Neil Simon

Candidate for Councillor - Ward 9 (Davenport)

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.

Neil Simon chose 'Yes'; If a person is offered a suitable indoor space the city should require the encampment to be cleared. This must

Answer: Yes.
If a person is offered a suitable indoor space the city should require the encampment to be cleared. This must be done respectfully, with outreach workers, transportation, storage for belongings and continued support—not through sudden or harsh enforcement.

“If a person is offered a suitable indoor space the city should require the encampment to be cleared. This must be done respectfully, with outreach workers, transportation, storage for belongings and continued support—not through sudden or harsh enforcement.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 9 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Neil Simon chose 'Concentrate growth on major streets and near rapid transit'; Toronto should allow more housing in every neighbourhood

Answer: Concentrate growth on major streets and near rapid transit.
Toronto should allow more housing in every neighbourhood, including multiplexes and small apartments. The greatest density should be near transit and major streets, where residents can easily reach jobs, shops and services

“Toronto should allow more housing in every neighbourhood, including multiplexes and small apartments. The greatest density should be near transit and major streets, where residents can easily reach jobs, shops and services”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 9 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Neil Simon chose 'Expand as-of-right zoning and automate routine permits'; Toronto should expand as-of-right zoning and speed up routine

Answer: Expand as-of-right zoning and automate routine permits.
Toronto should expand as-of-right zoning and speed up routine permits. Clear timelines and simpler digital approvals can reduce delays and costs while protecting safety, accessibility and neighbourhood standards.

“Toronto should expand as-of-right zoning and speed up routine permits. Clear timelines and simpler digital approvals can reduce delays and costs while protecting safety, accessibility and neighbourhood standards.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 9 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Neil Simon chose 'Supply land, funding and incentives to non-profit and private providers'; Toronto should provide land

Answer: Supply land, funding and incentives to non-profit and private providers.
Toronto should provide land, funding and incentives while partnering with non-profit, co-op and responsible private builders. Strong agreements must protect long-term affordability, public accountability and supportive services.

“Toronto should provide land, funding and incentives while partnering with non-profit, co-op and responsible private builders. Strong agreements must protect long-term affordability, public accountability and supportive services.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 9 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Neil Simon chose 'Build or finance substantially more affordable and supportive housing'

Answer: Build or finance substantially more affordable and supportive housing.
Toronto should prioritize affordable and supportive housing because supply alone will not help those most in need. The City should use public land, partnerships and senior-government funding to build homes residents can truly afford.

“Toronto should prioritize affordable and supportive housing because supply alone will not help those most in need. The City should use public land, partnerships and senior-government funding to build homes residents can truly afford.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 9 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Neil Simon chose 'Yes'; Toronto should permit more housing in every ward, including gentle-density options such as duplexes, fourplexe

Answer: Yes.
Toronto should permit more housing in every ward, including gentle-density options such as duplexes, fourplexes, townhomes and small apartment buildings. Growth must be responsibly planned, with affordable units, adequate parking where needed, green space, schools, and transit.

“Toronto should permit more housing in every ward, including gentle-density options such as duplexes, fourplexes, townhomes and small apartment buildings. Growth must be responsibly planned, with affordable units, adequate parking where needed, green space, schools, and transit.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 9 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.

Neil Simon chose 'No'; Toronto residents and small businesses are already facing high costs. Before creating new taxes or fees, the C

Answer: No.
Toronto residents and small businesses are already facing high costs. Before creating new taxes or fees, the City should review spending, redirect existing funds, prioritize urgent safety repairs, and use partnerships where they provide good value without privatizing essential public assets.

“Toronto residents and small businesses are already facing high costs. Before creating new taxes or fees, the City should review spending, redirect existing funds, prioritize urgent safety repairs, and use partnerships where they provide good value without privatizing essential public assets.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 9 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Neil Simon chose 'Land-transfer taxes, development charges and taxes on real-estate activity'

Answer: Land-transfer taxes, development charges and taxes on real-estate activity.
Toronto should rely more on land-transfer and real-estate activity revenues than road tolls or new taxes. Charges must be designed carefully so they do not discourage affordable and rental housing construction.

“Toronto should rely more on land-transfer and real-estate activity revenues than road tolls or new taxes. Charges must be designed carefully so they do not discourage affordable and rental housing construction.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 9 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Neil Simon chose 'Grow approximately with inflation and population'; Property-tax revenue should generally keep pace with inflation and

Answer: Grow approximately with inflation and population.
Property-tax revenue should generally keep pace with inflation and population growth so Toronto can maintain essential services. Any increase above that level must be transparent, justified, and balanced with affordability.

“Property-tax revenue should generally keep pace with inflation and population growth so Toronto can maintain essential services. Any increase above that level must be transparent, justified, and balanced with affordability.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 9 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.

Neil Simon chose 'Mental-health response, addiction treatment and youth intervention'

Answer: Mental-health response, addiction treatment and youth intervention.
Toronto should invest more in mental-health response, addiction treatment and youth intervention. Police remain important, but trained civilian teams can prevent crises and allow officers to focus on violence, serious crime and immediate threats.

“Toronto should invest more in mental-health response, addiction treatment and youth intervention. Police remain important, but trained civilian teams can prevent crises and allow officers to focus on violence, serious crime and immediate threats.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 9 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Neil Simon chose 'Remain approximately constant after inflation'; Police need stable funding to address crime

Answer: Remain approximately constant after inflation.
Police need stable funding to address crime, traffic enforcement and neighbourhood safety. The budget should keep pace with inflation, with any additional increase tied to clear needs, measurable results and strong accountability.

