. That experience is not history — it is happening to families right now.

Expansion must be sustainable and infrastructure-first — not the other way around. Water, wastewater, transit, roads, and schools must be committed and funded before new land is brought into the boundary — not scrambled for after approvals are granted. The default this term should be intensifying land already within the boundary. Where expansion is genuinely warranted, it must come with a fully funded infrastructure plan and full protection of our natural heritage system. Families deserve better than catching up.

Adil Khalqi · Town Councillor — Ward 3

I would not support expanding the urban boundary simply to accommodate growth.

Any future expansion should only be considered when it is necessary, properly planned, financially sustainable and supported by the infrastructure required to create a complete community. That includes transportation, water and wastewater, schools, parks, recreation, emergency services and environmental protections. We should first make responsible use of the lands already identified for urban growth.

Galen Naidoo Harris · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

No.

Ginni Malik · Town Councillor — Ward 4

Expand Milton’s urban boundary?

I would be cautious about further expansion this term. We should first ensure existing planned growth is supported by adequate infrastructure. Any future expansion should require demonstrated need, infrastructure capacity, environmental consideration, sound financial analysis, and meaningful public consultation.

Leadership & Governance

John Challinor · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

Milton's urban boundaries for the next 25 years were established on June 22, 2026, with the passing of the new Official Plan. By 2051, when the community is built out, 30% of Milton's lands will be developed for residential/commercial/industrial purposes and 70% will remain undeveloped for the foreseeable future, as they are protected by the Niagara Escarpment Commission.

Maliha K. Ahmed · Mayor — Town-wide

I would be very cautious.

Before consuming additional farmland or environmentally sensitive land, we should demonstrate that we are making responsible use of land already designated for growth.

If expansion is eventually demonstrated to be necessary, it must be supported by infrastructure capacity, environmental studies, transportation planning and meaningful public consultation.

Growth should not automatically mean outward expansion.

Sometimes smarter growth means building better within the footprint we already have.

Nabil Ahmed · Town Councillor — Ward 1

Not by default.

Milton should first make responsible use of areas already planned for growth and ensure infrastructure catches up with development already underway.

I would only consider further expansion if credible planning evidence showed it was necessary, servicing and transportation capacity were identified, the fiscal impact was understood and agricultural, environmental and rural impacts were properly addressed.

Expanding the map is easy. Paying for the infrastructure afterward is much harder. I would not support expansion simply to create another supply of developable land without a demonstrated community need and infrastructure plan.

Rahul Chaudhari · Town Councillor — Ward 1

I wouldn't support expansion in my own ward; for the most part I think it would be the wrong call. I do support reasonable density through ARUs, but not further disturbance to farmland or forest. If the urban boundary expands at all, I believe it should go toward Mississauga, given the pressure already coming from industry there. Any expansion elsewhere should have to clear a much higher bar of benefit to the town before I'd consider it.

Salman Zafar · Regional Councillor — Ward 3

No, we must move away from endless residential sprawl and protect our agricultural lands. Greenfield development requires entirely new networks of infrastructure that saddle our future generations with unsustainable lifecycle costs. We must focus on smart intensification within our existing boundaries to maximize the capacity of the infrastructure we already own. Expansion should only be entertained if verified data proves our existing urban footprint cannot absorb further capacity.

Sarah Marshall · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

No. At this time, Milton has planned for significant growth to 2051. This growth should be fully serviced and financially sustainable before approving more growth. Until there is a clear need for housing or employment lands that cannot be reasonably accommodated through the current planning, another urban boundary expansion is not needed.

Tahira Haroon · Town Councillor — Ward 4

I would not support expansion simply to accommodate growth faster. Any expansion should be based on demonstrated need and supported by a clear infrastructure and financial plan. Roads, transit, water, wastewater, parks, schools and other services need to be considered. Growth should pay its appropriate share and should not leave existing taxpayers carrying an unfair burden.

Youssef Roshdy · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

My default position for the coming term would be *no further expansion unless updated evidence demonstrates that it is genuinely required*.

Before consuming additional rural or agricultural land, Milton should demonstrate that it is using land already designated for growth efficiently and that existing and planned urban areas cannot reasonably accommodate required population and employment growth.

If an expansion were eventually demonstrated to be necessary, I would require credible servicing and transportation plans, fiscal analysis showing who pays for the resulting infrastructure, protection of key agricultural and natural heritage lands, and a transparent public process.

Expanding the boundary is easy on a map. Paying for decades of roads, pipes and services afterward is the harder decision. ------------------------------

Zainab Azim · Mayor — Town-wide

No. I would not support expanding Milton's urban boundary further for this term. Milton's Official Plan formally establishes a framework to expand Milton urban boundaries up into 2051, but within this term, it is not needed. When talking to communities in rural Milton, they are not asking me where we can expand next. They are asking when roads will catch up, when transit will improve, where their kids will go, and whether community services can keep pace with the growth already happening around them. I would like to focus on meeting these needs first. I am not against growth. I am against expanding outward before we have shown residents that we can properly support the growth we have already committed to.

Ada Nwosu · Town Councillor — Ward 4

I believe in a collaborative Council and open debate. I would not support strong mayor powers being used to shut down discussion, avoid public consultation or override Council without a compelling reason. If the law required using a power in an exceptional case, I would explain the reason publicly and clearly. Residents deserve to see how decisions are made.

Adejisola Atiba · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

I am cautious about strong mayor powers as a general principle — they concentrate decision-making in ways that can undermine the collaborative, community-accountable governance that municipal democracy depends on. I would support their use only in genuinely exceptional circumstances: a declared emergency requiring rapid coordinated action, or a situation where Council is demonstrably deadlocked on a time-critical infrastructure decision with clear community harm resulting from inaction. They should not become a routine governance tool or a mechanism for bypassing legitimate community opposition.

Adil Khalqi · Town Councillor — Ward 3

I do not support the use of strong mayor powers. If they are used, they should be used cautiously and only when there is a clear public-interest reason. I believe Council works best when decisions are made collaboratively. A strong mayor should not mean a weak Council or reduced public accountability.

