Omar's Six-Pillar Plan for Ward 1 and Oshawa
These 6 priorities are built around the concerns that I've heard from residents at the doors.
These pillars reflect what matters most to our community and the kind of leadership I wish to bring to Ward 1.
After more than 20 years of community involvement and over 17 years of career in the financial services sector, I've learned that trust is earned through accountability, responsible decision-making and delivering on commitments.
Those lessons have shaped who I am, and they will guide how I serve Ward 1 at Oshawa City Hall.
1. SAFE NEIGHBOURHOODS
Safer streets, greater confidence and a downtown about which we can all be proud.
Everyone in Ward 1 deserves to feel safe where they live, work, raise a family, or run a business.
As Councillor, I will make the safety and quality of life of Ward 1 residents a priority. That means working with residents, Durham Regional Police, by-law enforcement, community organizations, and other partners to address concerns and find practical solutions.
Downtown Oshawa is part of our community, and its challenges affect all of us.
We need a coordinated approach that protects public safety while creating an environment where residents, businesses and visitors feel welcome.
MY COMMITMENTS
SAFER WARD 1 NEIGHBOURHOODS
Work with Durham Regional Police, By-law Enforcement, residents and community organizations to address safety concerns, improve public safety and strengthen confidence in our neighbourhoods.
MAKE DOWNTOWN A CITY-WIDE PRIORITY
Downtown Oshawa is one of our city's greatest challenges and one of our greatest opportunities. Its future cannot be left to one organization or one level of government. It requires collective action from the City, Region, police, businesses, social service agencies, community organizations, residents and all levels of government.
I will advocate for a Downtown Renewal Fund focused on activating vacant and underused spaces, supporting community initiatives, improving the experience for residents and visitors, and attracting new investment downtown. We need to move beyond simply maintaining downtown and start creating more reasons for people to live, work, shop, visit and invest there.
COMPASSION WITH ACCOUNTABILITY
We can support people experiencing homelessness, addiction and mental health challenges while also protecting the safety, dignity and quality of life of residents, businesses and visitors.
STRONGER COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Safety is a shared responsibility. Crime does not stop at neighbourhood boundaries. I will advocate for practical initiatives that address problems early, before they take root and spread to other communities. I will support partnerships that bring residents, businesses, police, community organizations and government together to identify concerns, act early and keep our communities safe.
A safer Ward 1 is a community we can all take pride in.
2. RESPONSIBLE SPENDING
Respect Every Tax Dollar. Residents work hard for their money. City Hall should work just as hard to make sure every tax dollar is spent wisely.
With more than 20 years of community involvement and a career in financial services, I've learned the importance of accountability, careful decision-making and making every dollar count.
As Councillor, I will support financial decisions that protect essential services, deliver value for residents and keep Oshawa financially strong for the future.
MY COMMITMENTS
VALUE FOR EVERY TAX DOLLAR
Before supporting major spending, I will ask a simple question: What are residents getting in return? Public spending should deliver clear value and meaningful results.
TRANSPARENCY & ACCOUNTABILITY
Residents deserve to understand how their tax dollars are being spent. I will support clear reporting, open decision-making and greater accountability for major expenditures.
INVEST IN WHAT MATTERS
Prioritize the essential services and infrastructure residents rely on, including roads, sidewalks, parks and public spaces.
CONTROL UNNECESSARY COSTS
Look for efficiencies, reduce waste and challenge spending that does not deliver meaningful value. Responsible spending does not mean cutting for the sake of cutting. It means spending with purpose.
PLAN FOR LONG-TERM FINANCIAL HEALTH
Support decisions that are fair to today's taxpayers while protecting Oshawa's financial position for the future. Where appropriate, I will advocate for provincial and federal funding to help support municipal priorities.
Every dollar has to have a purpose. Taxpayers deserve value, accountability and results.
3. RELIABLE SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Fix the Basics, plan for growth and keep Ward 1 moving. These basics matter.
Residents should be able to count on safe roads, well-maintained sidewalks, clean parks, reliable snow removal, and City services that respond when they are needed.
Oshawa residents already pay some of the highest property taxes in Durham Region. They should be able to see and feel the value of those tax dollars in the services they receive.
Ward 1 is also growing and we need to plan ahead. New development should come with the infrastructure and services needed to support it. Growth should not leave existing neighbourhoods playing catch-up.
We need to build for the community we have today while planning responsibly for the community we are becoming.
MY COMMITMENTS
MAINTAIN WHAT WE HAVE
Push for timely repairs and better maintenance of roads, sidewalks, pathways, parks and other infrastructure residents rely on every day.
PLAN GROWTH PROPERLY
Support responsible development that considers the impact on existing neighbourhoods, traffic, infrastructure, parks, transit and essential services.
MAKE INFRASTRUCTURE KEEP PACE
Ward 1 should not have to play catch-up. Roads, sidewalks, traffic management, parks, transit and other infrastructure must be planned alongside growth, not years after it happens.
DELIVER RELIABLE SERVICES
Support timely snow removal, road maintenance, waste services, parks maintenance and dependable City services throughout Ward 1.
