Louroz Mercader
Why did you decide to run for councillor?
I’ve always wanted to give back locally, especially in the ward I live in and specifically the neighbourhood of Cooksville. I grew up in this area after I immigrated to Canada from the Philippines. I went to elementary and high school here, and I work in the neighbourhood. I care deeply about the issues affecting Ward 7. I had a great upbringing in this neighbourhood, and I want to make sure that the next generation here have the same—or better—opportunities that I had.
What are the key fixes Ward 7 needs and what do you plan to do?
We have a big transportation and congestion problem. We have the highest transit usage rate in Mississauga. A lot of people take MiWay or the GO Train to downtown Toronto. So we need to improve those services with more buses and trains. And for people who drive, we need to deal with road congestion, especially along Hurontario.
What I hear a lot in my ward is that we’re the only ward that doesn’t have a hub for young people, seniors, newcomers and families to go to, so I’d like to open up a Cooksville community centre. I want to make Cooksville the next great community in Mississauga; one that people will visit and be proud of.
What do you think Ward 7 will look like in the next five years?
It will be a more exciting place to visit, and a destination of Mississauga. I hope it will be a cleaner, greener and more vibrant place to live, work and play.
Is there anything else Mississauga should know about you or your ward?
This ward used to be the old downtown of Mississauga, and today it’s fair to say that it’s the most urban space in Mississauga. I feel it’s a very special place in terms of the history of the city—one that’s been neglected over the years, but one that people can be really proud of if we work towards making it a great destination.
Nando Iannicca
Why did you decide to run for councillor?
Two reasons: my background and my wife Ann Marie. I was born and raised in Ward 7. My background includes university degrees in journalism, political science and economics. After graduating, I obtained my Canadian Security Course Certificate and Registered Representative’s License and was working as an Investment Executive for a Bay Street firm.
In 1988, the Ward 7 incumbent councillor resigned and it was my wife who encouraged me to run when the rest of the family thought I’d lost my mind! I resigned from my job and Ann Marie supported us for the nine months I spent canvassing. That was eight victories ago.
What are the key fixes Ward 7 needs and what do you plan to do?
Infrastructure is our greatest need. It’s the next main initiative in conjunction with the LRT which will fuel the intensification of a downtown core, and it’s going to refuel the rejuvenation of Cooksville. It’s been designed and engineered and all necessary public consultation has taken place—we now need the Province to fund the $1.5-billion initiative.
What do you think Ward 7 will look like in the next five years?
The LRT will continue to transform downtown and the Ward 7 Hurontario/Dundas corridor into the most vibrant, hip, urbane, pedestrian-friendly people place in the western GTA.
I’ve always thought Cooksville will become the next Bloor West/Yorkville. It’s the most multicultural business centre in the city, and if you stand on the corner of Hurontario and Dundas today, you’ll see that there is more traffic there than anywhere in the city. You’re also at Mississauga’s finest transit node: every two to four minutes, public transit goes by.
Is there anything else Mississauga should know about you or your ward?
With the departure of Hazel, and the addition of the five new councillors who have come on board in the last four years, I will have more experience working at City Hall than half of all Council. I also have more experience than all the mayoralty candidates combined, yet at present I am still the second-youngest member of Council.