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← Councillor - Ward 12 (Toronto-St. Paul's)

David Cottrell

Candidate for Councillor - Ward 12 (Toronto-St. Paul's)

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?

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

David Cottrell chose 'No'; more housing is great, but infrastructure often can't support comfortable living where houses multiply.

  • Answer: No.
  • More housing is great, but in areas where there are more houses that usually means the infrastructure won't allow people to comfortably live in. A substantial amount of effort should be placed on strategic planning for new housing, especially housing that is affordable not just available.
“More housing is great, but in areas where there are more houses that usually means the infrastructure won't allow people to comfortably live in. A substantial amount of effort should be placed on strategic planning for new housing, especially housing that is affordable not just available.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 12 questionnaire · October 14, 2026

Confidence:High

David Cottrell chose 'Yes'; encampments often turn previously accessible public locations into hazardous zones.

  • Answer: Yes.
  • Encampments often create previously accessible locations to the public in to hazardous zones that are no longer maintained. The reality is some people won't take help but their refusal should not cause undue hardship to the community at large.
“Encampments often create previously accessible locations to the public in to hazardous zones that are no longer maintained. The reality is some people won't take help but their refusal should not cause undue hardship to the community at large.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 12 questionnaire · October 14, 2026

Confidence:High

David Cottrell: we have the living space — the problem isn't quantity, it's cost.

  • Answer: Build or finance substantially more affordable and supportive housing.
  • We have the living space, the problem isn't quantity, its cost.
“We have the living space, the problem isn't quantity, its cost.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 12 questionnaire · October 14, 2026

Confidence:High

Think we’ve got this wrong?

Taxes & spending

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

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

David Cottrell chose 'Grow more slowly than inflation, requiring service restraint or alternative revenues'.

  • Answer: Grow more slowly than inflation, requiring service restraint or alternative revenues.
  • Residential property owners are getting squeezed out of home ownership, raising property tax for many who are on fixed income or aren't receiving raises even close to what the city is taking from them.
“Residential property owners are getting squeezed out of home ownership, raising property tax for many who are on fixed income or aren't receiving raises even close to what the city is taking from them.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 12 questionnaire · October 14, 2026

Confidence:High

David Cottrell chose 'Reduce internal administration, staffing or contract costs'.

  • Answer: Reduce internal administration, staffing or contract costs.
  • We often have contracts for services that can be done by city staff, so long as good project management is in place.
“We often have contracts for services that can be done by city staff, so long as good project management is in place.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 12 questionnaire · October 14, 2026

Confidence:High

Think we’ve got this wrong?

Emergency services

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

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

David Cottrell chose 'Increase above inflation to expand police staffing or services'; a lot if expected from the police.

  • Answer: Increase above inflation to expand police staffing or services.
  • A lot if expected from the police. It does not mean that police are necessarily needing to add enforcers but they need more community police who know the neighborhood and can intervene in situations more effectively.
“A lot if expected from the police. It does not mean that police are necessarily needing to add enforcers but they need more community police who know the neighborhood and can intervene in situations more effectively.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 12 questionnaire · October 14, 2026

Confidence:High

David Cottrell chose 'Mental-health response, addiction treatment and youth intervention'.

  • Answer: Mental-health response, addiction treatment and youth intervention.
  • I believe that prevention is always more effecting that reactionary responses.
“I believe that prevention is always more effecting that reactionary responses.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 12 questionnaire · October 14, 2026

Confidence:High

Think we’ve got this wrong?

Transit

Can I get where I need to go without driving?

David Cottrell chose 'No'; a large amount of commuters are from out of town, the city is almost unaffordable as it.

  • Answer: No.
  • A large amount of commuters are from out of town, the city is almost unaffordable as it. The people that help move this city shouldn't be taxed out of simply making it to work or visit.
Show their words & source (a few sentences)
“A large amount of commuters are from out of town, the city is almost unaffordable as it. The people that help move this city shouldn't be taxed out of simply making it to work or visit.”

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 12 questionnaire · October 14, 2026

Confidence:High

Government

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

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Roads & infrastructure

Will the things I use every day actually get fixed?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Economy

Will our main streets and local jobs thrive?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Environment

Is the candidate protecting the nature we live in?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

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?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

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?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

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.

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