Toronto mayoral candidates discussed affordability in the city during the campaign’s first major debate last night at the Daily Bread Food Bank in Etobicoke.
Candidates, chosen based on leading poll numbers, included Olivia Chow, Josh Matlow, Mitzie Hunter, Brad Bradford, and Ana Bailao. Mark Saunders, another leading candidate, did not attend.
The candidates discussed how they would improve food insecurity, affordable housing, and transit in the city to an audience of several hundred people.
Bailao said she would work with food banks and create a city-wide food drive with the mayor’s office to help tackle food insecurity.
Hunter said she would work to double community services programs, such as school nutrition programs.
However, Chow, Hunter, Matlow, and Bailao all agreed that the root problem of food insecurity is a lack of affordable housing.
Chow said she would work to build 25,000 units of affordable housing if elected.
Hunter highlighted plans to establish a Toronto Affordable Housing Corporation that would ensure that 77 per cent of housing built is affordable.
Matlow said he would improve rent control and increase protections for tenants from “fraudulent landlords.”
Transit affordability and safety was the final topic of discussion in the debate.
Scarborough transit riders became a focus, with Chow, Matlow, and Hunter agreeing to expand transit networks in Scarborough, such as building the Scarborough Rapid Transit (SRT) busway.
Bailao said she would lower the cost of fares for SRT riders while the busway is being built.
Bradford said he would install platform edge doors on subway platforms to help increase safety, while Hunter said she would pair social workers with transit officers to help deal with crises on transit lines.
The debate was interrupted and paused briefly after fellow mayoral candidate Kevin Clarke stormed the stage and was carried out by security. The backdrop behind the candidates was almost torn down during the altercation.
During the question period, Chow questioned Bradford’s decision to vote for TTC service cuts which would result in higher fares and reduced service.
In response, Bradford said: “Being in government is about making tough decisions,” to which some audience members booed in response. Hunter also questioned the legitimacy of Chow’s proposal to build 25,000 affordable housing units and said Chow’s promise can only provide 10,000 units.
“I agree that 10,000 units is a drop in the bucket, but It’s better than none whatsoever,” Chow said in response.
Omar Akeileh, policy and engagement specialist for the Daily Bread Food Bank, said the debate was organized to showcase the issues that are affecting people most.
“The one thing on everyone’s mind is more affordable housing, and it’s really important that we make sure we keep the focus on it,” he said.
Akeileh said it is crucial to ensure the next mayor prioritizes these issues.
“We are looking for a mayor who is willing to work with the provincial and federal government to make sure that Toronto has a fair share,” he said. “Our hope is that we can build a city where everyone thrives and not just survives.”
Nominations for the mayoral race closed this past Friday with a record-breaking 102 candidates.
A recent poll from the Research Forum shows Olivia Chow in the lead with 36 per cent of decided and leaning voters. The margin of error for the poll is plus or minus three per cent.
The by-election will take place on June 26.