“Police need stable funding to address crime, traffic enforcement and neighbourhood safety. The budget should keep pace with inflation, with any additional increase tied to clear needs, measurable results and strong accountability.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 9 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.

Neil Simon chose 'More frequent and reliable service on existing routes'; Toronto must maintain its transit system and plan future

Answer: More frequent and reliable service on existing routes.
Toronto must maintain its transit system and plan future expansion, but the next available funding should mainly improve daily service. More frequent and reliable buses, streetcars and subways would provide residents with the quickest benefit.

“Toronto must maintain its transit system and plan future expansion, but the next available funding should mainly improve daily service. More frequent and reliable buses, streetcars and subways would provide residents with the quickest benefit.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 9 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Neil Simon chose 'Deliveries, trades, emergency vehicles and accessibility'; Emergency vehicles, accessibility

Answer: Deliveries, trades, emergency vehicles and accessibility.
Emergency vehicles, accessibility, deliveries and trades should generally come first. Toronto must also support transit, walking and cycling and preserve reasonable parking and loading spaces where residents and small businesses depend on them.

“Emergency vehicles, accessibility, deliveries and trades should generally come first. Toronto must also support transit, walking and cycling and preserve reasonable parking and loading spaces where residents and small businesses depend on them.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 9 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Neil Simon chose 'No'; Even if the revenue supports transportation, congestion charges or tolls could unfairly burden workers, famili

Answer: No.
Even if the revenue supports transportation, congestion charges or tolls could unfairly burden workers, families and small businesses. Toronto should first improve public transit, traffic-light coordination, construction planning and traffic enforcement.

“Even if the revenue supports transportation, congestion charges or tolls could unfairly burden workers, families and small businesses. Toronto should first improve public transit, traffic-light coordination, construction planning and traffic enforcement.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 9 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.

Neil Simon chose 'Strengthen professional project management, procurement and contracting'; Toronto needs stronger project management

Answer: Strengthen professional project management, procurement and contracting.
Toronto needs stronger project management, competitive procurement and better contract oversight. Major projects should have clear budgets, timelines and public progress reports so delays and cost overruns are identified early.

“Toronto needs stronger project management, competitive procurement and better contract oversight. Major projects should have clear budgets, timelines and public progress reports so delays and cost overruns are identified early.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 9 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Neil Simon chose 'Establish citywide limits on access, retention, auditing and data sharing'

Answer: Establish citywide limits on access, retention, auditing and data sharing.
Police may use this technology for legitimate public-safety purposes, but Toronto needs strict rules for access, data retention, sharing and independent audits. Information about innocent residents should not be stored without a valid reason.

“Police may use this technology for legitimate public-safety purposes, but Toronto needs strict rules for access, data retention, sharing and independent audits. Information about innocent residents should not be stored without a valid reason.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 9 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Neil Simon chose 'Align with provincial priorities where doing so secures funding or approvals'

Answer: Align with provincial priorities where doing so secures funding or approvals.
Toronto should work with the province to secure funding and approvals for housing, transit and infrastructure. Partnership does not mean silence—the City must still speak firmly when provincial decisions do not serve Toronto residents.

“Toronto should work with the province to secure funding and approvals for housing, transit and infrastructure. Partnership does not mean silence—the City must still speak firmly when provincial decisions do not serve Toronto residents.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 9 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Neil Simon chose 'overriding council on zoning and approvals to get homes built'

Answer: overriding council on zoning and approvals to get homes built.
Strong mayor powers should be used rarely and mainly to move affordable housing forward. They should never replace open debate, community input or financial oversight. Every decision must be publicly explained.

“Strong mayor powers should be used rarely and mainly to move affordable housing forward. They should never replace open debate, community input or financial oversight. Every decision must be publicly explained.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 9 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Neil Simon chose 'Yes'; Toronto should publish easy-to-understand budgets, timelines, progress reports, delays and cost overruns for e

Answer: Yes.
Toronto should publish easy-to-understand budgets, timelines, progress reports, delays and cost overruns for every major capital project. Residents deserve transparency and accountability for how their tax dollars are spent.

“Toronto should publish easy-to-understand budgets, timelines, progress reports, delays and cost overruns for every major capital project. Residents deserve transparency and accountability for how their tax dollars are spent.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 9 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Neil Simon chose 'Use competitive contracts and outside providers where they can deliver better value'

Answer: Use competitive contracts and outside providers where they can deliver better value.
Toronto should use competitive outside providers when they offer better value and service. Contracts must include clear standards, public reporting and strong oversight. Essential services should remain publicly accountable.

“Toronto should use competitive outside providers when they offer better value and service. Contracts must include clear standards, public reporting and strong oversight. Essential services should remain publicly accountable.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 9 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

Think we’ve got this wrong?

Roads & infrastructure

Will the things I use every day actually get fixed?

Neil Simon chose 'Redirect money from new facilities and projects toward existing assets'

Answer: Redirect money from new facilities and projects toward existing assets.
Toronto should prioritize repairing existing roads, transit, water systems and public buildings before starting non-essential expansion projects. Urgent repairs should be fully funded so neglect does not create higher costs later.

Show their words & source (a few sentences)

“Toronto should prioritize repairing existing roads, transit, water systems and public buildings before starting non-essential expansion projects. Urgent repairs should be fully funded so neglect does not create higher costs later.”

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — Ward 9 questionnaire · October 18, 2026

Confidence:High

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?

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