Olivia Chow and Brad Bradford hit the campaign trail on Saturday, focusing on public safety as the Toronto mayoral election draws near. With less than two weeks left until the polls open, the candidates are making their final pitches to voters.
Bradford emphasized his commitment to enhancing public safety by proposing the establishment of a satellite police college in Etobicoke. He aims to fulfill his pledge of recruiting 1,000 new frontline officers in his initial term as mayor. Addressing the growing population of Toronto, Bradford highlighted the need for a bolstered police presence to keep pace with the city’s expansion.
In addition to increasing the number of officers, Bradford vowed to collaborate with the provincial government to secure additional training opportunities for Toronto recruits at the Ontario Police College. He aims to improve officer retention to ensure that new hires supplement the existing frontline staff rather than merely replacing departing personnel.
Meanwhile, Chow touted her track record of reducing crime rates during her tenure as mayor. Citing statistics from the Toronto police, she emphasized the growth of the police force under her leadership and expressed her intention to further expand it in the future. Chow emphasized the importance of integrating mental health crisis workers into the public safety efforts.
At a rally in Dovercourt Park, Chow was supported by local councillor Alejandra Bravo and notable figures such as Grammy-nominated musician Feist and filmmaker Sarah Polley. Polley commended Chow’s accomplishments in her first term, including extended library hours, increased affordable housing initiatives, and fare caps for public transportation, expressing optimism for the potential progress in a second term.
The mayoral race in Toronto, along with elections for city councillors and school board trustees, will take place on October 26, marking a crucial moment for residents to have their say in shaping the city’s future.