Galen Naidoo Harris · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

No, I would not support the use of strong mayor powers— or strong chair powers for that matter. Our current system is not perfect, but it ensures residents in each corner of Milton have a say, through their elected officials, in decisions regarding the future of our community. I believe the best decisions are made through compromise and collaboration and would not be in favour of a strong mayor or strong chair strong arming the public because they believe they know best.

Ginni Malik · Town Councillor — Ward 4

Strong mayor powers?

I prefer collaborative and transparent Council decision-making. Strong mayor powers should not replace public debate, consultation, or accountability. If exceptional circumstances arise where those powers are legally available, any use should be clearly explained and transparent to residents.

John Challinor · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

I don't support the use of strong mayor powers at Milton Council under any circumstance.

Maliha K. Ahmed · Mayor — Town-wide

I believe strong powers should come with strong restraint.

The Mayor now has significant statutory powers, including proposing the municipal budget, directing staff in certain circumstances and exercising powers connected with provincial priorities.

I would not use those powers simply because I disagreed with council.

My first approach would always be collaboration and building consensus.

If an exceptional situation required me to use a strong-mayor power, I would explain publicly what power I was using, why I was using it and what outcome I was trying to achieve.

Power should never replace democracy.

⸻

Nabil Ahmed · Town Councillor — Ward 1

As a Town councillor, I would not personally hold strong mayor powers. My general preference is for Council decisions to be debated openly and supported through the normal democratic process wherever possible.

If strong mayor powers are used, for example on the budget, they should be exercised transparently and with a clear public explanation.

Extraordinary powers should remain extraordinary, not become a substitute for building consensus around Council.

Rahul Chaudhari · Town Councillor — Ward 1

I'm wary of any strong-arm governance. If department heads give in to corruption, or council backs a measure the public clearly opposes, those are the moments that concern me. The mayor should always act with the community's interest first. If a mayor starts using those powers to act like the "king" of the town, that's a serious problem, and one I'd hope voters correct at the next election.

Salman Zafar · Regional Councillor — Ward 3

I strongly oppose the use of strong mayor powers to overturn democratically achieved Council decisions. Under no circumstances should unilateral authority replace collaborative governance, as it sidelines local ward voices and undermines transparent and data-driven public consultations.

Sarah Marshall · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

No. I would not support using strong mayor powers in Milton.

I believe Milton is best served by collaboration, accountability and thoughtful decision-making, rather than concentrating additional authority in one office.

Tahira Haroon · Town Councillor — Ward 4

Strong mayor powers are now part of the municipal framework, but I believe Council should continue to work collaboratively. I would support using those powers only where they are legally appropriate and where there is a clear public-interest reason. Strong powers should not replace consultation, transparency or respectful debate among elected representatives.

Youssef Roshdy · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

I believe strong mayor powers should be used *sparingly and transparently*, not as a substitute for building consensus.

Milton has been subject to Ontario's strong-mayor framework since 2023, so this is not a theoretical question for the next Council.

Council is elected collectively. Major municipal decisions are stronger when representatives debate them openly and reach decisions through the normal democratic process.

There may be circumstances where provincial legislation specifically assigns the Mayor a power or responsibility. Where such a power is used, I believe the rationale should be clear, specific and publicly accessible.

I would oppose using strong mayor powers simply because Council debate is inconvenient or because persuading a majority of elected representatives is difficult.

Efficiency matters. *So does democratic accountability.*

Ada Nwosu · Town Councillor — Ward 4

I would publish a plain-language, three-to-six-month look-ahead of major decisions and hold regular Ward 4 town halls, followed by written updates on what Council decided and what happened next. People should be able to raise an issue, hear who is responsible and get a follow-up. Engagement should not stop on election day.

Adejisola Atiba · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

One specific change: mandatory ward-level community meetings at least twice per year — not just open houses at Town Hall, but councillors going into neighbourhoods, community centres, faith spaces, and cultural organization venues to meet residents where they are. These meetings should be documented, with resident questions and councillor commitments recorded publicly and followed up in writing. The current model asks residents to come to the government. I believe the government should go to residents.

Adil Khalqi · Town Councillor — Ward 3

I would strengthen ongoing, ward-level engagement rather than relying primarily on formal public meetings. I will continue being accessible to residents, send out my monthly newsletter and be communicative with the public on all public communication platforms. I will always respond back to residents in a prompt and timely manner, as I always have.

I would like to see more regular resident engagement sessions, including opportunities for residents to raise issues before they become formal Council matters. Digital engagement can also make participation easier for people who cannot attend evening meetings. Most importantly, engagement should include follow-up. Residents should know what happened with the concern they raised, even when the answer is not the one they hoped for.

Galen Naidoo Harris · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

I think Ward 2 deserves much more engagement than it's been getting from its elected officials. If elected, I will host multiple town halls per year, engage in regular door-knocking in areas in the direct proximity of planned development and other major changes, and maintain clear and open communication channels through in-person event attendance, a newsletter, website, and social media channels. Residents deserve to be regularly and meaningfully consulted on decisions that affect them and that standard simply hasn't been met in our ward in quite some time. If elected, it'll be a top priority for me.

Ginni Malik · Town Councillor — Ward 4

How would you improve resident engagement?

I would hold regular Ward 4 community meetings and provide ongoing updates showing what residents have raised, what action has been taken and what remains outstanding. Residents should not have to wait until the next election to hear from their councillor.

Gourav Suri · Town Councillor — Ward 1

I strongly believe in partnership between the council and residents. More citizen panels and committees should be encouraged so citizens can feel they are part of the process and not mere a voting number.

John Challinor · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

The Town of Milton needs to make better use of its facilities and its various communications assets in its engagement with Miltonians at all times, specifically through deployment of TV screen technologies in all of its facilities, advertising signage space in all of its facilities, much more proactive social media postings, much more push/pull website engagement, much more traditional advertising in print, electronic and online media, and twice-annual community update meetings in its major community centres hosted by senior staff. Other than creative development costs, the expense associated with implementing most of these initiatives would be minimal because the Town owns most of the assets in question.

