What to know
- The Ford government began removing bike lanes on Bloor Street West in Etobicoke on Tuesday, but work was halted that night following protests by cyclists and advocates.
- Olivia Chow criticized Premier Doug Ford’s actions and accused Brad Bradford of enabling provincial interference through his own plans to remove bike lanes on Bloor.
- Bradford’s campaign hit back at Chow’s record on key city issues, including bike lanes, the Island Airport and the Ontario Science Centre.
- Bradford’s campaign defended his Toronto Water proposal, saying it would keep water publicly owned and save the average household about $300 annually.
Amid the Ford government’s push to remove bike lanes along a stretch of Bloor Street West, mayoral candidate Olivia Chow is taking aim at challenger Brad Bradford over his own promise to remove lanes in the same area if elected.
On Tuesday, the provincial government began removing bike lanes on Bloor Street West in Etobicoke and restoring vehicle lanes. However, construction was halted Tuesday night following demonstrations by cyclists and advocates.
Chow tells Ford to “stay in his own lane”
In a post on X, Chow criticized Premier Doug Ford and his government, saying the province must “stop interfering” in Toronto’s affairs. On Wwe
Chow pointed to the government’s removal of speed cameras and its push to expand Billy Bishop Airport as further examples of provincial interference, arguing that the latest move puts road users at risk. When speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Chow told Ford to “stay in his own lane.”
“His decision to pit road users against each other for political gain puts lives at risk,” Chow said. “The people of Toronto must have a say over their city. Local democracy matters.”
Chow also turned her attention to Bradford, who had previously proposed removing bike lanes on Bloor Street and building new ones on parallel roads and side streets instead.
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“My opponent in this election opens the door to Ford’s interference, he undermined city council and invited Doug Ford to rip up the bike lanes,” Chow said.
Chow accused Bradford of siding with Ford on jets, speed cameras and bike lanes. She also criticized his proposal to cut water bills and restructure Toronto Water as a publicly owned utility, arguing that it would effectively hand control of the city’s drinking water to the premier.
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Bradford fires back at Chow
In a statement to Now Toronto, Bradford’s campaign pushed back against Chow’s criticism, instead taking aim at her record at city hall and her dealings with the provincial government.
“On the Science Centre, the Island Airport, the bike lanes and the council she never fought to restore, NDP Mayor Chow didn’t stand up for the city. And she herself has used strong mayor powers 80 times, despite refusing to admit she’s in favour of them,” the statement said.
“She folded, signed the deal and called it a partnership. A mayor who gave away the store doesn’t get to run as the person guarding it.”
Bradford’s campaign also defended his Toronto Water proposal, arguing that it would keep the city’s water publicly owned while reducing the average household’s water bill by about $300 a year.
“The only thing Brad is handing over is a smaller bill,” the campaign said. “Brad doesn’t want a fight with the province. He wants a city that can hold its own in the room.”
Toronto’s municipal election is scheduled for Oct. 26.
