AnneM
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MAYOR
A hypothetical question was asked to the mayor candidates: If the city received a grant of 2 million dollars with no strings attached, what would be your first choice to spend it on?
Alton, David
"The crisis conditions in our housing system are my biggest priority so if I received a no strings attached 2 million grant I would give it Thresholds and Porchlight to expand their low barrier winter shelters into year round spaces."
Frogh, Wazhma
"I appreciate your reaching out to me. I hope you will have a chance to see my draft vision document and tell me what you think, I am learning everyday from residents and trying to incorporate them:
Wazhma Frogh for Mayor Official: Instagram, X | Linktree
On the question you asked: While many would assume that this should be used for homelessness and housing support, which I have as my first priority, my housing strategy isn't about ad hoc response, it's a continuum.
If the City of Kitchener received a $2 million grant with no strings attached, my first choice would be to invest it directly in our neighbourhoods, with a particular focus on areas where residents have less access to quality public spaces, amenities and community infrastructure.
I would propose a Neighbourhood Investment Fund that supports practical improvements residents can see and benefit from every day. This could include improvements to parks and playgrounds, safer pedestrian crossings and sidewalks, accessibility upgrades, more seating and shade, community gathering spaces, and other small-scale neighbourhood projects that often get pushed behind larger infrastructure priorities.
I would also want residents to have a meaningful role in deciding where the money goes. We could invite neighbourhoods to identify their priorities and use clear, public criteria to determine which projects receive funding. That would give us an opportunity to involve people who don't always participate in traditional City consultations.
I would be careful about using a one time $2 million grant to create a new program with significant ongoing operating costs. One time money should ideally create lasting value without leaving taxpayers with an unexpected annual bill afterward.
Most importantly, the process should be completely transparent. Residents should be able to see what was proposed, why projects were selected, how much was spent and what was ultimately delivered.
For me, $2 million is large enough to make a visible difference but not large enough to solve Kitchener's biggest challenges on its own. I would rather concentrate it where we can achieve tangible results than spread it so thinly that nobody can tell where the money went.
If unexpected money comes to the City, I want residents to be able to see and experience the benefit in their own communities."
Wazhma
Nair, Manikantan
"Thanks for reaching out to me.
If Kitchener received $2 million with no strings attached, my first priority would be job creation and economic development.
Kitchener Job Creation Policy Paper ( Draft)
After consulting with Council, residents, local businesses and community partners, I would look at how we could use the $2 million to leverage significantly more private and government investment into Kitchener.
My focus would be on attracting and retaining good-paying jobs in areas where Kitchener has real strengths like advanced manufacturing, technology, AI, health innovation, clean technology and the skilled trades.
A strong economy is also part of the housing solution. When people have stable, well-paying jobs, they are better positioned to afford rent or a mortgage, support their families and remain in our community.
I would not want to simply spend the $2 million. I would want to turn it into a much larger investment in Kitchener and measure the results in jobs created, jobs retained and new investment attracted. That approach also builds on Kitchener's existing economic-development direction and its current focus on protecting local businesses and jobs. "
Regards
Manikantan Nair ( Mani Nair)
2022 & 2026 Candidate for Mayor of Kitchener
A BRIGHTER FUTURE TOGETHER
A Platform Theme That Fits Kitchener’s Reality
My official website www.votefornair.ca
Email: votefornair@gmail.com
Tel: 226.600.9262
Election Date: Oct 26/2026
As of this post on August 31, 2026 the following mayor candidates did not reply
1. Wali Khan
2. George Trihenea
3. Berry Verbanovic
4. Cindy Ward
A hypothetical question was asked to the mayor candidates: If the city received a grant of 2 million dollars with no strings attached, what would be your first choice to spend it on?
Alton, David
- Email: joyfulcities@gmail.com
- Website: www.davidalton.org
- Nomination date: May 01, 2026
"The crisis conditions in our housing system are my biggest priority so if I received a no strings attached 2 million grant I would give it Thresholds and Porchlight to expand their low barrier winter shelters into year round spaces."
Frogh, Wazhma
- Email: WFmayorcampaign@gmail.com
- Website: linktr.ee/wfmayorcampaign?utm_source=linktree_profile_share
- Nomination date: May 01, 2026
"I appreciate your reaching out to me. I hope you will have a chance to see my draft vision document and tell me what you think, I am learning everyday from residents and trying to incorporate them:
Wazhma Frogh for Mayor Official: Instagram, X | Linktree
On the question you asked: While many would assume that this should be used for homelessness and housing support, which I have as my first priority, my housing strategy isn't about ad hoc response, it's a continuum.
If the City of Kitchener received a $2 million grant with no strings attached, my first choice would be to invest it directly in our neighbourhoods, with a particular focus on areas where residents have less access to quality public spaces, amenities and community infrastructure.
I would propose a Neighbourhood Investment Fund that supports practical improvements residents can see and benefit from every day. This could include improvements to parks and playgrounds, safer pedestrian crossings and sidewalks, accessibility upgrades, more seating and shade, community gathering spaces, and other small-scale neighbourhood projects that often get pushed behind larger infrastructure priorities.
I would also want residents to have a meaningful role in deciding where the money goes. We could invite neighbourhoods to identify their priorities and use clear, public criteria to determine which projects receive funding. That would give us an opportunity to involve people who don't always participate in traditional City consultations.
I would be careful about using a one time $2 million grant to create a new program with significant ongoing operating costs. One time money should ideally create lasting value without leaving taxpayers with an unexpected annual bill afterward.
Most importantly, the process should be completely transparent. Residents should be able to see what was proposed, why projects were selected, how much was spent and what was ultimately delivered.
For me, $2 million is large enough to make a visible difference but not large enough to solve Kitchener's biggest challenges on its own. I would rather concentrate it where we can achieve tangible results than spread it so thinly that nobody can tell where the money went.
If unexpected money comes to the City, I want residents to be able to see and experience the benefit in their own communities."
Wazhma
Nair, Manikantan
- Email: votefornair@gmail.com
- Phone: (226) 600-9262
- Website: votefornair.ca
- Nomination date: Aug 18, 2026
"Thanks for reaching out to me.
If Kitchener received $2 million with no strings attached, my first priority would be job creation and economic development.
Kitchener Job Creation Policy Paper ( Draft)
After consulting with Council, residents, local businesses and community partners, I would look at how we could use the $2 million to leverage significantly more private and government investment into Kitchener.
My focus would be on attracting and retaining good-paying jobs in areas where Kitchener has real strengths like advanced manufacturing, technology, AI, health innovation, clean technology and the skilled trades.
A strong economy is also part of the housing solution. When people have stable, well-paying jobs, they are better positioned to afford rent or a mortgage, support their families and remain in our community.
I would not want to simply spend the $2 million. I would want to turn it into a much larger investment in Kitchener and measure the results in jobs created, jobs retained and new investment attracted. That approach also builds on Kitchener's existing economic-development direction and its current focus on protecting local businesses and jobs. "
Regards
Manikantan Nair ( Mani Nair)
2022 & 2026 Candidate for Mayor of Kitchener
A BRIGHTER FUTURE TOGETHER
A Platform Theme That Fits Kitchener’s Reality
My official website www.votefornair.ca
Email: votefornair@gmail.com
Tel: 226.600.9262
Election Date: Oct 26/2026
As of this post on August 31, 2026 the following mayor candidates did not reply
1. Wali Khan
2. George Trihenea
3. Berry Verbanovic
4. Cindy Ward