Maliha K. Ahmed · Mayor — Town-wide

I would create regular Mayor and Council Community Forums in different parts of Milton.

Not just at Town Hall.

Go to the neighbourhoods. Go to community centres. Go to rural Milton. Hold evening and weekend sessions so working people can participate.

And most importantly, publish a follow-up:

You told us this.

Here is what we did.

Here is what we couldn’t do — and why.

Consultation without follow-up creates cynicism.

⸻

Nabil Ahmed · Town Councillor — Ward 1

I would launch a public Ward 1 Infrastructure & Issues Tracker.

Residents would be able to see what has been reported, which government is responsible, the current status and the next action on significant Ward 1 issues such as roads, culverts, drainage, bridges, construction and development applications.

I would combine that with a monthly councillor update explaining major Council decisions, how I voted and why.

Residents should not have to attend every Council meeting or repeatedly chase their councillor to find out what is happening.

Rahul Chaudhari · Town Councillor — Ward 1

More transparency in how decisions get made, and real engagement with community organizers from a range of backgrounds on the big issues: official plan reviews, transit overhauls, city-wide budget frameworks. That engagement should use every channel available: social media, classroom visits with students, door hangers and mail. The goal is to cast the widest net possible so no one feels left out.

Salman Zafar · Regional Councillor — Ward 3

I will introduce regular, structured 'Pre-Council Community Briefings' ahead of major financial and planning decisions to break down complex staff reports in plain language. Residents shouldn't need a degree in municipal finance, urban planning or civil engineering to participate. This will ensure community questions and concerns are brought directly to the Council floor before decisions are made.

Sarah Marshall · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

I would create a three-to-six-month Council agenda outlook for residents.

Council agendas are generally available by 4:30pm the Monday before a meeting, giving residents a very short window to understand an issue, ask questions and engage with Council.

I would support publishing a plain-language list of topics likely to come before Council over the next 3–6 months, updated regularly as priorities change. Residents could then monitor issues that matter to them and engage with their councillor before decisions are imminent.

Tahira Haroon · Town Councillor — Ward 4

I would create a more direct and consistent Ward-level feedback process. Residents should have an easy way to raise local issues and receive updates about what happened afterward. I would also support regular community meetings where residents can discuss issues before they become major problems. Engagement should not happen only during election campaigns.

Youssef Roshdy · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

I would establish a *Ward 4 public accountability meeting every quarter*, accompanied by an online issue and commitment tracker.

Residents should be able to see the major issues brought to my office, what action has been taken, which level of government is responsible and whether the matter is resolved, pending or outside Council's authority.

The meetings would rotate through different parts of Ward 4 rather than always requiring residents to come to Town Hall.

Door-knocking should not end on election night. The same direct conversations candidates seek during an election should continue throughout the four-year term.

Ada Nwosu · Town Councillor — Ward 4

Milton needs thoughtful change that keeps families at the centre. I have lived here for nearly 15 years and am raising two children in Ward 4. I am a small-business owner, educator and community volunteer, including as Co-Chair of the HCDSB Parent Involvement Committee and a school council Co-Chair. I hold a BA in Political Science and an MPA in Public Administration. I will listen, do the homework and follow through.

Adejisola Atiba · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

Change — and I mean substantive, and intentional change in how things get done, not just who is doing them.

Milton has grown fast. But growth managed the same way, by the same playbook, produces the same gaps. I am running because I believe we can do better. Co-create decisions with residents rather than consulting them after the fact. Go out and actively pitch Milton to companies and organizations — bring real jobs in, not just more warehouse square footage. Support entrepreneurs with the tools and spaces to build here. Invest meaningfully in youth. Grow the right way.

I bring over 30 years in banking, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation — the financial literacy, strategic thinking, and private sector relationships to back that agenda up. Milton is more than a bedroom community. It is time the council governed it that way.

Adil Khalqi · Town Councillor — Ward 3

Milton needs continuity in our long-term vision, but change where we can do better. We should continue investing in infrastructure, transit, recreation, parks and responsible growth. But we also need to keep improving how quickly we respond to residents, how we manage development and how we deliver municipal services. I believe I am the right choice because I bring both experience and energy. I am a Police Officer and a Councillor. I have been an avid volunteer since I was 10 years old, and have amassed thousands of volunteer hours in various areas. I am also the youngest member of Milton Council, and was first elected at the age of 22. I understand the importance of investing in youth and building a community that understands the future needs of families and their children. Since being elected, I have worked on practical issues including road safety, infrastructure, recreation affordability, winter services and growth management. I listen to residents, bring their concerns forward and work with staff and Council to find solutions. I am not running to simply maintain the status quo. I am running to build on what is working and fix what is not.

Galen Naidoo Harris · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

Continuity in character, change in direction. I was born in Milton District Hospital thirty-some-odd years ago. Last year, my daughter was born in the same hospital. While Milton has changed tremendously over the time separating our births, the things that truly make Milton great- wonderful people, a vibrant culture and sense of community, a beautiful natural environment, and a warm, approachable, energetic downtown core- remain intact. The Town's Official Plan has Milton growing to more than 400,000 residents by 2051. The key challenge for Milton's next council and for the councils that follow will be ensuring growth is reasonable, sustainable, and accompanied by proportionate improvements to infrastructure and service delivery: a standard, I believe, that has not been met in some time. As someone with a lifetime of lived experience in our community and a track record of delivering results working hand-in-hand with the provincial and federal governments, Conservation Halton, Wilfrid Laurier University, and other community partners, I believe I am well positioned to help steer a change in a direction that will ensure a continuity of town character to enable Milton to be the best possible place to work, study, and raise a family.

Ginni Malik · Town Councillor — Ward 4

Continuity or change — and why you?

