← Councillor - Ward 20 (Scarborough Southwest)

Kevin Rupasinghe

Candidate for Councillor - Ward 20 (Scarborough Southwest)

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.

Kevin Rupasinghe chose 'Yes'; Young people should be able to find a home close to their parents without staying in their basements, and seni

Answer: Yes.
Young people should be able to find a home close to their parents without staying in their basements, and seniors deserve to downsize in the same areas they spent their lives in. Allowing buildings with more units provides the gentle density we need in areas that people already want to live in.

“Young people should be able to find a home close to their parents without staying in their basements, and seniors deserve to downsize in the same areas they spent their lives in. Allowing buildings with more units provides the gentle density we need in areas that people already want to live in.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 20 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Kevin Rupasinghe chose 'Concentrate growth on major streets and near rapid transit'; Growth needs to be handled across the city

Answer: Concentrate growth on major streets and near rapid transit.
Growth needs to be handled across the city, with different measures in different contexts. Our major corridors and transit hubs have the most potential to support new residents leveraging existing infrastructure.

“Growth needs to be handled across the city, with different measures in different contexts. Our major corridors and transit hubs have the most potential to support new residents leveraging existing infrastructure.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 20 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Kevin Rupasinghe chose 'Build or finance substantially more affordable and supportive housing'

Answer: Build or finance substantially more affordable and supportive housing.
More affordable homes are the only answer to Toronto's housing crisis. A new wave of social housing is part of supporting a new generation struggling with affordability, and would bring serious benefits: decreasing homelessness, crime, and health costs, while increasing access to jobs and education.

“More affordable homes are the only answer to Toronto's housing crisis. A new wave of social housing is part of supporting a new generation struggling with affordability, and would bring serious benefits: decreasing homelessness, crime, and health costs, while increasing access to jobs and education.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 20 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Kevin Rupasinghe chose 'Expand apprenticeships, training and recognition of international credentials'

Answer: Expand apprenticeships, training and recognition of international credentials.

“Expand apprenticeships, training and recognition of international credentials”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 20 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Kevin Rupasinghe chose 'Supply land, funding and incentives to non-profit and private providers'

Answer: Supply land, funding and incentives to non-profit and private providers.
The biggest role we can play in the short-term is as a partner, but the City will have to take on a much larger role as direct provider. I intend to champion both of these approaches to tackle housing affordability.

“The biggest role we can play in the short-term is as a partner, but the City will have to take on a much larger role as direct provider. I intend to champion both of these approaches to tackle housing affordability.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 20 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Kevin Rupasinghe chose 'Expand as-of-right zoning and automate routine permits'; This is one area where standards and more automatic

Answer: Expand as-of-right zoning and automate routine permits.
This is one area where standards and more automatic approvals for reasonable proposals will help government more efficiently deliver in service of residents who need affordable places to call home.

“This is one area where standards and more automatic approvals for reasonable proposals will help government more efficiently deliver in service of residents who need affordable places to call home.”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 20 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Kevin Rupasinghe chose 'Yes'; Encampments are never the answer, but neither is dispersing their residents without giving them a place to go.

Answer: Yes.
Encampments are never the answer, but neither is dispersing their residents without giving them a place to go. We need a holistic Housing First approach to prevent homelessness before it starts and rapidly get anyone experiencing homelessness into a home of their own that they can trust is safe.

“Encampments are never the answer, but neither is dispersing their residents without giving them a place to go. We need a holistic Housing First approach to prevent homelessness before it starts and rapidly get anyone experiencing homelessness into a home of their own that they can trust is safe.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 20 questionnaire · October 18, 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.

Kevin Rupasinghe chose 'Raise taxes, fees or other revenue'; Critical services & infrastructure that residents rely cannot be cut.

Answer: Raise taxes, fees or other revenue.
Critical services & infrastructure that residents rely cannot be cut. We need to diversify our revenue streams beyond over-relying on the property tax base, to ensure shortfalls don't happen. Over time, I am committed to applying my engineering efficiency to ensure every resource is well-spent.

“Critical services & infrastructure that residents rely cannot be cut. We need to diversify our revenue streams beyond over-relying on the property tax base, to ensure shortfalls don't happen. Over time, I am committed to applying my engineering efficiency to ensure every resource is well-spent.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 20 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Kevin Rupasinghe chose 'Grow approximately with inflation and population'

Answer: Grow approximately with inflation and population.

“Grow approximately with inflation and population”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 20 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Kevin Rupasinghe chose 'Property taxes or new municipal income or sales taxes, if authorized'

Answer: Property taxes or new municipal income or sales taxes, if authorized.

“Property taxes or new municipal income or sales taxes, if authorized”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 20 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Kevin Rupasinghe chose 'Yes'; Absolutely we need funding from provincial and federal governments, and a diverse set of local revenue tools,

Answer: Yes.
Absolutely we need funding from provincial and federal governments, and a diverse set of local revenue tools, such as a commercial parking levy, so that we stop over-relying on the property tax base.

