Q and A with Mayor Chow: will Torontonians see a property tax hike next year?

Mayor Olivia Chow says she never imagined she would be leading the country's largest city a year ago. This time last December, John Tory had just begun his third term as mayor after being re-elected in the 2022 municipal election.

Mayor Olivia Chow says she never imagined she would be leading the country's largest city a year ago. This time last December, John Tory had just begun his third term as mayor after being re-elected in the 2022 municipal election.

Tory resigned two months later after admitting to having a relationship with a city staffer, setting in motion a byelection that would see Chow taking over the mayor's office last summer.

After five months on the job, Chow sat down with CP24 on Friday to reflect on what she has done and wants to accomplish next year, including if she plans to raise property taxes.

CP24: I want you to go back to this time last year. If someone told you that there would be a surprise election and that you would run and that you would win and you would become Toronto's newest mayor, would you believe them?

Chow: No. Did you see the eyeball rolling? I think you must be kidding. Not a chance. No. Why would there be an election? Why would I want to do this? And, well, here I am.

CP24: What have the last few months been like for Olivia Chow?

Chow: It's been fabulous. What an honour and what a privilege to be able to hear the stories of people from every corner of the city and party with them, celebrate the taste of everything everywhere and out on the street, and being able to work together with all the other councillors with a really single focus on making life more affordable for folks.