Six candidates are running for Peel District School Board (PDSB) trustee in Mississauga Wards 1 and 7.
There is no incumbent in the race because the sitting trustee, Leeann Cole, is running for the city’s Ward 2 council seat.
To help voters get to know the Mississauga Wards 1 and 7 trustee candidates, Metroland submitted a questionnaire to everyone on the ballot. Their responses were edited for length and clarity.
Charles Corey is a trustee candidate for the Peel District School Board in Mississauga Wards 1 and 7.
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Charles Corey
I am currently acting as the co-chair of my residents’ association, and I am volunteering for Safe City Mississauga as a team leader.
Do you live in the ward you are running in (Wards 1 or 7)?
I live in Ward 6, and I have my grandkids and family and friends and neighbour’s kids that attend schools in various wards in Mississauga.
How long have you lived in Mississauga?
I have lived in Mississauga for over 30 years, spent in Wards 5 and 7.
What is your previous political experience?
I am not politically affiliated, and I have not run for a political party or for a political role.
What are your priorities if elected?
My top priority is the security and safety of our schools and our children and teachers in the current learning environment. Ensuring that we have adequate funding and resources for teachers and students and local agencies to help keep and build on the level of engagement by students within their communities.
What is your contact information?
Jad El Ghali is a trustee candidate for the Peel District School Board in Mississauga Wards 1 and 7.
Jad El Ghali photo
Jad El Ghali
What is your occupation?
I work full-time in risk, compliance and due diligence, where my work focuses on managing international research teams, quality assurance and risk identification. I am also a JD candidate at the Toronto Metropolitan University’s Lincoln Alexander School of Law.
Do you live in the ward you are running in (Wards 1 or 7)?
I recently moved from the area to near Square One, but I continue to have strong family ties to Wards 1 and 7. My family remains closely connected to these communities, and my nephews attend school here. These wards continue to be an important part of my life, and the decisions made by the school board directly affect people I care about and the families I hope to represent.
How long have you lived in Mississauga?
Mississauga has been always home. I went to school here, grew up in the city, and have stayed closely connected to it through every stage of my life. When I attended the University of Toronto, I chose to take as many of my courses as I could at the Mississauga campus because staying connected to the city was important to me.
My family is still deeply rooted here, and now my nephews are growing up and going to school in Mississauga as well. I have seen the city change and grow over the years, and I have a strong personal connection to its schools, neighbourhoods and communities.
What is your previous political experience?
I don’t see a school board trustee as a politician. I see the role as one of service, advocacy and community representation, listening to families, understanding their concerns and making sure their voices are heard.
I am also a strong believer in Canada’s democratic system and in the importance of participating in it. Since reaching the age of majority, I have volunteered during every federal election through Elections Canada. I previously served as a provincial media representative with Future Majority, a non-partisan civic engagement organization focused on encouraging young people to vote and become more engaged in public life. I also ran for school board trustee in 2022.
My experience has always been rooted in civic engagement and advocacy, and that is the same approach I would bring to the role of trustee.
What are your priorities if elected?
My priorities begin with a simple principle: every school should be seen and every family should be heard.
I want parents to receive clear and honest information about the decisions affecting their children. I want to work constructively with the province and the school board toward transparent, accountable elected oversight, while making sure the public is kept informed throughout that process. I will focus on safe and supportive schools, strong student achievement, modern learning that prepares students for a rapidly changing world and genuine opportunity for every child.
Just as importantly, I want to make the office of trustee accessible again. Families should know who represents them, how to reach them and what they are doing on their behalf.
What is your contact information?
Sara Iqbal is a trustee candidate for the Peel District School Board in Mississauga Wards 1 and 7.
Sara Iqbal photo
Sara Iqbal
What is your occupation?
Recent graduate from Ted Rogers School of Management. Master’s student in Criminology and Social Justice and employee within Ontario’s justice system.
Do you live in the ward you are running in (Wards 1 or 7)?
No. I have lived in Ward 4 my entire life. However, I have lived in Peel my entire life and completed all of my schooling in the region, giving me firsthand knowledge of many of the issues students and families face.
How long have you lived in Mississauga?
What is your previous political experience?
I previously ran for mayor of Mississauga at age 19, gaining experience in community engagement, public outreach and municipal politics.
What are your priorities if elected?
My priorities are improving student mental-health and well-being supports, strengthening special-education resources, promoting safe and inclusive schools, and improving academic, career and post-secondary preparation. I also want to strengthen communication between trustees, students, families and the school board. Having grown up and completed my education in Peel, I understand many of the challenges students face and want to ensure their concerns are meaningfully represented.
What is your contact information?
Paul Pu
No responses were provided.
Miles Roque is a trustee candidate for the Peel District School Board for Mississauga Wards 1 and 7.
Miles Roque photo
Miles Roque
What is your occupation?
Project manager with a consulting firm working on rail and transit projects.
Do you live in the ward you are running in (Wards 1 or 7)?
How long have you lived in Mississauga?
I have lived in Mississauga for more than 30 years. I was born and raised in Ward 1 and am now a proud Ward 7 resident.
What is your previous political experience?
I ran for Mississauga city councillor for Ward 1 in 2018. I have also served on the City of Mississauga’s Traffic Safety Council for eight years, including the past three years as chair.
What are your priorities if elected?
My priorities are school capacity and infrastructure, student support and well-being, and accountability and representation. I want to address overcrowding through better long-term planning, capital investment and boundary reviews. I will advocate for strong special-education supports, equitable access to programs, mental-health resources and consistent school-safety standards. I also believe families deserve accessible trustees, regular ward updates, community meetings and clear reporting on how concerns are being addressed.
What is your contact information?
Sariya Talat is a trustee candidate for the Peel District School Board in Mississauga Wards 1 and 7.
Sariya Talat photo screenshot
Sariya Talat
What is your occupation?
Educator and academic (PhD in biotechnology)
Do you live in the ward you are running in (Wards 1 or 7)?
No, but I am a longtime resident of Peel Region (14 years).
How long have you lived in Mississauga?
Resident of Peel Region for 14 years.
What is your previous political experience?
Co-chair, parent involvement committee (PIC), Peel District School Board (2023 to present): co-lead board-wide governance and policy advocacy across thousands of learners. I co-manage a $123,500 PRO (Parents Reaching Out) grant portfolio to deliver barrier-free, inclusive educational programming. In this leadership role, I moderate executive panels on equity and digital learning, bridge system-level administration with local school communities, and advise provincial ministry advisory circles on student success.
Co-chair/secretary, school council, Great Lakes Public School (2021-2022).
What are your priorities if elected?
Student achievement and STEM: Expanding early STEM, literacy and numeracy pathways by leveraging my track record as PIC co-chair leading board-wide academic enrichment initiatives.Mental health and equity: Enhancing culturally responsive supports, mental health services and inclusive environments for all students.Parent engagement and board governance: Building on my PIC governance background to strengthen transparent, two-way communication between families, trustees and board leadership.
What is your contact information?