With the upcoming 2026 Municipal elections happening on Monday, October 26th, Modern Mississauga Media has reached out to all candidates inviting them to answer the same questions so voters can familiarize themselves with them.

With the 2022 Mississauga election having a paltry 21.84% voter turnout, this series is to educate the community and hopefully increase voter turnout for 2026.
Low voter turnout means that the voices of a few make decisions for all.

Candidate’s were also asked to provide at least four images and their answers are unedited.

Click here to read all candidate profiles and check back often as responses will be posted within 72 hours of receipt.

Click here to learn how to vote in the 2026 Mississauga Election.

1. Why are you running for Ward 8 councillor?
I am running because I believe Ward 8 deserves a councillor who listens carefully to residents, asks hard questions at City Hall, communicates clearly, and follows through.

A councillor’s first job is to represent the people. That means looking at every City Hall decision through the lens of residents’ daily lives: taxes, traffic, safety, growth, local businesses, and quality of life.

I am a Ward 8 resident, parent, immigrant, proud Muslim, community volunteer, and HR Manager.

My work in Human Resources has shaped how I lead: by listening, understanding different perspectives, identifying practical solutions, and helping people move forward.

I am not running because I believe I have every answer. I am running because residents deserve someone who will do the homework, show up, listen carefully, and bring clear answers back to the community.

2. What makes you stand out over other candidates?
My approach makes me stand out.

I am not interested in politics that is performative or divisive. I believe in practical, people-centred leadership.

My professional background is in Human Resources and People & Culture, with more than 15 years of experience in Canada and internationally. I have advised senior leadership, supported teams through change, and worked in environments where listening well, asking the right questions, and building trust are essential.

I also bring lived experience that reflects Mississauga’s diversity. I am originally from Hungary, my husband is from Pakistan, and we are raising our son here in Mississauga. Our family chose this city because we were looking for community, and we found it here.

Residents can expect me to listen first, ask hard questions at City Hall, keep them informed, and follow through.

3. What are your key campaign priorities?
My priorities are focused on practical issues that affect everyday life in Ward 8.

First, accountability and follow-through. Residents should not have to chase City Hall for basicanswers. They deserve clear communication, timely updates, and follow-up after concerns are raised.

Second, better value for tax dollars. I will not make unrealistic promises, but residents are paying more and deserve to see real value in the services, infrastructure, and decisions their taxes support.

Third, safer streets and better traffic flow. Speeding, congestion, school-zone safety, pedestrian safety, and dangerous driving are real quality-of-life issues.

Fourth, growth that works for residents. Development must be matched with infrastructure, services, parking, roads, parks, and meaningful resident input.

Fifth, a thriving Ridgeway Plaza that works for everyone. Ridgeway Plaza is an important business and cultural destination, but traffic, parking, cleanliness, safety, enforcement, and respect for nearby residents also need practical attention.

4. What budget item is the most important for Mississauga?
The most important budget priority is making sure residents receive real value for the taxes they pay.

For many residents, property taxes are part of the cost-of-living pressure they feel every day. The City needs to focus on core services and infrastructure that people actually see and use: roads, safety, transit, parks, public spaces, waste services, stormwater infrastructure, enforcement, and long-term planning for growth.

A responsible budget is not only about how much money is spent. It is about whether that spending produces results residents can see and feel.

I would approach budget decisions by asking careful questions about priorities, outcomes, and whether residents are seeing value in their neighbourhoods.

5. What are your three favourite aspects of Mississauga?
My three favourite aspects of Mississauga are its diversity, its quality of life, and the fact that it gave me the kind of neighbourhood I once dreamed of living in.

First, I love Mississauga’s diversity. People from many cultures, languages, faiths, and life experiences have built lives here. My own family reflects that. I am originally from Hungary, my husband is from Pakistan, and we are raising our son in a city where diversity is part of everyday life. That is something I deeply value.

Second, I love that I do not feel I have to leave Mississauga to enjoy life. We have nature, trails, parks, community events, restaurants, libraries, local businesses, places of worship, and so many family-friendly spaces. There is always something to do, but there are also quiet places to breathe. That balance matters.

Third, I love the feeling of home I found in Ward 8. Years ago, watching shows like Desperate Housewives, I used to imagine what it would be like to live in a beautiful, green, safe, family-friendly suburban neighbourhood. It may sound funny, but I got to build that life here in Mississauga. I am grateful for that, and it is one of the reasons I care so deeply about protecting and strengthening the quality of life in our neighbourhoods.

6. How will you be actively supporting our locally owned businesses if elected?
I would support locally owned businesses by listening to them directly and treating them as partners.

Local business owners often understand community challenges very clearly because they deal with them every day: parking, traffic, safety, signage, permits, cleanliness, enforcement, and communication with the City.

I would make time to visit local business areas, hear directly from owners and staff, and work toward practical solutions.

Ridgeway Plaza is a strong example. It is a vibrant local business destination, but success also brings pressure. Supporting businesses and respecting nearby residents should not be treated as opposites. A well-run city should be able to do both.

7. What does Mississauga currently excel at?
Mississauga excels at bringing people together from many different backgrounds and giving them a place to build their lives.

One of the things I love most about Mississauga is that diversity here is not just something we talk about. We experience it.

All summer long, through events at Celebration Square and across the city, residents have the opportunity to celebrate each other’s cultures, traditions, food, music, and stories. We are not only living beside each other; we are learning from each other and embracing what makes our communities different.

That is something Mississauga does very well, and it is something we should be proud of.

Mississauga also has strong community assets: libraries, parks, community centres, local businesses, cultural organizations, faith communities, and residents who care deeply about where they live.

Now the challenge is making sure our planning, infrastructure, services, and communication keep up with the city Mississauga has become.

8. How would you communicate with residents and what communication standards will you be setting and following?
Residents deserve clear, timely, respectful, and plain-language communication.

My standard would be simple: listen carefully, respond respectfully, explain clearly, and follow up.

I would provide regular Ward 8 updates about Council decisions, local projects, traffic and safety issues, development matters, budget items, and opportunities for resident input.

I would use multiple channels because residents access information differently: email updates, social media, a website, community meetings, local visits, and direct responses to resident concerns.

Most importantly, communication should not end with “we heard you.” Residents deserve to know what happens next.

9. How do you plan to actively involve and include residents in decisions?Residents should be involved early, not only after decisions feel almost final.

I would create regular opportunities for input through community meetings, online feedback, neighbourhood walks, small business visits, and conversations with residents who may not normally participate in City processes.

That includes homeowners, renters, seniors, families, newcomers, youth, business owners, faith communities, and residents directly affected by traffic, development, safety, or enforcement concerns.

Involving residents does not mean everyone will agree on every issue. But people deserve to be heard, respected, and informed.

Better decisions are made when residents are included before problems become urgent.

10. Please provide your campaign website.
viktoriaward8.ca

Residents can also connect with me on Instagram at @viktoriaward8 or by email at viktoriaward8@gmail.com