‘Suffered long enough’: Transit expected to be centre stage as Chow, Bradford go head-to-head in Scarborough-centric debate

In a Scarborough-centric debate on Wednesday night, transit will be a focal point as Toronto mayoral candidates Brad Bradford and Olivia Chow face off. Scarborough residents have felt disconnected from the rest of the city, particularly after the Line 3 Scarborough RT derailment in 2023 led to early decommissioning of the train line.

The debate, hosted by the Scarborough Community Renewal Organization and moderated by CityNews' Cynthia Mulligan, will highlight transit as a key issue for voters. Both candidates have pledged to prioritize transit improvements, with Bradford vowing to make the Scarborough East Rapid Transit (SERT) project a priority and Chow focusing on securing funding for the project.

Transit improvements are crucial for Scarborough's development, as many residents are still struggling with poor public transit options. Bradford plans to have the Scarborough East LRT in place by 2030, while Chow has outlined steps to speed up the design process and secure funding. Other issues, such as housing and crime, will also be addressed during the debate.