A special briefing on What's at Stake for Toronto this election. September 23, 2026 Sign up | View online Candidates Debate What's At Stake on Our Stage Hello, With Election Day on October 26th, Toronto's three leading mayoral candidates — Olivia Chow, Brad Bradford, and Chris Alexander — squared off last night in a debate co-hosted by Toronto Region Board of Trade and Toronto Star, presented with Event Partner Enbridge and Broadcast Partner CityNews. The Board's President & CEO Giles Gherson opened the debate saying, "This moment could be a generational inflection point for an economic growth-oriented vision for a future-facing city. We need that faster growth to protect the tax base that pays for the services that will keep Toronto strong and resilient." Moderated by Nicole MacIntyre, Editor-in-Chief of the Toronto Star, the debate posed questions focused on the three core themes of our What's at Stake municipal campaign — land use, getting around the city, and how we'll pay for it all. Below is a recap of the evening with some highlights. Congestion, Transit & Infrastructure The ongoing congestion problem has quickly become one of the most significant threats to Toronto's economic competitiveness and quality of life. Whether commuting to work, moving goods across the region, attending a major event, or accessing essential services, residents and businesses increasingly experience a transportation system under strain. Our congestion, transit, and infrastructure issue guide breaks down what's driving the crisis, from underfunded transit expansion and gridlocked roadways to fragmented regional planning, plus what the next mayor needs to do about it. Housing & Land Use For many Torontonians, the anxiety around housing affordability is imminent and financial: more than one in five residents worry about making their rent or mortgage payments each month. The challenge is not only whether residents can afford housing, but whether they can find homes that fit their needs near their work, schools, transit and public services. Our housing and land use issue guide looks at what's behind the affordability squeeze, from rising development charges to stalled housing targets. It also looks at the importance of employment lands to protect jobs and the prosperity they bring. Funding Public Services The scale of the City's obligations to deliver federal and provincial objectives leaves limited room for the projects that make Toronto a liveable, world-class city. Core city-building investments, like parks, libraries, community recreation centres, cultural infrastructure, and road safety are deferred, scaled back, or never advanced. These define Toronto's quality of life, attract and retain residents and talent, and underpin the city's long-term economic competitiveness. Our funding public services issue guide unpacks the funding gap and what genuine reform could look like. Resources and Further Reading WHAT’S AT STAKE CAMPAIGN HUB Congestion, Transit and Infrastructure Housing and Land Use Funding Public Services New polling shows Toronto residents worried about the city's future, want City Hall to move faster on affordability and economic growth OPINION Toronto has tools to tackle its budget crisis. It needs a fundamentally different strategy At stake in Toronto’s election: housing costs and gridlock conspire to drive talent away Reading this as a forward? Subscribe to stay connected. TORONTO REGION BOARD OF TRADE PRINCIPAL PARTNERS Toronto Region Board of Trade | 21 Melinda St, Suite 900 | Toronto, ON M5L 1G3 | Canada | 416.366.6811 If you do not wish to receive emails from Toronto Region Board of Trade, unsubscribe or update your preferences.