On October 2, 2026,mayoral candidate Chris Alexander unveiled a plan to speed up Toronto's affordable housing construction. The proposal targets a massive increase in annual building starts over the next few years.
Alexander’s plan to reach 10,000 annual housing starts by 2029
Chris Alexander's housing strategy focuses on transitioning from approved units to actual construction starts. According to the report, Alexander aims to break ground on 3,000 units of affordable or rent-geared-to-income housing by 2027. To achieve this, he proposes that the City of Toronto act as a public builder and master developer, assembling between 30 and 50 potential sites using the Toronto Builds Policy Framework.
The proposed construction would prioritize four to eight-storey buildings utilizing mass timber or modular techniques to keep costs low. To accelerate the process, Alexander wants dedicated teams in planning offices to grant zoning and site-plan approvals within 30 days. Furthermore,any project that is 100% affordable and led by a non-profit or co-op would bypass the Committee of Adjustment and public consultation entirely.
The gap between 33,000 approved units and actual construction
Toronto faces a significant disconnect between municipal approvals and physical groundbreaking. While the City of Toronto has approved over 33,000 affordable housing units, actual construction starts have struggled to keep pace. As the source indicates, in 2024, the city recorded fewer than 1,000 affordable housing starts, and that number rose to only 1,598 in 2025.
Alexander's plan seeks to move the focus away from approved units and toward actual construction starts. He criticized the existence of "phantom homes" that are approved on paper but never actually built. To fund his vision, Alexander suggests removing development charges and parkland levies for qualifying projects, while relying on federal programs like the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.'s Apartment Construction Loan Program.
Brad Bradford’s push for land transfer tax relief and fiscal reform
Mayoral candidate Brad Bradford is defending his fiscal approach while criticizing current transit investments. During a campaign stop at Cafe Juventus on Bloor Street West, Bradford addressed questions regarding the timing of his fiscal plan. He suggested his strategy involves a clear distinction between capital and operating expenses, a method he claims is inspired by federal budget reforms led by Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Bradford also highlighted his history of trying to reduce the municipal land transfer tax, noting he has advocated for its removal on four separate occasions. He has been a vocal critic of Mayor Olivia Chow, claiming she has voted against these tax reductions every time. His platform emphasizes smart financing to support the long-term infrastructure required for Toronto's growth.
Will the Scarborough busway meet Olivia Chow's 100,000-rider goal?
The effectiveness of current transit and the feasibility of new housing models remain central to the election debate. Mayor Olivia Chow has championed the recently opened Scarborough busway, estimating that 100,000 riders will use the service and save more than an hour every week. However, Brad Bradford has dismissed the busway as a "half baked" temporary measure that fails to address long-term needs in Scarborough.
Several critical questions remain unanswered as the election approaches. It is unclear how Alexander's plan to bypass public consultation for affordable projects will be received by local communities or if it will face legal challenges. Additionally,the source does not clarify how the city will manage the financial transition to becoming a master developer or how the proposed $125-million water utility dividend will be sustained.
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