Toronto Votes 2026: Olivia Chow vows to ‘build Toronto together’ after re-election as mayor
By AUSTIN KELLY
Olivia Chow has been re-elected to a second term as the Mayor of Toronto, pushing off an increasingly tightening challenge from former Beaches–East York councillor Brad Bradford.
Chow was the winner of the mayor’s race, which had 53 candidates, in Toronto’s municipal election on Monday, Oct. 26. She had 532,201 votes (54.16 per cent) compared with second place Bradford who notched 404,013 votes (41.11 per cent), according to the City of Toronto’s election website. These are unofficial results until certified by the city clerk.
Monday’s vote also saw Chow garner the most votes for mayor in 19 of Toronto’s 25 wards. Locally, she won the East Toronto wards of Beaches-East York, Scarborough Southwest and Toronto-Danforth.
“Now that the election is over, the work of coming together begins”, said Chow to supporters at her campaign party held at The Great Hall on Queen Street West.
“Whether you voted for me, or voted for somebody else, whether you thought your voice mattered or if anyone was listening…I am your mayor too.”
Chow was first elected Toronto’s mayor in the June 2023 byelection after the resignation of John Tory, defeating challenger Ana Bailao, 37 per cent to 33 per cent.
The 69-year-old Chow started her political career in 1985 as a Toronto public school trustee before moving to municipal politics in 1992 as a Metropolitan Toronto Councillor, continuing her seat after amalgamation in Toronto City Council. Chow then moved to federal politics after being Member of Parliament for Trinity–Spadina in 2006, Chow was a key member of the NDP caucus then led by her late husband, Jack Layton, who passed away in 2011. Chow continued to represent the federal riding until her first run for mayor in 2014, a race in which she finished third and was won by Tory.
Chow had led her campaign on expanding accessible transit, including her recent implementation of fare capping after 47 rides, which she pledged to reduce down to 40. Reducing congestion has been another key pledge for Chow throughout this year’s campaign. Other key issues were the cost of living, including easing rising housing costs and a push for more affordability in housing.
Though this year’s mayoral campaign had been an intense one, with Chow and Bradford facing off in a number of debates in which they offered differing views of the city, she thanked her opponents on Monday night.
“Councillor Bradford brought new energy and new ideas that people care about”, said Chow. “He made his case and I respect that.”
“To the people of Toronto, thank you for believing in me once again. Tonight, we celebrate, tomorrow we get back to work,” added Chow.
“We’ve come such a long way together and have so much more to do. So, let’s keep moving forward together with each other, for every neighbourhood, every community, every person. Let’s get together building the Toronto we love.”
This election coverage is part of an initiative involving Beach Metro Community News, Centennial College and Toronto Foundation to engage emerging journalists in civic life and their communities through hands-on, hyperlocal reporting. The initiative is made possible in part through support from Toronto Foundation.
