As the mayoral race in Toronto heats up, candidate Brad Bradford has publicly accused Olivia Chow of mismanaging taxpayer money and the significant provincial funds allocated for the operation of the Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway (DVP). During a campaign announcement held outside City Hall on Sunday, Bradford pointed to several concerning trends that he believes highlight a lack of accountability in city governance.
Bradford noted that despite receiving a considerable influx of funds, residents have experienced nearly a 20 percent rise in property taxes over the past three years. Additionally, he referenced a staggering 340 percent increase in food bank visits since 2019, persistent severe traffic congestion that ranks Toronto as having the worst in North America, and a downtown area that has become largely avoided after dark due to safety concerns.
“Toronto isn’t struggling because you don’t pay enough. Mayor Chow has raised your taxes plenty. City Hall is struggling because nobody is minding the books," Bradford asserted. He emphasized that when a city receives unprecedented federal and provincial financial support but still resorts to asking taxpayers for record-high tax increases, the issue lies not in revenue generation but rather in accountability and management practices.
In response to his criticisms, Bradford has committed to conducting a detailed line-by-line review of the city’s budget should he be elected as Toronto’s next mayor. This initiative aims to address the alleged inefficiencies in municipal financial management.
Meanwhile, Olivia Chow, who is currently attending the Urban 20 Mayors Summit in New York City, has responded to Bradford’s claims. She highlighted that the province's nearly $2 billion investment into the Gardiner has facilitated significant improvements, directing funds toward parks, flood protection, transportation, and housing. Chow’s campaign emphasized that she had successfully cut city spending by approximately $450 million over the past three years without compromising public services. Furthermore, her office pointed out that all financial documents related to the city are accessible to the public via the City of Toronto's official website, underscoring a commitment to transparency.
Another contender in the mayoral race, Chris Alexander, has also weighed in on the discourse by referencing Bradford’s past as a city councillor, where he participated in approving the same financial expenditures he is now criticizing. “He was at the table for eight years, voting on the same spending, while opposing tax increases. You can’t have it both ways,” Alexander stated in reaction to Bradford’s campaign rhetoric.
Toronto residents will head to the polls on October 26 to elect their next mayor and city council, marking a critical decision point for the city’s governance and future direction.
