Ali Marani

About Ali

I'm Al Marani, and I'm ready to represent you

I am a first-generation Canadian. My mother, Ellie, was born and raised in rural Ireland. My  father, Azim, comes from Uganda, descended from Indian immigrants to the country from Gujurat and Kutch. I attended York University in the early 2000's to study Political Science and Philosophy. I moved to Pickering shortly after opening a restaurant at Brock Rd and Hwy 401, and I've made my home here ever since.

WORKING HARD IS WHAT I DO

Many people in Pickering will know me from my time as the owner and operator of Cora Breakfast and Lunch. For over 14 years, my family and I poured our hearts and souls into running the premier breakfast restaurant in Durham Region. Operating a 200+ seat eatery with more than 30 staff requires you to wear a lot of hats. I was directly responsible for customer service and guest satisfaction, training, recruitment, payroll, inventory and supply chain management, complaint resolution, book keeping, and much more. Running your own business can be incredibly rewarding, but it also means making sacrifices and knowing when to tighten your belt. Through careful planning and lots of hard work, we managed to survive many challenges – like the Covid-19 pandemic – and keep things running. We were also able to contribute to many local schools, sports teams, and of course, the Breakfast Clubs of Canada.

While I have never held - or even run for - public office before, my extensive background in sales, real estate, transit, and small business ownership have taught me the value of hard work and open communication. I am not a career politician; I'm a hard working person, just like all of you, and I commit to putting the same dedication and determination into being your Regional Councillor as I have in every other endeavour I've been a part of. You can count on me to bring an unmatched work ethic to the table, every day, for you.

MISSION STATEMENT

My goal in running for Regional Councillor is to bring a voice to the citizens of Pickering who feel that their city does not hear them. Whether it be rapid residential intensification, concerns about rising crime, desire for more services, or addressing our lack of public transit, I will stand up for the needs of Pickering residents. As an individual with a multi-ethnic background, I will ensure council decisions are made with cultural competence and a broader understanding of culturally sensitive issues.​

Most importantly, I offer my solemn commitment to always be unabashedly honest with my constituents and with my fellow council members, even if what I need to say is unpopular or divisive. Taxpayers deserve nothing less than the unfiltered truth from their elected officials, and I will always deliver that.