A Whitby election forum involving Afghan Canadian community members included Ward 4 council candidate Saima Hammad ahead of the October 26 municipal vote.
The gathering brought together six candidates from Whitby, Vaughan and Mississauga. Organizers said the event was intended to encourage civic participation and help residents understand how municipal decisions affect daily life.
Participants discussed housing affordability, property taxes, traffic congestion, public transit, jobs, and services for seniors and young people. Candidates presented their priorities and answered questions about local needs and municipal responsibilities.
Whitby candidate among six participants
Hammad, who is registered for Whitby council in Ward 4, attended alongside candidates for municipal offices in Vaughan and Mississauga. Wesal TV reported that the meeting included candidates from Afghan and other cultural backgrounds.
The forum was one of two recent gatherings involving Afghan Canadian residents and municipal candidates in the Greater Toronto Area. A separate event focused on the Mississauga mayoral race.
Organizers said residents benefit from comparing candidates’ plans and asking questions about the services delivered by local government. The discussions also emphasized participation by young people and newcomers in civic affairs.
Voting day is October 26
Whitby voters will cast ballots for mayor, council and school-board positions. Unlike several other Durham municipalities, Whitby is using in-person voting and special mail-in ballots rather than online or telephone voting.
Advance in-person voting is planned from October 22 to 25, followed by voting day on October 26. Residents should use the Town of Whitby’s official election information to confirm identification requirements and polling locations.
This report describes Hammad’s attendance and the forum topics. It does not endorse any candidate in the Whitby election forum or the municipal election.
