Candidate: Helen Dimaras

Who are you?

Born in East York, raised in North York, survived high school in Scarborough and currently studying downtown at the University of Toronto, I know Toronto through and through. Like many Torontonians, I am the daughter of immigrants (from Greece) and proud of Toronto’s unique environment that allows people from diverse backgrounds to flourish and prosper. I am familiar with different facets of Toronto: my graduate studies in molecular genetics have introduced me to Toronto’s renowned scientific research community, while my volunteer activities have allowed me to work with at-risk youth and homeless in Toronto. You could say I’m a typical Torontonian!


Why are you running?

Toronto is often described as a world-class city – but do we fully deserve this title? We cannot be a world-class city as long as our public spaces are polluted and littered with waste. We cannot be a world-class city as long as many of our citizens go hungry and freeze in our streets and others die at the hands of gun violence. We need practical solutions to these very real problems, and the only way to get them is for the people of Toronto get involved and work together – but they need someone to spur them on.


What should a City Councillor be?

A Toronto City Councillor should be a true Torontonian - and therefore able to relate to its people. In order to truly represent Toronto, a Councillor should really listen to what Torontonians want, and give them ample opportunity to speak up about issues that are important to them. A councillor should have pride in Toronto, and be optimistic its potential to improve. This optimism should motivate a Councillor to take action and lead by example, getting personally involved in the community to exact positive change.


Anything else?

My love of travel has taken me to Guatemala and many places in Europe, but when I’m in Toronto you can find me ‘traveling’ through our own unique multicultural neighbourhoods: sipping a frappé on a Greektown patio, shopping to the sounds of Bollywood music in Little India, or sharing Dim Sum with friends in Chinatown – I love to enjoy what Toronto has to offer!

We need new leaders.