Toronto mayoral candidate Brad Bradford is promising to freeze property taxes for one year if elected, setting up a key affordability debate with Mayor Olivia Chow ahead of the Oct. 26 municipal election.
Bradford says his plan would freeze property taxes for every Toronto home and business during his first year in office, followed by increases below the rate of inflation for the remaining three years. He argues the measure would provide immediate financial relief without requiring cuts to frontline services.
To pay for the freeze, Bradford says the city could use what he describes as recurring room in Toronto’s budget. He pointed to 2025 figures showing the city budgeted approximately $5.6 billion in property-tax-supported spending but ultimately spent about $5.5 billion, as well as a roughly $130-million difference in 2024. Bradford is also proposing an independent, line-by-line review of city divisions, agencies and programs, similar to the core services review conducted under former mayor Rob Ford in 2011.
Bradford has criticized property tax increases during Chow’s tenure, pointing to increases of 9.5 per cent in 2024, 6.9 per cent in 2025 and 2.2 per cent in 2026. Chow, meanwhile, has pledged to keep future property tax increases “at or around” inflation if re-elected.
Chow pushed back against Bradford’s proposal, arguing a tax freeze could eventually put pressure on services such as libraries, fire stations and long-term care. She also questioned the need for a separate independent spending review, saying the city already examines its budget line by line each year and identified about $700 million in savings during the previous budget process.
The two candidates have also differed over how property taxes affect renters. Bradford argues renters ultimately bear property-tax costs through housing expenses. Chow’s campaign says her administration has structured the multi-residential property tax rate to prevent its increases from being passed on to tenants through an Above Guideline Increase.
Chow’s broader affordability platform includes keeping property taxes near inflation while seeking additional contributions from luxury property owners and speculators. She has also proposed lower TTC costs, expanded school meal programs and library hours, and additional renter protections.
Mayoral candidate Chris Alexander has also proposed freezing property taxes during his first year in office, followed by increases below inflation in his second year. Toronto voters are scheduled to elect their mayor on Oct. 26.