Milton needs continuity where things are working and positive change where our rapid growth has created gaps. I bring a community-focused perspective and will be an approachable, responsive voice for Ward 4, focused on practical issues such as safety, traffic, infrastructure, parks and responsible spending.

Gourav Suri · Town Councillor — Ward 1

Milton needs Change. The previous council has served Milton well and its now time to bring the changes that are required in this changed time. a new thought, way of working, tools and technology like AI can sure help Milton Grow where it needs to.

John Challinor · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

Milton needs constructive, thoughtful and well-planned change. The next four years are critical to Milton’s future housing and transportation/recreation/cultural infrastructure growth as well as to laying the groundwork for its general quality of life over the next 25 years. Milton needs — and I will bring — proven experience, proven leadership and proven fiscal responsibility around the tables at Milton Council and Halton Regional Council. The residents of Ward 2 need a Regional Councillor who is clearly in their corner, one who balances the financial challenges faced by the Town and the Region with their ability to pay, one who knows the importance of long-term planning and helps Council and staff make convincing arguments to the other levels of government in a way that benefits Miltonians, and one who understands that, fundamentally, the Town of Milton and the Region of Halton exist to deliver broadly-based, core services to taxpayers efficiently, effectively and in a high-quality fashion.

Maliha K. Ahmed · Mayor — Town-wide

Milton needs change — but not change for the sake of change.

We should respect what has been built here while recognizing that the Milton of today is very different from the Milton of twenty or thirty years ago.

We are younger, larger and much more diverse. Our challenges are different too — housing affordability, traffic, healthcare access, food insecurity, climate pressures and infrastructure trying to catch up with population growth.

I come from grassroots community work.

I’ve worked with families, seniors, youth, food programs, environmental initiatives and community organizations.

So when I talk about affordability or community services, I’m not speaking about numbers on a page. I’ve sat with the people behind those numbers.

I believe Milton needs leadership that is accessible, compassionate and willing to challenge the idea that growth alone equals success.

I want Milton to measure success by how well the people who live here are doing.

⸻

Nabil Ahmed · Town Councillor — Ward 1

Milton needs change in expectations, not change simply for the sake of replacing everything that works.

I want to preserve what is working while raising the standard for communication, accountability and how closely growth is tied to infrastructure.

This is my first time running for elected office. My background is in real estate, where I have spent more than ten years working directly with homeowners, renters, first-time buyers, families and small businesses through complicated decisions.

That professional background also means I take conflicts seriously. If elected, I will follow the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. Where I have a pecuniary conflict, including one arising through my business, I will disclose it and not participate in or vote on that matter.

My approach is simple: listen first, understand the facts, explain the decision and follow through.

Rahul Chaudhari · Town Councillor — Ward 1

If Milton's growth were limited, I'd choose continuity. But it isn't, it's expanding fast, and that changes how we deliver services and how we approach nearly everything. Some people want Milton to stay a farming town, some see a city on the horizon, some understand it's a journey that takes a lifetime. We're growing at breakneck speed, and the approach that worked for decades can't be the approach going forward. We can move slowly, but that won't remove the need to change, it'll just make the eventual cost higher.

Salman Zafar · Regional Councillor — Ward 3

Milton urgently needs to shift away from reactive politics and populism toward proactive, evidence-based decision-making. We must stop treating local government like a popularity contest and start treating elections like job interviews to manage a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure portfolio. I am the answer because I offer proven competence over political talking points. With 13 years of verifiable municipal experience from shaping provincial infrastructure regulations to advancing infrastructure asset management programs in municipalities including Halton Region, I bring the technical rigor required to scrutinize technical staff reports against auditable decision-making criteria that align with community expectations and affordability. I have the proven expertise to maintain our critical infrastructure and deliver on my commitments without forcing unreasonable property tax increases. I am ready to advance the interests of all taxpayers by ensuring equity in service delivery and serving as a strong, authoritative voice at the Council table.

Sarah Marshall · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

I believe Milton needs thoughtful change over the next four years. The changes needed will build on what is working while preparing for the challenges of continued growth.

Since being elected in 2022, I have focused on listening to residents, making informed decisions and working collaboratively. My experience as a lawyer offers careful analysis, practical problem-solving, strong advocacy, fairness and accountability to the council table.

As Regional Councillor, I would bring that experience to advocate for economic development, better regional transit, infrastructure, housing and community safety, while ensuring decisions are financially responsible and grounded in evidence.

Tahira Haroon · Town Councillor — Ward 4

Milton needs both. We should continue what is working, but we also need to change how we respond to growth, infrastructure pressures, affordability and everyday neighbourhood concerns. I am not running to promise that everything can be changed overnight. I am running because I believe residents need a strong, practical voice at Town Hall—someone who will listen, ask questions and hold decisions accountable.

Youssef Roshdy · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

Milton needs *change in how we govern, without discarding the institutional knowledge and programs that work.*

Our population has changed, our transportation challenges have changed, our housing market has changed and the scale of development Milton is managing is fundamentally different from what it was twenty years ago.

Government has to evolve with the community.

I am running because I believe Council needs a stronger culture of accountability, measurable outcomes and direct engagement with residents.

My background has taken me through engineering studies, law, business and community representation. Those experiences taught me to look at a problem from different angles: what is technically possible, what is legally permissible, what it costs, and whether the people affected were actually heard.

I am not asking residents to elect me because I believe everything Milton has done is wrong.

I am asking them to elect me because the next stage of Milton's growth requires fresh scrutiny of decisions, greater transparency and representatives willing to challenge the phrase, *“that's how we've always done it.”*

Maliha K. Ahmed · Mayor — Town-wide

I would make the Mayor’s budget much more participatory.

Before proposing it, I want residents to see the major choices and pressures facing us.

Then I would build the budget around a simple question:

Does this make everyday life better for Milton residents?

My priorities would be core infrastructure, fire and public safety, transit, parks and recreation, affordability initiatives and services that keep pace with growth.

I would also introduce stronger public reporting so residents can see not only what we budgeted, but whether programs actually delivered the promised results.

