KnowYourVote Toronto

councillor

Nathen Masri

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

Stop treating struggling residents like City Hall’s ATM. I’ll fight to ROLL BACK Toronto’s property-tax increases and FREEZE residential property taxes for four years. A Taxpayer Value Office will hunt waste, procurement failures and underperforming spending, while we build new City revenue streams instead of automatically raising taxes and fees. Working- and middle-class families need government to find savings before government comes looking for theirs.

councillor

Chloe Brown

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

I would prioritize Community Wealth Building (CWB) to keep money, ownership, and resources in the community. I'd help worker co-ops, social enterprises, and community-owned businesses by linking them to anchor institutions that buy local and pay living wages. I'd also bring credit unions and community land trusts in as development partners, using public land for affordable housing and cultural space, not speculation. The goal: make pro-social economics the norm, close income gaps fast and increase labour mobility and social stability.

councillor

Ian Cunningham

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

We need to speed up housing approvals and remove unnecessary delays that add costs and slow construction. I support increasing the supply of rental, affordable, supportive, and family-sized housing, while expanding housing options. New homes should be prioritized near transit, major streets, and City-owned land, while existing affordable rental housing must be protected from loss and fraudulent evictions. We also need to create more pathways into homeownership for the next generation of Torontonians.

councillor

Paul Nash

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

I’ll advocate for new affordability measures in the municipal spending plan that deliver results. I’ll advocate to freeze property tax increases.

councillor

Bashar Kassir

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

Toronto residents are facing growing financial pressure, and City Hall should not add unnecessarily to that burden. My priority would be to improve the value residents receive for the taxes and fees they already pay by identifying waste, improving efficiency, and reviewing city services for better value. Before increasing taxes, fares, or user fees, the City should first look for savings and alternative revenue sources while protecting the essential services residents rely on.

councillor

Ausma Malik

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

I’ll cap TTC fares at 10 rides per week so the more you ride, the less you pay, building on the 3 years of fare freezes and current fare capping program. I’ll support lowering grocery costs through municipally-owned/operated grocery stores and banning surveillance pricing at big box stores, while saving people more money through the further expansion of the Student Nutrition Program in schools and in CampTO to provide 2 meals to kids in schools and City programs.

councillor

Husain Neemuchwala

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

Affordability affects residents every day, from rent and groceries to transportation. I would freeze TTC fares and work to reduce costs for those who rely on transit, while maintaining reliable service. By listening directly to residents, I would identify where the City can make the greatest difference, turn those concerns into practical action with measurable goals, and report back on results. My focus is easing everyday pressures with empathy and accountability.

councillor

Andi Hoàng-Lefranc

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

In March 2025, City Council voted to explore the creation of city-run grocery stores. Instead of another feasibility study, I am committed to opening an expanded network of City-run grocery stores by leveraging the City's ability to purchase foodstuffs and fresh produce in bulk, which will keep costs low while curbing food waste. By the City taking the lead to increase the availability of affordable groceries, especially in food deserts, this will force major grocery corporations to lower their prices in response to shifting market demand.

councillor

Paul Viret

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

Combat high cost grocery chains with government owned grocery stores. This buy food in bulk and split it between the stores, schools, elder care and other non-profit and public facilities. The school meal program and CampTO are great programs that provide food and will get additional funding but a government owned grocery store will help every one, even those who don't have children.

councillor

Mike Layton

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

Address exorbitant food costs and food insecurity via expansion of the School Meal Program to provide 2 meals to all school kids in the City and preserving the CampTO nutrition program. Support options to save working families money through municipally owned and operated grocery stores. Strengthen and expand food co-ops like Karma Co-op in Ward 11. Support ban on surveillance pricing at big box stores. Expand and bolster local community gardens in neighbourhoods.

councillor

Gian Pileri

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

I would expand income-based savings through one application for transit, recreation and other City fees, plus a monthly healthy food credit at participating grocers and markets. Building on Toronto’s existing benefits account, residents could apply online, by phone or in person. Support would reflect income and household size, with eligibility expanded to more households. In the first budget, I would seek funding for a pilot with clear renewal rules and privacy protections, and publish household savings, participation and costs.

councillor

David Cottrell

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

I would prioritize reducing the everyday cost burden created by City Hall. Before asking residents to pay more through taxes, fares or fees, the City should review spending, eliminate waste and improve procurement and project delivery. Toronto is already expensive enough. Residents deserve a city that looks for savings internally first and delivers better value for the money they already pay.

