Vol I . No 48 . Sat 20 Jun 2026 . Evening Edition
The Mayoral RecordRECORD . 2026-06-20

Brad Bradford

City Councillor, Beaches–East York (since 2018)

Consistency
Records5,4352026-04: 102, 2026-05: 19, 2026-06: 0
Topics10
Verified votes380
Window18 mo.
ConsistencyEvolving
Housing

Bradford's Instagram record on housing centers on increasing supply and reducing barriers to construction in Toronto. Bradford supports legalizing multiplexes, sixplexes, garden suites, laneway suites, missing middle and mid-rise buildings on Avenues, modular and rapid-build housing, and converting offices to homes. Bradford advocates cutting development charges (proposing 25% cuts), eliminating the angular plane rule, allowing single-egress stairs, removing parking minimums, and streamlining approvals. Bradford supports purpose-built rental, supportive housing with wraparound services (citing Cedarvale and Trenton projects), and Inclusionary Zoning. Bradford opposes Mayor Chow's luxury home tax and characterizes the public builder approach as ineffective bureaucracy, instead favoring partnerships with private and non-profit builders. Bradford proposed doubling the first-time homebuyer rebate and supports the federal Housing Accelerator Fund. Bradford has criticized the Vacant Home Tax's reverse-onus design while initially supporting the policy.

evolving since 2019
Said vs. Done
Said · position · 2024-05-10 · source ↗
States the City's proposed major-streets housing policy is not ambitious enough because the 30-unit cap is too low.
Done · council votes
VOTED NO Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods: Major Streets Study - Final Report
VOTED NO Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods: Major Streets Study - Final Report
VOTED NO Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods: Major Streets Study - Final Report
Said · position · 2024-05-10 · source ↗
Supports allowing townhomes and six-storey apartment buildings on major streets across Toronto.
Done · council votes
VOTED NO Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods: Major Streets Study - Final Report
VOTED NO Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods: Major Streets Study - Final Report
VOTED NO Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods: Major Streets Study - Final Report
Said · position · 2024-05-10 · source ↗
States Toronto should abandon 'radical incrementalism' in planning and move forward with solutions deliverable by any builder.
Done · council votes
VOTED NO Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods: Major Streets Study - Final Report
VOTED NO Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods: Major Streets Study - Final Report
VOTED NO Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods: Major Streets Study - Final Report
Transit

Bradford's transit positions span TTC reliability and safety, transit expansion (especially in Scarborough), congestion and gridlock, active transportation, and ride-share. Bradford supports a 15-minute TTC money-back guarantee, platform edge doors, uniformed police at every subway station, and station cleanliness/lighting standards. Bradford backs the Eglinton East and Scarborough LRTs, opposes what he calls Scarborough being left behind on funding, and supports building rapid transit separated from traffic. On gridlock, Bradford has called for a Congestion Relief Commissioner, opposed the RapidTO permanent reconfiguration, opposed Bloor West bike lanes while supporting Danforth bike lanes built with consultation, and proposed temporarily reopening King Street to vehicles. Bradford opposes the rideshare cap, supports Bike Share expansion, electric buses, fare freezes, and the Fair Pass program. Bradford has consistently framed transit and traffic as core city responsibilities requiring accountability.

