Both Toronto mayoral candidates lay out their plans on antisemitism and public safety
The Canadian Jewish News reports on how Olivia Chow and Brad Bradford have responded to rising hate crimes targeting Jewish Torontonians, with voting day on 26 October 2026.
Reported. A news outlet found this. voche.me names the outlet and links its report. Read the original report on thecjn.ca.
The Canadian Jewish News reported on 16 October 2026 on where Toronto's two leading mayoral candidates stand on antisemitism and the safety of Jewish residents, with voting day 10 days away. The article, by reporter Jonathan Rothman, draws on interviews with both campaigns and with community members across the city.
Toronto Police Service statistics show 99 religiously motivated hate-crime offences were recorded in 2025. Police classified 82 per cent of those as targeting Jews, who make up 3 per cent of Toronto's total population, according to the CJN report. The same report notes that one North York synagogue, Kehillat Shaarei Torah, has been vandalized 10 times in the last three years.
Brad Bradford, a city councillor since 2018, told The CJN the city's response has lacked urgency and leadership. He says he would hire 1,000 additional frontline officers and convene police and intelligence agencies across the Greater Toronto Area to coordinate responses to organized crime and foreign interference. On the recurring protests near Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue, Bradford said his administration would enforce existing noise and public-disorder bylaws, while respecting the right to peaceful protest.
"Jewish Torontonians have been the most targeted community for hate crimes in the city for years now," Bradford told The CJN. "And that should be treated as the emergency that it is."
Olivia Chow responded to The CJN's questions by email rather than in an interview. The mayor points to the city's five-year police hiring plan and improved 911 response times. She cited Project Resolute, the Toronto Police's post-October 7 safety and outreach initiative, which includes command posts and police presence in Jewish neighbourhoods. She also mentioned Task Force Guardian, launched in 2026, which provides proactive patrols at sensitive sites.
"Jewish Torontonians should be able to live freely and proudly Jewish," Chow said in her statement to The CJN.
The CJN report also notes that Chow did not attend a mayoral debate on antisemitism on September 8, 2026. Her campaign said it was launching the next day and that she would not appear at events before that date.
The report includes voices on both sides of the debate within Toronto's Jewish community. Some residents told the CJN they see Bradford's record and specific pledges as a reason to support him. Others said they believe Chow's behind-the-scenes work with police and her attendance at Jewish community events has been overlooked.
Voters can compare both candidates' platforms and backgrounds at /on/toronto-2026/candidates#mayor. Voting day is 26 October 2026.
Questions this story answers
What has Brad Bradford promised about antisemitism and Jewish community safety?
According to The Canadian Jewish News reporting published 16 October 2026, Brad Bradford has pledged to hire 1,000 additional frontline officers and to convene police and intelligence agencies across the Greater Toronto Area to coordinate responses to organized crime and foreign interference. Bradford told the CJN he would enforce existing noise and public-disorder bylaws at protests near Jewish neighbourhoods. He said he would work directly with Jewish community leaders and police to create consequences for making people feel unsafe. Bradford has been Toronto's city councillor for Beaches-East York since 2018.
What has Olivia Chow said about antisemitism and Jewish community safety?
According to The Canadian Jewish News reporting published 16 October 2026, Mayor Olivia Chow's response to the publication's questions, sent by email, points to the city's five-year police hiring plan and improved 911 response times. She cited Project Resolute, the Toronto Police's post-October 7 safety and outreach initiative that includes command posts and police presence in Jewish neighbourhoods. She also mentioned Task Force Guardian, launched in 2026, which provides proactive patrols at sensitive sites. Chow said antisemitic hate speech is unacceptable and that demonstrations should take place at government buildings rather than in residential areas or outside people's homes.
How many hate crimes targeted Jewish Torontonians in 2025?
The Canadian Jewish News reported on 16 October 2026 that Toronto Police Service statistics recorded 99 religiously motivated hate-crime offences in 2025. Police classified 82 per cent of those offences as targeting Jews, who make up 3 per cent of Toronto's total population, according to the same report.
What is Project Resolute?
According to The Canadian Jewish News reporting published 16 October 2026, Project Resolute is the Toronto Police's post-October 7 safety, security and outreach initiative. It includes command posts and police presence in Jewish neighbourhoods and institutions. The article reports that Mayor Olivia Chow cited this initiative in her written response to the publication's questions about Jewish community safety.
What is Task Force Guardian?
The Canadian Jewish News reported on 16 October 2026 that Task Force Guardian was launched in 2026 and provides proactive patrols at sensitive sites. Mayor Olivia Chow cited it in her written response to the publication's questions about what the city has done to protect Jewish Torontonians from hate crimes.
How have Jewish Torontonians been targeted in recent years?
The Canadian Jewish News reported on 16 October 2026 that since October 7, 2023, gunfire has damaged Toronto synagogues, a Jewish girls' school, and Jewish-owned businesses including restaurants and bagel shops. One North York synagogue, Kehillat Shaarei Torah, has been vandalized 10 times in the last three years, according to the same report. The police figures for 2025 show 99 religiously motivated hate-crime offences, with 82 per cent targeting Jews.
Did Olivia Chow attend the antisemitism debate in September 2026?
According to The Canadian Jewish News reporting published 16 October 2026, Olivia Chow did not attend a mayoral debate on antisemitism on September 8, 2026. Her campaign stated it was launching the next day and that she would not appear at campaign events before that date. The report notes that the evening became a forum in which candidates Brad Bradford and Chris Alexander, who later withdrew from the race, frequently referred to Chow's absence.
When is voting day in the Toronto mayoral election?
Voting day in the Toronto municipal election is 26 October 2026. Advance voting ran from 6 to 11 October 2026. You can find candidates' profiles and compare their positions at /on/toronto-2026/candidates#mayor.
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