councillor

Mina Nadimi

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

Besides of the high cost of living , housing , Business closers , due to city fees this is not helping . First thing what I do is why some city fees are there .? Is it helping Torontonians for a better healthy living to make Torontonians life more affordable . Above issues are very urgent matters in majority of Torontonians weather you are Business Owner or Home Owner or you are a renters . More in my Platform

councillor

Morgan Harris

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

Lower costs of public transit. Target to make transit free for seniors and later other groups until the TTC is free to use. This is done in other places and can be done here.

councillor

Norman MacLeod

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

Victory for People voting to elect Norman MacLeod Councilor Ward13 and History for your Toronto Municipal Ward 13. You will vote because only I know that as a City Council, Your serving 2026 elected will understand why we need to remove liability from grocers. I talk and know the store managers want that to donate awesome perishable fresh food drink and meat. TTC is easy. You only need me there and I will increase streetcars overnight heavily. I raise capital. I will not vote to raise taxes. There is no need to with what I learned and will.

councillor

Nicki Ward

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

I have lived with disability and poverty, so I know what it's like when the city nickel-and-dimes residents to death. Worse, the city often spends fifty cents of red tape just to get a nickel out of us. It punishes residents with zero economic benefit. I will scrap petty user fees immediately. I will scale co-op models that keep rent and food costs down. The broken TTC causes personal costs or cancellation penalties. I will enforce strict service standards for uptime and accessibility. All of which lowers everyone's cost of living.

councillor

Curran Stikuts

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

People should be able to get around and enjoy their city without stretching an already tight budget. I support a weekly TTC fare cap of ten paid rides, including for post-secondary students, with no upfront pass purchase. I would also expand free recreation programs and add spaces so more people can swim, play sports and stay active. I would push to fund these changes in the next City budget so residents see savings quickly.

councillor

Maria Voutsinas

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

I would advocate for reduced fares for TTC for low income residents, which would support them while still working to have enough resources to manage TTC repairs and service improvements.

councillor

Maqsood Ahmad

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

My priority is to make life affordable by lowering City controlled costs and supporting fair income. I would work with Council to control property tax increases and provide tax and utility bill help for seniors and people with low incomes. I would work with the TTC to find ways to lower transit costs to people save money on commute and reduce traffic on our streets. Note I would also stand up for thousands of ride share and delivery workers by seeking fair base pay and a fairer share of each fare, without increasing the price paid by customers

councillor

Dianne Saxe

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

Let’s make Toronto more affordable. I champion practical programs that bring down costs for everyone, like repair cafés, tool-lending libraries, farmers’ markets, BikeShare and plug-in solar. I’ll keep improving transit and cycling, so it’s easier to live well without a car as gas costs soar. We help TCHC tenants with $5/year BikeShare and free lobby Wi-Fi. We can make healthy food more accessible through allotment gardens, community fridges and food co-ops. I’ll keep supporting “Buy Local” and free sports equipment to use in parks.

councillor

Michael Mitchell

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

I would prioritize City-run grocery stores to make sure that people in need can get enough healthy food. I think Toronto should also research issuing food stamps to vulnerable people.

councillor

Mary Fragedakis

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

City Hall needs to focus on affordability and value for the taxes and fees residents already pay. One thing I would prioritize is improving TTC reliability so people get better service without making everyday transportation more expensive. We also need well-maintained roads and parks, clean streets, dependable garbage and snow removal, more housing and strong local main streets so Toronto remains a city where people can afford to live, work and raise a family.

councillor

Jason Stevens

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

the city will get one of the most active on affordability issues as ive been to the deputations of the budget committee and active organizing with Torontonians fighting for affordability

councillor

Denise Walcott

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

I would require an affordability check on major City budget decisions. Before increasing a tax or fee, Council should clearly show the cost to households, the alternatives considered and how seniors and lower-income residents would be protected. The TTC fare freeze shows Council can provide immediate relief. I would review spending, challenge unnecessary costs, protect essential services and work to keep property taxes low and reasonable. Residents should see and feel the results through reliable services and less pressure on household budgets.

