'Change can come in many forms': Chow plans to listen ahead of taking office

Olivia Chow is set to take charge of a city facing dauting challenges, including an enormous budget shortfall and widespread affordability concerns, but she doesn't plan on delivering marching orders during her first round of meetings as Toronto's mayor-elect.

Olivia Chow is set to take charge of a city facing dauting challenges, including an enormous budget shortfall and widespread affordability concerns, but she doesn't plan on delivering marching orders during her first round of meetings as Toronto's mayor-elect.

The 66-year-old progressive will begin her term on July 12 following two weeks of discussions with top city officials. Asked whether she would bring a specific message to those meetings, Chow said, “not yet.”

“I'm not going to assume that I know. Because I don't,” she told The Canadian Press from her transition office at city hall this week where staff were setting up operations around her.

Chow, who also became the first person of colour to be elected mayor in Toronto, said she's going to spend some time listening.

The former NDP parliamentarian and past city councillor beat out 101 other candidates to win the mayoral byelection on Monday night, a victory that marks a high point in a career that has included decades of work in Toronto politics.

Critics said her campaign was light on policy specifics, but Chow emphasized a broad message of change - pledging to make Toronto more affordable and more caring, especially to the city's most vulnerable people.

As she makes the transition from a campaign to the city's top office, there are questions about how quickly she can deliver that promised change.