Osam Ali decided to enter the race as a city council candidate for Ward 8 just before the filing deadline. Motivated by the limited number of contenders for the west-end ward, the software engineer expressed his intention to contribute positively if elected. Ali, who previously finished sixth in the ward in 2018, viewed running for office as his civic responsibility.
As the clock neared 2 p.m., more candidates, including Paul Gray, submitted their nomination papers for various positions in the upcoming local elections scheduled for October 26. Gray, aiming to enhance school safety and boost student reading scores, remained optimistic despite the province’s recent takeover of the school board. He emphasized the importance of introducing fresh ideas and remained hopeful for the board’s future restoration of powers.
A total of 69 candidates are contending for 14 city council seats, while 12 candidates are vying for the mayoral position. This year’s candidate count stands higher than the previous year, with 61 council candidates and 10 mayoral candidates in 2022. For a detailed list of all candidates, visit the official election website.