councillor

Sara Ehrhardt

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

Fighting for measures that make life more affordable would be a key priority for me as City Councillor. I would advocate for a wide range of things to ensure that as many residents of Toronto could benefit as possible. This includes supporting TTC fare capping to keep transit affordable, expanding the school food program to help kids and parents, increased low-cost and barrier-free programming and supports for tenants, seniors, children and youth, and more programs to help homeowners.

councillor

Sheena Sharp

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

Housing, phone, internet, food and transportation are our main expenses, and the city partly controls only two of them. The problem is that a very few really large companies control these things and they can charge what they want. Canada has some of the highest construction costs in the world, making our housing and transit less affordable. The city can make some changes like streamlining approvals but the provincial and federal governments have created this and they must fix it. Put the pressure where it belongs!

councillor

Didi Moffat

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

I will freeze TTC fares and aggressively expand the Fair Pass Discount Program. Transit is an immediate, daily cost that hits working families, shift workers, and seniors the hardest. By locking baseline fares, lowering the income threshold for discounted transit, and accelerating monthly fare-capping, we can put hundreds of dollars directly back into residents' pockets this year. We pay for it by demanding the province fully fund operating shortfalls for regional transit integration, not by nickel-and-diming local riders.

councillor

Jeffery Adamson

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

As a priority I would be make sure City Hall respects how difficult everyday costs are for residents. Before asking residents to pay more, Council will need to demonstrate that existing tax dollars are being used effectively. I would push for a stronger review of City spending, programs, contracts and administrative costs while protecting essential frontline services. At the same time, we should look for opportunities to reduce unnecessary fees.

councillor

Hassan Mubarak Noor Mohamed

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

I would prioritize putting more money back into household budgets by improving value for money at City Hall. Before asking residents to pay more, I would closely review spending, procurement, and programs to identify waste and efficiencies. I would also protect essential affordability measures, particularly transit affordability and support for lower-income households. The goal is practical: reduce unnecessary costs while maintaining the services residents rely on.

councillor

Shelley Carroll

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

I would make responsible financial management and better value for taxpayers a priority from day one. I would work to hold property taxes in line with inflation, find savings and reduce red tape while protecting frontline services and pushing other levels of government to pay their fair share for services that Toronto residents currently shoulder. We also need to broaden Toronto’s revenue tools and pursue new revenue sources that do not simply increase the burden on homeowners and tenants.

councillor

Sabrina Zuniga

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

I would prioritize a Core Service Review of the City’s budget to reduce waste and limit the pressure for further property-tax increases. Higher property taxes, which Shelley Carroll has increased a compounded 28%, affect everyone because they are paid directly by homeowners and passed along to renters and small businesses through rising costs. We can immediately hold tax increases and eliminate costly programs that are not producing measurable improvements for taxpayers in Don Valley North and Toronto.

councillor

Hamid Shakeri

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

A huge chunk of household income goes toward housing for both homeowners and tenants. Reducing these costs will give residents flexibility for other expenditures. City Council must lobby provincial and federal governments for direct grocery benefits. Additionally, municipally-run grocery stores would reduce the cost of essentials for Torontonians. Public transit fares must be frozen, and increasing competition for other services will further lower the cost of living.

councillor

Adam Smith

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

We need to take a closer look at budget priorities and ensure what we are spending money on is what is most necessary right now, with a view to ensuring the budget does not expand and therefore does not require property tax increases. We should be increasing parking fees in order to reduce transit fares. We need to increase the vacant homes tax to at least 10% to drive investors to sell or rent for a lower price. We need to expand food gardens in parks to supply food banks with fresh produce.

councillor

Jennie Worden

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

I would continue to advocate for keeping TTC fares capped at the 2023 rates and I will advocate to reduce the threshold for the new fare capping so that Torontonians can ride for free after 8 presto taps a week. That means more money for groceries, rent, or a night out with a loved one. A midterm goal of mine is to expand the citywide school lunch program to include breakfast so that every child in our city can learn with a full belly and a fuelled mind.

councillor

Syeda Jaana Ali

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

I would prioritize making transit more affordable, starting with free TTC service for seniors. At the same time, Toronto must have the authority to make decisions based on the needs of Toronto residents. I oppose provincial measures that centralize municipal decision-making, including provisions in Bill 98 that limit local authority. Affordable transit, housing and services require local accountability. As Councillor, I will stand up for Toronto’s ability to set priorities and deliver solutions that work for our communities.