consistent since 2020
Said vs. Done
Said · position · 2025-06-20 · source ↗
States King Street is a transit priority corridor in name only while streetcars are not running due to construction.
Done · council votes
VOTED YES Re-Opening King Street for Business: Keeping Toronto's Downtown Core and Canada's Financial District Moving - by Councillor Brad Bradford, seconded by Councillor Stephen Holyday
VOTED YES Speeding Up Streetcars: Traffic Amendments on Adelaide Street, King Street and York Street - by Mayor Olivia Chow, seconded by Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik
VOTED ABSENT Transit Priority Measures to Support Streetcar Service Diversions during King Street East and Church Street Intersection Closures
Said · position · 2025-06-26 · source ↗
States downtown Toronto traffic is gridlocked due to lack of planning and coordination on Richmond, Adelaide, and King.
Done · council votes
VOTED NO Re-Opening King Street for Business: Keeping Toronto's Downtown Core and Canada's Financial District Moving - by Councillor Brad Bradford, seconded by Councillor Stephen Holyday
VOTED ABSENT Transit Priority Measures to Support Streetcar Service Diversions during King Street East and Church Street Intersection Closures
VOTED YES Speeding Up Streetcars: Traffic Amendments on Adelaide Street, King Street and York Street - by Mayor Olivia Chow, seconded by Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik
Said · position · 2025-06-26 · source ↗
Supports the Mayor's motion to modify loading zones on Adelaide.
Done · council votes
VOTED NO Re-Opening King Street for Business: Keeping Toronto's Downtown Core and Canada's Financial District Moving - by Councillor Brad Bradford, seconded by Councillor Stephen Holyday
VOTED ABSENT Transit Priority Measures to Support Streetcar Service Diversions during King Street East and Church Street Intersection Closures
VOTED YES Speeding Up Streetcars: Traffic Amendments on Adelaide Street, King Street and York Street - by Mayor Olivia Chow, seconded by Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik
Public safety

Bradford's Instagram record on safety and crime is extensive and centers on a recurring theme that Toronto "feels less safe." Bradford ties this to specific files: TTC safety (motion to place officers in all subway stations, improve lighting/cleanliness, build platform edge doors), encampments near schools/daycares/playgrounds (a 200m/48-hour clearance proposal), bubble zones around places of worship, schools, and daycares (advocacy from 2024 through passage in May 2025), gun violence ("no bail, go to jail"), and youth violence prevention via community partnerships. Bradford also pushed motorized watercraft restrictions at Woodbine Beach, jet ski licensing, road safety/Vision Zero measures, school safety zones, automated speed enforcement, and Bail Compliance Units inside Toronto Police. Bradford repeatedly opposes Mayor Chow's encampment protocol and police budget cuts, and supports fully funding the police.

evolving since 2023-03
Said vs. Done
Said · position · 2025-12-17 · source ↗
States that antisemitism has no place in Toronto and that everyone deserves to celebrate in safety and pride.
Done · council votes
VOTED YES Seeking Clarity on the City of Toronto's Application to the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund
Said · position · 2025-05-23 · source ↗
States that bubble zones are a good first step to addressing protests at Jewish institutions.
Done · council votes
VOTED YES Ombudsman Toronto Report: An Investigation into the City's Response to a Vital Services Outage in a Multi-Tenant Home
Said · position · 2026-03-27 · source ↗
States that 50% of TTC customers no longer feel safe on the system.
Done · council votes
VOTED YES Update on Auditor General's Office 2026 Work Plan Related to City Council Request for SmartTrack Investigation
VOTED YES Renaming of Dundas Toronto Transit Commission Stations
Tax & fiscal

Bradford's positions on taxes and fiscal policy center on opposition to property tax increases under Mayor Chow, characterizing increases of roughly 25% over three years as unaffordable and not matched by service improvements (DExr-I1yGsL, DE2RXwfRFVN, DTjStlDiiBi). Bradford opposes the Vacant Home Tax and luxury land transfer tax (DW2FRA0ANLp, DSabj0Mjkvw, C56wHybPF4Q) and characterizes draws from reserve funds for operating spending as financially irresponsible (DUUBF2LEktS, DTQlvAvD_TV). Bradford supports targeted tax cuts, including a 25% industrial property tax reduction funded by the tax stabilization reserve in response to U.S. tariffs (DF7o2skxQ5R, DF8fbeLy4kM, DIcIi5byoAH), open tendering projected to save $200M annually (CsUNNf3AEZE), and a property tax subclass reducing rates for live music venues (CLfQJ_UhWry). Bradford also advocates for a new fiscal deal with senior governments (Cylzy9NALa_, CG3Fps3hZRc).

