Jai Sahak

I am a Ward 1 resident and the Executive Director of Northstar, where I work every day with local youth, families, and residents who need someone in their corner.

Over more than ten years in executive roles, including as a former Director at the Durham Children's Aid Society, I have managed budgets, resolved crises, and rebuilt organisations that were not working. That is the same skill set a ward needs at the council table.

I have scaled up regional access to youth justice intervention, family support programs, and mental health care. I have built coalitions with school boards, police, municipal leaders, and residents, and led regional work on anti-racism, civic engagement, and welcoming policies for newcomers.

I don't believe you can represent a community if you're not spending time in it. Some of the best conversations happen outside of formal meetings: at a local coffee shop, at a community event, while walking through a neighbourhood. That's where you learn what's actually working, what's not, and what people need from their local government.