Skip to main content

← Councillor Ward 8

Osam Ali

Candidate for Councillor Ward 8

In their own words

This candidate hasn’t listed a campaign website or social account with the Town. That says nothing about them as a candidate — it just means less of their material is published online for us to summarise.

Where they stand

Every candidate in this race is shown against the same 16 issues, in the same order, whether or not we’ve found something for each one. Why we do it this way.

Housing

Will I be able to afford to live here?

Ali: faster approvals, more diverse housing options, stronger incentives for affordable housing — growth near jobs, transit, schools.

  • Faster approvals and more diverse housing options
  • Stronger incentives for affordable housing
  • New growth focused near jobs, transit, schools and services — complete, connected, affordable neighbourhoods
Show their words & source (a few sentences)
“I would support faster approvals, more diverse housing options, and stronger incentives for affordable housing. New growth should be focused near jobs, transit, schools and services so London builds complete, connected neighbourhoods where people can afford to live.”

Source: London Chamber of Commerce — 2026 Candidate Survey (Osam Ali, Ward 8)

Confidence:High

Taxes & spending

What happens to my tax bill, and where does the money go?

Ali: growth should help pay for growth — aggressively pursue provincial and federal funding to reduce pressure on property taxpayers.

  • Growth should help pay for growth
  • Aggressively pursue provincial and federal funding
  • Reduce pressure on property taxpayers; clear project timelines and public cost reporting
Show their words & source (a few sentences)
“I would prioritize infrastructure that protects core services, supports housing and job growth, and delivers the greatest long-term value. Growth should help pay for growth, while the City aggressively pursues provincial and federal funding to reduce pressure on property taxpayers.”

Source: London Chamber of Commerce — 2026 Candidate Survey (Osam Ali, Ward 8)

Confidence:High

Emergency services

When I call for help, will it come fast enough?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Transit

Can I get where I need to go without driving?

Ali: more frequent transit to major employment areas, better service for shift workers, stronger intercity bus, rail and air links.

  • More frequent transit to major employment areas
  • Better service for shift workers
  • Stronger intercity bus and passenger rail connections, improved air access
Show their words & source (a few sentences)
“I would support more frequent transit to major employment areas, better service for shift workers, stronger intercity bus and passenger rail connections, and improved air access.”

Source: London Chamber of Commerce — 2026 Candidate Survey (Osam Ali, Ward 8)

Confidence:High

Government

Will decisions be made in the open, and will anyone answer for them?

This candidate has spoken about this issue more than once. Each statement is shown with its own source.

Ali: multiyear funding must stay transparent, responsible and tied to measurable outcomes.

  • Pillar Nonprofit Network 2026 candidate survey — Q8: Support multi-year funding & longer-term partnerships (Yes/No + why).
“Yes — Yes, I support multiyear funding and longer term partnerships for community organizations. Stable and predictable funding allows nonprofits to plan responsibly, retain qualified staff, strengthen successful programs, and focus more of their time on serving residents instead of repeatedly applying for short term funding.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Pillar Nonprofit Network — London 2026 Candidate Survey (candidate's own Q&A answers)

Confidence:High

Would push tough scrutiny, transparency and responsible spending when strong-mayor powers are used.

  • Asked how Council should respond to strong-mayor powers, Ali said Council oversight matters even more now; he would ask tough questions, review decisions carefully and push for transparency, accountability and responsible use of public funds.
“Strong-mayor powers make Council oversight even more important. As a councillor, I would ask tough questions, review decisions carefully and push for transparency, accountability and responsible use of public funds.”

(a few sentences)

Source: London Chamber of Commerce — 2026 candidate survey (Osam Ali, Ward 8)

Confidence:High

Ali: include nonprofits early via consultation, advisory tables and ongoing communication.

  • Pillar Nonprofit Network 2026 candidate survey — Q9: Ensuring nonprofits are included in decision-making.
“I would ensure nonprofits are included early and meaningfully in City decision making through regular consultation, representation on relevant advisory tables, and ongoing communication with City staff and Council. Their frontline experience provides valuable insight into community wellbeing, economic development, housing, inclusion, and neighbourhood planning. By treating nonprofits as strategic partners, sharing information openly, and clearly reporting how their recommendations influence decisions, the City can develop more practical policies, reduce duplication, and achieve stronger outcomes for Londoners.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Pillar Nonprofit Network — London 2026 Candidate Survey (candidate's own Q&A answers)

Confidence:High

Think we’ve got this wrong?

Roads & infrastructure

Will the things I use every day actually get fixed?

Would prioritize core services and housing/job growth infrastructure, with growth paying for growth and senior-government funding.

