Toronto mayoral candidates Olivia Chow and Brad Bradford hit the campaign trail Thursday, trading verbal jabs and making announcements focused on youth unemployment as the race for the mayor’s chair enters its final stretch.
With just 11 days until Torontonians head to the polls, both candidates are ramping up their campaign stops amid new polling that suggests the two are locked in a tight race to become the city’s next mayor.
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The latest exclusive Nanos poll, conducted between Oct. 8 and Oct. 10, found 51 per cent of decided voters would cast a ballot for Chow if an election were held today, compared to 47 per cent for Bradford.
The two candidates are also preparing to face off in their final debate, Toronto Decides: The Municipal Debate, airing live on CP24 on Oct. 22 at 7 p.m.
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Summary
Key details:
- Chow pledges 15,000 youth jobs
- Bradford defends plan to make Toronto Water a public utility
- Election day is Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Bradford rejects Chow’s water privatization claims
Brad Bradford responded to Olivia Chow over claims his proposed municipal water utility could put Toronto’s water system under provincial control.
Speaking to reporters following an affordability roundtable Thursday, Bradford insisted the utility would remain fully publicly owned, with city councillors sitting on its board.
“It will never ever happen. I can’t be more clear to Mayor Chow that will never ever happen,” Bradford said of privatization.
He compared the proposed model to Toronto Hydro and other publicly owned municipal utilities across Canada.
Bradford also accused Chow of using the issue to frighten voters rather than engage in a substantive debate over the city’s future.
“All fear, no facts,” he said.
“It will never ever happen. I can’t be more clear to Mayor Chow that will never ever happen,” Bradford said of privatization.
He compared the proposed model to Toronto Hydro and other publicly owned municipal utilities across Canada.
Bradford also accused Chow of using the issue to frighten voters rather than engage in a substantive debate over the city’s future.
“All fear, no facts,” he said.
Brad Bradford speaks to local Toronto residents and reporters on Thursday Oct. 15, 2026 (CP24 photo).
Chow raises concerns over Bradford’s water plan
Olivia Chow is accusing Brad Bradford of putting Toronto’s public water system at risk, citing a new legal opinion that raises concerns about provincial control under his proposed water utility model.
In a statement Thursday, Chow’s campaign pointed to an opinion from Goldblatt Partners LLP, which argues the province would gain significant control over a new water corporation, including its governance and rate-setting powers.
“Our water should never be for sale or handed over to Premier Ford,” Chow's said.
Her campaign also cited polling suggesting 60 per cent of Torontonians are concerned about water privatization.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow speaks during a press conference at the facility of the pharmaceutical company Sanofi in Toronto on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey
Bradford doubles down on his Scarborough pledge
Brad Bradford says he would make the Eglinton East LRT his top transit priority if elected mayor, accusing Olivia Chow of failing to advance the long-promised project.
In a statement Thursday, Bradford reiterated much of his earlier promises including to personally advocate for the project at Queen’s Park and Ottawa within his first 100 days in office, with a goal of beginning construction by 2030.
He also reiterated plans to remove 12 kilometres of red bus lanes in Scarborough and "guarantee 15-minute service on key bus routes."
“Scarborough has been asked to accept less for so long that it started to feel normal. It isn’t normal,” Bradford said.
Bradford accuses Chow of neglecting Scarborough
Brad Bradford fired back at Olivia Chow’s campaign stop in Scarborough Thursday, accusing the incumbent mayor of failing to deliver for the community during her time in office.
In a statement responding to Chow’s youth employment announcement, Bradford criticized her record on transit, affordability and public safety.
“Her campaign is running out of steam and out of ideas, so the only question left is which scare tactic she reaches for today,” Bradford said.
He also accused Chow of prioritizing downtown infrastructure over Scarborough, pointing to the progress of the Eglinton East LRT.
“What she won’t answer is the one question Scarborough should ask her: where have you been?”
Toronto mayoral candidate Brad Bradford takes part in a debate in Scarborough, Ont. on Wednesday, May 24, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Chow takes aim at Bradford, Ford over bike lane removals
Speaking during question period, Olivia Chow took aim at her mayoral opponent Brad Bradford and Premier Doug Ford Thursday over the province’s removal of major Toronto bike lanes, accusing both politicians of creating chaos on city streets.
Chow accused Bradford of reversing his position on bike lanes after previously supporting their installation.
“My opponent needs to stop changing his mind, and number two, our premier needs to stop interfering with local democracy. Stay on his own lane,” Chow said.
Her comments come after the province began removing major bike lanes earlier this week, a move that has sparked protests and led to several arrests.
Police arrest a protester in a bike lane as workers begin to remove the lanes along Bloor Street West in Toronto on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey
Chow pledges 15,000 youth jobs, local hiring for Scarborough LRT
Olivia Chow is pledging to create 15,000 new youth jobs across Toronto and prioritize local hiring for the Scarborough East LRT if re-elected.
Speaking at YouthLink in Scarborough, Chow said she would guarantee 20 per cent of construction jobs on the transit project go to local residents, with a focus on youth, and target 15 per cent of apprenticeships for local young people aged 18 to 35.
“A good first job, a paid apprenticeship, a path to a real career: that’s how we give young people a future in their own neighbourhood,” Chow said.
Her campaign says she would also invest $28 million in youth violence prevention, mentorship and employment programs.
Olivia Chow speaks to reporters on Thursday Oct. 15, 2026 (CP24 photo)
