Toronto Mayoral Candidates Target Affordability Housing and Transit Issues

Toronto mayoral candidates Olivia Chow and Brad Bradford are campaigning around affordability, housing, public safety and transit as voters prepare for the city's municipal election on Oct. 26. The two candidates are among 53 people seeking the mayor's office, with polling from Nanos Research cited by CP24 showing the race has become centered on Chow and Bradford.

Global News reported that many Toronto voters want action on rising living costs, housing supply and city services. Chow has proposed measures including lower grocery costs, free school lunches and more affordable housing units, while Bradford has pledged a first-year property tax freeze and removing the land transfer tax for homes under $1.1 million.

Housing affordability has emerged as a major campaign issue, with voters raising concerns about rent, ownership costs and the need for more development. The Toronto Star noted affordability is a key concern, while Global News reported residents also focused on homelessness and support for renters.

Ilham Saydna, a North York resident who has lived in Toronto for 30 years, said affordability and food security should be priorities for the next mayor.

"I am looking to see who is going to be having a good platform for food security because a lot of people are hungry right now, and people are going to food banks and they cannot afford to pay rent," said Ilham Saydna.

Saydna said she believes homelessness requires more attention and connected poverty reduction with public safety concerns.

"If we tackle poverty and people’s needs, crime will go down," said Ilham Saydna.

"If people are not properly housed and they live on the streets, you can’t blame them for trying to survive," said Ilham Saydna.

Global News reported Toronto police data showed homicides, shootings and robberies have decreased this year, while homelessness remains a central concern for some voters.

Terry Chamberlain, a Don Mills resident, said more housing development is needed when projects fit local communities.

"As long as the development is done in a reasonable manner and it fits into the area, I’m all for it," said Terry Chamberlain.

Chamberlain also said transit in his area is reliable but argued the city should encourage expansion of the Ontario Line beyond Eglinton Avenue. Global News reported the Ontario Line under construction is 15.6 kilometres long.

Transit concerns were especially prominent in Scarborough, where residents discussed long delays on major projects. The city recently opened a four-kilometre Scarborough Busway connecting Kennedy Station and Scarborough Town Centre after Line 3 service ended following a derailment.

Leonel Juan said Scarborough needs faster progress on transit expansion and more housing development.

"Downtown Toronto or other areas of Toronto are being prioritized..." said Leonel Juan.

Other voters raised concerns about bike lanes, homelessness shelters and taxes. Ross Rowlands criticized planned bike lane removals, while Patty Wegrzyn questioned the placement of shelters near families and children.

"It’s terrible," said Ross Rowlands.

"Everybody has a right to have a home," said Patty Wegrzyn.

"But do not put homeless shelters where there are small children and families," said Patty Wegrzyn.

Wegrzyn also said property tax pressures affected her decision to sell her home and described financial challenges facing families.

"We’re all still coming out of the pandemic, half (of) these families … are struggling themselves trying to keep everything afloat, why raise taxes?" said Patty Wegrzyn.

The municipal election is scheduled for Oct. 26, with candidates continuing to present plans on affordability, housing, transit and city services.