  • Asked how to prioritise infrastructure and pay for growth, Ali said prioritise what protects core services, supports housing and job growth and delivers the greatest long-term value, with growth helping pay for growth.
  • Wants aggressive pursuit of provincial and federal funding, clear timelines, public cost reporting and stronger oversight of major capital projects.
Show their words & source (a few sentences)
“I would prioritize infrastructure that protects core services, supports housing and job growth, and delivers the greatest long-term value. Growth should help pay for growth, while the City aggressively pursues provincial and federal funding to reduce pressure on property taxpayers.”

Source: London Chamber of Commerce — 2026 candidate survey (Osam Ali, Ward 8)

Confidence:High

Economy

Will our main streets and local jobs thrive?

Ali: grow on London's strengths in education, health care, manufacturing and tech — obstacles are costs, labour shortages, slow approvals.

  • Build on strengths in education, health care, manufacturing and technology
  • Biggest obstacles: rising costs, labour shortages, housing affordability, slow approvals
  • Make it easier to do business: cut red tape, speed approvals, invest in infrastructure
Show their words & source (several paragraphs)
“London has a real opportunity to grow by building on our strengths in education, health care, manufacturing and technology. The biggest obstacles are rising costs, labour shortages, housing affordability and slow approval processes.”

Source: London Chamber of Commerce — 2026 Candidate Survey (Osam Ali, Ward 8)

Confidence:High

Environment

Is the candidate protecting the nature we live in?

Would prioritize practical climate actions that lower costs: efficient buildings, reliable transit and resilient infrastructure.

  • Asked about the Climate Emergency Action Plan, Ali said prioritise practical climate actions that also lower costs and strengthen the economy: energy-efficient buildings, reliable transit, resilient infrastructure and better waste reduction.
  • Notes London is 22% below 2005 emissions against a 55%-by-2030 target, so progress must be measured closely.
Show their words & source (one sentence)
“I would prioritize practical climate actions that also lower costs and strengthen London’s economy—energy-efficient buildings, reliable transit, resilient infrastructure and better waste reduction.”

Source: London Chamber of Commerce — 2026 candidate survey (Osam Ali, Ward 8)

Confidence:High

Healthcare

Will there be a doctor and a hospital when we need one?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Growth & development

How fast should we grow, and who decides what gets built where?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Social & community services

Who looks after the most vulnerable residents?

This candidate has spoken about this issue more than once. Each statement is shown with its own source.

Ali: grassroots and ethnocultural nonprofits face extra barriers to grants and decision-makers.

  • Pillar Nonprofit Network 2026 candidate survey — Q6: Biggest challenges facing the nonprofit sector & actions candidates would support.
“As a leader of an ethnocultural nonprofit organization for many years, I have seen firsthand that the biggest challenges facing nonprofits and charities in London are growing demand, limited and unpredictable funding, staff and volunteer burnout, and a shortage of affordable community spaces. Grassroots, ethnocultural, and nonprofit organizations often face additional barriers, including complicated grant applications, limited administrative resources, and difficulty accessing municipal support and decision-makers.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Pillar Nonprofit Network — London 2026 Candidate Survey (candidate's own Q&A answers)

Confidence:High

Prioritizes downtown safety and cleaner public spaces, with office-to-residential conversions and measurable progress.

  • Asked about Downtown Plan priorities, Ali said prioritise safety and cleaner public spaces, with office-to-residential conversions and stronger support for downtown businesses.
  • Expects visible results: fewer vacancies, safer streets, more downtown residents and visitors, and clear public reporting.
“My priorities would be safety, cleaner public spaces, stronger support for downtown businesses, and more housing through redevelopment and office conversions.”

(one sentence)

Source: London Chamber of Commerce — 2026 candidate survey (Osam Ali, Ward 8)

Confidence:High

Think we’ve got this wrong?

Active transportation

Can I walk and bike safely around town?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Arts & culture

Does the candidate value what makes this place feel alive?

Would prioritize well-used cultural assets — Centennial Hall, Museum London, libraries — for repairs and accessibility.

  • Asked what cultural infrastructure to prioritise, Ali said focus on well-used assets — Centennial Hall, Museum London, library branches, community arts spaces, festivals and key downtown public spaces.
  • City investment should target urgent repairs, accessibility, capacity and long-term value using clear criteria.
Show their words & source (one sentence)
“I would prioritize well-used cultural infrastructure such as Centennial Hall, Museum London, London Public Library branches, community arts spaces, festivals and key downtown public spaces.”

Source: London Chamber of Commerce — 2026 candidate survey (Osam Ali, Ward 8)

Confidence:High

Data centres

Should energy-hungry data centres be welcomed here?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Water & waste

Is our drinking water safe and our waste handled?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Bylaw enforcement

Are the rules fair, and are they actually enforced?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Think we got something wrong?

Candidates and members of the public can both report a correction. Every one is logged and answered, and corrections about a candidate’s own positions get priority.

Report a correction about this page →