OPP Investigating Scarborough Southwest Councillor Parthi Kandavel
The Ontario Provincial Police are investigating Toronto city councillor Parthi Kandavel following a referral from the Toronto Police Service, the councillor confirmed in a social media post Sunday evening. The probe centres on allegations against the first-term representative for Scarborough Southwest, though neither Kandavel nor police have disclosed the nature of those allegations.
Kandavel said he learned of the investigation Friday afternoon and described the news as a surprise. “I’ve worked hard to earn the trust of the people of Scarborough Southwest, which I take seriously,” he wrote, adding that he would share more details when he was able.
OPP Confirms Referral from Toronto Police
The OPP confirmed Friday evening that it had received a referral from the Toronto Police Service related to allegations against Kandavel. “The investigation is ongoing, and we are unable to provide further comment at this time,” OPP spokesperson Tracey Mellersh said in a statement.
Toronto police declined to answer questions Sunday. The force had previously told the Toronto Star it had “nothing on file” about the councillor.
Investigation Linked to Highrise Development at Kennedy Road
According to a source with knowledge of the probe, OPP investigators have sought information about a proposed highrise development at 708–712 Kennedy Road, located within Kandavel’s ward. The source spoke on condition of anonymity, as they were not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly.
In June 2025, Kandavel introduced a council motion directing the city to accept a settlement offer from the property owners — a move that would allow the contested development to proceed. The motion passed by a show of hands, without debate, at council’s June 25–26 meeting.
Kandavel’s office referred the Star to his social media statement when asked about the development. A director at the holding company that owns the property did not respond to a request for comment.
A Development Proposal That Grew Significantly
The site sits on the west side of Kennedy Road, just south of Eglinton Avenue. In 2022, the owners applied to replace two four-storey apartment buildings — containing 98 rental units — with towers of 12 and 29 storeys, totalling 509 units.
By March 2024, the owners had revised the plan upward again, proposing towers of 21 and 42 storeys with 682 units. City planning staff responded in a September 2024 report stating they had “concerns with the proposed building height and massing, and do not support the development in its current form.”
Council voted in October 2024 to oppose the required zoning changes at the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT). The owners had already appealed to the tribunal in May 2024 after council failed to decide on the application within required timelines.
Settlement Offer and Kandavel’s Motion
In May 2025, the applicants submitted a revised proposal — reducing the tallest tower by four storeys and making other adjustments — along with a settlement offer to resolve the OLT appeal. The property owners’ lawyers argued the site warranted greater density given its proximity to transit: approximately 360 metres from Kennedy subway station and 500 metres from Kennedy GO station.
Whether city staff supported accepting the settlement remains unclear. The legal advice provided by city solicitor Wendy Walberg in her report to council was kept confidential. Kandavel moved a motion on the second day of the meeting that amended her advice and recommended council accept the settlement under certain conditions. It passed without debate.
It is not uncommon for council members to overrule staff recommendations on planning matters.
Kandavel’s Background
Kandavel, a former elementary school teacher, served as a Toronto District School Board trustee from 2014 to 2022. He was elected to city council in a November 2023 byelection, filling the seat vacated by Gary Crawford, who stepped down to run — unsuccessfully — for the Ontario Progressive Conservatives.
His wife, Anu Sriskandarajah, an associate professor at York University who also served on the TDSB, ran in the September 2024 council byelection in Scarborough–Rouge Park, finishing second.
With files from Mahdis Habibinia