A municipal budget is not just an accounting exercise.

It is a statement of our values.

⸻

Maliha K. Ahmed · Mayor — Town-wide

The Mayor of Milton also serves on Halton Regional Council, so I would treat that relationship as fundamental to the job.

Many of the issues residents care about — water and wastewater infrastructure, major roads, public health, housing and social services — require regional cooperation.

And with the Province changing aspects of regional governance, including moving to a provincially appointed Regional Chair, Milton needs a strong voice at that table.

My approach would be collaborative but firm.

I will work with Burlington, Oakville and Halton Hills where our interests align, but my responsibility is to make sure Milton receives its fair share of infrastructure, services and investment.

Whatever governance structure the Province ultimately gives us, one principle doesn’t change:

Milton residents should never receive less of a voice because the structure of government changed.

Adejisola Atiba · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

I would want to review the full voting record carefully before committing to a specific decision — it would be dishonest to identify one without that foundation. What I can say is that on decisions involving growth-related infrastructure timing — where approvals for new development have consistently outpaced committed servicing — I would have pushed harder for infrastructure-first conditions. Approving growth and then scrambling to fund the roads, transit, and community services it requires transfers risk from developers to taxpayers, and I would have voted to break that pattern.

Galen Naidoo Harris · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

Current Ward 2 Regional Councillor Rick Malboeuf was the only councillor to oppose a motion which came before Halton Region's Council in late 2024 to take the fight against the proposed CN Intermodal Hub to the Supreme Court. Cost was Councillor Malboeuf's stated reason for opposing the motion and I share his tremendous respect for responsible stewardship of taxpayer funds, but I believe that hub is too poor a fit for the community and that fight too important, so, if I had been on council, I would have supported the motion to continue to oppose the intermodal hub.

John Challinor · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

The new Halton Regional Police Services 1 District police station should have been built on Regional Road 25 between Milton and Oakville, rather than in an industrial park in Halton Hills, because most of the growth in North Halton and, in fact, in Halton over the next 25 years will take place in Milton between Derry Road and Highway 407.

Salman Zafar · Regional Councillor — Ward 3

I would have voted against approving capital financing strategies and development charge policies that front-end developer infrastructure and shift the financial carrying costs of rapid growth onto existing ratepayers. In 2024, Halton Region approved floating nearly $700 million in debt to build trunk water and wastewater infrastructure for new developer subdivisions, hoping to recover those funds over time. At the exact same time, everyday residents were hit with a 4.3% water and wastewater rate hike, nearly two-thirds of which (2.8%) was essentially a "catch-up tax" just to repair aging, deteriorating pipes that had been underfunded. Council has also continued to ease cash-flow pressures on the development industry by deferring development charge collections until occupancy and entertaining programs that require local taxpayers to backfill growth-related capital. Growth must pay for growth. As an infrastructure asset management practitioner, I will not support financing structures that force established homeowners to subsidize private subdivision expansions through higher utility bills and municipal debt while our own state-of-good-repair backlog compounds for the next generation.

Sarah Marshall · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

A decision I would have approached differently was Halton Regional Council’s October 22, 2025 motion supporting Halton Healthcare’s request for provincial funding to add 123 acute-care beds at Milton District Hospital and Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital.

I would have supported the goal of expanding hospital capacity, but I would have pushed Regional Council to go further on Milton’s behalf. With Milton’s rapid growth, our healthcare infrastructure needs to keep pace with our population and not catch up years later.

I would have asked for a clear Regional strategy with specific timelines, measurable commitments and regular public reporting on the Province’s response. Residents should not have to wonder whether commitments made on their behalf are actually producing results.

Youssef Roshdy · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

The area where I would have pushed for a different decision as the term progressed was the *continued commitment of additional public funds to the CN Milton Logistics Hub litigation as the available legal avenues narrowed*.

I understand why Halton fought the project. The concerns surrounding human health, the environment, traffic and infrastructure were serious, and residents deserved vigorous representation.

The legal challenge ultimately cost approximately *$30 million*, according to the Region's Commissioner of Corporate Services and Corporate Counsel as publicly reported after the court proceedings concluded. Those proceedings have now ended, federal approvals are in place and construction is underway.

I was not sitting at the Council table and did not have access to the confidential legal advice available to councillors. I therefore will not pretend I can responsibly identify, in hindsight, one confidentially informed vote that I unquestionably would have cast differently.

What I can say is that, as the litigation progressed and the available legal avenues narrowed, I would have pushed for clearly defined decision points before committing further public funds. Those reviews should have examined cumulative expenditure, probability of success, remaining legal avenues and what additional protection could instead be achieved through compliance, mitigation and monitoring.

As it became increasingly clear that the project could proceed, I would have placed greater emphasis on ensuring rigorous compliance with the *more than 300 conditions* attached to it, including requirements concerning human health, air quality, noise, surface and groundwater, emergency planning and operational practices.

This is not about criticizing the original decision to defend Milton or minimizing the serious health and environmental concerns surrounding the project.

I believe elected officials should fight for residents. But responsible stewardship also requires periodically asking whether the strategy being funded remains the strategy most likely to protect those residents and produce a meaningful result.

Adejisola Atiba · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

Water and wastewater capacity — because it is the foundation on which everything else depends. Without it, no housing gets built, no employment lands get serviced, and no growth target gets met. Milton’s growth projections require significant wastewater capacity investment, and I am concerned that the timeline and funding commitments do not fully match the pace of approvals already in the pipeline. I would champion this issue because it is invisible to most residents until it fails — and by then, the cost of fixing it is borne entirely by taxpayers rather than the growth that created the need.

