Mayor Olivia Chow has not confirmed whether she will run for re-election in the upcoming civic election, which is one year away. At an event on Monday at Red Tape Brewery in East York, Chow emphasized her focus on city issues rather than the election. "I didn’t even know that (election) is one year away," she said with a chuckle. "I’m focused on cutting red tape and supporting small businesses so they are successful."

The event coincided with a call for business owners to provide feedback by November 30 on ways to reduce bureaucratic hurdles. Chow highlighted her administration's achievements, including progress on affordable housing, improvements to public transit, and extended library hours.

Chow, who was elected in June 2023 to succeed John Tory, faces a challenging political landscape if she decides to seek a four-year term. Recent polling data indicates that her support has decreased from 70% during her initial election period to 52%. The poll, conducted by Liaison Strategies, also revealed that crime has overtaken affordable housing as the primary concern for Torontonians, despite a decline in major crime rates.

The survey of 1,000 residents showed that 48% believe the city is heading in the wrong direction, an increase from 44% in July. Chow acknowledged the public's fears regarding crime, particularly in light of high-profile incidents, such as the tragic death of eight-year-old JahVai Roy. She reassured residents that the Toronto Police Service is hiring more officers and that response times for 911 calls have improved.

As the election approaches, Premier Doug Ford's role remains uncertain. Ford, who recently won a third majority government, has expressed support for Chow but has also encouraged broadcaster Ben Mulroney to consider a mayoral run. Chow celebrated the Ford government's decision to retract a controversial proposal that would have allowed landlords to evict tenants at the end of their leases. She urged the government to reinstate rent controls for certain residential buildings and criticized Ford's efforts to boost new home construction, suggesting collaboration with the city to lower developers' costs.

The event took place in the Beaches—East York ward, where city councillor Brad Bradford, who has announced his intention to run for mayor, was present despite not being invited. Bradford criticized Chow's leadership, stating, "I hear from Torontonians every day that the city is headed in the wrong direction. They feel like Toronto is less safe. They know it’s more expensive and it’s never been more difficult to get around."

Bradford, who finished eighth in the 2023 mayoral race, emphasized the need for a focus on basic city services. He stated, "My name will be on the ballot in October of 2026," regardless of who else enters the race. Political analysts suggest that if Tory decides to run again, it could complicate Chow's chances of re-election, as both Bradford and Tory would likely appeal to voters on the political right.