What to know
- University-Rosedale currently has 11 candidates, the largest field of any Toronto ward.
- Former councillor Mike Layton has entered the race after previously representing the ward from 2018 to 2022.
- Incumbent councillor Dianne Saxe is also seeking re-election.
- Nominations close Friday at 2 p.m., with the municipal election scheduled for Oct. 26.
As nominations for Toronto’s upcoming municipal election near their close, University-Rosedale has emerged as the city’s most contested ward, with 11 candidates vying for the seat.
Nominations for the 2026 municipal election are set to close Friday, and as of publication, University-Rosedale has the largest field of candidates in the city.
Among them is former city councillor Mike Layton, who officially registered his candidacy Monday.
Layton, the son of late federal NDP leader Jack Layton, is no stranger to Toronto politics. He served on city council from 2010 to 2022, representing University-Rosedale during his final term from 2018 to 2022.
Layton chose not to seek re-election in 2022, when the seat was won by incumbent councillor and former Green Party of Ontario leader Dianne Saxe.
Saxe is now seeking another term, joining a crowded field of candidates hoping to represent the downtown ward.
The candidates currently registered in University-Rosedale are:
- Gabe Blanc
- Keenan Courtis
- Dana Fisher
- Terri Hawkes
- Mike Layton
- Karina Lemke
- Alice Li
- Huy Lieu
- Gian Pileri
- Dianne Saxe
- Diana Yoon
While University-Rosedale currently has the largest number of candidates, several other wards aren’t far behind.
Scarborough-Southwest, Beaches-East York and Scarborough Centre each have 10 candidates registered so far.
Beaches-East York could be another ward to watch as the election approaches. Incumbent councillor Brad Bradford has opted not to seek re-election and is instead running for mayor, leaving the ward without its current councillor on the ballot.
Toronto’s 2026 municipal election is scheduled for Oct. 26, with the nomination period closing Friday at 2 p.m.
The candidate field could still change before nominations officially close.
