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The race to be Toronto’s next mayor is officially underway Friday morning, as the nomination window for candidates opens.
Beginning at 8:30 a.m., candidates for mayor, city councillor or school trustee can file their paperwork and begin spending money on their respective campaigns.
Here are some key details and storylines to watch, as we officially kickoff the 2026 Toronto election campaign.
How many candidates will run?
The 2023 mayoral byelection saw a record 102 candidates, including a dog, vying for the job. Of course, only a few actually made a dent when it came to vote count: only three candidates received more than 5 per cent of the ballots cast, with the majority finishing with less than one per cent.
While this year’s mayoral race appears to be shaping up as a much smaller contest at the top, the election will see more campaigns than in 2023 because every council seat is up for grabs along with the mayor’s chair.
WATCH | Olivia Chow wouldn’t commit to running again in year-end interview with CBC Toronto:
Olivia Chow talks tax rates, transit construction in year-end interview
Toronto mayor Olivia Chow sat down with CBC’s Lane Harrison to discuss what her goals are for the city for 2026.
The 2023 election saw sitting councillors Josh Matlow, Brad Bradford and Anthony Perruzza on the ballot. Former police chief Mark Saunders and former Liberal MPP Mitzie Hunter also entered the race, as did the eventual third-place finisher columnist Anthony Furey.
Ana Bailão, the runner-up, is a former deputy mayor and has since become the CEO of Build Canada Homes, a federal agency.
So who is running for mayor?
Of that group of candidates, only one has declared their intention to run so far: Beaches-East York Coun. Brad Bradford. A former city planner, Bradford has spent months positioning himself for the run with campaign-style social media videos and announcements criticizing the mayor.
Many city hall watchers expected former mayor John Tory, whose resignation kicked off the 2023 contest, to make a political comeback. Tory resigned after he admitted he had an “inappropriate relationship” with a former staff person in February 2023.
But Tory said in March he would not seek his old office, citing a need to protect his family from “inevitable attacks” on him and his personal life.
WATCH | Mayor Chow, Coun. Bradford, spar over transit plans:
Could Scarborough get its own light-train rail?
The city has proposed an 18-km light rail transit in Scarborough. CBC’s Lane Harrison explains how this issue is taking over the coming mayoral election.
Furey has also said he won’t be running for mayor again. Additionally, there were media reports that Micheal Ford, nephew of Premier Doug Ford and former MPP, was considering a run but ultimately decided against it.
Because of the name recognition being mayor or councillor provides, there is perhaps no level of government where being an incumbent is more useful in winning campaigns than the municipal level.
So, is Olivia Chow running?
Despite repeatedly being asked by members of the media, Chow has yet to reveal her plans for the fall. But the mayor regularly talks about her plans for the city beyond 2026, sending a strong signal that she has unfinished business in Toronto’s top job.
Despite repeatedly being asked by the media, Mayor Olivia Chow has yet to share her plans for the upcoming election. (Oksana Shtohryn/CBC)
When and if she does run, it appears Chow and Bradford will be fighting for the most votes.
What other storylines should we be watching?
So far we know there will be open races to replace two prominent councillors.
Bradford’s candidacy for mayor means he won’t be able to run for his council seat, according to the provincial legislation governing municipal elections.
Retiring Coun. Gord Perks is a key ally of the mayor and chair of the important planning and housing committee. His absence creates a wide open contest for the west-end ward. (Lauren Pelley/CBC)
Plus, one long-time councillor is retiring: Parkdale-High Park’s Gord Perks, who’s been in the job since 2006.
A key ally of the mayor and chair of the important planning and housing committee, his absence creates a wide open contest for the west-end ward.
Some key early issues
October’s a long time away, so the ballot question might change completely by then. But here are some hot topics at the moment:
Opt outs: will councillors campaign on opting in or opting out of citywide initiatives — say, allowing six-plexes or businesses on residential streets in their ward? (Housing affordability will of course be a major part of campaigns, this is Toronto after all.) Billy Bishop expansion: the island airport may only fall within one ward, but Toronto’s waterfront is used by all. Will a fight against Doug Ford’s plan for jets be a rallying cry for votes?Transit and traffic: there are few topics that will rile up a Torontonian like transportation. When it comes to how city hall should prioritize moving people around the city, what visions for the future will candidates pitch?
Want to throw your hat in a race? Head over to the city’s website for the rules.