What to know
- Olivia Chow has pledged to protect Toronto Public Library from budget cuts, arguing that free library services help make life more affordable for families.
- Her campaign highlighted efforts to expand library access and youth hubs, with plans for more drop-in spaces, teen zones and digital literacy programs if she is re-elected.
- The announcement comes as Chow and mayoral challenger Brad Bradford campaign on affordability, transit, housing and public safety ahead of the Oct. 26 election.
- More than 222,000 ballots were cast during advance voting, which ended Oct. 11.
With less than two weeks until Toronto’s municipal election, mayoral candidate Olivia Chow is pledging to protect the Toronto Public Library from cuts while highlighting her administration’s efforts to expand library services.
On Wednesday, Chow promised to protect the library system from budget cuts, arguing that reductions to services would make life less affordable for families.
“Life wasn’t easy growing up, but we could rely on our public library. It’s a free place for families, they make life more affordable,” Chow’s campaign said in a news release.
The campaign also highlighted Chow’s efforts to expand library access, including moving toward seven-day-a-week service and creating more youth hubs.
“We can’t take our progress for granted. We’ve seen libraries put on the chopping block before, and there’s a risk they will be cut again,” the campaign said.
If re-elected, Chow says she plans to continue expanding library programming and services.
“And when I’m re-elected, I will do more, more drop-in spaces, more after-school programmes, teen zones, digital literacy tools, and free nutritious snacks for young people,” Chow told reporters.
The announcement builds on a previous promise to add children’s programming in libraries every weekend and create more free family activities.
The pledge comes 12 days before Toronto’s municipal election, as Chow and her main challenger, Brad Bradford, ramp up their campaigns in the final stretch.
Both candidates have made a series of promises focused on affordability, transit, housing and public safety.
Chow’s announcement also follows advance voting, which wrapped up on Oct. 11 after more than 222,000 ballots were cast.
The pledge came just hours before the deadline to apply for mail-in voting, which was noon on Wednesday.
Toronto’s municipal election takes place on Oct. 26. Voters can find a full list of candidates on the City of Toronto’s website.