consistent since 2023-04
Said vs. Done
Said · position · 2025-12-18 · source ↗
Opposes the Mayor's luxury home tax (land transfer tax increase on homes over $3M), stating it does little to help families build equity.
Done · council votes
VOTED YES Making life more affordable for families by asking luxury-home buyers to chip in more
VOTED YES Making life more affordable for families by asking luxury-home buyers to chip in more
VOTED YES Toronto Builds - A Policy Framework to Build More Affordable Rental Homes on Public Land
Said · position · 2025-12-18 · source ↗
States that rather than villainizing people who do well, the city should create conditions where more people can do better.
Done · council votes
VOTED YES Making life more affordable for families by asking luxury-home buyers to chip in more
VOTED YES Making life more affordable for families by asking luxury-home buyers to chip in more
VOTED YES Toronto Builds - A Policy Framework to Build More Affordable Rental Homes on Public Land
Said · position · 2026-04-07 · source ↗
States the Vacant Home Tax creates confusion, bureaucracy, and higher costs without reducing vacant units.
Done · council votes
VOTED YES Update on Auditor General's Office 2026 Work Plan Related to City Council Request for SmartTrack Investigation
Parks & environment

Bradford's parks and environment positions emphasize expanding recreation infrastructure, protecting green space, and meeting Toronto's climate goals through practical measures. Bradford opposes closing recreation facilities such as Weston Arena and supports building new amenities including pickleball courts, cricket pitches, splash pads, and a disc golf course (DVZirJagS2O, DLiv7hNMxlq, C8htIfigJoV, C-bDR2gyR5H, DTVfhqCiMQL). Bradford backs Toronto's net-zero by 2040 target, EV charging expansion, district energy, and the TransformTO strategy (CgPjxB6ORFp, Cf1aVDrrVWi, CR6kRktrfna). Bradford advocates for ravine protection (Small's Creek), tree planting, and shoreline protection (CKjqtNfB45D, DOeSxmkDvUQ, B1_4fqdFYPC). Bradford opposes the toboggan ban, the parks budget increase to hire 122 staff, and tent encampments in parks (C2isoN1NNF5, DFgE1BJSnGq, DQxGSD7jrXm). Bradford emphasizes "back-to-basics" service delivery: clean parks, open pools, functioning washrooms, and bylaw enforcement at beaches (DN-w-7QDpMj, DLQhveAufkH, DRholf-lx3s).

evolving since 2018-09
Said vs. Done
Said · position · 2025-10-23 · source ↗
Observes that trees assessed from ground level as healthy and maintainable have still experienced catastrophic failure.
Done · council votes
VOTED YES 171 Neville Park Boulevard - Application to Remove a Private Tree
VOTED YES 171 Neville Park Boulevard - Application to Remove a Private Tree
Said · position · 2025-06-30 · source ↗
States the City has a culture of defaulting to 'no' on community proposals.
Done · council votes
VOTED YES Securing a Dedicated School Location to Support Toronto's Film Industry - by Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin, seconded by Councillor Paula Fletcher
VOTED NO Re-Opening King Street for Business: Keeping Toronto's Downtown Core and Canada's Financial District Moving - by Councillor Brad Bradford, seconded by Councillor Stephen Holyday
Said · position · 2025-06-30 · source ↗
States playing pickleball on hockey rinks is a band-aid solution and dedicated facilities are needed.
Done · council votes
VOTED YES Securing a Dedicated School Location to Support Toronto's Film Industry - by Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin, seconded by Councillor Paula Fletcher
VOTED NO Re-Opening King Street for Business: Keeping Toronto's Downtown Core and Canada's Financial District Moving - by Councillor Brad Bradford, seconded by Councillor Stephen Holyday
Infrastructure

Bradford's infrastructure positions center on reducing congestion, accelerating construction, and reliably delivering core services like snow clearing, road repair, and pothole filling. Bradford has repeatedly called for 24/7 construction (notably on the Gardiner Expressway), off-site/modular fabrication, a Congestion Relief Commissioner ("Traffic Czar"), and tighter coordination of road and transit closures. Bradford opposes tearing down the Gardiner and supports the provincial upload of the Gardiner and DVP. On winter operations, Bradford frames snow removal as a non-optional core service, criticizes timing/scheduling failures, and supports prioritizing main roads, sidewalks, and transit access. Bradford supports complete streets, maintained protected bike lanes on Richmond/Adelaide, road-safety design, EV charging, community facilities (libraries, arenas, pools, community centres), and flood-protection infrastructure. Bradford opposes a $150M Railpath extension and a Foxbar Road median, framing them as poor prioritization.

