Nicki Ward is one of 11 candidates running for city council in Toronto Centre (Ward 13) in Toronto’s upcoming municipal election.
A human rights advocate and former president of a large housing cooperative, Ward says she intends to bring a “management” perspective to City Hall while using technology and and outreach groups to foster greater dialogue with residents. As a 2SLGBTQIA+ advocate and a former board member of The 519, she was part of an effort to bring forth provincial legislation to help protect trans and gender-diverse people. Before Bill C-16, there was no statutory protection for trans women or men at the municipal, provincial or the federal level. If elected, Ward would become the first out trans councillor in Toronto history.
Chris Moise, who is vying for a second term, made a clean sweep last election with 10,452 votes, earning nearly half the vote. Toronto Centre has added 17,512 new voters since the 2023 mayoral by-election, according to national public opinion research firm Liaison Strategies’ latest voter count. While every ward has more electors, looking at the neighbouring Spadina Fort-York voters’ list, the two downtown wards account for more than 20 per cent of the city’s net increase.
Election day is Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
This piece was produced by Claire Van De Weghe. Fact-checking was done by Anna-Giselle Funes-Eng.