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Zaki Mohammed
Candidate for City Council

Zaki Mohammed

Candidate statement

“Nanaimo gave me an equal opportunity to win. I am running to make sure it does that for everyone.”

Gathered by Nanaimo Vote · zakifornanaimo.ca

Biography

I was born in Saudi Arabia to parents of Indian origin, schooled in India, and earned my B.A. in Hotel & Hospitality Management in Switzerland before coming to Canada to pursue a dual MBA/MSc in International Management through Vancouver Island University and the University of Hertfordshire. From there, my path in Canada ran from international student to temporary foreign worker, to permanent resident, and now citizen. What started as a city I lived in as a means to a degree turned into a city I have now called home for over a decade. Having had the privilege of being a minority in every country I have lived in, I grew accustomed to being overlooked until coming to Canada, simply put Canada and Nanaimo gave me equal opportunity to win. Now it is important to me that as your future city councillor, I listen to every one of my constituents' voices because I understand what it is like to go unheard. I do not have family in Nanaimo in the traditional sense, but the friends and relationships I have built here over the past decade-plus are my family. It is part of why I am running. I see Nanaimo not just as the place I live, but as the community that took me in. I have built my career inside Nanaimo's business and nonprofit community. As Financial Controller for Tony Harris Group (a private investment group with a diverse portfolio spanning real estate, automotive, marine services, hospitality, entertainment, and technology), I support major local development projects and oversee financial management and administration across the group's acquisitions and partnerships. As Director of the Tom Harris Community Foundation, I have helped raise more than $4.5 million supporting causes across the region, spanning healthcare, food security, and youth programs, leading the Foundation's fundraising and donor events. I also serve as Managing Partner of Revvin Creative & Studio West, a marketing and media agency. Outside my day job, I put that same organizing energy into Nanaimo community causes. I serve as Director and a Board Member at the Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society, helping newcomers find the same welcome and opportunity that Nanaimo once gave me. I created NIAMI (The Picnic Party), a grassroots, wellness-focused event supporting local Nanaimo causes. I also work as a dance fitness instructor, putting my own commitment to community wellness into practice.

Gathered by Nanaimo Vote · zakifornanaimo.ca

Links

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Profile last updated on

On the issues

What they've said publicly

Compare candidates

Public statements are organized under common issue topics to make comparison easier, with links to their sources.

Mayor & City Councillor

Affordability

What is your approach to affordability and growth?

How Nanaimo can manage growth while addressing the cost of living, housing costs, and the infrastructure and services needed by current and future residents.

  1. ""Fix what is driving up housing costs and make room for the childcare Nanaimo families actually need." Cut development permit times toward the city's own 12-week target (currently 20–30+ weeks) Push the city's below-market housing tools, zoning incentives and community-led non-market pilots Back food security programs already working: Loaves and Fishes, Food4Schools, Nanaimo Foodshare, farmers' markets, and partner with local producers while looking at a city-backed, not-for-profit grocery model Use the city's Zoning Bylaw Update to make it easier to open home and centre-based childcare (1 licensed space for every 10 children under 2 today)"

    Provided by the candidate Candidate profile approved 09/27/2026
Mayor & City Councillor

Budget & Property Taxes

How should the City manage its budget and property taxes?

The City's annual budget and five-year financial plan, property tax increases, spending priorities and efficiency, reserves and debt, and how residents can see the value they get for their tax dollars.

No statement found

This does not mean the candidate has never made a statement. It means Nanaimo Vote has not found one for this specific issue, or the candidate has not provided one in response to it.
Mayor & City Councillor

Health Care

What role should local government play in health care infrastructure and access?

Hospital and health-service capacity, facilities and access, including municipal and regional advocacy and partnerships with health authorities and the Province.

No statement found

This does not mean the candidate has never made a statement. It means Nanaimo Vote has not found one for this specific issue, or the candidate has not provided one in response to it.
Mayor & City Councillor

Planning for Growth

How should the city plan land use, density, and infrastructure for growth?

Land use, density, development patterns and infrastructure capacity, including how neighbourhoods connect to jobs, services and transportation.

No statement found

This does not mean the candidate has never made a statement. It means Nanaimo Vote has not found one for this specific issue, or the candidate has not provided one in response to it.
Mayor & City Councillor

Transit & Transportation

What are your priorities for transit and transportation in Nanaimo?

Public transit, roads and traffic, walking and cycling, and regional transportation connections.

No statement found

This does not mean the candidate has never made a statement. It means Nanaimo Vote has not found one for this specific issue, or the candidate has not provided one in response to it.
Mayor & City Councillor

Affordable Housing

What should local government do to improve housing affordability and availability?

Housing availability and affordability for renters, young families and seniors, including rental and ownership options, non-market housing, approvals and partnerships.

No statement found

This does not mean the candidate has never made a statement. It means Nanaimo Vote has not found one for this specific issue, or the candidate has not provided one in response to it.
Mayor & City Councillor

Homelessness & Addictions

What is your approach to homelessness, mental health and addictions?

Homelessness, shelters and encampments, mental health and substance use, and how the City works with health authorities, other governments and community partners on these issues.

No statement found

This does not mean the candidate has never made a statement. It means Nanaimo Vote has not found one for this specific issue, or the candidate has not provided one in response to it.
Mayor & City Councillor

Local Economy

How should local government support jobs, businesses, and economic development?

Local employment, business conditions, industry, workforce needs and economic development, including links to transportation and housing.

