Toronto mayoral candidates debate property taxes and budget

During the first mayoral debate in Toronto, candidates Olivia Chow, Brad Bradford, and Chris Alexander clashed over property taxes, the city budget, and transit issues.

Bradford pledged to freeze property taxes during his first year in office and promised to conduct a line-by-line budget review. He cited the need for financial relief for families and proposed adding 1,000 police officers and installing platform edge doors on the TTC.

Incumbent Mayor Olivia Chow criticized Bradford’s proposal, pointing to his previous role as vice-chair of the Budget Committee. She stated that he was part of the administration that left the city with a nearly $2 billion deficit. Chow has previously indicated she intends to keep property tax increases at or near the rate of inflation.

Candidate Chris Alexander questioned the feasibility of Bradford’s platform, suggesting that expensive campaign promises are difficult to reconcile with tax cuts. The debate also addressed urban congestion and transit improvements, with Chow proposing increased signal priority for the TTC.