Galen Naidoo Harris · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

I think this is a bit of a false trichotomy. If I'm forced to choose one from among the three, I'd have to pick water and wastewater capacity. I believe Milton's most acute ongoing issue is our infrastructure and services gap. Successive councils haven't done a good enough job of ensuring growth has been directed to places that make sense, executed in ways that make sense, and supported with sufficient infrastructure and services. The Town's Official Plan has Milton growing to more than 400,000 residents by 2051. A large part of ensuring that growth is controlled, managed, and sustained will come down to supporting it with adequate infrastructure, including enhancements to our water and wastewater capacity. That said, a term of council is four years, leaving an effective councillor ample time to champion water and wastewater capacity, policing costs, and waste. As Ward 2's Regional Councillor, I'll work hard every day to ensure our next council better manages our growth, builds a safer community, and ensures timely, effective service delivery across the board, including with respect to waste collection.

John Challinor · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

In a Milton context, they are all priorities and, if elected as the Regional Councillor, Ward 2, I will be championing all of them. I have three priorities if elected on October 26th when it comes to the Region of Halton: One, the need to ensure that its services, specifically housing, policing and public health/social services, are delivered fairly, relative to the other municipalities in Halton; Two, the necessity that it widen existing and/or construct new regional arterial roads in a timely fashion that effectively supports Milton’s growing transportation requirements; and Three, the requirement that it allocate water and sewer capacity, including pumping station support and water quality, in a timely way that corresponds with Milton’s growth plans out to 2051.

Salman Zafar · Regional Councillor — Ward 3

I will champion water and wastewater capacity. Housing approvals are outpacing the highly expensive underground pipes required to support them. We must resolve these critical infrastructure bottlenecks and proactively fund our state-of-good-repair programs to secure Milton's foundation before approving any further expansion. Growth cannot outrun our long-term fiscal capacity.

Sarah Marshall · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

Of these priorities, I would champion water and wastewater capacity.

Milton is growing rapidly, and we cannot continue approving growth without making sure the infrastructure is there to support it. Water and wastewater capacity is the foundation for responsible growth, housing, business investment and the quality of life residents expect.

As Regional Councillor, I would make securing the infrastructure Milton needs one of my highest priorities. That means pushing for timely investment, clear construction timelines and accountability for delivering the capacity promised to our community.

Youssef Roshdy · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

Water and wastewater capacity.*

It may be the least politically exciting of the three choices, but it is fundamental to Milton's future.

Halton's 2026 Water and Wastewater operating budget is approximately *$286.3 million*, with a *6 per cent net rate increase*. That scale alone demonstrates how central servicing infrastructure is to both growth and household affordability.

Every housing target, employment development and new community ultimately depends on servicing capacity.

My priorities would be to:

-

accelerate infrastructure required for approved growth areas; -

protect state-of-good-repair investment so existing residents are not sacrificed for new growth; -

coordinate Town development decisions with Regional servicing capacity; -

improve transparency around project timelines and infrastructure bottlenecks; -

ensure growth contributes the appropriate share toward growth-related infrastructure within the law; and -

continue investment in basement-flooding mitigation, system resilience and protection of drinking-water sources.

Milton cannot responsibly plan growth first and discover afterward that the pipes, treatment capacity and financing are not ready.

Ada Nwosu · Town Councillor — Ward 4

My first motion would ask staff to bring forward a costed Ward 4 road-safety plan, working with residents and Halton Region. It should map concerns near schools, parks and busy walking routes, then identify where speeding, crossings or traffic calming need attention. The plan should show who is responsible, what each fix will cost and when it can happen.

Adil Khalqi · Town Councillor — Ward 3

I will have more to share if I am re-elected.

Ginni Malik · Town Councillor — Ward 4

What is your first motion?

My first motion would focus on school-zone and pedestrian safety. I would ask staff to identify priority locations with crossing, traffic, parking, or crossing-guard concerns and provide Council with recommended actions, costs, and timelines. We should identify safety problems before a serious incident occurs.

Nabil Ahmed · Town Councillor — Ward 1

I will launch a public Ward 1 Infrastructure & Issues Tracker myself in my first 100 days.

My first motion would direct staff to publish a data-based road-safety priority list for Ward 1 intersections and speeding hot spots, and to make existing Town data on roads, culverts, drainage and development applications publicly available so the tracker stays accurate.

Accountability starts with making the work visible.

Rahul Chaudhari · Town Councillor — Ward 1

Building bylaws, done better. Keep the application process itself the same, but reduce or defer the fees for small businesses. The time burden alone is a lot to ask of someone without experience navigating permitting; add a financial burden on top and most people would rather skip the process altogether. For the town's sake, we want people telling us how they plan to build or grow their business, not avoiding us. This removes a major hurdle for Milton's most ambitious residents and leaves the town better informed at the same time.

Tahira Haroon · Town Councillor — Ward 4

My first motion would focus on improving how residents' local service concerns are tracked and followed up, including issues such as illegal dumping, park maintenance, speeding and property standards. Residents should not have to repeatedly report the same problem without knowing what action was taken. I would want a clear process for tracking issues, assigning responsibility and reporting outcomes.

Ada Nwosu · Town Councillor — Ward 4

I was not on Council during the 2022–2026 term, so I cannot claim to have cast a vote. The 2025 budget approval is the vote I would have approached differently. It included a 9.89% increase to the Town portion of property taxes. Before finalizing it, I would have asked staff and Council to look again at projects that could be phased and possible savings, while protecting essential services, road safety and transit.

Ginni Malik · Town Councillor — Ward 4

Name a 2022–2026 Council vote you disagreed with. I would have approached the 2025 budget differently. While I support investments in roads, transit, and essential services, I would have pushed for a deeper review of lower-priority spending and opportunities to phase projects before increasing the burden on taxpayers.

With Milton growing quickly, we need investment, but we also need affordability. My approach would be to protect essential services and infrastructure while ensuring every reasonable efficiency is explored first.

Nabil Ahmed · Town Councillor — Ward 1

I would not have supported Council's September 8, 2025 budget-call direction requesting that the 2026 Operating Budget be presented with a 7.94 per cent local residential property-tax increase.

Before setting a target that high, I would have asked for clearer options showing what lower-priority spending could be phased or deferred, what outside funding could be pursued and where efficiencies could be found while protecting core services.

