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Toronto is facing a pivotal moment in its history as residents are set to vote in the municipal election later this month.

Affordability, transit, housing, traffic congestion, public safety and crime are among the top issues residents are concerned about heading into the Oct. 26 vote.

Top mayoral candidates Olivia Chow and Brad Bradford are fighting tooth and nail for every vote they can get after a recent survey showed the incumbent mayor polling just a few percentage points ahead of her rival , who has represented Ward 19 Beaches–East York since 2018.

While not an exhaustive list, here is a brief look both candidates stack up on each issue.

Affordability

Chow is promising, if re-elected, that every child will be provided a lunch in school, saying families will save about $1,800 per year on groceries.

She also, as mayor, expanded the school food program by providing at least a mid-morning meal to 330,000 students at every school.

Other promises include more free family activities by expanding access to the Toronto Public Library’s Museum and Attractions Pass and free weekend library programming for children at all city branches.

Meanwhile, Bradford announced he will cut water bills by 25% as mayor, saying the average household will save about $300 a year.

In addition, he is promising to protect the Student Nutrition Program and work towards eliminating “food deserts” in city neighbourhoods.

Bradford is also committing to a one-year property tax freeze if elected.

Transit

Bradford is promising to prioritize the Scarborough East LRT as the next major transit project for the city.

On TTC fares, Bradford has campaigned on 15-minute TTC service guarantees or your money back, but he has not committed to any change to fare prices until a line-by-line audit has been completed.

Chow says she delivered on her promise to residents starving for transit options in the east end after the opening of the Scarborough Busway in late September, which replaced the mothballed Line 3 Scarborough RT.

The mayoral incumbent is also promising to make the TTC free after 10 paid rides in a week and has campaigned on freezing fares for a fourth consecutive year in 2027.

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Housing

Chow is promising shovels will be in the ground in 2027 toward the construction of 10,000 new rental homes she says will create nearly 40,000 jobs in Scarborough and across the city.

Meanwhile, Bradford is campaigning on cutting municipal land transfer taxes on purchases of a home up to $ 1.1 million that would help first-time homebuyers access the market.

Traffic congestion

Bradford is promising to remove red painted lanes used by TTC buses on Kingston Rd., Morningside Ave., Kennedy Rd. and Midland Rd. to open up more road space for drivers.

Chow says her plan is to continue expanding public transit, use technology to improve signalling at intersections, and using traffic agents to control busy roadways.

Public safety and crime

Chow has spoken about her record on hiring more police officers and first responders during a recent debate, adding she would consult with local communities about their safety needs.

She has also worked with Toronto Police to enhance safety measures in Jewish communities following a rise in antisemitic incidents.

Meanwhile, Bradford is campaigning on hiring 1,000 new officers and enforcing mandatory treatment for people experiencing addiction.

He also wants to make parks safe for residents and their pets.