Toronto Mayoral Candidates' Responses to Community Questions: Olivia Chow
To assist members of our community in understanding Toronto mayoral candidates’ priorities, CIJA asked them to outline specific actions they will take as Mayor of Toronto to restore safety, order, and dignity for our Jewish community and every resident of our city. Below is Olivia Chow's response.
What specific steps would you take as Mayor to strengthen Toronto's prevention, reporting, investigation, and response to hate-motivated crime, including antisemitism?
At a moment of deep polarization and emboldened antisemitism, we must stand up to hate and champion inclusive values that ensure everyone can belong and feel safe in Toronto.
Under my leadership, and specifically through my budget investments, the Toronto Police Service (TPS) has increased the size of the Hate Crimes Unit and have brought together the Guns and Gangs Unit, the Hate Crime Unit, the new Counter-Terrorism Security Unit and local police division investigators to investigate major incidents, like the horrific overnight shootings at North York synagogues and shootings at the US embassy.
I have been steadfast in supporting police to find those responsible for antisemitic hate crimes and to bring them to justice. With increased resources and support, we are seeing more charges being brought faster against those who engage in antisemitic acts and other hate crimes.
We know confronting hate must be about much more than the work of Police. In 2025, Toronto hosted the Strong Cities Network Global Summit, an international gathering of
mayors committed to fighting rising hate and polarization, and fostering more resilient and inclusive cities. Through Toronto For All, the City has launched anti-hate advertising and social media campaigns confronting antisemitism. I also brought together arts organizations to launch TOgether Through Arts, to foster more unity through artistic expression. I will continue and expand these programs and engagements.
How would you use your role with the Toronto Police Service Board to ensure that combating hate and protecting vulnerable communities remain clear policing priorities, including through appropriate resources, training, and public reporting?
Leadership means delivering results. I work daily with the Police Services Board, the Police Chief and the Toronto Police Association to work on public safety concerns in Toronto. Through my budget and in consultation with the Police Chief, the Board adopted its first ever five-year hiring plan for police, bringing stability and steady growth to the ranks of front-line officers.
I have been and will always be unequivocal that Jewish Torontonians have the right to live freely and be proudly Jewish. And that they should not need police presence to attend synagogue, or drop their kids off at child care, or have to look over their shoulder because they wear a kippah on transit.
As part of acting on the fundamental responsibility for keeping Jewish Torontonians safe, my investments in the TPS have provided the resources for Project Resolute, under which Toronto Police have established command posts and round-the-clock police presence in Jewish neighbourhoods, as well as at or near Jewish schools, places of worship and other community spaces.
How would you ensure terrorist glorification, intimidation, and targeted harassment are addressed quickly and consistently?
As Mayor, I have been crystal clear that TPS should enforce the law and pursue charges in instances of hate speech and hate crimes.
The right to protest and free speech are fundamental rights we all defend, but these rights do not permit hate speech and violence. I will continue to speak out against the targeting of Jewish businesses and neighbourhoods.
What municipal investments would you prioritize to strengthen security infrastructure?
Jewish communal institutions have taken on significant costs to keep their community members safe. To help alleviate this growing financial burden, we created the hostile vehicle mitigation grants program – a new stream of funding for faith organizations to pay for barriers and other safety infrastructure to help protect their institutions from attacks using vehicles. As Mayor, I will expand this grant program and seek to leverage federal and provincial programs to help cover the costs of broader building security upgrades.
The City will work with Jewish institutions on security assessments, emergency plans and clear contacts with police and emergency services. No family should have to wonder who is watching when they walk to shul or drop their children at school.
How would you ensure that the City effectively addresses antisemitism internally so that city services are delivered without discrimination or bias against the Jewish community?
The Toronto Public Service must uphold high standards of conduct for all employees including the explicit commitment to uphold Toronto’s motto – Diversity our Strength. In 2023, the City formalized its recognition of the Jewish Staff Network (JSN). The JSN was created to enhance the values of the Toronto Public Service as they relate to Jewish staff, including promoting workplace equity and inclusion, educating others and fostering awareness of Jewish culture and religious practice, the Shoah, and ways to combat antisemitism.
What steps would you take to ensure that City-owned and publicly funded spaces, including libraries, recreation centres, and other municipal facilities, are not used for programming or events that promote hatred, glorify violence, or violate the Ontario Human Rights Code?
Any programming that constitutes hate or discrimination, or is in contravention of the human rights code is unacceptable. The City has rules and procedures in place to prevent this and those must continue to be enforced.
What would you do as Mayor to provide clear and consistent public leadership against antisemitism and extremism, and to ensure that City institutions respond transparently and consistently when hate incidents occur?
Antisemitism has no place in our city. Not now. Not ever. I will never waiver on my commitment to the safety of all Torontonians. The City will continue to invest in keeping communities safe and strong and will take action until every Torontonian can practice their faith without fear.