Nine candidates running in Ward 5 York South-Weston for October 26 vote
Incumbent Frances Nunziata, who has held the seat since 1998, faces eight challengers including Chiara Padovani, who lost to her by 94 votes in 2022.
Reported. A news outlet found this. voche.me names the outlet and links its report. Read the original report on toronto.citynews.ca.
Nine candidates are running for city council in Ward 5 York South-Weston, CityNews Toronto reported on October 17, 2026. Voting day is October 26.
Incumbent Frances Nunziata has held the ward's council seat since 1998, when Toronto's municipalities were merged. She has served as Speaker of Toronto City Council since 2010. CityNews Toronto reports eight candidates are challenging her.
The 2022 race in Ward 5 ended with only 94 votes separating Nunziata and challenger Chiara Padovani, who is running again. "Working with your constituents, having meetings and hearing and listening to your constituents on what changes they want to see in their community, I want to continue doing that," Nunziata told CityNews.
Padovani says the ward's two largest problems are housing affordability and flooding. The southern edge of the ward borders the Humber River, making it prone to flooding. "Rent control is to tenants what minimum wage is to workers, it is the bare minimum, so any housing built on public land has to have rent control," Padovani told CityNews.
Matthew Boateng, a newer candidate in the race, told CityNews that investing in families is the key to a stronger community. "I've seen a lot of my neighbors and fellow residents struggling to make ends meet, not being able to put food on the table, take care of their children," he said.
On public safety, Nunziata told CityNews residents want more police presence because of break and enters and car thefts. On youth, she said residents want indoor sports, recreation, free programming, and safe places to spend time. Padovani raised road safety as an issue, saying she does not want to wait for a tragedy before taking preventive steps.
Less than 30 percent of eligible Torontonians voted in the 2022 municipal election, according to CityNews. Every candidate the outlet quoted urged residents to vote. "You need to vote and have your say, if you don't, then you can't expect changes if you don't want to be involved in it," Nunziata said.
If you live in Ward 5 York South-Weston, see all nine candidates at /on/toronto-2026/races/councillor/ward-5-york-south-weston and vote on October 26.
Questions this story answers
Who is the incumbent in Ward 5 York South-Weston?
Frances Nunziata has been the city councillor for this ward since 1998, when Toronto's municipalities were merged into one city. She has also served as Speaker of Toronto City Council since 2010. CityNews Toronto reported these details on October 17, 2026.
How close was the 2022 race in Ward 5?
CityNews Toronto reports the 2022 race ended with only 94 votes separating Frances Nunziata and her nearest challenger, Chiara Padovani. Padovani is running again in 2026. With nine candidates in the race, every vote will matter.
What are the main issues in Ward 5 York South-Weston?
CityNews Toronto reports housing affordability and flooding are the two biggest issues. The southern part of the ward borders the Humber River, which makes it prone to flooding. Candidates are also focused on keeping young people safe and giving them places to spend time. Violent crime was also raised by residents.
How many candidates are running in Ward 5 York South-Weston?
Nine candidates are running for the one city council seat in Ward 5, according to the City of Toronto's certified candidate list. Eight candidates are challenging incumbent Frances Nunziata. You can see the full list at /on/toronto-2026/races/councillor/ward-5-york-south-weston.
Who is Chiara Padovani?
Chiara Padovani is a tenant advocate running in Ward 5 York South-Weston. She lost to Frances Nunziata by 94 votes in the 2022 election and is running again in 2026. CityNews Toronto quoted her saying her plan focuses on protecting homes for both owners and tenants, with rent control as a priority for tenants.
What does Chiara Padovani say about rent control?
CityNews Toronto quotes Padovani saying, 'Rent control is to tenants what minimum wage is to workers, it is the bare minimum, so any housing built on public land has to have rent control.' That is her platform position, not a council decision or a law.
Who is Matthew Boateng?
Matthew Boateng is one of the newer candidates running in Ward 5 York South-Weston. CityNews Toronto quotes him saying he has seen neighbors and residents struggling to make ends meet. He says investing in families is the way to build a stronger community. You can see his profile at /on/toronto-2026/candidates/matthew-boateng.
When and where do Ward 5 residents vote?
Voting day in Toronto is October 26, 2026. Advance voting has already closed. Ward 5 York South-Weston residents can check their voting location using the City of Toronto's tool at toronto.ca/elections. The race for city council in Ward 5 is one seat, and all nine candidates will be on the ballot.
What did Frances Nunziata say about the issues in Ward 5?
CityNews Toronto quotes Nunziata saying residents want to see more police presence because of break and enters and car thefts. She also said she wants to continue working with constituents and hearing what changes they want. On youth, she said residents want indoor sports, recreation, free programming, and safe places.
What was the voter turnout in Ward 5 in 2022?
CityNews Toronto notes that less than 30 percent of eligible Torontonians voted in the 2022 municipal election across the city. Nunziata won by 94 votes over Padovani. Every candidate quoted by CityNews urged residents to vote on October 26.
Sources
The pages this story draws on. Open one to check a claim yourself.
Found an error? Tell the editors with the corrections form. A correction is noted on the story it changes. Read our standards.
Topics
More from voche.me
Nanos poll: Toronto voters say traffic congestion is the biggest problem in the city
Ward 13 Toronto Centre: three challengers, 11 candidates, voting day October 26
