CITY ISSUES: The latest from Toronto’s top mayoral candidates

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Here’s what key candidates running in Toronto’s mayoral byelection were up to on Tuesday, June 6:

Olivia Chow

Chow was joined by candidates Josh Matlow, Ana Bailao, Mark Saunders and Mitzie Hunter at a 90-minute CBC-TV live debate on Tuesday. Chow, who is leading the polls by a wide margin, was repeatedly asked by her fellow candidates to explain why she hasn’t said by how much she would raise property taxes to pay for her promises.

Josh Matlow

At the debate, several candidates said that during his 13 years as a city councillor, Matlow has voted at times against increased density in his ward of St. Paul’s. “What I will never apologize for is pushing back on just building buildings without ensuring that we have services such as school capacity,” Matlow told his critics.

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Ana Bailao

Bailao captured the endorsement of Toronto Councillor Frances Nunziata — Toronto council’s speaker — on Tuesday. “For over a decade, I worked with Ana on council and I have seen first-hand her ability to bring together other governments and all of city council to deliver for residents,” said Nunziata. “Ana has a plan to fix services and build housing without raising taxes, to make life more affordable for residents.”

Mark Saunders

Saunders released a plan to combat carjackings, including working to provide police with more resources to crack down on organized crime’s involvement in auto theft. He also attacked Chow, who — according to polls — has recently widened her lead in Toronto’s mayoral race. “Olivia Chow hasn’t said how much she will cut the police budget, but we know she’s tried to defund the police her entire career as a professional politician,” said Saunders.

Mitzie Hunter

During Tuesday’s debate, Hunter addressed the rising number of homeless people, saying there’s a lack of city-backed affordable housing units. She attacked Bailao, who was John Tory’s housing czar, saying her leadership in the mayor’s office would lead to “more of the same.” She said Toronto residents want “real change and a real plan.”

Anthony Furey

Furey announced he’d halt plans to put up a modular housing unit for troubled homeless people on the front lawn of the Willowdale Manor Seniors Complex. “The City is trying to ram this down the throats of vulnerable seniors, but as mayor, I’m going to stand up for them,” Furey said. “It can’t be allowed to proceed.” Furey also tweeted that “it was a bad look on CBC’s part” for “deliberately excluding” him from Tuesday’s debate.

Brad Bradford

Bradford, who tweeted his acknowledgement of the 79th anniversary of D-Day, was otherwise occupied as he celebrated the arrival of his second daughter, Bronwyn, who was born on Monday at 3:33 p.m.