Nine Toronto council ward races that voters should know about before October 26
CTV News identifies nine city council races with notable candidates and open seats, including Ward 19 where four frontrunners compete to replace Brad Bradford.
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With Toronto's municipal election on Monday, October 26, most attention has focused on the mayoral race. CTV News reporter Phil Tsekouras identified nine city council ward races on October 23 as contests that could shape the makeup of city hall.
Ward 19 Beaches-East York: an open seat with four frontrunners
CTV News reports that Brad Bradford held Ward 19 Beaches-East York for two consecutive terms from 2018 and vacated the seat to seek the mayorship in 2026. With no incumbent running, the outlet identifies four frontrunners: former MP and cabinet minister Nate Erskine-Smith, CTV News journalist Natalie Johnson, city worker James Dann, and community organizer Jennie Worden.
Ward 11 University-Rosedale: a former councillor runs to return
CTV News reports that Mike Layton is running in Ward 11 University-Rosedale, where he served as councillor for 12 years until 2022. The previous incumbent, Diane Saxe, is not seeking re-election in the ward. Layton is the son of late federal NDP leader Jack Layton and the stepson of mayoral candidate Olivia Chow, according to CTV News.
Ward 3 Etobicoke-Lakeshore: incumbent faces former MP
CTV News reports that Amber Morley, who beat longtime representative Mark Grimes in 2022 after Grimes held the seat for nearly 20 years, faces former Conservative Member of Parliament Ted Opitz. Morley became the city's first Black female deputy mayor in 2023, according to CTV News.
Ward 5 York South-Weston: a 94-vote margin from 2022
CTV News reports that Frances Nunziata, who the outlet describes as Toronto's longest-serving councillor and who was elected to council in 1998, held her Ward 5 seat in 2022 by 94 votes. Chiara Padovani, the second-place finisher from 2022 and a human rights activist and social worker according to CTV News, is running again.
Ward 20 Scarborough Southwest: allegations reported by CTV News in August
CTV News reports that a city hall source told the outlet in August 2026 that Ward 20 incumbent Parthi Kandavel allegedly asked for money to move a highrise project on Kennedy Road forward. A developer's representative separately told CTV News that Kandavel had asked for a considerable amount of money for another development to proceed. CTV News carried no response from Kandavel in this article.
Voters head to the polls on Monday, October 26, with polling stations open from 10 am to 8 pm. Voters should bring identification showing their name and address, and can find their assigned polling place using the City of Toronto's MyVote tool at myvote.toronto.ca.
Questions this story answers
Which ward races does CTV News identify as notable in Toronto's 2026 municipal election?
CTV News reporter Phil Tsekouras identifies nine ward races ahead of the October 26 vote: Wards 3, 4, 5, 11, 13, 14, 19, 20 and 23. The article notes Ward 19 Beaches-East York and Ward 11 University-Rosedale as particularly open contests where the previous incumbents have both vacated their seats.
Why is Ward 19 Beaches-East York considered an open race in 2026?
CTV News reports that Brad Bradford held Ward 19 for two consecutive terms from 2018 and vacated the seat to seek the mayorship in 2026. With no incumbent running, four frontrunners have emerged according to CTV News: former MP and cabinet minister Nate Erskine-Smith, CTV News journalist Natalie Johnson, city worker James Dann, and community organizer Jennie Worden.
Who is Mike Layton and why is he running in Ward 11 University-Rosedale?
CTV News reports that Mike Layton previously served as Ward 11's councillor for 12 years until 2022, and is now running to return to that seat. The article identifies him as the son of late federal NDP leader Jack Layton and the stepson of current mayoral candidate Olivia Chow. The previous incumbent, Diane Saxe, is not seeking re-election in the ward.
Who is challenging incumbent Amber Morley in Ward 3 Etobicoke-Lakeshore?
CTV News reports that former Conservative Member of Parliament Ted Opitz is challenging incumbent Amber Morley in Ward 3 Etobicoke-Lakeshore. Morley beat longtime representative Mark Grimes in 2022, a councillor who had held the seat for nearly 20 years, and became the city's first Black female deputy mayor in 2023, according to CTV News.
What is the situation in Ward 5 York South-Weston?
CTV News reports that Frances Nunziata, elected to council in 1998 and described as Toronto's longest-serving councillor, held her seat in 2022 by 94 votes. The second-place finisher from 2022, Chiara Padovani, described by CTV News as a human rights activist and social worker, is running again in Ward 5 York South-Weston in 2026.
What allegations does CTV News report about the Ward 20 Scarborough Southwest incumbent?
CTV News reports that a city hall source told the outlet in August 2026 that Ward 20 incumbent Parthi Kandavel allegedly asked for money to move a highrise project on Kennedy Road forward. A developer's representative separately told CTV News that Kandavel had asked for a considerable amount of money for another development to proceed. CTV News carried no response from Kandavel in this article.
Where can voters find a full list of candidates running in Toronto's 2026 city council races?
Voters can find the complete list of candidates for all Toronto city council wards on the City of Toronto's election website at toronto.ca. The municipal election takes place on Monday, October 26, 2026. Polls are open from 10 am to 8 pm. See the full list of races and candidates on this site at /on/toronto-2026/candidates.
How can voters in these wards find their polling place?
Voters in any of the nine wards can use the City of Toronto's MyVote tool at myvote.toronto.ca to find their assigned voting location. The election takes place on Monday, October 26, polls open at 10 am and close at 8 pm. Voters should bring identification showing their name and address, such as a driver's licence, a phone bill, or a void cheque.
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