Olivia Chow will stay at Toronto City Hall for another four years. The incumbent mayor won the 2026 Toronto municipal election on Monday, October 26, defeating councillor Brad Bradford by roughly 13 percentage points. The victory gives Chow a second term, but it also hands her a long to-do list: a projected budget shortfall of about $1.1 billion, a funding agreement with Ontario that is about to expire, and a council that looks noticeably different from the one she worked with since 2023.
Here is what the Toronto election results mean for residents, from property taxes and transit to rent and housing.
Chow, 69, framed her win as a mandate to keep going on affordability, promising to be a mayor for everyone in the city. Turnout was reported at about 46 per cent, the highest level for a Toronto municipal vote since 2014. That is a meaningful jump for a city where local elections often struggle to bring people to the polls.
Bradford ran on a message of fiscal discipline and service delivery, but he could not close the gap with a mayor who had the advantage of incumbency and a clear record on transit fares, housing and food programs.
The celebration will be short. City staff project a 2027 budget shortfall of around $1.1 billion. When Chow first took office in 2023, she inherited an even larger hole, estimated at $1.8 billion, so she has been here before. Still, several pressures are pushing in the wrong direction at once.
Chow has pledged to keep property tax increases at or below the rate of inflation. That promise matters for homeowners and, indirectly, for renters whose landlords pass along costs. If you want to understand how the land transfer tax side of the equation works, our breakdown of the Toronto land transfer tax in 2026 explains the rates and rebates in detail. For a quick estimate of your own property tax or mortgage payments, the free tools at CalculatorOnline.ca can help you run the numbers.
One bright spot from the first term: Toronto earned its first credit-rating upgrade in more than two decades, which can lower borrowing costs for big capital projects.
The second major file is the city’s relationship with Queen’s Park. The agreement Chow negotiated with the province during her first term included several big pieces:
That deal is set to expire soon, and both sides are now talking about a new fiscal arrangement. Chow said she exchanged messages with Premier Doug Ford the morning after the vote. Ford praised the mayor during the campaign without formally endorsing her, and he congratulated her on the win, a sign that the working relationship remains cordial even if the negotiations will be tough.
During the campaign, the mayor focused on day-to-day affordability. Her main commitments include:
A weekly fare cap would be a direct benefit for commuters. If you are new to the system, our guide on how to ride the TTC covers fares, PRESTO and transfers. And for a full picture of household expenses, see our look at the cost of living in Toronto in 2026.
The council Chow will lead looks more aligned with her agenda. Seven new councillors are joining City Hall, and several races changed the balance of power:
A larger progressive bloc should make it easier for the mayor to pass housing, transit and tenant measures, although every budget vote will still require compromise.
Toronto was not the only city with a dramatic night. Several incumbent mayors across Ontario lost their seats, including Carolyn Parrish in Mississauga, Andrea Horwath in Hamilton and Drew Dilkens in Windsor. For local context on Toronto’s neighbours, visit our Mississauga news and city guide or browse all GTA cities.
Housing was one of the defining issues of the campaign. With a softer resale market, more pressure on rental supply and a mayor committed to tenant protections, the next four years could bring new rules on renovictions, rental replacement and city-led building. Our Toronto housing market outlook for 2026 looks at prices, inventory and what buyers and renters can expect.
Asked whether this would be her final campaign, Chow did not commit either way, saying she would take things one step at a time. For now, the focus shifts quickly from election night to the 2027 budget process, which will reveal how she plans to balance affordability promises with a billion-dollar gap.
Incumbent Olivia Chow won a second term on October 26, 2026, finishing about 13 points ahead of Brad Bradford.
Chow has promised to keep property tax increases at or below inflation, but the final rate will be set in the 2027 city budget.
Turnout was about 46 per cent, the highest for a Toronto municipal election since 2014.
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