2026 Toronto Mayoral Debate
2026 Toronto Mayoral Debate
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Student Learning Centre, TMU
Toronto Together: Our City, Our Future
Toronto Metropolitan University, United Way Greater Toronto and the Toronto Star are co-hosting leading mayoral candidates for an election debate on the critical social and economic challenges facing Canada’s largest city. This debate will give Torontonians the opportunity to hear from candidates on their approaches to tackling the city’s most pressing issues, helping voters make an informed decision on election day.
Key details
- Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Toronto Metropolitan University’s Student Learning Centre, located at 361 Yonge Street, Toronto (external link)
- Moderated by Toronto Star city columnist Edward Keenan (external link)
- This event will be in person and live streamed (URL details coming soon)
Candidates participating
Mayoral candidates who have received a 5 percent minimum level of support as determined by voting intention in an average of polls conducted between September 7 and September 24, 2026, will be invited to participate in the debate.
Polls conducted by leading public opinion polling research organizations that are members of the Canadian Research Insights Council or are providing public opinion data to major media organizations will be included. Polling averages will be calculated using the most recently publicly reported results of these organizations between September 7 and September 24.
Tickets
Interested in attending this debate in person? We have free tickets available for Toronto residents not affiliated with the mayoral campaign. Just fill in our online form for a chance to secure a ticket via a random draw.
Student tickets
As a TMU student, you have a chance to attend this special event in person and hear candidates make their case on the issues that matter to you, your community, your school, and the city you call home.
Register for the student ticket lottery by September 29, 2026 for your chance to attend and bring a guest. Successful lottery entrants will be contacted by October 1, 2026 via email with details on how to claim their two tickets.
Community engagement
In the lead up to the mayoral debate and as part of a broader public engagement effort ahead of the October 26 municipal elections, The Democratic Engagement Exchange (external link) (The Exchange) in TMU’s Faculty of Arts is co-leading a first of its kind engagement effort titled Voice the Vote (external link) alongside United Way Greater Toronto. Voice the Vote is a non-partisan, community-led initiative helping residents across Peel, Toronto and York Region connect the issues they care about most to the decisions that shape their communities. Voice the Vote works alongside trusted community organizations and local leaders to provide training, resources, micro-grants and grassroots outreach that build the knowledge, confidence and relationships people need to have a voice ahead of the 2026 Ontario municipal election.
“We are pleased to be welcoming the candidates and the community to our campus for this important debate. A healthy democracy depends on people being informed about the issues and ideas that shape our daily lives. This event provides our students, our community and our city with an opportunity for meaningful dialogue and debate, which helps to foster a stronger, more vibrant democracy in our city.”
Mohamed Lachemi
President and Vice-Chancellor
Toronto Metropolitan University
“A strong city depends on an engaged and informed public. The Toronto Star has always believed that one of our most important roles is to help people understand the issues shaping our city, hold those seeking public office to account and create a forum for meaningful debate. At a critical moment for Toronto, we are proud to work with community partners to bring candidates and residents together for a conversation about the city we want to build.”
Nicole MacIntyre
Editor-in-chief
The Toronto Star
“Toronto is at a defining moment. The decisions made by the elected mayor will shape how people experience life in our city for years to come. From affording a home and getting where they need to go, to feeling connected, safe and supported in their neighbourhoods. This debate is an opportunity for residents to hear directly from candidates about their vision for Toronto and the actions they will take to address the challenges our communities face. United Way is proud to partner with the Toronto Star and Toronto Metropolitan University to foster informed dialogue, strengthen civic engagement and help build a city where everyone can thrive.”
Heather McDonald
President and CEO
United Way Greater Toronto
