Toronto Mayoral Race Tightens as Candidates Make Final Pitch

On the eve of the municipal vote, frontrunners Olivia Chow and Brad Bradford each held separate news conferences. Chow outlined commitments such as expanding affordable housing, capping TTC fares weekly, providing free school lunches, granting property-tax breaks to local grocers, and strengthening the RentSafe Enforcement program. Bradford, accompanied by his family and MPP Stephanie Smyth, reiterated promises to freeze property taxes in his first year, cut water bills by 25 percent, improve transit reliability, eliminate “slow zones,” and enhance public safety.

CP24

Chow’s platform emphasizes social-service investments, while Bradford focuses on fiscal relief and a pledge to hire 1,000 additional police officers. A CP24-conducted poll of decided voters shows Chow with 49.8 percent support and Bradford with 46.6 percent, a margin within the survey’s ±3.6-point error range, indicating a statistical tie.

CP24

Commentary in the Globe and Mail notes that Toronto’s homicide total last year was the lowest in 50 years and that murders, shootings, and violent crime have declined substantially during Chow’s three-year mayoralty. Car thefts, which rose after the pandemic peak, have also fallen sharply over the same period.

The Globe and Mail (Toronto)

• “The race is neck and neck. Your vote will decide it. If you believe we are a city of people who take care of each other, who stand up for each other, then tomorrow, vote for the city we believe in,” — Olivia Chow, he challenges mayor

CP24

• “The message I’m hearing from people is that we need change, positive change, in this city. Change that makes us feel safer, change that makes life more affordable, and change that makes it easier to get around the city,” — Brad Bradford

CP24