---
title: "Chow and Bradford clash on housing, transit and budget at United Way debate"
description: "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."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/on/toronto-2026/news/chow-bradford-united-way-debate-october-6"
last_updated: "2026-10-10T04:10:30.946Z"
---

[Olivia Chow](/on/toronto-2026/candidates/olivia-chow) and [Brad Bradford](/on/toronto-2026/candidates/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](/on/toronto-2026/candidates/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](/on/toronto-2026/candidates#mayor).

## Sitemap

See the full [sitemap](/on/toronto-2026/sitemap.md) for all pages.