consistent since 2018-08
Said vs. Done
Said · position · 2025-06-20 · source ↗
States poorly planned construction harms neighbourhoods, businesses, parents, employers, and commuters.
Done · council votes
VOTED YES Re-Opening King Street for Business: Keeping Toronto's Downtown Core and Canada's Financial District Moving - by Councillor Brad Bradford, seconded by Councillor Stephen Holyday
VOTED YES Speeding Up Streetcars: Traffic Amendments on Adelaide Street, King Street and York Street - by Mayor Olivia Chow, seconded by Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik
VOTED ABSENT Transit Priority Measures to Support Streetcar Service Diversions during King Street East and Church Street Intersection Closures
Said · position · 2025-06-20 · source ↗
Supports reopening King Street to all vehicles in segments where no streetcars are currently running.
Done · council votes
VOTED YES Re-Opening King Street for Business: Keeping Toronto's Downtown Core and Canada's Financial District Moving - by Councillor Brad Bradford, seconded by Councillor Stephen Holyday
VOTED YES Speeding Up Streetcars: Traffic Amendments on Adelaide Street, King Street and York Street - by Mayor Olivia Chow, seconded by Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik
VOTED ABSENT Transit Priority Measures to Support Streetcar Service Diversions during King Street East and Church Street Intersection Closures
Said · position · 2025-06-20 · source ↗
States Torontonians are frustrated with downtown congestion and want the city and mayor to act.
Done · council votes
VOTED YES Re-Opening King Street for Business: Keeping Toronto's Downtown Core and Canada's Financial District Moving - by Councillor Brad Bradford, seconded by Councillor Stephen Holyday
VOTED YES Speeding Up Streetcars: Traffic Amendments on Adelaide Street, King Street and York Street - by Mayor Olivia Chow, seconded by Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik
VOTED ABSENT Transit Priority Measures to Support Streetcar Service Diversions during King Street East and Church Street Intersection Closures
Civic engagement

Bradford's civic engagement positions emphasize community consultation, door-knocking, and direct constituent dialogue as core to municipal work. Bradford repeatedly states that resident feedback and "local experts" should shape policy from planning through implementation (CeMsGKcLX69 misattribution aside, see CdOorJ6uYiV, Cf9TcTSrfK-, CCl4ptXhZxc, CUvS2zjrRq1). Bradford has hosted budget consultations, telephone town halls with 2,000+ participants, virtual community meetings, and a podcast (CKzBAABh2tl, DUdUQSkkQHd, DOo9KhZABUD). Bradford supports flag-raisings, laneway renamings, and recognition events for Toronto's diverse communities (Jewish, Tamil, Armenian, Ukrainian, Bangladeshi, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQI+) (DSWHgnWDKpn, DJy5tn5tigh, CrbQibiAuzm, ChpvK4srpj5, CWySJSmLlR8). Bradford opposes processes seen as limiting deputation or muzzling discussion (DMK2uOQgteh, DMh0vq3Ah6o) and criticized charging admission to the FIFA Fan Festival as inaccessible (DXNNYyaDSsq). Bradford frames good governance as listening, building trust, and connecting broad agendas to daily concerns (DMK2uOQgteh, DQM_ctjgnod).

