Nominations opened on Friday for October’s municipal election, with candidates lining up early at City Hall to register their paperwork. Those gunning for the positons of mayor, city councillor or school trustee can file their papers with the municipal clerk until Aug. 21 at 2 p.m. Election day is set for Oct. 26.
Met Radio CJTM spoke with five city councillor candidates, and one potential mayoral candidate, who were among the first to register on May 1. To enter the race, candidates must submit endorsements from 25 eligible voters and pay a registration fee — $200 for mayoral candidates and $100 for council and school board races.
Once registered, candidates are permitted to begin fundraising to support their campaigns.
Among those filing early was prominent housing advocate Diana Chan McNally, hoping to scoop up the Parkdale-High Park seat — which is soon to be empty as councillor Gord Perks vows not to seek re-election after 20 years on the council floor. McNally currently serves on the city’s Housing Rights Advisory Committee.
Former city staffer Gabe Blanc, who is vying to unseat University-Rosedale councillor Diane Saxe, arrived in a foot cast, joking it was likely from “canvassing too hard.”
Walied Khogali Ali, a Regent Park resident and member of Toronto’s Confronting Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee, brought his mother to City Hall while registering his candidacy for Toronto Centre councillor. Chris Moise currently holds the seat.
Chloe Brown, who ran for mayor in 2022 and 2023, told Met Radio she’s still deciding whether to enter the mayoral race again, or switch it up and run for councillor in Etobicoke North.
Other councillor candidates registering on May 1 included writer Paul Nash, running in Spadina-Fort York, and nonprofit founder Ala’a Adib, who is seeking election in Etobicoke North.
Local journalists Kinza Zafar and Mia Johnson report live from City Hall to survey the candidate pool on day one of the election.
Credits: This episode was produced by local journalists Kinza Zafar and Mia Johnson.