Canada’s largest city Toronto elects Hong Kong-born Olivia Chow as mayor
- Former federal politician Olivia Chow earns a narrow victory in Toronto mayoral race
- She promised to purchase more affordable housing in a city where rents are soaring
Leftist candidate Olivia Chow was elected Monday as mayor of Canada’s largest city, ending more than a decade of conservative rule.
She is the first woman of colour to lead Toronto which is one of the world’s most multicultural cities.
Her win marks the second time Toronto residents have selected a mayor since October, after former mayor John Tory resigned a few months into his third term following his admission to an affair with a staffer.
There were a record 102 candidates on the ballot Monday, with roughly a half-dozen high-profile names rising to the top of the field over the 12-week campaign.
Chow received 37 per cent support, topping Ana Bailao with 33 per cent. Tory endorsed Bailao late in the campaign.
“It’s a city where a immigrant kid from St James Town can be standing in front of you as your new mayor,” Chow said, in reference to a high rise immigrant community downtown.