consistent since 2018-03
Said vs. Done
Said · position · 2025-12-17 · source ↗
States elected officials must embrace unity and not stay silent in the face of hate.
Done · council votes
VOTED YES Seeking Clarity on the City of Toronto's Application to the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund
Said · position · 2025-07-25 · source ↗
States more than 80 deputants were selectively silenced by the committee chair.
Done · council votes
VOTED ABSENT(INTEREST DECLARED) 2674-2704 Yonge Street and 19 Alexandra Boulevard - Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment - Decision Report - Approval
VOTED NO Advancing Six Sites for the Homelessness Services Capital Infrastructure Strategy (HSCIS) - City-Initiated Official Plan Amendment and Six Zoning By-law Amendments - Decision Report - Approval
Said · position · 2026-04-16 · source ↗
States the FIFA Fan Festival should be free and accessible to all Torontonians, not gated by admission fees.
Done · council votes
VOTED ABSENT(INTEREST DECLARED) 105-109 Vanderhoof Avenue and 10 Brentcliffe Road - Official Plan Amendment Application - Appeal Report
Governance & ethics

Bradford's governance-ethics positions center on a "back to basics" frame: City Hall should focus on a small set of core services (safety, mobility, affordability, parks, snow clearing) rather than expanding scope (DP_5x5EEV9I, DC2JInwSBDO, DRholf-lx3s). Bradford repeatedly calls for accountability, transparency, and value for money, including livestreaming the Mayor's press conferences, strengthening the Auditor General, zero tolerance for employee fraud, and performance metrics in collective bargaining (DLA96NhSJlq, DUqlANUDKKH, DA4MS6ySTPg). Bradford criticizes Mayor Chow for deflecting blame on snow, pools, FIFA fees, the Gardiner, and bike lanes (DGjJrWmS8zt, DLS-CKDuvMY, DXfZVpDDbXy, C90bVJNSuKq). Bradford supports a "culture of yes," faster permits, ending delays/deferrals, evidence over ideology, and intergovernmental cooperation (DBbDa3eOlQ3, DXz7S9euglk, C3p_JTpA7p_). Bradford also supported ranked ballots and opposed using the notwithstanding clause for Toronto ward boundaries (CF2m1snh5pn, BnkTXWbhwwO).

consistent since 2018-09
Said vs. Done
Said · position · 2024-12-16 · source ↗
States that the Mayor has chosen politics over progress on the housing file in removing him as Vice-Chair.
Done · council votes
VOTED YES Establishing a Framework to Address Excessive Indoor Temperatures in Leased Residential Premises
VOTED YES Build More Homes: Expanding Incentives for Purpose Built Rental Housing
VOTED ABSENT Build More Homes: Identifying Opportunities for More Purpose-Built Rental Housing
Said · position · 2024-12-06 · source ↗
States the city must stop pursuing policies known to be ineffective.
Done · council votes
VOTED YES Housing Accelerator Fund: Expanding Permissions in Neighbourhoods for Six Units and Four Storeys - Preliminary Report
VOTED YES Relaunch of the Home Ownership Assistance Program to Support New Non-Profit Affordable and Attainable Home Ownership Housing
VOTED NO Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods: Major Streets Study - Final Report
Said · position · 2025-06-26 · source ↗
States Mayor Chow chose politics over practical solutions and misled the public about the effect of her amendment.
Done · council votes
VOTED YES Speeding Up Streetcars: Traffic Amendments on Adelaide Street, King Street and York Street - by Mayor Olivia Chow, seconded by Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik
VOTED ABSENT Transit Priority Measures to Support Streetcar Service Diversions during King Street East and Church Street Intersection Closures
Small business

Bradford's small business and economy positions consistently center on tax relief, red-tape reduction, and main-street vibrancy. Bradford backs property tax cuts for small businesses, championing a 25% reduction in the small business sub-tax class (DUIl3M_Dx5X, DF5xWk4SBYU, C3YP-ueAeW7) and earlier securing a 15% reduction (CWGjlUrAK0K, CVQPG8erZNo). Bradford pushes faster permit processing and patio reform, including a motion changing the patio objection threshold to 25% of notified neighbours (DMgZzjFSD9Y, DMPy-G5Aj9a). Bradford promoted CafeTO and Amplified Music on Patios as pandemic recovery tools (CWHEJK1LojO, CR7QDkgrYyk) and chaired the Toronto Music Advisory Committee on a citywide Music Strategy (CcEF3Ozu5M3). On tariffs, Bradford urges using city reserves and tax cuts to protect manufacturing jobs (DF7o2skxQ5R, DGyGAp0yfRv) and supports innovation, tech investment, and global competitiveness (DKrn4XDTdU, DOy1A8lgDpo).

