CITY ISSUES: The latest from some of Toronto’s top mayoral candidates

Josh Matlow, left, applauds a comment from Mitzie Hunter, centre left, as they are joined on stage by Olivia Chow, second left, Brad Bradford, centre right, Mark Saunders, second right, and Ana Bailao at a mayoral candidates debate in Scarborough on May 24, 2023.

Here’s what key candidates running in Toronto’s mayoral byelection were up to on June 5.

— Olivia Chow

Mayoral candidate Olivia Chow is pictured at Toronto’s Labour Day Parade on Sept. 5, 2016.

Chow was endorsed by Spadina-Fort York Councillor Ausma Malik, and together they reaffirmed their commitment to protecting renters and building more affordable housing. Chow’s plan includes building 25,000 rent-controlled homes, including thousands of below-market and rent-geared-to-income units, on city-owned land with the city acting as developer.

— Ana Bailao

Ana Bailao.

Bailao helped raise the Italian flag at City Hall for Italian Heritage Month, and got the endorsement of former MPP Alvin Curling. She also repeated her promise to protect the Island Airport, fix the TTC so it is safe and convenient, and increase tourism to Toronto through major international events.

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— Mark Saunders

Former Toronto police chief Mark Saunders is running to replace John Tory as Toronto’s mayor.

Saunders told CBC Radio’s Metro Morning that the city needs to spend more on the TTC, but wouldn’t say how much. The former police chief said he wants to “look through those books” once elected before saying more. Saunders has vowed to keep property taxes at or below the rate of inflation.

— Mitzie Hunter

Former Liberal MPP Mitzie Hunter has entered the race for Toronto mayor.

Hunter doubled down on her plan to build 108 new developments — between 10 storeys and 20 storeys — on city-owned land. She wants to create 22,700 units — including about 16,500 rental apartments — to provide shelter for 53,650 people. She took issue with other contenders in the race, insisting Saunders, Bailao and candidate Brad Bradford are offering a developer-first approach that has failed. She argued  candidate Josh Matlow’s plan won’t work because it is dependent on taking down the Gardiner and took  Chow’s housing proposals to task, saying it would have to qualify for a federal program for which it is ineligible.

— Anthony Furey

Mayoral candidate Anthony Furey is pictured while speaking at Nathan Phillips Square.

A new poll put Furey at 10% support — the first time he hit double digits. While he was ahead of contenders such as Bailao and Hunter, he remained far behind Chow, who widened her lead. On Monday, Furey visited with supporter Vincenzo Fazzari, owner of Atelier Munro menswear.

–Josh Matlow

Councillor Josh Matlow is pictured at a Toronto council meeting on Jan. 30, 2019. (Ernest Doroszuk, Toronto Sun)

Noting Monday was World Environment Day, Matlow tweeted that as mayor, he will ensure Toronto is at the forefront in the battle against climate change.

— Brad Bradford

Brad Bradford.

Bradford took the day off from the campaign trail as his wife, Kathryn, was about to give birth to their second child at Michael Garron Hospital.