Former Toronto city councillor and NDP member of parliament, Olivia Chow, is the latest high-profile name to enter Toronto’s mayoral race.
Chow announced she’s joining the long list of mayoral candidates vying for the top job, during a press conference at Dragon City Mall on Monday.
“I’ve spent my life working to build a better life for people in our city. Join me and together we will make a Toronto that cares – a city where everyone belongs,” Chow says in an announcement tweet.
Chow’s political career began in 1985, as a school board trustee for six years. In 1991, she became the first Asian-born woman to become a city councillor in Toronto.
She served as councillor for 13 years, and created programs such as free dental care for children in poverty and the school breakfast and lunch program.
In 2005, Chow resigned from city council to run for a third time for a seat in the House of Commons, and won. As Member of Parliament for Trinity-Spadina, she introduced legislation for universal child care and improving public transit.
She previously ran for Toronto mayor in the 2014 municipal election and placed third after the current Ontario Premier Doug Ford and winner, former Mayor John Tory.
Chow is also the widow to Jack Layton, former leader of the New Democratic Party, who died in 2011. She is also a stepmother to Mike Layton, who was a Toronto city councillor from 2010 to 2022.
WHY IS SHE RUNNING FOR MAYOR?
Chow believes her years of experience in government on municipal and federal levels make her distinctively qualified to be the city’s next mayor.
On Monday, Chow told the crowd of reporters that she has worked across political stripes and knows how to get things done.
While acknowledging the 10 years she spent on the city’s budget committee, she believes has the experience needed to address Toronto’s $1.5 billion budget deficit this fiscal year.
She revealed she would share her key priorities in the weeks to come, but said she is focused on opening up city hall and building a more caring, affordable, and safer Toronto.
“People in Toronto are feeling stuck. They’re stuck waiting for the bus, stuck in traffic or stuck on lists for housing, childcare and recreation programs. After a decade of conservative mayors, the city has become more expensive and less liveable for people,” Chow said.
When asked why the city’s young demographic should consider voting for Chow, she said their optimism is a vital tool in making Toronto a better city for everyone.
“One thing that I know the younger generation have is hope, enthusiasm, energy. Let’s do this. Let’s come together. Let’s say no to all these pessimistic, do nothing people. Let’s say no to those folks that said, ‘Nothing is ever going to change,’ she told Now Toronto after her official announcement.
“We can make the city a lot better. We can create a more caring and more affordable, safer city. And we can make sure that we all feel we belong here,” she continued.
For people of colour in the city, Chow says she recognizes added challenges but believes Toronto is a city made by its diverse residents that can come together to push the city forward.
READ MORE: Who will be the next mayor of Toronto? Here’s the candidates running so far
“When you’re younger, when you are BIPOC, when you don’t have a whole lot of money. Good Lord. It is hard. Hey, but Toronto is the city of all of us, right? A city where we can create and build together,” she told Now Toronto.
“Don’t feel left out because I know some people feel that city hall is not for them. Let’s open up city hall together. Let’s make sure that everybody feels they belong,” she continued.
“When our parents came to Canada, they chose Toronto because it is a city full of hope. Some people don’t feel that anymore because life is so unaffordable. That’s not good enough. Let’s do something about it. Don’t stand by.”
WILL SHE USE THE ‘STRONG MAYOR POWERS’?
Other candidates have mixed responses when it comes to using the so-called strong mayor powers, an opportunity to override some council decisions.
Mayoral candidate Ana Bailão told Now Toronto she would use the strong mayor powers if elected, while Chloe Brown would introduce a different approach, giving the city the power to make their decisions by way of similar departments and divisions under a commissioner.
However, Chow said she would not use the strong mayor powers, saying she is a democrat who believes in the city’s right to vote for what they want.
After this morning’s announcement, Chow is the 47th candidate to register for the by-election.
Now Toronto will be interviewing and profiling a number of mayoral candidates in the coming weeks leading up to the by-election on June 26.
