Brad Bradford calls for stronger protection of free speech for newcomers to Toronto
Brad Bradford told Wesal TV that Toronto must protect the right of Afghan Canadians and other newcomers to speak out against foreign governments, while also pledging a property tax freeze and lower water bills.
Announcement. A campaign, a party or the City chose to say this. voche.me reports it as their claim. Read the original report on frequencynews.ca.
Brad Bradford told Wesal TV that Toronto must protect the right of Afghan Canadians and other newcomers to criticize foreign governments, including those they fled. Frequency News reported the interview on October 24, 2026.
"Freedom of speech enshrined in our constitution is something that we can never bend on," Bradford said. He said the city should protect residents' right to speak out against foreign governments while distinguishing free expression from hate speech.
Bradford also used the interview to lay out several of his affordability commitments, including a one-year property tax freeze for homes and businesses and a proposal to reduce annual water bills.
Property tax freeze and water bills
Bradford pledged a one-year property tax freeze for homes and businesses. The City of Toronto's 2026 property tax increase was 2.2 per cent, combining a 0.7 per cent general increase and a 1.5 per cent City Building Fund levy. The City said that added about $91.53 to the annual property tax bill for an average home. The City Building Fund pays for transit, affordable housing and other major projects.
Bradford also proposed reducing annual water bills by $300 by establishing a publicly owned municipal water utility. The $300 figure is Bradford's own campaign claim.
Bradford on traffic and opportunity for newcomers
A TomTom traffic report released in January 2026 found Toronto drivers lost an average of 100 hours to rush-hour traffic in 2025, ranking the city second in Canada for congestion, behind Vancouver. Bradford said long travel times make it harder for people to work, raise families and run businesses, and has made reducing gridlock a central part of his campaign.
On newcomers, Bradford said he sees shared values between Toronto and the Afghan Canadian community, including around entrepreneurship and family life. He said the city should provide education, job training and employment to help newcomers build secure futures. "We want to make sure that we're a city that is safe and tolerant for everybody," he said.
How to vote on Monday
Voting in the 2026 Toronto municipal election is on Monday, October 26, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Find your voting place at toronto.ca/vote.
You can see all mayoral candidates, including Brad Bradford, at /on/toronto-2026/candidates#mayor.
Questions this story answers
What did Brad Bradford say about freedom of expression for newcomers?
In an interview with Wesal TV reported by Frequency News on October 24, 2026, Bradford said Toronto should protect residents' right to criticize foreign governments, including those in their countries of origin. He said the city should distinguish free expression from hate speech. 'Freedom of speech enshrined in our constitution is something that we can never bend on,' he said. He added that people who fled oppressive regimes, including the Taliban in Afghanistan, should feel safe speaking out in Canada.
What property tax promise did Bradford make in this interview?
Bradford pledged a one-year property tax freeze for homes and businesses, according to the Frequency News report from October 24, 2026. The City of Toronto's 2026 property tax increase was 2.2 per cent, combining a 0.7 per cent general increase and a 1.5 per cent City Building Fund levy. The City said that increase added about $91.53 to the annual property tax bill for an average home. Bradford's freeze is a campaign pledge; what it would mean for city services would depend on his budget decisions if elected.
What did Bradford propose about Toronto's water bills?
Bradford proposed reducing annual water bills by $300 by establishing a publicly owned municipal water utility, according to Frequency News on October 24, 2026. The $300 figure is Bradford's own campaign claim; he has not published a detailed breakdown. Toronto's 2026 operating budget was about $18.9 billion, according to the City of Toronto. Bradford's water utility proposal is separate from his earlier call to create a special water-management function, which drew criticism from current councillors and environmentalist David Suzuki.
What is Wesal TV and why did Bradford give it an interview?
Wesal TV is a media outlet that covers Afghan Canadian communities. Frequency News reported the interview on October 24, 2026, one day before election day. Bradford said he sees shared values between Toronto and the Afghan Canadian community, particularly around entrepreneurship and family life. He urged eligible newcomers who are Canadian citizens and meet the city's requirements to vote on October 26.
What did Bradford say about traffic and transit in Toronto?
Bradford said long travel times make it harder for people to work, raise families and run businesses. Frequency News cited a TomTom traffic report released in January 2026 that found Toronto drivers lost an average of 100 hours to rush-hour traffic in 2025. That ranked Toronto second among Canadian cities for congestion, behind Vancouver. Bradford has made reducing traffic a central part of his campaign.
How does Bradford's newcomers platform compare to Chow's?
Brad Bradford's interview covered his own positions; this article reports those, attributed to Bradford. Frequency News did not report on Mayor Olivia Chow's positions in the same piece. Chow's campaign commitments are on her candidate page at /on/toronto-2026/candidates/olivia-chow. Both Bradford and Chow are on the City Clerk's certified candidate list for the October 26 vote.
Who is eligible to vote in the Toronto municipal election?
To vote in the 2026 Toronto municipal election, you must be a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old, and live in Toronto, or meet the City's property ownership or rental requirements. Voting places are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, October 26. Find your assigned voting place at toronto.ca/vote or by calling 311.
When and where is the Toronto municipal election?
The 2026 Toronto municipal election is on Monday, October 26. Voting places are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. You vote at the location assigned to your address. Find your voting place at toronto.ca/vote or by calling 311. You can see all mayoral candidates at /on/toronto-2026/candidates#mayor, including Brad Bradford at /on/toronto-2026/candidates/brad-bradford.
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