Toronto Councillor Dianne Saxe Makes Last-Minute Switch to Run in Vacant Ward

In an eleventh-hour maneuver before Friday's nomination deadline, incumbent Toronto councillor Dianne Saxe has switched wards, opting to run in Toronto Danforth instead of her current seat in University Rosedale. This unexpected move avoids a potentially significant matchup against fellow progressive councillor Mike Layton, who had been vying for the University Rosedale seat.

Saxe, who has served as the councillor for University Rosedale since 2022, stated that she believes she is a good fit for the challenges in Toronto Danforth. "A lot of the issues in Toronto Danforth are issues I’ve spent my whole life working on: revitalizing the Don River, protecting the waterfront," Saxe told reporters after registering her candidacy.

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I’m a good match for their challenges, and I’m looking forward to it.

The switch occurred on the final day for nominations across the province. The past few days have seen a flurry of high-profile entries, including former Liberal MPs Nate Erskine-Smith and Shaun Chen, who are running in Beaches, East York and Scarborough North, respectively. Municipal clerks are expected to certify candidates on Monday.

This electoral shift comes as recent polling indicates incumbent Mayor Olivia Chow holds a significant lead over Councillor Brad Bradford in the race for mayor. Former federal minister Chris Alexander is currently in third place.

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A lot of the issues in Toronto Danforth are issues I’ve spent my whole life working on: revitalizing the Don River, protecting the waterfront.