5 mayoral candidates debate affordability in Toronto
CBC
Five candidates for Toronto mayor talked about affordability in a Monday night debate hosted by the Daily Bread Food Bank.
The candidates were Ana Bailão, Brad Bradford, Olivia Chow, Mitzie Hunter and Josh Matlow. The theme of the debate was "From Surviving to Thriving: Tackling Toronto's Affordability Crisis." The debate, which took about two hours, was held in Etobicoke.
At one point during audience questions, a heckler got on stage and interrupted the debate. As he was led away, he grabbed a back black curtain and nearly pulled it down. Police escorted him out.
Candidates were asked three questions about how they would tackle food insecurity, which municipal tools they would use to build housing and ensure rental housing is affordable, and how they would make the TTC affordable, safe and reliable. The candidates were given the questions in advance.
More than 200 people watched the debate in person.
Six candidates who are highest in the polls were invited to debate but Mark Saunders declined, according to the food bank. A total of 102 candidates are registered to run in the June 26 byelection to replace former mayor John Tory.
Neil Hetherington, the food bank's CEO, said the city is facing an "unprecedented" affordability crisis, with food bank use reaching record levels in March. He said it had nearly 270,000 client visits in March alone.
"Every day I see Torontonians having to rely on food charity," he said.
On food insecurity, all of the candidates said they would support the work of food banks. Chow, Matlow and Hunter, in particular, said they would promote community gardens.
"If you are running for mayor of this city, you have to care about those who are hungry," Hunter told the debate.
On housing, all of the candidates said they have plans to build affordable housing. Matlow said he would push for rent control in all new units that are being built in properties, would go after fraudulent landlords and would increase fines on landlords for property standards violations.
"There's no doubt that we have a housing crisis in this city," Bradford said.
"My plan is to increase the supply of housing of all types, unlock more opportunities for more housing. We need someone to focus on the process and unlock housing. As an urban planner, that is the world I come from. We need to get shovels in the ground."
On the TTC, Bailão, Chow, Hunter and Matlow said they would reverse TTC cuts. Bradford noted that two-thirds of operating costs come from the fare box.