No statement found

This does not mean the candidate has never made a statement. It means Nanaimo Vote has not found one for this specific issue, or the candidate has not provided one in response to it.
Mayor & City Councillor

Public Safety

What is your approach to public safety?

Community safety, policing, prevention and responses to community safety concerns, including coordination with housing, mental-health and substance-use services.

No statement found

This does not mean the candidate has never made a statement. It means Nanaimo Vote has not found one for this specific issue, or the candidate has not provided one in response to it.
Mayor & City Councillor

Downtown Revitalization

What are your priorities for downtown Nanaimo?

The health of the downtown core and nearby neighbourhoods, including businesses and vacancies, events and culture, streetscapes and the waterfront, residential growth, and how people experience safety and cleanliness downtown.

No statement found

This does not mean the candidate has never made a statement. It means Nanaimo Vote has not found one for this specific issue, or the candidate has not provided one in response to it.
Mayor & City Councillor

Resilience & Sustainability

How should local government strengthen community resilience and sustainability?

Preparation for environmental and climate risks, resource conservation and the community systems that support everyday wellbeing, including transport, green spaces, recreation and culture.

  1. ""Build a city where staying healthy, connected, and represented is the easy choice." Advocate for fair provincial resourcing for our hospital, while backing what's already proven for addiction, mental health, and supportive housing (Road to Recovery, Complex Care Housing) rather than inventing new policy Champion a wellness coordinating table, bringing schools, recreation, food, arts, health and climate experts together, with one long-term goal: making Nanaimo the healthiest city in Canada Grow the city's culture grants and champion inclusivity, so a vibrant, diverse Nanaimo is something the city actively builds"

    Provided by the candidate Candidate profile approved 09/27/2026
Mayor & City Councillor

Good Governance

What is your approach to transparency, accountability and public participation?

How Council makes decisions, involves residents, accounts for public money and provides transparent, accountable and respectful local government.

  1. ""If City Hall says it will fix something, put a deadline on it and show your work." Publish real turnaround targets for major city processes and report progress on a regular, public schedule Bring transparent budgeting to City Hall Build real public input channels, including youth voice, with a clear process for how input gets used and a stated timeline for a response"

    Provided by the candidate Candidate profile approved 09/27/2026
Mayor & City Councillor

Inclusion & Accessibility

What is your approach to accessibility, equity and inclusion in Nanaimo?

Access to City facilities, streets, services and information for people with disabilities and residents of all ages and backgrounds, and how the City includes diverse voices in its programs, spaces and decisions.

No statement found

This does not mean the candidate has never made a statement. It means Nanaimo Vote has not found one for this specific issue, or the candidate has not provided one in response to it.
Mayor & City Councillor

Intergovernmental Relations

How should local government work with other governments on shared priorities and funding?

Cooperation among the City, Indigenous governments, regional bodies and provincial and federal governments on shared priorities, responsibilities and funding.

No statement found

This does not mean the candidate has never made a statement. It means Nanaimo Vote has not found one for this specific issue, or the candidate has not provided one in response to it.
Mayor & City Councillor

Snuneymuxw First Nation Relations

What, if anything, would you change about how the City works with Snuneymuxw First Nation and other Indigenous governments?

The relationship between the City and Snuneymuxw First Nation, including government-to-government cooperation, agreements and treaty-related responsibilities.

  1. ""Show up as a real, working partner to the Snuneymuxw First Nation." Be a responsive municipal partner as Snuneymuxw develops the Te'tuxwtun lands, and actively use the City's Protocol Agreement as a living framework for consultation and collaboration Follow through locally on relevant Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action Bring consistent, hands-on engagement to the relationship, built over time"

    Provided by the candidate Candidate profile approved 09/27/2026
Mayor & City Councillor

Provincial & Federal Advocacy

What priorities would you advance with provincial and federal governments?

How the City advocates to the Province and federal government for funding, legislation and services that affect Nanaimo, such as health care, housing, infrastructure and public safety.

No statement found

This does not mean the candidate has never made a statement. It means Nanaimo Vote has not found one for this specific issue, or the candidate has not provided one in response to it.

Education

What are your priorities for education and schools in Nanaimo?

How local schools can support student learning and well-being, provide inclusive and accessible education, and plan for changing enrolment, staffing, and facility needs.

No statement found

This does not mean the candidate has never made a statement. It means Nanaimo Vote has not found one for this specific issue, or the candidate has not provided one in response to it.

Childcare & Families

What are your priorities for childcare and families?

Childcare availability and affordability, and local programs, services and spaces for children, youth and families.

No statement found

This does not mean the candidate has never made a statement. It means Nanaimo Vote has not found one for this specific issue, or the candidate has not provided one in response to it.
Voting in Nanaimo

How to vote

Official details come from the City of Nanaimo. Check their site for last-minute changes.

General Voting Day

Saturday, 17 October, 8 a.m.–8 p.m.

Nanaimo uses a vote-anywhere system, so you can vote at any City voting location. The Protection Island Fire Hall is open 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Voting locations map

Advance and mail voting

Advance voting is at Beban Park Social Centre, 2300 Bowen Road, on Wednesday, 7 October and Wednesday, 14 October, 8 a.m.–8 p.m.

Apply to vote by mail by 4 p.m. on Friday, 16 October. Completed ballots must reach the Chief Election Officer by 8 p.m. on Saturday, 17 October.

Vote-by-mail information
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