Katara brings business experience to table as a councillor candidate
Saurabh Katara is bringing his business and leadership experience to the table as he makes a run at an Amherstburg town council seat.
Katara said he has leadership, business and planning experience including degrees in business and is currently working on his MBA from Ivey Business School. He has also founded a consulting company where he works with clients in Canada and abroad.
“We moved to Amherstburg a few years ago,” he said, with his wife and daughter. “This is the town we call home.”
Katara believes his leadership and business experience will assist him in making decisions effectively and in the right manner. He said he is already receiving questions and comments from residents although it is still early in the election campaign, something that he welcomes.
“It’s been very positive so far,” said Katara.
Economic development, transparency and fiscal responsibility have been key items he has been hearing thus far. Katara believes decisions made today can have long-term impacts so that has to be taken into consideration.
“The taxes are growing every year,” he said.
The younger generation needs places to live and places to work, he added. Katara described himself as a millennial and that when he listens to others of that generation, he said housing affordability remains a big issue for them.
“Amherstburg really needs to strengthen its commercial and industrial tax bases,” he said. “I would like to attract more business and more investment.”
Residents should also have a better idea of what is being decided and why, especially when it comes to the expenditure of taxpayers’ dollars.
Policing and Belle Vue are two of the other issues he is studying, vowing he will be on top of both if elected.
Katara added he will ask questions that need to be asked and invites people to ask questions of him.
“I’m someone who doesn’t believe in big slogans,” he said. “I believe actions are more important than words. If elected, I will come prepared, ask the right questions and be honest about what I stand for.”
Katara believes “Open Air is very positive for the community. It brings people together.” He said he wants to see it have value for both residents and businesses.
Accessibility is something he adds is also important to him.
“I want to make sure all residents are heard and listened to,” he said. “I want to make sure all residents are treated the same, no matter what.”
Katara added: “I’m someone who likes to analyze everything, plan everything and go in prepared.”
Voter turnout is another issue Katara highlighted, as he encouraged people to be engaged in the municipal election process and vote in the Oct. 26 election.
“Your voice matters a lot. Don’t hesitate to ask questions,” he said. “The more questions you ask, the better it will be for our community and we’ll build a better community for the future.”
Katara brings business experience to table as a councillor candidate
By Ron Giofu
Candidates for the 2026 municipal election in Amherstburg
The 2026 municipal election is Oct. 26 and candidates have until Aug. 21 at 2 p.m. to file their nomination papers. Here are the candidates who have filed, as of press time. They are listed in alphabetical order, based on their last name.
(* denotes an incumbent)
MAYOR
Frank Cerasa
Chris Gibb
Michael Prue*
(Frank DiPasquale has withdrawn from the mayor’s race.)
DEPUTY MAYOR
Linden Crain
Bill Petruniak
COUNCILLOR
Molly Allaire*
T.J. Botsford
Keith Boussey
Saurabh Katara
Lena Lazanja
Shawn LeBlanc
Tony Pietrangelo
Dhaval Prajapati
CONSEIL SCOLAIRE VIAMONDE
Emmanuelle Richez
CONSEIL SCOLAIRE
CATHOLIQUE PROVIDENCE
Didier Marotte
GREATER ESSEX COUNTY DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
Jeremy Palko
WINDSOR-ESSEX CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
Dana Tonus
Jesmond Tabone
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