Olivia Chow and Brad Bradford engaged in a heated exchange during the latest Toronto mayoral debate, addressing key issues facing the city. The debate, organized by the United Way and held at Toronto Metropolitan University, delved into topics such as affordable housing, public safety, transportation, and newcomer services.
One of the contentious moments arose when Bradford criticized Chow for falling short on her promise to build 65,000 rental homes by 2030, pointing out that only 1,500 have been constructed so far. In response, Chow accused Bradford of exacerbating housing costs by supporting a doubling of development charges during his tenure.
The debate also saw Chow questioning Bradford’s affordability plan, alleging that he would slash essential services like libraries and transit to fulfill his campaign pledges. Bradford defended his approach, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive review of the city’s budget to ensure efficient allocation of funds without compromising frontline services.
The lively exchange between the candidates underscored their differing visions for addressing Toronto’s challenges, with Chow advocating for a focus on building affordable housing and Bradford emphasizing the importance of fiscal responsibility and modernizing budget practices.
