Olivia Chow: At the Helm of Canada's Largest City

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow joins Can’t Be Censored hosts Travis Dhanraj and Karman Wong for an in-depth conversation about leading Canada’s largest city. She talks about the challenges of fixing housing affordability, improving safety on the TTC, working with Premier Doug Ford, and reveals when she’ll decide whether to run again in 2026. From Toronto’s budget crisis to the city’s “New Deal” with the province, Chow shares what it’s really like behind the scenes at City Hall and how she handles criticism from residents who say the city is on the wrong track. 00:00 – Intro & First Meeting Story 01:02 – The Famous Tandem Bike & Jack Layton 03:35 – A Day in the Life: Fitness, Work & Balance 06:42 – From Trustee to Mayor 09:46 – Fixing the TTC & “The New Deal” 12:28 – Safety on Toronto Transit 16:26 – Growth, Infrastructure & Housing Challenges 19:00 – Supporting Renters & Tackling Affordability 23:40 – Will She Run Again? 2026 Decision 31:13 – Is Toronto Better Than When She Arrived? 37:36 – Homelessness, Addiction & Mental Health 50:42 – Rapid Fire: Hidden Gems, Critics & Jack Layton Memories