Comparing Olivia Chow and Brad Bradford’s Toronto Mayoral Campaign Promises

Overview of Toronto Mayoral Campaign Promises

With only a week left before election day, Toronto's mayoral race features a range of commitments from incumbent Olivia Chow and main challenger Brad Bradford. Their campaign promises cover critical issues including transit expansion, housing affordability, public safety, and job creation, providing voters with a clear sense of each candidate's priorities for the city’s future.

Transit Plans: Diverging Approaches to Expansion and Fares

Olivia Chow’s Commitments

• Cap TTC Fares: Pledges to cap Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) fares at 10 rides per week.
• Advance Scarborough East LRT: Commits to starting construction on the Scarborough East LRT if re-elected.

Brad Bradford’s Commitments

• Scarborough East LRT: Promises to begin construction by 2030.
• Remove Red Bus Lanes: Vows to eliminate bus lanes on Kingston Road, Morningside Avenue, Kennedy Road, and Midland Avenue.
• Subway Service on Marathon Days: Will start subway trains at 6 a.m. on marathon days.
• Bike Infrastructure: Promises to keep downtown bike lanes and create new routes on quieter streets, but remove bike lanes on Bloor Street West from South Kingsway to Resurrection Road.
• Streetcar Improvements: Plans to implement signal priority and new stop spacing for streetcars, aiming to reduce travel times by 40%.
• Platform Edge Doors: Pledges to install safety doors at every TTC subway station.

Housing Affordability and Family Supports

Olivia Chow’s Commitments

• Bad Landlords Task Force: Launches a task force to target problematic landlords through inspections and court orders.
• Additional Rental Homes: Pledges to build 10,000 new rental units, including affordable options, starting next year.
• School Lunch Programs: Plans to provide school lunches, aiming to save families $1,800 a year on groceries.
• Lower Grocery Costs: Intends to ban surveillance pricing, cut grocer taxes, and support more community grocery stores.
• Family Activities: Expands the Museum and Attractions Pass program by 1,000 additional family passes monthly.
• Library Programming: Introduces more children’s programming on weekends at library branches.
• Senior Supports: Promises new recreation and health programs for seniors to help them age at home.

Brad Bradford’s Commitments

• Land Transfer Tax: Promises to eliminate Toronto’s municipal land transfer tax on principal residences bought for $1.1 million or less, potentially saving buyers around $18,000.
• Water Bill Cut: Pledges to reduce water bills by 25%, or about $300 in savings for average households annually.
• Property Tax Freeze: Proposes a one-year property tax freeze for a line-by-line city budget review.
• School Nutrition Program: Will protect and streamline food programs in schools and community hubs.
• Renter Protections: Plans to enforce renoviction bylaws, set a maximum heat standard, and require a cool room in rentals.
• Affordable Housing Providers: Pledges support for non-profits to build more affordable homes.

Public Safety Initiatives

Olivia Chow’s Commitments

• Reopen 54 Division: Pledges to rebuild the 54 Division police station in East York, with expected reopening in 2030.
• Police Hiring: Will continue a multi-year plan to hire 360 police officers annually through 2029.

Brad Bradford’s Commitments

• Police Substations: Promises new substations at Sankofa Square and Union Station.
• Police Officer Increase: Aims to hire 1,000 additional frontline officers in his first term.
• Recruit Training: Plans a satellite campus of the Ontario Police College in Etobicoke for more police recruits.
• Sankofa Square: Pledges to rename it to Toronto Square and deliver year-round retail and cultural programming.

Youth Employment and Economic Plans

Olivia Chow’s Commitments

• Scarborough Youth Jobs: Ensures local hiring for Scarborough East LRT projects.
• 15,000 Youth Jobs: Pledges to create 15,000 new youth jobs in partnership with United Way.
• Youth Programs Funding: Commits $28 million for violence prevention, mentorship, and employment for Scarborough youth.

Brad Bradford’s Commitments

• Full-Time Youth Jobs: Promises to set a public goal of 15,000 permanent, full-time jobs for youth.
• Internship Equity: Will require at least 30% of internships and apprenticeships to go to equity-deserving youth.

Key Differences and Voter Considerations

While both Olivia Chow and Brad Bradford address major city concerns, their approaches and emphases differ significantly. Chow’s proposals focus on affordability, youth engagement, and social programs, while Bradford emphasizes tax reductions, enhanced policing, and infrastructure changes. As election day approaches, Toronto voters have a detailed set of toronto mayoral promises to consider when making their decision.

Source: nowtoronto.com.