Cambridge

Ihtsham Haq

Small business owner

Ihtsham Haq’s Priority Issues

Corridor Density & Neighborhood Character Protection

Directing residential density toward major roads, transit corridors, and underutilized properties while preserving established neighborhoods, heritage structures, and culturally significant areas to ensure new growth respects local context.

Supportive Housing & Multi-Level Homelessness Solutions

Partnering with regional, provincial, and community organizations to expand supportive housing, mental health, and addiction services while preserving safe public spaces and protecting dignity for vulnerable residents.

Ihtsham’s Answers: Muslims & Islamophobia

How will you strengthen relationships and trust between police services and Muslim communities?

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As Mayor, I would work with Waterloo Regional Police and community leaders to encourage regular meetings, community outreach, and cultural awareness training.

How will you work with mosques, Islamic schools, and Muslim organizations to improve community safety and emergency preparedness?

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I will work with mosques, Islamic schools, community organizations, police, and emergency services to improve safety, provide emergency training, and ensure everyone feels safe and protected

What steps will you take to address Islamophobia and anti-Muslim discrimination?

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I will work with community leaders, police, and local organizations to address Islamophobia through education, awareness, and stronger reporting of hate incidents. Discrimination and hate have no place in Cambridge.

How will you ensure Muslim residents and community organizations have a meaningful voice in municipal decision-making?

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I will ensure Muslim residents and organizations have a voice through regular community meetings, open consultations, and direct communication with City Council. Every community deserves to be heard and included in decisions that affect them.

How will you support Muslim organizations that provide community services, settlement support, youth programming, food assistance, and other essential services?

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I will work with Muslim organizations to improve access to municipal resources, funding opportunities, and community partnerships. My goal is to support their valuable work in helping families, youth, and residents in need.

How can the city provide a more nuanced approach to zoning for religious institutions (such as mosques) given their practices, cultures and needs differ?

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I will establish a working group with religious leaders, residents, and city planners to review zoning barriers within the first six months. We will develop practical recommendations for parking, prayer facilities, and community spaces, ensuring fair and flexible zoning for all faiths.

What do you think is the greatest problem the ward is facing, and how do you plan to address it?

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I dont understand the question.

How will you ensure that anti-racism and EDI policies explicitly recognize and address anti-Palestinian racism where it occurs?

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I will work with Palestinian community representatives to review the City’s anti-racism and EDI policies, explicitly recognize anti-Palestinian racism, improve reporting procedures, and provide staff training. Everyone deserves equal protection, dignity, and respect.

How will you ensure that your city’s commitments to freedom of expression, anti-racism, religious freedom, and equal treatment are applied consistently across all communities, including when issues are politically contentious?

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I will apply the same principles and policies to every community, regardless of religion, background, or political views. Decisions should be based on law, fairness, and equal treatment—not political pressure

Are there any other priorities or topic you would like to add?

Ihtsham in the Media

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No media coverage added yet for Ihtsham.