“Absolutely we need funding from provincial and federal governments, and a diverse set of local revenue tools, such as a commercial parking levy, so that we stop over-relying on the property tax base.”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 20 questionnaire · October 18, 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.

Kevin Rupasinghe chose 'Decrease after inflation, with some responsibilities and funding transferred to civilian services'

Answer: Decrease after inflation, with some responsibilities and funding transferred to civilian services.
Civilian services such as traffic wardens or Toronto Community Crisis Service social and health workers can much more cost-effectively resolve issues than relying on police, as can automated enforcement such as streetcar cameras. Then policing resources can stay focused on the most critical items.

“Civilian services such as traffic wardens or Toronto Community Crisis Service social and health workers can much more cost-effectively resolve issues than relying on police, as can automated enforcement such as streetcar cameras. Then policing resources can stay focused on the most critical items.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 20 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Kevin Rupasinghe chose 'Mental-health response, addiction treatment and youth intervention'; These all must work together.

Answer: Mental-health response, addiction treatment and youth intervention.
These all must work together. However, the biggest gap we can fill is in crisis and prevention services. The Toronto Community Crisis Service has diverted more than 75% of mental health & wellness calls away from police, allowing them to focus on critical matters.

“These all must work together. However, the biggest gap we can fill is in crisis and prevention services. The Toronto Community Crisis Service has diverted more than 75% of mental health & wellness calls away from police, allowing them to focus on critical matters.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 20 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Think we’ve got this wrong?

Transit

Can I get where I need to go without driving?

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

Kevin Rupasinghe chose 'More frequent and reliable service on existing routes'; All of these are needed, they go together

Answer: More frequent and reliable service on existing routes.
All of these are needed, they go together, and a piecemeal approach will continue to fail delivering Toronto residents the transit we deserve. Frequent, reliable service is the fastest win through our operating budget, and major capital investment will be needed for State of Good Repair & expansion.

“All of these are needed, they go together, and a piecemeal approach will continue to fail delivering Toronto residents the transit we deserve. Frequent, reliable service is the fastest win through our operating budget, and major capital investment will be needed for State of Good Repair & expansion.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 20 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Kevin Rupasinghe chose 'Transit, walking and cycling'; Moving people and goods needs to be the priority on streets

Answer: Transit, walking and cycling.
Moving people and goods needs to be the priority on streets, as well as ensuring they are vibrant places for commerce. As well as passenger capacity, deliveries, trades, emergency vehicles and accessibility need to be designed in too.

“Moving people and goods needs to be the priority on streets, as well as ensuring they are vibrant places for commerce. As well as passenger capacity, deliveries, trades, emergency vehicles and accessibility need to be designed in too.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 20 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Kevin Rupasinghe chose 'Yes'; Congestion is a key issue for Toronto, and is holding back our entire economy. I am uniquely positioned as a t

Answer: Yes.
Congestion is a key issue for Toronto, and is holding back our entire economy. I am uniquely positioned as a transportation engineer to lead City Council forward in using the transportation assets we have as efficiently as possible so we can get Toronto moving without blowing through our budget.

“Congestion is a key issue for Toronto, and is holding back our entire economy. I am uniquely positioned as a transportation engineer to lead City Council forward in using the transportation assets we have as efficiently as possible so we can get Toronto moving without blowing through our budget.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 20 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Kevin Rupasinghe chose 'Mandatory reporting on trips, collisions, congestion and curb use'

Answer: Mandatory reporting on trips, collisions, congestion and curb use.
Toronto needs to be proactive and quick with regulating this tech or we risk a repeat of what happened with Uber; the world is changing fast and our elected leaders need to keep up.

“Toronto needs to be proactive and quick with regulating this tech or we risk a repeat of what happened with Uber; the world is changing fast and our elected leaders need to keep up.”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 20 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Think we’ve got this wrong?

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.

Kevin Rupasinghe chose 'the powers should sit unused regardless of who holds them'

Answer: the powers should sit unused regardless of who holds them.
I don't believe the Ford government thought these through when creating strong mayor powers. There could be a model where Ontario mayors take a stronger executive role, but that will need work. As it stands, it is better to work with Council on issues, and I'd like to see municipal ranked ballots.

“I don't believe the Ford government thought these through when creating strong mayor powers. There could be a model where Ontario mayors take a stronger executive role, but that will need work. As it stands, it is better to work with Council on issues, and I'd like to see municipal ranked ballots.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 20 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Kevin Rupasinghe chose 'Publicly press for greater authority, revenue and a different fiscal arrangement'

Answer: Publicly press for greater authority, revenue and a different fiscal arrangement.
We have to be pragmatic and work with what we have, building partnerships whenever there are shared goals. Part of a Councillor's role should be to also advocate so that provincial counterparts share the same priorities as local representatives, so there are more partnership opportunities.