councillor

Mohammad Shabani

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

As a candidate for Beaches-East York (Ward 19), my top priority to make Toronto affordable soon enough to matter is building deeply affordable housing. To deliver this, I will establish the Toronto Community Investment Bank (TCIB). As a public bank, the TCIB will bypass commercial constraints to directly finance over 10,000 social and supportive housing units for unhoused and low-income residents. This public funding strategy saves taxpayer money, protects tenants, and delivers rapid relief.

councillor

Jennifer Alexander

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

I would prioritize providing a nutritious snack in City-run after-school programs. For families, the cost of feeding kids doesn’t stop when the school day ends. A simple snack program could complement school nutrition programs and CampTO, helping ensure kids aren’t going hungry while giving parents one less expense to worry about. Sometimes making Toronto more affordable means looking at the small, everyday costs that add up for families.

councillor

Ariel-Rachel Karokis

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

One thing that I would prioritize right from the get-go would be, to raise concern on City Spending, eliminate Waste and Corruption, and redirect the tax payers money back to the essential services every Torontonian relies on everyday.

councillor

Taiba Ahmed

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

One thing that I believe the city should be focusing on to make life more affordable for Torontonians is the price of groceries. It’s no secret that in Canada, supermarkets are owned by a cartel that is squeezing money out of the average Canadian. In Toronto, we have countless independent grocery stores and markets which already provide affordable prices and local products. I want to provide them with more support through zero-interest loans and grant schemes to keep them in business and give Torontonians options aside from the grocery giants.

councillor

Krissan Veerasingam

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

Build on the City's bulk purchasing for student nutrition program to help community grocery stores, food hubs, and independent grocers lower costs and compete with large chains.

councillor

Donny Morgan

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

I would start by auditing how the City is spending taxpayers’ dollars. Before asking residents to pay more, we need to know where the money is going, identify waste and unnecessary spending, and make sure City programs are delivering results. My focus would be on getting better value for every tax dollar.

councillor

Dan Lovell

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

Freeze Property Taxes With No Service Cuts It costs too much to live in Toronto! With moderate increases to the vacant home and luxury home (over $3 million) taxes and by introducing a vacant commercial unit tax, we can freeze property tax while increasing city revenue. This will also help reduce rents. Affordable Groceries Through a Public Grocery Chain I will fight to create a chain of public grocery stores which operate near cost. This will reduce your grocery prices substantially while possibly creating additional revenue for the city.

councillor

Jackson Ho

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

We should avoid increasing transit fares and keep property tax increases below the rate of inflation. At the same time, we need to find smarter ways to improve public services while reducing costs, for example, community based snow removal during major storms. We should focus on spending taxpayers’ money wisely, finding innovative ways to deliver services more efficiently, and purchasing affordable homes already available on the market when it makes more financial sense than building new ones.

councillor

Sajawal Javed

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

I would focus on lowering the everyday costs residents feel most. One priority would be making transit more affordable, especially for youth, seniors and families who rely on it every day. I would also push for better value from every tax dollar by reviewing spending and reducing unnecessary costs. Residents should not simply be asked to pay more; Council should first prove that existing money is being spent wisely.

councillor

Ashan Fernando

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

I would prioritize reducing the everyday costs residents feel most especially housing, transit and City fees while protecting essential services. I would push for greater accountability in City spending, reducing waste, and directing resources toward affordability measures that provide immediate relief. As a 26+ year Ward 25 resident, I understand the pressure families face as I am experiencing these cost of daily life challenges. Toronto needs practical solutions that deliver value for taxpayers. Neighbours First. Results Always.

councillor

Vane Stavrev

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

I would ask City council to give Rent Supplement. People with low income deserve free transit.

councillor

Mihaela Andrei

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

I would prioritize fixing how the City spends its budget before asking residents to pay more for their housing and transit needs. I would push for every major contract to be competitively sourced, with cost overruns published for residents to see. For years as a condo board president, I have reviewed contracts, pushed back on predatory vendors and protected reserve funds. I would apply the same rigorous discipline to the City budget starting with a line-by-line review to see how the money was spent and what services benefitted residents most.

councillor

Steve Yuen

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

I am Steve Yuen & I am not here to make empty promises. I WILL work HARD to make housing, transit, roads, parks , rent, support local businesses more affordable for my constituents including All Canadians! I am here to LISTEN, WORK HARD & DELIVER...by working with 3 level of Governments - The City of Toronto- The Ontario Provincial & The Federal Government - For WARD 4 & all Canadians. I WILL make SURE to my Constituents that YOUR TAX dollar$$ are spent responsibly!

