Olivia Chow Maintains Mayoral Advantage Ahead of Toronto Election

Toronto, Canada, September 23, 2026 — According to a new Ipsos poll conducted on behalf of the Toronto Star, Torontonians are looking to the city’s future with greater optimism than they were a year ago, even as affordability continues to weigh heavily on daily life. Cost of living remains the leading concern and is prompting many residents, particularly younger adults and those born outside Canada, to consider leaving, while most non-homeowners see homeownership in Toronto as an increasingly distant possibility. At the same time, concerns about safety persist, especially on the TTC, at public events and in Sankofa Square, despite modest improvements in perceptions of some city issues. As residents prepare to vote, Mayor Olivia Chow holds a clear lead over Brad Bradford, with stable approval and growing belief that she deserves re-election, although many likely voters have yet to make their choice.

About the Study

These are the findings of an Ipsos survey conducted on behalf of the Toronto Star that was fielded between September 4 - 8, 2026. A total of n=1006 residents of Toronto aged 18+ participated in the survey which was fielded via the Ipsos’ panel. Quotas and weighting were used to ensure the sample's composition reflects that of the Toronto population according to census parameters. This survey has a credibility interval of +/- 3.8 per cent 19 times out of 20, of what the results would have been had all Toronto residents aged 18+ been surveyed. Credibility intervals are wider among subsets of the population.

For more information on this Study, please contact:

Sean Simpson
Senior Vice President, Ipsos Public Affairs
[email protected]

About Ipsos

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