Mayor Olivia Chow remains the frontrunner in Toronto’s upcoming 2026 municipal election, according to a new poll released by Liaison Strategies.
In a hypothetical ballot test among decided voters, Chow holds 40 per cent support, followed by former mayor John Tory at 33 per cent and Coun. Brad Bradford at 18 per cent. Pollsters noted that while Chow maintains a solid lead, a potential return by Tory could still influence a significant portion of voters.
The survey, conducted between Jan. 21 and Feb. 2 among 1,000 randomly selected Torontonians, comes as the city prepares to host FIFA World Cup matches this summer ahead of the fall election.
Chow’s current approval rating stands at 55 per cent, though the poll was taken before city council approved a 2.2 per cent property tax increase this week. About 37 per cent of respondents said the increase was reasonable to protect services, while 22 per cent felt any hike was too much given affordability concerns.
A majority of residents — 65 per cent — believe the tax decision was influenced by the upcoming election. Opposition to the increase is strongest in Etobicoke, where dissatisfaction with Chow’s leadership is also highest. Meanwhile, her strongest support remains in downtown Toronto.
The poll also found public opinion on the city’s direction is improving, with 49 per cent of respondents saying Toronto is moving in the right direction. Key budget priorities identified for 2026 include housing affordability, road repairs and congestion, public safety, and TTC reliability.