Former Liberal MP Shaun Chen was elected city councillor for Ward 23 Scarborough North, with priorities including affordability, cost of living, housing, transit, infrastructure and community safety.

Coun. Chen won the councillor seat in the 2026 Toronto municipal election with 35.88% of the vote and will begin his first term on Nov. 15. Incumbent Jamaal Myers came in second with 25.34% and Han Dong came in third with 13.42%.

The Green Line reached out to Chen for comment, but received no response. Instead, we compiled promises and priorities shared during his campaign this election season; here’s what you can look forward to:

• Managing Toronto’s budget: Chen says he will reduce spending, improve efficiency and advocate for targeted investments in housing, transit and public services. He also pledges to include public consultation in every municipal budget vote to give residents a greater say in city spending.

• Improving transit and road infrastructure: Chen will advocate for the Sheppard subway extension. Chen also says he will work across different levels of government to advance infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, public transit and housing. He points to the unfinished Steeles Avenue widening and Morningside Avenue extension as longstanding infrastructure needs in the ward.

• Improving community and road safety: Chen says he will support expanding the Neighbourhood Community Officer program, accelerate the rollout of School Safety Zones and consult residents on proposed traffic-calming measures to address speeding.

• Increasing programming: Chen says he will invest in youth employment, after-school activities, mentorship, seniors’ recreation and access to community support programs.

Here’s how Shaun Chen responded to election pledges shared by local organizations and advocacy groups:

• Chen didn’t respond to the Community-led Planning Pledge to fund community-led planning and center community voices. 
• He didn’t respond to or sign the TTC Riders’ pledge to push for more reliable, affordable, accessible, frequent, fast and safe public transit.
• He didn’t respond to Cycle Toronto’s pledge to improve cycling infrastructure in the city.
• He responded to Toronto ACORN’s questionnaire and stated he supports stronger tenant protections, rent and vacancy controls, expanded RentSafeTO inspections, cooling measures, a higher Vacant Homes Tax and increased social assistance, while conditionally supporting municipal grocery stores and public broadband.
• He didn’t respond to the Toronto Environmental Alliance’s five-question Greener City Champion Pledge, which calls for maximum indoor temperature limits for rental housing, more trees, less single-use waste at major events, a pause on approvals for new large AI data centres until a citywide framework is established and policies to reduce building emissions and improve energy efficiency.

What priorities would you like The Green Line to track and report on in the coming year? Leave a comment on this page.