Toronto mayoral race tightens, Chow’s lead cut to single digits

POLITICS Toronto mayoral race tightens, Chow’s lead cut to single digits By Isaac Callan Global News Posted September 22, 2026 12:26 pm 2 min read View image in full screen Nathan Phillips Square is an urban plaza is seen in Toronto, Ont., Monday, Aug. 2, 2021. It forms the forecourt to Toronto City Hall, or New City Hall, at the intersection of Queen Street West and Bay Street, and is named for Nathan Phillips, mayor of Toronto from 1955 to 1962. THE CANADIAN PRESS IMAGES/Jeff McIntosh LEAVE A COMMENT SHARE THIS ITEM ON FACEBOOK SHARE THIS ITEM ON X SEND THIS PAGE TO SOMEONE VIA EMAIL SEE MORE SHARING OPTIONS DESCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE INCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE The race to be Toronto’s next mayor is tightening, according to a new poll, which shows challenger Brad Bradford gaining ground on incumbent Olivia Chow. The latest study from Liaison Strategies has Chow at 47 per cent among decided and leaning voters, just seven points ahead of Bradford, who is at 40 per cent. Chris Alexander remains in third place at 10 per cent. “Chow’s cushion is smaller. Her lead has gone from 11 points to seven, with Chow down three points and Bradford up one,” David Valentin, principal at Liaison Strategies, said. “It’s a closer result, but not enough to establish a new trend. Bradford has gained some ground without overtaking the mayor.” Get breaking Montreal news Get breaking Montreal news delivered to your inbox as it happens so you won't miss a trending story. SIGN UP FOR BREAKING MONTREAL NEWSLETTER GET STARTED BY PROVIDING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS, YOU HAVE READ AND AGREE TO GLOBAL NEWS' TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY. The past two polls from Liaison had Chow holding a low double-digit lead over Bradford. As the campaign has heated up, support for the incumbent appears to have slipped slightly. STORY CONTINUES BELOW ADVERTISEMENT The Liaison poll found the cost of living was voters’ top priority, followed by housing affordability, then crime and safety, with congestion rated next highest. The latest study went into the field after the first Toronto mayoral debate attended by all three leading candidates and hosted by Daily Bread Food Bank. Valentin said the race played differently across the city, with Chow ahead in downtown and Bradford leading in Etobicoke. MORE ON POLITICS MORE VIDEOS Liberals extending fuel excise tax suspension to January Montreal adopts bylaw banning insults against municipal employees Trump defends starting war against Iran…