Chow and Bradford clash on housing, transit and budget at United Way debate
Olivia Chow and Brad Bradford met at Toronto Metropolitan University on October 6 in the first debate since Chris Alexander dropped out of the race.
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Olivia Chow and Brad Bradford debated housing targets, transit safety and the city's finances at Toronto Metropolitan University on October 6, 2026, in the first debate since Chris Alexander left the race, CityNews Toronto reported. The United Way hosted the event.
The debate covered affordable housing, affordability, public safety, getting around the city and newcomer services, according to CityNews.
Housing
Bradford told the debate that only 1,500 of the 65,000 purpose-built rental homes promised under Chow's leadership have been built, which he said is 2 per cent of the target, CityNews reported. He said at that pace it would take 115 more years to complete the goal.
Chow replied by accusing Bradford of voting to double development charges, CityNews reported. Bradford said that was not true. Chow said Bradford was head of the committee and that under his watch building homes got a lot more expensive.
Both claims were made by the candidates at the debate and have not been independently verified.
Budget
Bradford promised an independent line-by-line review of the city's budget, saying it has not been done in 15 years, CityNews reported. He said he would fund the city's capital projects without cuts to frontline services, while modernizing how the city manages its books.
Chow said that during the four years Bradford was on the TTC commission, fares were raised and service was cut, and that the TTC lost riders as a result, CityNews reported.
Transit
Bradford said nobody tells him they avoid the TTC because of the $3.30 fare, CityNews reported. He said riders stay away over concerns about safety, reliability and cleanliness. He promised uniformed officers in TTC stations, improved lighting, cleanliness standards and platform edge doors at the busiest stations.
Chow said she completed the Gardiner Expressway construction ahead of schedule and opened the Scarborough Busway, CityNews reported. She promised more coordinated road closures and additional smart traffic lights.
What voters can do
Advance voting is open from October 6 to 11. Election day is October 26. Voters can find their polling place at toronto.ca/elections. You can compare both candidates at /on/toronto-2026/candidates#mayor.
Questions this story answers
What was said about housing at the October 6 debate?
CityNews Toronto reported that Bradford told the debate only 1,500 of the 65,000 rental homes promised under Chow's leadership have been built, which he put at 2 per cent of the target. He said at that rate it would take another 115 years to complete. Chow responded by accusing Bradford of voting to double development charges. Bradford said that was not true. These were the candidates' own claims made at the debate.
What did the candidates say about the city budget?
CityNews Toronto reported that Bradford promised an independent line-by-line review of the city's budget, saying it has not been done in 15 years. He said Toronto residents check their own bills every week and City Hall should do the same. He also said he would fund capital projects without making cuts to frontline services. These are Bradford's own commitments and have not been independently costed.
What was said about the TTC at the debate?
CityNews Toronto reported that Chow said Bradford raised TTC fares and cut service during the four years he sat on the TTC commission, and that the TTC lost riders as a result. Bradford replied that people avoid the TTC over concerns about safety, reliability and cleanliness, telling the debate that nobody says they stay away because of the $3.30 fare. He promised uniformed officers in TTC stations, improved lighting, cleanliness standards, and platform edge doors at the busiest stations.
Who hosted the October 6 mayoral debate?
According to CityNews Toronto, the debate on October 6, 2026 was hosted by the United Way and held at Toronto Metropolitan University. It was the first debate since Chris Alexander withdrew from the race that morning. CityNews reported that the questions covered affordable housing, affordability, public safety, getting around the city and newcomer services.
What did Chow and Bradford say about supportive housing?
CityNews Toronto reported that Chow accused Bradford of voting against building new shelters in the city and said he had changed his position. Bradford accused Chow of not doing enough to curb homelessness. He said Toronto needs to do these things faster and needs leadership focused on delivering the housing people need. CityNews did not report a direct reply from Bradford to the shelter vote claim.
What happened with the bike lane exchange at the debate?
CityNews Toronto reported that Chow accused Bradford of championing eight bike lanes in 2023 and then seeking to have them removed. Bradford replied that he did not think Chow's fearmongering was going to fix transit or move traffic faster. These were the candidates' own statements at the debate.
When is the next Toronto mayoral debate?
CityNews Toronto reported that another debate was held on October 7, hosted by the Scarborough Community Renewal Organization and moderated by CityNews' Cynthia Mulligan, with a focus on Scarborough. CityNews said the debate could be watched live on CityNews 24/7.
Where can voters compare the two candidates who debated?
Voters can read the candidate pages for Olivia Chow and Brad Bradford at /on/toronto-2026/candidates/olivia-chow and /on/toronto-2026/candidates/brad-bradford. The candidates page at /on/toronto-2026/candidates#mayor lists all candidates for mayor. Advance voting is open from October 6 to 11 and election day is October 26.
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