Jennifer McKelvie, former deputy mayor under Chow, endorses Brad Bradford
Jennifer McKelvie, who served as deputy mayor under Olivia Chow from 2022 to 2025, announced on October 25 that she is backing Brad Bradford for Toronto mayor.
Reported. A news outlet found this. voche.me names the outlet and links its report. Read the original report on torontosun.com.
Jennifer McKelvie, who served as deputy mayor under Mayor Olivia Chow from 2022 to 2025, announced on October 25 that she is backing Brad Bradford for Toronto mayor. The Toronto Sun reported the endorsement on the final day of the 2026 campaign, the day before Monday's vote.
McKelvie also served as acting mayor for six months in 2023. She is now a federal Liberal MP for the Ajax riding and the parliamentary secretary for Housing and Infrastructure, according to the Toronto Sun's reporting.
McKelvie made her announcement in a post that Bradford's campaign shared. Bradford posted on X in response: "Thank you to my friend and former Deputy Mayor of Toronto (Jennifer McKelvie) for backing our plan to get Toronto moving, keep taxes down and make our streets safer. Now, let's finish strong. Get your friends, family and everyone you know out to vote on Monday."
Bradford's final day of campaigning
On Sunday, Bradford made a campaign appearance in the Toronto-St. Paul riding, accompanied by Ontario Liberal MPP Stephanie Smyth, who represents that riding at the provincial level, the Toronto Sun reported.
Bradford's campaign has said he would freeze the operating budget in his first year after what he has called a 20 per cent tax increase under Chow. He has also said he would eliminate the municipal land transfer tax, which he says would save buyers of an average-priced Toronto home about $18,000. Those are Bradford's own figures and claims.
What Chow's campaign did on Sunday
Chow spent part of Sunday at Polson Pier, surrounded by Ontario NDP caucus members, the Toronto Sun reported. She reinforced some of her campaign commitments, including building more affordable housing, a weekly fare cap on the TTC, free school lunches and property tax breaks for local grocers. She said every vote counts.
Olivia Chow's campaign did not respond to the endorsement
The Toronto Sun article reporting McKelvie's endorsement did not include a response from Chow or her campaign. The Toronto Sun did not say whether it sought one.
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 and Olivia Chow, at /on/toronto-2026/candidates#mayor.
Questions this story answers
Who is Jennifer McKelvie and why does her endorsement matter?
Jennifer McKelvie served as deputy mayor under Mayor Olivia Chow from 2022 to 2025 and also as acting mayor for six months in 2023 when Chow was unavailable. She is now a federal Liberal MP for Ajax and the parliamentary secretary for Housing and Infrastructure. Her decision to back Bradford rather than the mayor she served under drew attention on the final day of campaigning before the October 26 vote.
What did Jennifer McKelvie say when endorsing Brad Bradford?
McKelvie made her endorsement in a post that Bradford's campaign shared on October 25, 2026. The Toronto Sun reported she said she was supporting Bradford. Bradford posted on X: 'Thank you to my friend and former Deputy Mayor of Toronto (Jennifer McKelvie) for backing our plan to get Toronto moving, keep taxes down and make our streets safer.'
What did Brad Bradford say about the McKelvie endorsement?
Bradford posted on X on October 25, 2026: 'Thank you to my friend and former Deputy Mayor of Toronto (Jennifer McKelvie) for backing our plan to get Toronto moving, keep taxes down and make our streets safer. Now, let's finish strong. Get your friends, family and everyone you know out to vote on Monday.' The quote is from Bradford's own post.
How does McKelvie's endorsement relate to Olivia Chow's campaign?
Olivia Chow is the current mayor of Toronto and is running for re-election in the October 26 vote. McKelvie served as her deputy mayor from 2022 to 2025. The Toronto Sun reported McKelvie's endorsement of Bradford on October 25, the final day of campaigning. Chow's campaign did not respond in the Toronto Sun article.
Who is Brad Bradford running against?
Brad Bradford is running against incumbent mayor Olivia Chow in the 2026 Toronto mayoral race. Both are on the City Clerk's certified candidate list. Bradford's candidate page is at /on/toronto-2026/candidates/brad-bradford and Chow's is at /on/toronto-2026/candidates/olivia-chow.
Who else endorsed Brad Bradford during the campaign?
Bradford has received endorsements from federal Liberal MPs, from A Better City Toronto civic group, and from the Toronto Sun. McKelvie is the latest endorsement reported before election day. These endorsements are reported facts from named outlets; this site has not independently verified what influenced each endorser's decision.
What is the parliamentary secretary for Housing and Infrastructure?
The parliamentary secretary for Housing and Infrastructure is a federal government role that assists the minister responsible for housing. McKelvie holds that position, according to the Toronto Sun's October 25, 2026 report. The role is a federal position; it does not give McKelvie a vote in Toronto city council matters.
When and where do I vote in the Toronto municipal election?
Voting in the 2026 Toronto municipal election is on Monday, October 26, 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.
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