councillor

Adam Pham

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

Keep annual property tax increases at or below the rate of inflation. It is easy and simple to increase taxes and fees but a smart and responsible City Hall should know how to increase revenues without property tax increases. Explore City-owned grocery stores and other practical ways to reduce food costs. Bring practical solutions to lower rent.

councillor

Holly Weber

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

My focus would be on how the city can reduce families’ food bills and improve competition and access. I want to look at how the city can provide access to affordable space, tax/fee relief for independent groceries and food co-ops and other measures that make it easier for lower-margin independent and non-profit grocery operations to survive and compete. I also support the city's project to provide public grocery stores to ensure a more affordable option for food.

councillor

Diana Chan McNally

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

The affordability crisis has made having fun and connecting with community into luxuries, but they shouldn't be. A good life is more than just survival--we need joy. I would expand Community Recreation Centre operating hours, access, and programming, focusing on children, youth, and seniors. By extending hours — just as the city has already done with public libraries — and expanding programming, we can provide more free activities for families and people to live healthier, more engaged lives.

councillor

Vanessa Raponi

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

Employment is a key area of addressing cost of living: applying to 1000 jobs on LinkedIn with no responses, and struggling to get big chains to consider you for a cashier role is simply not cutting it anymore. The city needs to intervene to connect workers with employment opportunities. More job fairs, more professional development investments to upskill talented hardworking people. All sectors of public, private, entrepreneurial and non-profit work need help filling open roles. Internships & apprenticeships should be prioritized as well.

councillor

Conroy Irving

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

The goal would be straightforward: find savings, protect frontline services, freeze unnecessary fee increases and direct the savings toward property-tax relief and essential services. Toronto cannot solve the cost-of-living crisis on its own, but City Hall can control what it spends and what it charges.

councillor

Enzo Torrone

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

I would prioritize keeping housing affordable because it protects the backbone of our community—the working families, seniors, and young people who keep Toronto running. When rent consumes entire paychecks, local businesses suffer because residents have less to spend nearby, and essential workers get pushed out of the city. Ensuring housing remains affordable keeps our local economy strong, prevents homelessness before it starts, and ensures people can afford to live and stay in Ward 8.

councillor

Jason McDonald

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

The Ward 8 Youth Employment Incentive: a wage subsidy up to $7,500 per hire for local businesses that employ ward-resident youth. When young people can find work near home, families keep more of what they earn. Pair it with frozen TTC fares and the school food program so parents aren't choosing between transit and groceries.

councillor

Neil Simon

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

My priority is to make sure City Hall looks for savings before asking residents to pay more. Before raising fares, fees or taxes, Council should show where money can be spent better. People are already struggling with the cost of everyday life. I would protect important services while pushing for responsible spending and better value for every tax dollar.

councillor

Alejandra Bravo

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

Affordability is the most urgent issue facing Torontonians today. I've fought to keep TTC fares affordable with no increases for three years, while investing in repairs to our transit system. I championed the new fare capping program to save transit riders money. I supported expanding the School Nutrition Program, and opening all library branches 7 days a week. I'll continue taking on corporations when it comes to grocery prices and hidden fees. And I'll keep scaling up Toronto's investment in community-owned housing that stays affordable.

mayor

Darrell Brown

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

I'd prioritize expanding deeply affordable and supportive housing and defending transit affordability programs, so rent and getting to work don't compete with groceries. We need long term transit commitments. I’d adopt a Homes First policy to address the homelessness crisis, require living-wage, decent-work standards on city contracts, and protect frontline food and social-service agencies from being the first budget cut. None of this works without new City revenue tools. Property tax alone can't meet Toronto's needs, and I'll make that case.

mayor

Georgios Kalkounis

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

I would implement a disciplined, value for money affordability framework that reduces unnecessary municipal cost pressures and delivers immediate, measurable relief for residents. Priorities include restructured city operations, reformed social housing, engineering based maintenance, modernized building systems, fee stability plans, streamlined approvals, targeted relief programs, and transparent reporting. My experience in operational standards, contract management, audits, and cost analysis ensure efficient, accountable affordability measures

mayor

Braeden Chow

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

Lower taxes so people have more money.

mayor

Jamie Atkinson

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

I would prioritize making Toronto cheaper to live in by making the city itself more productive. I would use AI, robotics and better digital systems to lower the cost of delivering city services, then return those savings through lower fees, affordable transit and less pressure on property taxes. At the same time, I want Toronto to become the AI enablement capital of the world—attracting investment and creating more high-paying jobs so affordability is about both lowering costs and raising opportunity.

