How well do you know your ward? Do you know where its boundaries are, what issues residents are facing or even who your city councillor is?
With Torontonians heading to the polls this month, The Green Line’s breaking down the city ward by ward, so you know your community, the people who represent it, and what’s at stake in this election.
Here’s what you need to know about Ward 25 Scarborough-Rouge Park.
Ward 25 Scarborough-Rouge Park, stretches from Lake Ontario north to Steeles Avenue East and between the city of Pickering to the east and Mornignside Avenue south of Highway 401 and Neilson Road north of Highway 401. It includes the neighbourhoods of West Rouge, Highland Creek, Centennial Scarborough, Morningside Heights and parts of Malvern East and West Hill. Because neighbourhood names don’t determine a ballot, residents should confirm their specific address using the City’s official Ward 25 map or MyVote.
According to the 2021 Census ward profile, Scarborough-Rouge Park has 101,485 residents.
- People aged 20 to 49 make up 38.5% of the population.
- 51.9% of residents are immigrants. Sri Lanka, the Philippines, India, Guyana and Jamaica are among the leading places of birth among immigrants.
Scarborough Rouge Park residents’ median annual household income is $105,000, well above Toronto’s $84,000 median. 15% of residents are classified as low-income, meaning they make less than $30,000 per year.
Only 12% of homes are apartment buildings over five storeys, less than most of the city, and 55% are single-detached houses, with 21% of residents being renters and 79% being homeowners, a stark difference from the city’s ratio of 48% to 52%.
Scarborough-Rouge Park’s local issues
Pedestrian safety is one issue in the ward. The City is developing a Neighbourhood Streets Plan for Morningside Heights after residents raised concerns about speeding. Consultation is expected to continue through spring 2027.
Another issue is transit, as Metrolinx is currently undertaking work in the area near Morningside Avenue, while the TTC’s four-kilometre Scarborough Busway opened in Sept., and could improve some connections.
At 251 Staines Rd., Council approved a non-profit community centre and recreation sports field on City-owned land, leased to the Tamil Community Centre. A proposed auditorium remains subject to transportation conditions.
Ward 25 candidates
Ward 25 is currently represented by Neethan Shan, who was elected in 2025 and is seeking re-election.
The other candidates are Shawn Allen, Dharshan Casinathen, Ashan Fernando, Zakir Patel, Somas Kaneshapillai, Jannette Lumley, Dianna Robinson, Kannan S’ree Jr and Vane Stavrev.
You can find The Green Line’s tool to fact-check candidates here to vet them before you vote.
Don’t live in Ward 25, but are a Toronto resident? Check out thegreenline.to for information about Toronto’s 24 other wards, plus more hyperlocal coverage to keep you in the loop this election cycle.
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