Sara Ehrhardt backed by Layton, Tabuns and Progress Toronto in Ward 14 race
The Local reported that Sara Ehrhardt, a former TDSB trustee running in Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth, has received backing from former councillor Mike Layton, MPP Peter Tabuns, and Progress Toronto, alongside incumbent councillor Dianne Saxe.
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Sara Ehrhardt has the backing of former city councillor Mike Layton, NDP MPP Peter Tabuns, and the advocacy organization Progress Toronto in the race for Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth, The Local reported on October 13.
The endorsements come alongside that of outgoing councillor Paula Fletcher, who withdrew from the race and backed Ehrhardt before nominations closed in August. The Local reported that Ehrhardt's support grew throughout the campaign.
Ehrhardt's community background
Ehrhardt is a former Toronto District School Board trustee who got her start in local politics as a mother fighting the proposed closure of the Duke of Connaught Junior and Senior School pool, according to The Local. After the pool stayed open, she expanded her focus to swimming programs in the east end and funding for childcare centres, before winning the TDSB trustee seat in 2022.
The Local reported that Ehrhardt's canvassing team had knocked on nearly every door in the ward at least once before the campaign began, and that she could name residents personally by their addresses.
Saxe switched wards in August
Dianne Saxe entered the Ward 14 race at the last minute on August 21, 2026, the day registration closed, after switching from University-Rosedale, The Local reported. She had been the incumbent councillor in that ward since 2022.
The Local reported that Saxe switched because Mike Layton entered the University-Rosedale race. Saxe told The Local that she saw Ward 14 as a place where her background fitted. "Either I decided to walk away, or to keep fighting," she said, referring to her broader record in public service.
Before running for council, Saxe spent four decades as an environmental and energy lawyer. The province then appointed her as Ontario's Environmental Commissioner, an independent watchdog role. She served for three and a half years until the Doug Ford government abolished her office. "I did 17 of the best environmental reports that Ontario's ever had, and all it did was get my office dissolved," Saxe told The Local.
Saxe said she believes her background in environment, climate, and energy suits a ward that she described as one of the more environmentally aware in the city.
The full field
The Local reported that 18 candidates are running in Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth, including Mary Fragedakis, a former councillor who previously represented a portion of the ward.
Voters in Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth choose their councillor on Election Day, Monday October 26, 2026. Polls open at 10 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Find your voting place at toronto.ca/Elections or on your Voter Information Card.
See all 18 candidates in the race at /on/toronto-2026/races/councillor/ward-14-toronto-danforth.
Questions this story answers
Who has endorsed Sara Ehrhardt in the Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth race?
The Local reported on October 13 that Sara Ehrhardt has received backing from former city councillor Mike Layton, NDP MPP Peter Tabuns, and the advocacy organization Progress Toronto. Outgoing councillor Paula Fletcher also endorsed Ehrhardt after withdrawing from the race. Ehrhardt is a former Toronto District School Board trustee running for the Ward 14 council seat. See her candidate page at /on/toronto-2026/candidates/sara-ehrhardt.
Why did Dianne Saxe switch from University-Rosedale to Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth?
The Local reported on October 13 that Dianne Saxe switched from University-Rosedale to Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth at the last minute on August 21, 2026. Saxe, who had been the incumbent councillor in University-Rosedale, made the switch after former councillor Mike Layton entered the University-Rosedale race. The Local reported that Saxe said she made the decision out of a desire to keep fighting for Toronto rather than step back. See her candidate page at /on/toronto-2026/candidates/dianne-saxe.
What is Sara Ehrhardt's background before running for council?
The Local reported on October 13 that Sara Ehrhardt started in local politics as a mother fighting the slated closure of the Duke of Connaught Junior and Senior School pool. She successfully advocated for the pool to remain open, then helped expand swimming programs in the east end and fought to protect funding for childcare centres. After that community work, she was elected as the local Toronto District School Board trustee in 2022. She is now running for the Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth council seat in the 2026 municipal election.
What is Dianne Saxe's background before running for Ward 14?
The Local reported on October 13 that Dianne Saxe spent four decades as an environmental and energy lawyer before being appointed Ontario's Environmental Commissioner, an independent office responsible for holding the provincial government accountable on environmental matters. She served in that role for three and a half years until the Doug Ford government abolished her office. She ran for city council in 2022 and won the University-Rosedale seat. She switched to the Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth race before the August 21 registration deadline.
How many candidates are running in Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth?
The Local reported on October 13 that 18 candidates are running in Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth, including Dianne Saxe, Sara Ehrhardt, and Mary Fragedakis. The ward covers the area from the Don Valley Parkway to Coxwell Avenue, taking in Riverdale, Leslieville, and the Danforth. See the full candidate list at /on/toronto-2026/races/councillor/ward-14-toronto-danforth.
Who is Mary Fragedakis and is she running in Ward 14?
The Local reported on October 13 that Mary Fragedakis and former TDSB trustee Sara Ehrhardt are among the 18 candidates in Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth. Fragedakis is a former city councillor who represented a portion of the ward. She is running again in 2026. See her candidate page at /on/toronto-2026/candidates/mary-fragedakis.
When do voters in Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth vote?
Voters in Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth cast their ballots on Election Day, Monday October 26, 2026. Polls are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Find your assigned voting place on your Voter Information Card or at toronto.ca/Elections. Advance voting ended October 11. See all candidates in the race at /on/toronto-2026/races/councillor/ward-14-toronto-danforth.
What issues are the Ward 14 candidates focusing on?
The Local reported on October 13 that Dianne Saxe said her background in environment, climate, and energy makes her suited to represent Ward 14, which she described as one of the more environmentally conscious wards in the city. Sara Ehrhardt has focused on road safety during Ontario Line construction in the ward. The race also touches on housing, community programming and transit. Voters choose their Ward 14 councillor on October 26, 2026.
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