Every year, hundreds of thousands of people move to Toronto, looking for opportunity, while tens of thousands are leaving in a flight for affordability and safety. Addressing this tension and making Toronto a city where everyone can afford to raise a family and build a life is the most critical challenge facing our local government.

According to a recent Toronto Star/Ipsos survey first unveiled at the Empire Club podium, six in 10 Torontonians now believe this city’s best days are behind it. Our city’s future prosperity depends on reversing this trend, but how do we tackle this challenge when urban cynicism and mistrust of government is at an all-time high?

On Tuesday, November 25th, join The Empire Club of Canada for a keynote address entitled Getting the Basics Right from Brad Bradford, City Councillor for Beaches–East York and the first major declared candidate for the 2026 mayoral election. Bradford shared what he has heard from residents across the city about their priorities, and his vision to make sure City Hall is working for the Torontonians who make this city work. Bradford’s remarks were followed by a fireside chat with John Moore, Host of Moore in the Morning.