{"id":923532,"date":"2026-10-07T03:16:18","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T03:16:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/923532\/"},"modified":"2026-10-07T03:16:18","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T03:16:18","slug":"chow-and-bradford-trade-barbs-on-housing-affordability-and-transit-in-toronto-mayoral-debate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/923532\/","title":{"rendered":"Chow and Bradford trade barbs on housing, affordability and transit in Toronto mayoral debate"},"content":{"rendered":"

Toronto mayoral candidates Olivia Chow and Brad Bradford exchanged barbs Tuesday night in the first debate since Chris Alexander dropped out of the race.<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

The debate, hosted by the United Way, was held at the Toronto Metropolitan University.<\/p>\n

The candidates were asked a wide variety of questions affecting Torontonians, including\u00a0affordable housing, affordability, public safety, getting around the city and newcomer services.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how they responded to some of the top issues.<\/p>\n

Bradford and Chow spat over housing approach\u00a0<\/p>\n

When it comes to tackling the city\u2019s housing crisis, Bradford painted his housing approach in stark contrast to Chow\u2019s plan.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou said in the last election that we were going to build 65,000 purpose-built rental homes by 2030,\u201d he noted. \u201cThe results are only 1,500 of them have been built \u2013 2 per cent of your target.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we continue at that pace, it\u2019ll take another 115 years,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Chow shot back accusing Bradford of voting to double development charges.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not true,\u201d Bradford fired back.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were head of the committee,\u201d Chow said. \u201cYou created the problems you\u2019re now campaigning to fix! Under your watch building homes got a lot more expensive.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018How can people trust you?\u2019: Chow and Bradford differ on affordability\u00a0<\/p>\n

Chow challenged Bradford on his affordability plan and claimed that he would cut library, transit services and affordable housing to pay for his election promises.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor years, Councillor Bradford raised the TTC fares, cut transit service,\u201d Chow said. \u201cWe lost riders because of your cuts, and now at election time you\u2019re saying the exact opposite.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow can people trust you?\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

Bradford shot back saying it\u2019s time to \u201cmodernize\u201d and conduct an independent line-by-line review of the city\u2019s budget.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe haven\u2019t done it for 15 years, we probably should,\u201d Bradford said. \u201cI know folks at home look at their budget every week. They look at their credit card statements every month. City Hall should do that, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bradford promised to fund the city\u2019s capital project without making cuts to frontline services.<\/p>\n

Chow takes jab at Bradford: \u2018Only thing you\u2019ve ever changed is your mind\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n

Chow took multiple shots at Bradford\u2019s voting record as city councillor and accused him of flip flopping on supportive housing.<\/p>\n

She claimed Bradford voted against building new shelters in the city.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou talk a lot about change, Councillor Bradford, but it\u2019s clear the only thing you ever changed is your mind,\u201d Chow quipped. \u201cYou can\u2019t just do one thing and then say something else because your record speaks very loudly.\u201d<\/p>\n

In return, Bradford accused Chow of not doing enough to curb homelessness in the city.<\/p>\n

\u201c[We] need to do these things faster, and we need leadership that\u2019s focused to make sure that we can deliver the housing that people desperately need,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Bradford says Chow\u2019s \u2018fearmongering\u2019 is not helping transit\u00a0<\/p>\n

When talking about the city\u2019s traffic, Chow accused Bradford of raising fares and cutting services on the TTC.\u00a0<\/p>\n

She said the TTC lost riders as a result of Bradford\u2019s policy choices. Adding that she restored service on the TTC, completed construction of the Gardiner Expressway ahead of schedule, and opened the\u00a0 Scarborough Busway.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor four years Counsellor Bradford was on the TTC, the commission itself. Under his watch, fares were raised and the service was cut,\u201d Chow said.<\/p>\n

Chow promised to include more smart traffic lights in the city and better coordination of road closures.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cWe\u2019re going to get construction off the road faster, the longer you block the lanes, the more you have to pay.\u201d Chow said.<\/p>\n

Bradford shot back at Chow\u2019s claims by pointing to the lack of safety on the TTC.<\/p>\n

\u201cNobody tells me they\u2019re not riding the TTC because it costs $3.30, they tell me they\u2019re not riding the TTC because it\u2019s not safe, it\u2019s not reliable, and it\u2019s not clean,\u201d Bradford said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a plan to improve the TTC,\u201d Bradford added. \u201cIt starts with uniformed officers in our stations and on the system.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also promised more universal lighting, \u201ccleanliness standards\u201d, and platform edge doors at the city\u2019s busiest stations.<\/p>\n

Chow then changed topics to Bradford\u2019s record on bike lanes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cYou championed for eight bike lanes in 2023, and now you\u2019re begging Doug Ford to rip them out,\u201d she claimed.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think your fearmongering is going to fix transit,\u201d Bradford fired back. \u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s going to move traffic faster.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bradford pushed back on Chow\u2019s claims saying under her leadership, transit ridership has declined.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tMayoral candidates Olivia Chow and Brad Bradford faced off in a debate hosted by the United Way at Toronto Metropolitan University on Tues. Oct. 6, 2026. (CityNews) <\/p>\n

\t\tKeep it Factual<\/p>\n

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