consistent since 2020-03
Said vs. Done
Said · position · 2025-06-20 · source ↗
States Toronto's downtown powers $120B in GDP and that poor planning should not be allowed to grind the core of the economy to a halt.
Done · council votes
VOTED YES Speeding Up Streetcars: Traffic Amendments on Adelaide Street, King Street and York Street - by Mayor Olivia Chow, seconded by Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik
VOTED ABSENT Transit Priority Measures to Support Streetcar Service Diversions during King Street East and Church Street Intersection Closures
VOTED YES Re-Opening King Street for Business: Keeping Toronto's Downtown Core and Canada's Financial District Moving - by Councillor Brad Bradford, seconded by Councillor Stephen Holyday
Said · position · 2023-07-21 · source ↗
Supports recognizing and preserving the legacy of the Bangladeshi community on Danforth as 'Banglatown'.
Done · council votes
VOTED YES Declaring Gender-Based Violence and Intimate Partner Violence an Epidemic in the City of Toronto
VOTED ABSENT Supporting Small Businesses: Calling on the Federal Government to Forgive a Portion of the Canada Emergency Business Account Loans - by Councillor Paula Fletcher, seconded by Councillor Alejandra Bravo
Said · position · 2025-07-24 · source ↗
States Toronto should approve small business permits faster and reduce red tape.
Done · council votes
VOTED ABSENT(INTEREST DECLARED) 2674-2704 Yonge Street and 19 Alexandra Boulevard - Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment - Decision Report - Approval
VOTED ABSENT Supporting Small Businesses: Calling on the Federal Government to Forgive a Portion of the Canada Emergency Business Account Loans - by Councillor Paula Fletcher, seconded by Councillor Alejandra Bravo
Social services

Bradford's Instagram presence on social services spans pandemic response, homelessness, mental health, food security, reconciliation, and community inclusion. Bradford supports expanding shelters, supportive housing, mental health and addiction supports, and an outreach-first approach to encampments where shelter is offered before removal (DTu89cQjtBR, DMK2uOQgteh, DRCZSYbjSpb). Bradford frames addiction and mental health as provincial health-care responsibilities and argues the federal government should fund refugee shelter costs (DSZ7R5JgJZS, DQwumxDjYhU, CtW8t0Pp_Ix). Bradford backs investments in arts funding, the Tamil Community Centre, seniors programs, and Toronto Rent Bank as a permanent program (DCX1fRQNc0a, DHzTfsny-ut, CePKa3EuuIj). Bradford consistently expresses solidarity with 2SLGBTQ+, Jewish, Muslim, Indigenous, Tamil, Ukrainian, and Black communities and opposes hate-based discrimination (DJwW46pyNSo, CZU1A-COwLS, CqdUY-9Ag4L). During COVID-19, Bradford promoted targeted vaccine clinics in hot-spot neighbourhoods and mental-health fundraising for Michael Garron Hospital (CNctisNh0X6, CMXWtifhSrK).

evolving since 2021-01-01
Said vs. Done
Said · position · 2025-11-14 · source ↗
Describes a compassionate approach as connecting encampment residents to shelter and treatment programs.
Done · council votes
VOTED YES Impacts of Provincial Legislation that Weakens Rental Protections
VOTED YES Results of Collective Bargaining Negotiations between the City of Toronto and Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 2998
VOTED YES A Micromobility Strategy for Toronto
Said · position · 2024-07-01 · source ↗
Expresses support for Toronto's 2SLGBTQI+ community.
Done · council votes
VOTED YES Community Housing Sector Modernization and Growth Strategy
Said · position · 2023-03-14 · source ↗
Expresses support for Out of the Cold volunteers providing meals and immediate support to people in need.
Done · council votes
VOTED YES SmartTrack Stations Program - Update
VOTED YES Build More Homes: Expanding Incentives for Purpose Built Rental Housing
VOTED ABSENT Build More Homes: Identifying Opportunities for More Purpose-Built Rental Housing