Overview
- Polls released in the final days of the campaign give contrasting pictures with Pollara and Canada Pulse showing Olivia Chow ahead while Liaison and Mainstreet put Brad Bradford slightly in front.
- A CityNews/Canada Pulse survey finds Chow stronger in Scarborough and among younger and lower‑income voters while Bradford leads in parts of North York and among middle‑aged and high‑income households.
- Both front‑runners have made public safety a central pledge and each has promised to add police officers, but they differ sharply on taxes, transit projects and tenant protections.
- Advance voting and the mail‑in ballot deadline have passed so the campaigns are focused on turnout and last‑mile ground operations for the Oct. 26 vote with polls open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and withdrawn candidate Chris Alexander still appears on the ballot.
- A very close result could reshape council politics and city policy and would break recent precedent if the incumbent loses so election night counting and turnout patterns will determine whether voters endorse continuity or change.