‘Why is this an issue for you now?’ Mayoral hopeful Brad Bradford says Toronto is dirty, but residents have mixed feelings

A lot of people feel like Toronto is getting dirtier, and not in a fun way – but some residents are questioning the motives of a local politician who is speaking out on the issue.

Mayoral candidate and city councillor Brad Bradford has people talking about the cleanliness in the city, or lack thereof. 

Bradford, who is the councillor for Toronto’s Ward 19, Beaches–East York, took to social media to post a video in which he shares his opinion that the city is getting dirtier.

“If you feel like Toronto is getting dirtier, you’re not imagining it. Toronto used to be described as New York City run by the Swiss, but it doesn’t feel that way anymore,” he says in the clip.

“Just yesterday somebody told me about how much more litter they’re seeing on the streets of Toronto, and you know what? It matters. Because when a place looks neglected, it feels neglected,” he continued. “It starts to feel like nobody cares about our public places, and that’s when the disorder starts to set in.”

Bradford shared that this is becoming common in Downtown Toronto, saying that this is the “broken windows ” theory in action. The controversial and frequently debated theory, coined in 1982 by social scientists James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling, refers to the idea that visible signs of crime and social disorder, such as broken windows, litter and graffiti, can create an environment which encourages more severe crime. 

In the video, Bradford shows scenes of litter on the streets and sidewalks outside of Union Station.

“Just look around Union Station, the front door to our city, and ask yourself the question, is this the kind of first impression we want to give?” Bradford questions.

He points out that the city already has fines in place for people who are caught littering, set at up to $500. However, he claims these laws are not actually being enforced.

“This is what I mean when I say City Hall has lost its focus on the basics. Clean streets aren’t a luxury; it’s a standard, and Toronto can do better,” Bradford says.

“It’s time to raise your expectations: Clean public transit, safe streets for everybody. It’s time to build a Toronto we can be proud of.”

Torontonians divided on Bradford’s message

As is the way of things in Toronto, people are divided when it comes to Bradford’s messaging. Most Torontonians agree that the city is in need of a clean-up when it comes to litter.

“Broken windows lead to societal chaos. Don’t hold back,” one person commented on X. 

“Exactly! If people see decay everywhere, then they won’t care and will find it acceptable to litter! Enforce fines [and] clean up the streets! Let’s vote you in soon,” another supporter shared on Instagram. 

“It was never like this. I know I sound like an old man, but it wasn’t. The streets were clean. The sidewalks were clean. It’s not that long ago. I can’t remember the last time I saw a street or sidewalk cleaner come by.”

“You got my vote. And with the World Cup coming… things need to be clean.”

However, some residents feel the video was done in bad taste.

“This is a bad re-run of Rudy Giuliani’s ‘broken windows’ theory. The thing that’s most broken is Bradford,” one person posted to X. 

And others are side-eyeing the timing of the video, finding it suspicious that he is drawing attention to the issue six months ahead of the 2026 Toronto mayoral election. 

“Hey Brad, do you have a platform for October 26? Would love to check out your policy proposals. Can’t vote on tweets,” one X user questioned. 

“This isn’t new – city has been in decay for years, you have been on council for years. Why is this an issue for you now?” another posted.

“And you have been part of the City apparatus for how long?”