IMPROVE CITY RESPONSE
When something is broken, unsafe or not working, residents deserve a clear response. I will work closely with City staff to improve communication, follow-up, and responsiveness to residents' concerns.
Growth should improve our community, not outpace it.
4. GROWING OUR LOCAL ECONOMY
Stronger Businesses. More Opportunity. A Thriving Ward 1.
A strong local economy creates opportunity for everyone.
Small businesses are an important part of our community, and Ward 1 needs an environment where entrepreneurs can invest, create jobs, build partnerships and grow.
As Councillor, I will be a strong advocate for Ward 1 businesses, including downtown businesses that continue to serve our community while dealing with challenges they did not create.
MY COMMITMENTS
STAND UP FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES
Listen to business owners, understand the challenges they face and bring their concerns forward at City Hall. Businesses should not be left to carry the burden of problems they did not create.
SUPPORT DOWNTOWN BUSINESS REVITALIZATION
Work with downtown businesses, business associations, residents and other partners to address vacancies, property concerns, accessibility and other barriers affecting the business environment.
SUPPORT JOB CREATION
Encourage investment that creates local jobs and gives Ward 1 residents more opportunities to work, build businesses and prosper close to home.
CONNECT BUSINESSES BEYOND OUR BORDERS
Help facilitate business-to-business connections, trade relationships, investment opportunities and partnerships between Ward 1 businesses and businesses, entrepreneurs and organizations across Canada and internationally.
GIVE LOCAL BUSINESSES A STRONGER VOICE
Businesses should have a seat at the table when decisions affect their livelihoods. I will bring their concerns forward and work to turn them into practical action.
When Ward 1 businesses succeed, our whole community benefits.
5. COMMUNITY WELL-BEING
Stronger people, stronger connections. A Ward 1 that cares and a strong community is built by supporting people.
Ward 1 should be a place where families feel supported, seniors feel connected, young people have opportunities to succeed, and community organizations have the support they need to make a difference.
Community well-being also means creating places where people want to gather. When our public spaces are active, welcoming and well used, we create more opportunities for people to connect and take pride in where they live.
BRING LIFE TO OUR COMMUNITY
Downtown Oshawa needs more than infrastructure. It needs people, activity and connection.
I will support more community events, cultural activities, markets, family programming, festivals, performances and opportunities for residents to gather and connect.
An active downtown and active neighbourhoods can strengthen community connections and give residents more reasons to participate in the life of our city.
MY COMMITMENTS
BRING MORE LIFE TO DOWNTOWN
Support events and activities that bring families, youth, seniors, businesses and community organizations together.
CREATE MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT
Encourage cultural events, community gatherings, markets, recreation and entertainment that bring people together.
SUPPORT WELCOMING PUBLIC SPACES
Promote public spaces that are accessible, welcoming and well maintained, giving residents more opportunities to gather, relax and participate in community life.
SUPPORT PEOPLE AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
Stand with families, seniors, youth, community organizations and people facing mental health and other challenges by supporting programs that create opportunity, connection and belonging.
CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH AND SENIORS
Support initiatives that help young people stay engaged and give seniors opportunities to remain connected and active in the community.
When people have reasons to come together, communities become stronger.
6. LEADERSHIP THAT LISTENS
Your voice. Your ward. Your city councillor.
Good leadership starts with listening.
Ward 1 deserves a Councillor who is accessible, present and accountable -- someone willing to hear different perspectives, even when those perspectives are difficult or different from my own.
I will stay connected to residents, businesses, community organizations and neighbourhood groups and work with them to turn concerns into practical solutions.
I will listen to Ward 1, speak up for Ward 1, work with Ward 1, and be accountable to Ward 1.
MY COMMITMENTS
LISTEN FIRST
Create meaningful opportunities for residents to share their concerns, ideas and priorities, not only during an election campaign but throughout the term.
BE PRESENT IN WARD 1
Spend time in our neighbourhoods, attend community events, meet with residents and businesses, and stay connected to what is happening on the ground.
BE YOUR VOICE AT CITY HALL
Bring Ward 1's priorities forward, advocate firmly for our community and make sure residents' concerns are heard when decisions are being made.
WORK ACROSS DIFFERENCES
Good ideas can come from anywhere. I will listen to different perspectives, work with colleagues and community partners, and look for common ground when it can deliver better results.
REPORT BACK & BE ACCOUNTABLE
Residents deserve to know what their Councillor is working on, what progress has been made and where challenges remain. I will communicate openly and take responsibility for the commitments I make.
TURN CONCERNS INTO ACTION
Listening only matters when it leads to action. I will focus on practical solutions and results residents can see in their communities.
A Councillor should work for the Ward, not just represent it.
MY BOTTOM LINE
I've spent more than 20 years serving and working with communities. I know that trust isn't given simply because someone asks for your vote. It has to be earned.
That means listening when residents have concerns, speaking up when Oshawa Ward 1 needs an advocate, making responsible decisions with taxpayers' money and following through on the commitments I make.
Wisdom Works. Because good leadership isn't about making promises.
It's about earning trust, doing the work, and delivering results for Ward 1 -- along with our entire city.