At a recent city council meeting, a proposal to require the mayor to serve on the Toronto Police Service board was rejected.
The measure, introduced by Councillor Brad Bradford, would have mandated the mayor’s board membership or a written explanation if the role were delegated. Approval required a two‑thirds majority of council members.
The vote fell short, with seven councillors supporting the proposal and eighteen opposing it, preventing a direct council decision. The matter was subsequently referred to the executive committee, which is expected to align with the incoming mayor, effectively neutralizing the initiative.
Bradford, a leading contender in the upcoming mayoral race, argued that a mayoral seat on the police board would reinforce public safety as a core priority and avoid delegating accountability.
Current mayor Olivia Chow has not held a seat on the police board, a practice followed by former mayors John Tory, David Miller and Mel Lastman. Chow’s office declined to comment on the proposal.
The proposal received endorsements from council candidates Karina Lemke and Daniel Tate, who emphasized that mayoral involvement would signal city leadership’s commitment to community safety. The municipal election is scheduled for October 26.