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Robert Shusterman

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

The problem isn't the cost of living the problem is the jobs in Toronto a number of them anyways don't pay a lot of money seems like the owners of the company are making all of the money and they're not passing it down to the employees we need to have employees get paid more money this is only fair!

mayor

Sandeep Srivastava

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

My priority would be reducing the cost of getting around Toronto by making transit more reliable, affordable and accessible while improving road efficiency and reducing congestion. I would also push City Hall to find operating efficiencies, reduce unnecessary costs and protect essential services before asking residents for more taxes or fees. Affordability means measurable savings and better value for every Toronto taxpayer. Elect Sandeep Srivastava for Mayor of Toronto

mayor

Joshua Thompson

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

Axe the tax. Cut waste at agencies, boards, and council so fees and fares stop climbing to feed City Hall. Make honest books before you ask residents for more. Affordability starts when government spends less of your money.

mayor

Amy Rosen

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

There are some good initiatives already happening with transit fares (the monthly cap). I'd also propose increasing the time per fare to three hours. I'd also stop fare increases for at least a year.

mayor

Laura Dean

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

Housing is the number one expense for Torontonians. We must increase housing supply over the long term to bring down costs. I would prioritize faster approvals for rental, affordable and missing middle developments by addressing known logjams, including lack of coordination between City departments. In the short-term, I would provide financial relief to transit riders by imposing a fee cap which makes the TTC free after a certain number of rides each week.

mayor

Cory Deville

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

Rental affordability is my priority policy focus. I would prioritize: firstly, converting under utilized city owned real estate into rental affordable units that are priced at the median household income, and price locked; secondly, purchasing 2-3 story houses; and then converting them into micro-bachelor units for rent (ex., rent at median household income for ward); thirdly, developing low rise residential buildings; and lastly, a city partnered Rent to Buy program for first time buyers

mayor

Roberto Curto

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

The city can’t control every cost people are facing, but we can make everyday life in Toronto more affordable. I would prioritize keeping things like transit and recreation affordable and expanding the Fair Pass program for low-income residents. But affordability is also about value. Toronto has become an expensive city, and people are increasingly feeling like they aren’t getting enough in return. Our transit, public’s spaces and services should be good enough that living here actually feels worth the cost.

mayor

Lyall Sanders

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

The TTC must be fully covered by government. We are already paying enough in our taxes to do this. Many place in Canada and around the world have done it already. The TTC is the least supported transit system in North America. It's time to fund it properly. Further, property taxes must be lowered as soon as possible.

mayor

Martin Fraser

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

Unfortunately the cost of living is a conundrum. Cost of living is spiked by outside influences. However, the city can reduce taxes in multiple areas that could drive the economy in a positive manner. This comes across a multitude of businesses that need help now. Spending money to help businesses increases employment, which helps all sectors. Small businesses need part time help. Students of all ages need part time work. This is not rocket science but a move in the right direction. The past reminds us of what was and could be again.

mayor

Habiba Desai

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

My priority would be Free TTC. Transit is a basic part of daily life for millions of Torontonians. Toronto’s 2026 budget already introduced fare capping after 47 paid trips, recognizing that transit costs are an affordability issue. I would take the next step: make the TTC free. I would work with City Council, the Province and federal government on a sustainable funding model that protects TTC service, reliability and accessibility. Free TTC is an affordability policy.

mayor

Faisal Razi

The cost of daily life keeps climbing — housing, transit fares, city fees, etc. What is one thing you would prioritize on the next City Council to make Toronto more affordable, soon enough to matter to residents?

I will simplify the processes at city hall and introduce a new era of simplification and will appoint simplification czars (people who will work with me to simplify things and prevent waste without cutting any services). I will also try to get rid of wasteful duplication and repetition. These will also LOWER TAXES due to greater simplicity, efficiency and less waste and a more organized city hall. Affordability cannot be considered without taking into consideration being organized, waste and inefficiency, all these factors are interlinked!

Candidate answers