The final 2026 increase in the Town-controlled portion was 6.94 per cent. Fiscal restraint should mean prioritizing better, not allowing roads, fire, transit, snow clearing or essential asset maintenance to deteriorate.

Rahul Chaudhari · Town Councillor — Ward 1

Childcare funding advocacy, back in 2024, which ultimately got voted down. I believe it's our job to advocate for people struggling on the ground, regardless of which level of government technically owns the issue. Milton has a demographic makeup that calls for additional support for our most vulnerable children. I'll happily step on toes to make sure those children's needs are met, and that their parents get some peace, because they're too busy raising a family to referee a fight between levels of government.

Tahira Haroon · Town Councillor — Ward 4

As someone who has not previously served on Council, I do not want to pretend I had a vote when I did not. I have followed a number of decisions and planning matters during this term, and I would bring a different approach to some of them. In particular, I believe Council needs to be more proactive about ensuring that infrastructure, services and neighbourhood impacts are considered alongside growth. I would rather be honest about my record than claim a vote I did not have.

Ada Nwosu · Town Councillor — Ward 4

At this time, I would not support approving a large-scale data centre in Milton. I would consider a specific proposal only after residents have clear information and a meaningful chance to be heard. I would want independent assessments of its effects on water, electricity, land, traffic, the environment and local services, along with enforceable plans to address those impacts. The proponent should pay its fair share of required infrastructure costs. Jobs and tax revenue matter, but they are not enough on their own. If serious impacts cannot be responsibly addressed, I would vote against it.

Adejisola Atiba · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

I would consider data centers on a case-by-case basis. I would support a project where the economic and community benefits clearly justify its use of land, electricity, water and infrastructure. I would not support a project that shifts significant costs to taxpayers, places unreasonable pressure on local resources, or provides insufficient long-term value to Milton.

Galen Naidoo Harris · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

I am currently opposed to hyperscale data centre development in Milton. On August 20th, I committed that, if elected, I would introduce a motion calling on the Town of Milton to restrict new development related to data centres for a period of at least one year. Milton voted on a similar motion on September 14th, which narrowly failed. As Ward 2's Regional Councillor, I will stay true to my platform commitment and introduce a motion for consideration by the new council, which I expect will meaningfully differ in its composition from the current council. My current opposition to data centre development is based on a growing body of evidence which shows that hyperscale data centres are disproportionate draws on local municipal drinking water and electricity grids and an inefficient long-term use of employment land. I appreciate that council passed a motion at the same meeting on September 14th calling for additional study and review of planning considerations relating to data centre development and look forward to seeing the results of that research. I am not opposed to data centres forever, but it's clear we need more information and there's no reason for Milton to be the province's or country's guinea pig. For now, I would only support a specific project if I saw sufficient evidence from a credible source that the development's net environmental and socioeconomic impact would be positive.

John Challinor · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

Milton is already home to a large-scale data centre and a second large-scale data centre operator was considering establishing in the community two years ago but could not finalize the sale with the land owner. The decision to host large-scale data centres locally was taken out of Milton Council's hands in August 2026 when the Government of Ontario introduced the Data Centre Playbook to assess, regulate and approve new large-scale data centre projects connecting to the provincial electricity grid. The local planning review of data centres by Town Planning staff in 2027, which was approved by Milton Council on September 14, 2026, will be guided by Ontario’s current planning process.

Maliha K. Ahmed · Mayor — Town-wide

I would not give a blanket yes to large-scale data centres in Milton.

For me, every proposal has to answer a very basic question: does this development make sense for Milton and for the people who live here?

Through my work on the board of Sustainable Milton, I have already been raising concerns about the potential impact of large data-centre development in our community. My concerns are not about technology or investment itself. They are about making sure we understand what we may be giving up in return — land, water, electricity, infrastructure capacity and environmental resources.

I have spent many years working with Milton families through Milton Muslim Moms and other community organizations, and one thing I have learned is that growth decisions made today stay with a community for generations.

I would therefore want a full and transparent assessment of a project’s water and electricity demands, environmental impact, infrastructure requirements, location, employment benefits and long-term economic value before supporting it.

If those impacts cannot be justified, or if a project puts an unreasonable burden on Milton’s resources for relatively little benefit to residents, I would not support it.

This is also consistent with my broader platform: I support responsible growth, not growth at any cost.

Nabil Ahmed · Town Councillor — Ward 1

I would assess a large-scale data-centre proposal on its individual merits rather than give the entire industry a blanket yes or no.

I would want to know the number and quality of jobs created, tax and economic benefits, suitability of the site, electricity and water requirements, infrastructure impacts, environmental effects and what costs could ultimately fall on residents.

A project with a strong economic case and manageable infrastructure impacts could earn my support. A project consuming substantial land, power or municipal capacity without a comparable long-term community benefit would not.

Rahul Chaudhari · Town Councillor — Ward 1

A hard no, unless it does a tremendous amount to support the town's growth. That barrier of entry will hopefully make it unappealing to data centres that care little for the town's long-term health. If they mean well then I'll be willing to change my mind.

Ada Nwosu · Town Councillor — Ward 4

I would weigh credible, lasting local jobs and tax contributions against the demands on land, water, electricity, roads and other municipal services. I would expect clear studies, a practical plan to manage impacts and a fair contribution from the proponent toward required infrastructure. Residents should understand the trade-offs before Council decides. If the project’s demands would harm existing services or cannot be responsibly managed, the economic benefits alone would not justify approval.

Adejisola Atiba · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

I would look at the full return to the community, not simply the size of the investment. We need to understand the permanent jobs created, tax revenue, local economic opportunities, use of employment land, electricity and water demands, infrastructure costs, and environmental impact. Growth should add lasting value to Milton, not shift costs onto residents or limit better future uses of our employment lands.

