[NOTE: Research is somewhat narrow with its basis neighbourhood and resident exchanges. Voters are urged to get to know their candidates first hand, meeting them in person where possible to interact and discuss issues directly.
If the election were held today, here is how the races would likely finish.
MAYOR (1 position)
Kevin ASHE (winner, 2022 Election)
Incumbent, clean public record, personable, ubiquitous and glad hands everyone, deep war chest, supported by many. Safe bet.
Janice FRAMPTON (2nd in 2022 Mayor race, almost defeated Ashe….80 votes]
Frampton has run this race before and did very well. She may not be as well known in the new Pickering and will have to run a very strong and highly energetic campaign. Can she do it? Betting odds are not in her favour but she will finish high on the list. Odds on winning…low.
Lisa ROBINSON
Well known, much exposure, liberal views, often the centre of controversy, clear positions, spontaneiously outspoken, polarized views likely to attract similar thinking voters, incumbent, clean public record, personable, ubiquitous. Should not be rejected completely as voters could split their decisions resulting in her win. Numerous past controversies could be her Achilles heel. Risky bet but not rejectable as voters splitting their votes and spread among numerous others could cause upset. Moderate risk. Take a chance but not likely to reach the brass ring.
Shaun RICKARD
Who? Generally unknown, unless he produces something noteworthy and becomes known by voters, not likely to get many votes. Poor bet.
Doug CORNELL
Another “Who is this person?” Limited discussions indicate slim change of getting serious number of votes. Save your money.
Zargham, RASSOL
An unknown;,unless they produce something noteworthy and become known by voters, not likely to get significant number of votes other than their ethnic commuinity. Save your bet.
Andrea WOOD
Late registrant; unknown to majority of voters. Serious professional who might be in the race for exposure, future entry, who knows? Needs to be assessed by voters through meet and greets but not likely to garner notable number of votes this campaign. Save your money.
WARD 1 (1 position)
The constituency to watch for excitement, rock solid campaigning and strong and effective efforts by candidates….
James BLAIR [2nd place finish, 2022 Election]
Blair deserves serious consideration for council based on his strong CV. However, unless he knocks on many more voters’ doors, he remains a long shot as voter familiarity is still questionable even though he finished second in his 2022 camaign. Risky bet.
Maurice BRENNER (Rgnl) (nearly upset by Tom Hayes, 2022 Election won by 100 votes]
Incumbent, rock solid track record and reputation, Mayoral material, well known throughout the community and with the majority of voters. Solid bet to be returned but he knows not to presume and that every campaign demands effort and commitment. Brenner likely will deliver….safe, solid bet.
Abdullah MIR
New comer but campaigning like an experienced pro. Knocking on doors and shaking hands everywhere; CV may be weak but he campaigns like a stalwart. Personable, articulate, a winning persona when met. He will make a decent show of it but it isn’t his time this round. Solid candidate fighting long odds. Save your bet.
Jamie NYE
Unknown candidate, his Achilles heel. Only path to decent results will be a lot of door-to-door handshaking but that won’t be enough to reach the brass ring. His campaign, probably an insurmountable climb. Save your bet.
Michael SAMLALSINGH
Another unknown candidate; not likely to garner significant votes, definitely not enough for victory. May be in it just for the exposure? Save your bet.
Jeremy STEINHAUSEN
And yet another unknown not likely to garner significant votes, definitely not enough for victory. May be in it just for the exposure also? Save your bet.
Prya VADIVEL
Yet another unknown but a dark horse who campaigns like Teddy Roosevelt, ‘speaking softly but carrying a big stick;” intelligent and successful business woman who brings all of that biz acumen to the political arena; picks her battles well and comes armed with her biz expertise to each: brains, positive persona, productive perspective and diligent determination. This candidate should not be disregarded. She could surprise many people. If you like long shots and dare risky bets, this one is a nice one.
Mohammed ZABAHIR
An unknown who likely believes ethnic community popularity can be translated to broader electorate. Not likely. Unless something noteworthy is done and become personal face-to-face with voters is increased chances of winning are unrealistic. May garner ethnic vote but not more. Save your bet.
WARD 2 (1 position)
This constituency has a couple of experienced incumbents and then some very strong newcomers who may scare the pants off of the incumbents….
Linda COOK [won 2022 Election by 150 votes]
Incumbent, solid councillor in terms of attendance and reputed office performance; maybe presumptuously late to the race; odds on favourite to be returned.
Mara NAGY [overwhelmed other Ward 2 candidates in 2022]
Another incumbent; won her first campaign with hardwork and the mentorship of others; slow off the mark this campaign as being a new mother may have impacted her campaigning opportunities; not an odds on favourite; in fact, betting is against her return because there are some very strong candidates in this constituency race, Has fulfilled her duties as a first time councillor quite well, but the voters may not know her well enough. A shakier bet than she should be.
Nancy VAN ROOY [Weak showing in 2022 Election]
Rookie campaigner but professional background as solid as the Rock of Gibraltar. Police officer, DRPS Detective with strong reputation for being capable, professional and productive. She will need to develop her exposure to voters if she wishes success. On paper, a very good candidate but her chance of winning depends on her campaign effort. Long shot but will not upset COOK unless latter stumbles and at this point, COOK is not showing herself as an interested candidate. VR’s obstacles: Cook will be very strong once she recognizes this constituency has some very strong candidates and needs her to start campaigning seriously. Van Rooy is relative unknown and that may be her biggest obstacle in the campaign. Based on her credentials and this is her second shot at the brass ring, Van Rooy likely has good odds but garnering enough votes questionable. Odds….unlikely.
John MELOCHE
Very strong candidate based on persona, campaign launch, campaign material and personality. Meloche is a successful business man who presents himself well. He has the ‘Councilor persona’ but voters are just becoming aware of him. This could be his Achilles heel. His campaign launch displayed charisma and attraction. Now can he convert these to the broader stage of the muncipality. His campaign will have to develop much more to achieve his goal. Seeing him work the campaign stage reinforces that he is the candidate to beat. But he also has the obstacle of some very strong candidates running against him. Solid bet but must overcome some formidable competitors and relative voter unfamiliarity. A bet to make.
Stacey LEPINE-FISHER
Who? The question of who is this candidate still applies if Ward 2 residents are canvased. She has strong professional credentials but unless she knocks on many doors and interacts with many voters personally, she remains at long odds from winning. Consider your bet and try to meet with her personally if you have the opportuniuty. Otherwise, save your bet.
Sam SNYDERS
Another less than well know. Has campaigned hard in the digital media but voters are not know for much use of it. So campaign will be Mount Everest escalation for Snyders unless he finds a way to become better known with voters. Save your bet.
Vince VIAPIANA
Another less than well known. Campaign work so far is unknown. A concerted effort at making himself known is crucial because of his current lack of familiarity with voters. So campaign will be Mount Everest escalation for him even if finds a way of becoming better known among the voters. Save your bet.
WARD 3 (1 position)
Two candidates…
Shaheen BUTT [won as Councillor 2022 Election by nearly 1500 votes]
Incumbent councillor, knows how to work the campaign levers, campaigns everywhere at every event. Safe bet to win.
Dave PICKLES (Rgnl) [winner 2022 Election]
Incumbent, clean record, personable and fairly well known. Strong candidate based on Council record and city events involvement. Safe bet.
Nada RAYKUMAR
An unknown from local ethnic community which may be her strength or may be her downfall. Canadian electorate has voted for ethnic minorities and female candidates but these have been known to be obstacles also. Likely in current race for exposure. Save your bet.
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