Robert Shusterman

Candidate for Mayor

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.

Robert Shusterman chose 'Yes'; you need more housing for the mentally ill as there's a long waiting list for them and it's not acceptable

Answer: Yes.
You need more housing for the mentally ill as there's a long waiting list for them and it's not acceptable

“You need more housing for the mentally ill as there's a long waiting list for them and it's not acceptable”

(a few sentences)

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

Confidence:High

PRE-WINDOW: Shusterman backs fast-tracking Council's 2024 accessible-housing commitments; notes his brother would benefit.

PRE-WINDOW: Shusterman's own answers to CILT's 2026 disability questionnaire (letter dated 2026-10-22; responses posted as updates, undated); verified never extracted in any prior run or baseline
New issue statement for Shusterman under this source: immediate acceleration and completion of Council's accessible-housing commitments
He cites his brother, who is mentally ill, as someone who would benefit from accessible housing

“Yes I would support immediate accelerating and completing the implementation of council's 20/2024 accessible housing commitments. I have a brother who is mentally ill so he would benefit from accessible housing”

(a few sentences)

Source: CILT (Centre for Independent Living in Toronto) 2026 candidate questionnaire: disability commitments - candidate's own answers (PRE-WINDOW: letter dated 2026-10-22; responses posted as updates, undated) · October 22, 2026

Confidence:High

Robert Shusterman chose 'Yes'; if there is a space open for them and then they need to leave encampment and go to the new housing facility

Answer: Yes.
If there is a space open for them and then they need to leave encampment and go to the new housing facility

“If there is a space open for them and then they need to leave encampment and go to the new housing facility”

(a few sentences)

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

Confidence:High

Robert Shusterman chose 'Build or finance substantially more affordable and supportive housing'.

Answer: Build or finance substantially more affordable and supportive housing.
Housing is too expensive in the city for many people. Affordable housing needs to be at the forefront. Many people in the city just can't afford to pay a heavy mortgage or high rents so we need to go housing gear to income

“Housing is too expensive in the city for many people. Affordable housing needs to be at the forefront. Many people in the city just can't afford to pay a heavy mortgage or high rents so we need to go housing gear to income”

(a few sentences)

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

Confidence:High

Robert Shusterman chose 'Focus primarily on permitting enough housing and reducing barriers to construction'.

Answer: Focus primarily on permitting enough housing and reducing barriers to construction.
You should be able to build freely with no restrictions. Housing is important especially for those who otherwise would be living on the streets or a temporary shelter

“You should be able to build freely with no restrictions. Housing is important especially for those who otherwise would be living on the streets or a temporary shelter”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — mayoral 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.

Robert Shusterman chose 'Reduce internal administration, staffing or contract costs'.

Answer: Reduce internal administration, staffing or contract costs.
By reducing administrative costs that are not necessary we can help alleviate this problem

“By reducing administrative costs that are not necessary we can help alleviate this problem”

(a few sentences)

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

Confidence:High

Robert Shusterman chose 'Grow faster than inflation to improve or expand services'.

Answer: Grow faster than inflation to improve or expand services.
We need to improve services in the city we can't take shortcuts with regard to this

“We need to improve services in the city we can't take shortcuts with regard to this”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — mayoral 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.

Robert Shusterman chose 'Increase above inflation to expand police staffing or services'.

Answer: Increase above inflation to expand police staffing or services.
Again we need more police officers that are not enough we have 3 million people we need more officers

“Again we need more police officers that are not enough we have 3 million people we need more officers”

(a few sentences)

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

Confidence:High

Robert Shusterman chose 'Police, bylaw enforcement and a more visible official presence'.

Answer: Police, bylaw enforcement and a more visible official presence.
We need more police officers response times for 911 are still too slow and we need to get higher more officers and get them to the emergency situations more quicker

“We need more police officers response times for 911 are still too slow and we need to get higher more officers and get them to the emergency situations more quicker”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — mayoral questionnaire · October 14, 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.

Robert Shusterman chose 'New rapid-transit lines and extensions'; when you do transit lines the city is not accessible by subway.

Answer: New rapid-transit lines and extensions.
When you do transit lines the city is not accessible by subway. At least there are many parts of the city that are hard to get to by subway. So I believe we do need more subways

“When you do transit lines the city is not accessible by subway. At least there are many parts of the city that are hard to get to by subway. So I believe we do need more subways”

(a few sentences)

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

Confidence:High

Robert Shusterman chose 'Yes'; yes during periods of heavy congestion the roads should have tolls

Answer: Yes.
Yes during periods of heavy congestion the roads should have tolls

“Yes during periods of heavy congestion the roads should have tolls”

(a few sentences)

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

Confidence:High

Robert Shusterman chose 'Transit, walking and cycling'.

Answer: Transit, walking and cycling.
Transit walking and cycling need to be a priority in the city especially walking and cycling as it is a great exercise we need to promote exercise

“Transit walking and cycling need to be a priority in the city especially walking and cycling as it is a great exercise we need to promote exercise”

(a few sentences)

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

Confidence:High

PRE-WINDOW: Shusterman would protect and improve Wheel-Trans and ensure adequate accessible transportation in bad weather.

PRE-WINDOW: Shusterman's own answers to CILT's 2026 disability questionnaire (letter dated 2026-10-22; responses posted as updates, undated); verified never extracted in any prior run or baseline
Commits to protecting and improving Wheel-Trans so people with disabilities can reach employment, education and healthcare
Emphasizes adequate transportation especially during inclement weather

“Yes I will protect and improve accessible transportation including wheel trans so that people can access employment education and Healthcare. Must make sure that they have adequate transportation especially during inclement weather.”

(a few sentences)

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.

Robert Shusterman chose 'Align with provincial priorities where doing so secures funding or approvals'.

Answer: Align with provincial priorities where doing so secures funding or approvals.
To aline ourselves with the provincial government We need to have common goals especially when it comes time to deal with mentally ill people

“To aline ourselves with the provincial government We need to have common goals especially when it comes time to deal with mentally ill people”

(a few sentences)

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

Confidence:High

Robert Shusterman chose 'The powers should sit unused regardless of who holds them'.

Answer: The powers should sit unused regardless of who holds them.
A mayor should not have the right to override anything decisions are made as a group not as one

“A mayor should not have the right to override anything decisions are made as a group not as one”

(a few sentences)

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

Confidence:High

Think we’ve got this wrong?

Roads & infrastructure

Will the things I use every day actually get fixed?

Robert Shusterman chose 'Sell, consolidate or close facilities the city cannot sustainably maintain'.

Answer: Sell, consolidate or close facilities the city cannot sustainably maintain.
It is a waste to have facilities in the city that cannot be maintained we need to eliminate them

Show their words & source (a few sentences)

“It is a waste to have facilities in the city that cannot be maintained we need to eliminate them”

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — mayoral questionnaire · October 14, 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?

Shusterman: mentally ill people shouldn't be discharged too soon; re-entry should be guided by a social worker.

In his own 200-word statement to CBC Toronto, Shusterman said the city, province and country do not do enough for people with mental illness.
He proposed a re-entry system where discharged patients are slowly reintegrated through a social worker instead of being released too soon.

Show their words & source (reported remarks)

“We need a system where mentally ill people are not discharged from the hospital too soon and then they get back in trouble again. We need a system that slowly assimilates them back into society through a social worker rather than having them being thrown out of the hospital too quickly and they get in trouble again.”

Source: CBC Toronto: 'Hear from 8 Toronto mayoral candidates also on your ballot' (CBC text via europesays mirror) - candidates' own 200-word statements (PRE-WINDOW) · October 21, 2026

Confidence:High

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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