Galen Naidoo Harris · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

Holistically; these factors cannot be considered in isolation. For now, the limited body of evidence suggests that data centres are a disproportionate consumer of electricity and clean drinking water and that while they offer some long-term economic benefit through a limited number of permanent high-paying positions, that their enduring economic benefit is muted, as much of the job creation offered by data centres is short-term and time-limited to the construction period. As such, I am currently opposed to hyperscale data centre development in Milton. If the body of evidence grows and shows greater efficiency of electricity and water consumption or an improved long-term socioeconomic proposition, I would be willing to revisit my position.

John Challinor · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

Regrettably, the preamble to the notice of motion that was brought before Milton Council contained American-based misinformation about large-scale data centres that has no relevance to the Canadian marketplace. For example, Canadian data centres are no different than any other industry in Canada when it comes to the use of hydro-electric power or water and sewer usage – they pay full price for it. They receive no discounts whatsoever. Like all other Ontario industries, they are heavily regulated by the province’s Ministry of Environment, Conservation & Parks when it comes to air quality – principally noise and greenhouse gas emissions. Further, like any residential, commercial, industrial or institutional building, their construction must ultimately conform with the Ontario Planning Act and local planning, zoning and other requirements. They typically do not receive government subsidies to establish operations here. The vast majority of large-scale data centres re-use the water required to cool their information processing equipment in a closed-loop, recirculating system – technology deployed by the IT industry since the early 1950s. Large-scale data centres do not use any more hydro or water resources than the vast majority of similarly sized manufacturing or distribution centre facilities. Today, about 25 percent of Canadians are employed in Canada’s Information Technology sector, across numerous industries and professions. Depending on their size, data centres employ between 20 and 200 permanent staff directly and employ about 120 and 1,200 individuals indirectly. Large-scale data centres range in size between 200,000 and 1 million square feet, with the average size being about 400,000 square feet. A 400,000 square foot data centre in Milton would pay between $1.7 million and $2.4 million in property taxes annually. As an aside, I have spent 32 years of my working life employed in Canada's IT sector.

Maliha K. Ahmed · Mayor — Town-wide

Economic development is important, but we cannot look only at the dollar value of an investment announcement.

I would want to know what Milton is actually getting in return.

How many permanent local jobs will be created? What will the long-term tax benefit be? How much electricity and water will the facility require? What pressure will it put on infrastructure? Is this the best use of valuable employment land? And what are the environmental consequences twenty or thirty years from now?

My community work has always taught me to look at decisions through the eyes of the people who will actually live with the consequences.

The same principle runs through my platform. Whether we are talking about housing, transportation, development or infrastructure, growth has to improve people’s quality of life and infrastructure has to keep pace with it.

My work with Sustainable Milton has made me especially conscious that environmental resources cannot simply be treated as an afterthought once a development has already been approved.

I would expect those costs and benefits to be presented clearly to Council and to the public before a decision is made.

Nabil Ahmed · Town Councillor — Ward 1

I would evaluate the benefits and costs together rather than focusing only on the size of an investment announcement.

Council should understand the employment generated, municipal tax revenue, land consumption, electricity demand, water requirements, servicing costs, construction impacts and whether necessary infrastructure upgrades would be paid for by the project or existing residents.

I would also consider what other employment uses could occupy the same land.

Economic development matters, but Milton should receive a fair long-term benefit for the land, resources and infrastructure being used.

Rahul Chaudhari · Town Councillor — Ward 1

Data centres, like any other large business, should be a net benefit to the town long term. If they offer limited employment, the town needs to be compensated in other ways, measured against their use of electricity, water, and other municipal infrastructure.

Ada Nwosu · Town Councillor — Ward 4

I would not make data-centre investment a priority for Milton to pursue. I would focus on businesses that meet residents’ needs and provide lasting local jobs and useful services. If a data-centre proposal comes forward, Council should review it under clear rules, consider the evidence and hear from residents before deciding. I would not support it if its significant impacts could not be responsibly addressed.

Adejisola Atiba · Regional Councillor — Ward 4

I would not actively pursue data-center investment at the detriment of other opportunities. Milton should attract a diverse range of investments and assess each one based on the value it brings to the community, including jobs, tax revenue, economic opportunities and responsible use of land and infrastructure. A data centre should be considered where it adds clear value to Milton, not simply because it represents a large investment.

Galen Naidoo Harris · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

My position is that the Town of Milton should not actively pursue data centre development at this time.

John Challinor · Regional Councillor — Ward 2

Like any other proposed development, whether residential, commercial or industrial, the Town of Milton should only consider such proposals on a case-by-case basis as they come forward. That is how the municipality has operated, historically.

Maliha K. Ahmed · Mayor — Town-wide

I don’t believe Milton should be actively chasing large-scale data centres simply because they represent a large investment on paper.

Milton should absolutely pursue good economic development and good jobs, but we should be strategic about the industries we attract.

I would rather see us actively pursue businesses and industries that create strong, long-term employment, contribute to our local economy and can operate responsibly within Milton’s infrastructure and environmental capacity.

When data-centre proposals come forward, they should be considered on their individual merits, with strong environmental and infrastructure standards and meaningful public transparency.

For me this is not about being anti-development. It is about asking the right questions before we say yes.

For years, whether through Milton Muslim Moms, Sustainable Milton, Milton Transitional Housing or my other community work, I have tried to speak up when I believe something will affect our community. I would bring that same approach to the Mayor’s office.

Milton is growing very quickly. We have an opportunity to shape that growth rather than simply react to it, and I believe we have a responsibility to get these decisions right.

Thank you again for giving candidates the opportunity to address this issue.

Nabil Ahmed · Town Councillor — Ward 1

For now, I would focus first on establishing clear Milton-specific planning expectations and understanding the infrastructure implications before aggressively recruiting large data centres.

Once that framework is in place, I would not rule out pursuing projects that fit Milton's employment strategy and demonstrate a strong net benefit.

My approach to economic development is to welcome investment, but not at any price. The municipality should know what capacity it has and what standards a project must meet before competing to attract it.

Rahul Chaudhari · Town Councillor — Ward 1

The town is already busy enough managing the services we have. Let's address data centres as they approach us, rather than chase them.