“We have to be pragmatic and work with what we have, building partnerships whenever there are shared goals. Part of a Councillor's role should be to also advocate so that provincial counterparts share the same priorities as local representatives, so there are more partnership opportunities.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 20 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Kevin Rupasinghe chose 'Expand permanent city staff and internal operational capacity'

Answer: Expand permanent city staff and internal operational capacity.

“Expand permanent city staff and internal operational capacity”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 20 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Kevin Rupasinghe chose 'Permits, licences, payments and service requests'

Answer: Permits, licences, payments and service requests.

“Permits, licences, payments and service requests”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 20 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Kevin Rupasinghe chose 'Accept significant disruption unless there is an immediate safety threat'

Answer: Accept significant disruption unless there is an immediate safety threat.
We have a right to freedom of expression & peaceful assembly enshrined in the Charter. Restricting protest opens us to costly litigation. Intimidation, harassment, & assault are illegal under the Criminal Code. Adequate planning & enforcement can allow protest while mitigating any safety concerns.

“We have a right to freedom of expression & peaceful assembly enshrined in the Charter. Restricting protest opens us to costly litigation. Intimidation, harassment, & assault are illegal under the Criminal Code. Adequate planning & enforcement can allow protest while mitigating any safety concerns.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 20 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Kevin Rupasinghe chose 'Establish citywide limits on access, retention, auditing and data sharing'

Answer: Establish citywide limits on access, retention, auditing and data sharing.
Automated enforcement such as red light cameras or streetcar cameras save lives and resources. Only the City and its services should have access to that data, with minimal retention, appropriate training, and disciplinary measures. Private sector groups like FLOCK should never have access.

“Automated enforcement such as red light cameras or streetcar cameras save lives and resources. Only the City and its services should have access to that data, with minimal retention, appropriate training, and disciplinary measures. Private sector groups like FLOCK should never have access.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 20 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Kevin Rupasinghe chose 'Strengthen professional project management, procurement and contracting'

Answer: Strengthen professional project management, procurement and contracting.

“Strengthen professional project management, procurement and contracting”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 20 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Kevin Rupasinghe chose 'Yes'; Yes, transparent reporting is essential to project management and control, and provides accountability and imp

Answer: Yes.
Yes, transparent reporting is essential to project management and control, and provides accountability and improvement opportunities in any context, including the City's projects.

“Yes, transparent reporting is essential to project management and control, and provides accountability and improvement opportunities in any context, including the City's projects.”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 20 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Think we’ve got this wrong?

Roads & infrastructure

Will the things I use every day actually get fixed?

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

Kevin Rupasinghe chose 'Introduce a levy or other recurring source reserved for maintenance'

Answer: Introduce a levy or other recurring source reserved for maintenance.
Introducing a commercial parking levy would bring $0.5 to $1.5 billion per year which could be invested into our infrastructure.

“Introducing a commercial parking levy would bring $0.5 to $1.5 billion per year which could be invested into our infrastructure.”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 20 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Kevin Rupasinghe chose 'Cleanliness, roads, sidewalks, snow clearing, washrooms and routine park care'

Answer: Cleanliness, roads, sidewalks, snow clearing, washrooms and routine park care.
Starting with basic maintenance is important, but major improvements and stronger programming and activities are vital as well.

“Starting with basic maintenance is important, but major improvements and stronger programming and activities are vital as well.”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 20 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Think we’ve got this wrong?

Economy

Will our main streets and local jobs thrive?

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

Kevin Rupasinghe chose 'Expand housing, transportation, public safety and infrastructure'

Answer: Expand housing, transportation, public safety and infrastructure.

“Expand housing, transportation, public safety and infrastructure”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 20 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Kevin Rupasinghe chose 'Housing affordability, transportation, safety and quality of life'

Answer: Housing affordability, transportation, safety and quality of life.

“Housing affordability, transportation, safety and quality of life”

(one sentence)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 20 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Think we’ve got this wrong?

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?

Kevin Rupasinghe chose 'Finish approved projects but undertake few additional road reallocations'

Answer: Finish approved projects but undertake few additional road reallocations.
Provincial legislation will interfere with some options to 'Accelerate', but there are many opportunities to build a safe, connected cycling network, including in the inner suburbs, while complying with provincial laws. I'm committed to seizing those opportunities to make streets safe for everyone.

Show their words & source (a few sentences)

“Provincial legislation will interfere with some options to 'Accelerate', but there are many opportunities to build a safe, connected cycling network, including in the inner suburbs, while complying with provincial laws. I'm committed to seizing those opportunities to make streets safe for everyone.”

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 20 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Arts & culture

Does the candidate value what makes this place feel alive?

Kevin Rupasinghe chose 'Grants, city facilities and affordable cultural space'; Funding would be most vital

Answer: Grants, city facilities and affordable cultural space.
Funding would be most vital, however regulatory reform and protection from displacement are crucial to ensuring we have a thriving arts and culture scene across Toronto.

Show their words & source (one sentence)

“Funding would be most vital, however regulatory reform and protection from displacement are crucial to ensuring we have a thriving arts and culture scene across Toronto.”

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 20 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

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 →