Polls Show Tightening Toronto Mayoral Race Less Than One Week Before Election
New polling shows differing margins between Olivia Chow and Brad Bradford as Toronto voters prepare to cast their ballots in less than one week.
- by Priya Sharma
With the 2026 Toronto municipal election less than one week away, newly released polls offer differing snapshots of the mayoral contest between Olivia Chow and Brad Bradford. According to an exclusive poll reported by CTV News, Chow's lead over Bradford has narrowed and now sits within the margin of error. Separate polling from Pollara Strategic Insights reported that Chow holds a 7-point lead over Bradford, while also finding that public concern about Toronto Water being privatized remains high. At the same time, a new survey distributed by PR Newswire Canada found that a majority of Torontonians want a major change in direction at City Hall.
The mayoral race has also attracted notable wagering interest online. CP24 reported that more than US$400K has been wagered on Toronto's mayoral election through Polymarket, even though the platform is banned in Ontario. While The Narwhal noted that there are not just two mayoral candidates running in the 2026 Toronto election, much of the campaign coverage has focused on the leading contenders, with NOW Toronto publishing a full list of Toronto mayoral campaign promises from Chow and Bradford. In the Toronto Star, columnist Matt Elliott also examined Chow's platform and what he described as a lack of grand vision.
Transit and road congestion have emerged as key points of contention between the two frontrunners. CityNews Toronto reported that Bradford pledged to ease traffic gridlock in Toronto, especially during major events. According to CTV News, Bradford also pledged a "common sense" transit plan for the Toronto marathon, a proposal that prompted Chow to fire back.
Alongside the mayoral race, council contests and neighbourhood issues are shaping the final stretch of the campaign. The Toronto Star highlighted eight wards to watch in the 2026 municipal election, while Streets Of Toronto profiled a local busker who has set her sights on City Hall after nine years of performing on the TTC. Across different neighbourhoods, local debates have focused on parks and public safety: CBC reported that candidates in Toronto's west end are clashing over the future of High Park, The Globe and Mail reported that an election debate over public disorder is fraying nerves in Toronto's Gay Village, and thegreenline.to outlined local election priorities for Ward 24 Scarborough-Guildwood residents.
Sources
- CTV News: EXCLUSIVE POLL: Chow’s lead over Bradford narrows, now within margin of error with Toronto election less than one week away
- CP24: Polymarket is banned in Ontario but there’s more than US$400K wagered on Toronto’s mayoral election
- Toronto Star: Matt Elliott: Three little words explain Olivia Chow’s lack of grand vision — and one big idea could change it all
- Pollara Strategic Insights: Chow holds 7-point lead over Bradford. Concern about Toronto Water being privatized remains high.
- CBC: Candidates in Toronto’s west end clash over future of High Park
- The Narwhal: There aren't just two mayoral candidates in the 2026 Toronto election
- Streets Of Toronto: After nine years performing on the TTC, this Toronto busker has her sights set on City Hall
- NOW Toronto: Here’s a full list of Olivia Chow and Brad Bradford’s Toronto mayoral campaign promises
- CTV News: Bradford pledges ‘common sense’ transit plan for Toronto marathon, Chow fires back
- CityNews Toronto: Brad Bradford pledges to ease Toronto traffic gridlock, especially during major events
- PR Newswire Canada: New survey finds a majority of Torontonians want a major change in direction at City Hall
- Toronto Star: Eight wards to watch in Toronto’s 2026 municipal election
- https://thegreenline.to/: Here are the election priorities for Ward 24 Scarborough-Guildwood residents
- The Globe and Mail: An election debate over public disorder frays nerves in Toronto’s Gay Village
Watch: Why Chow is criticizing Bradford’s Toronto Water plan
From CBC News Toronto on YouTube
Questions readers ask
What do the polls say about the Toronto mayoral race?
An exclusive poll reported by CTV News found Olivia Chow’s lead over Brad Bradford had narrowed to within the margin of error. Pollara Strategic Insights reported that Chow holds a 7-point lead.
What issues are Chow and Bradford debating?
Transit and road congestion have emerged as key points of contention. Bradford pledged to ease traffic gridlock, especially during major events, and proposed a transit plan for the Toronto marathon.
What other issues are shaping the campaign?
Local debates include the future of High Park, public disorder in Toronto’s Gay Village, and election priorities in Ward 24 Scarborough-Guildwood.
Quick quiz
How closely did you read? Pick an answer.
Priya Sharma
City Hall reporterPriya covers Toronto City Hall, the TTC and housing.