Toronto Together: Our City, Our Future

United Way Greater Toronto, the Toronto Star and Toronto Metropolitan University Will Host Mayoral Candidates on October 6^th for a Critical Conversation about the Social and Economic Challenges Facing Our City

TORONTO, Sept. 3, 2026 /CNW/ -- United Way Greater Toronto (UWGT), the Toronto Star, and Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) will host mayoral candidates for a pivotal discussion on the issues that matter most to Torontonians - from housing, affordability, and strong neighbourhoods to transit and public safety.

The event will be held on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. EST at TMU's Student Learning Centre, located at 361 Yonge Street, Toronto.

At a critical time for Toronto, this debate will give residents the opportunity to hear candidates' plans for tackling the social and economic challenges that affect us all, and visions for Toronto's future. It will bring together a diverse audience, including community leaders, people with lived and living experience of the issues being discussed, public and private sector partners, students, youth leaders and Toronto Star readers for an informed discussion on the issues shaping our city. The debate will be moderated by award-winning journalist and author Toronto Star columnist Edward Keenan.

Mayoral candidates who have received a 5 percent minimum level of support as determined by voting intention in an average of polls conducted between September 7 and September 24, 2026, will be invited to participate in the debate.

Polls conducted by leading public opinion polling research organizations that are members of the Canadian Research Insights Council or are providing public opinion data to major media organizations will be included. Polling averages will be calculated using the most recently publicly reported results of these organizations between September 7 and September 24.

For residents unable to attend the debate, it will be livestreamed at TheStar.com and possible to join the conversation before and during the event using #OurCityOurFutureTO.

"Toronto is at a defining moment. The decisions made by the elected mayor will shape how people experience life in our city for years to come. From affording a home and getting where they need to go, to feeling connected, safe and supported in their neighbourhoods. This debate is an opportunity for residents to hear directly from candidates about their vision for Toronto and the actions they will take to address the challenges our communities face. United Way is proud to partner with the Toronto Star and Toronto Metropolitan University to foster informed dialogue, strengthen civic engagement and help build a city where everyone can thrive." – Heather McDonald, President and CEO, United Way Greater Toronto

"A strong city depends on an engaged and informed public. The Toronto Star has always believed that one of our most important roles is to help people understand the issues shaping our city, hold those seeking public office to account and create a forum for meaningful debate. At a critical moment for Toronto, we are proud to work with community partners to bring candidates and residents together for a conversation about the city we want to build." -- Nicole MacIntyre, editor-in-chief of the Toronto Star

"We are pleased to be welcoming the candidates and the community to our campus for this important debate. A healthy democracy depends on people being informed about the issues and ideas that shape our daily lives. This event provides our students, our community and our city with an opportunity for meaningful dialogue and debate, which helps to foster a stronger, more vibrant democracy in our city." - Mohamed Lachemi, President and Vice-Chancellor, Toronto Metropolitan University.

About United Way Greater Toronto 
As the largest non-government funder of community services in the GTA, United Way Greater Toronto reinforces a crucial community safety net to support people living in poverty. United Way's network of agencies and initiatives in neighbourhoods across Peel, Toronto and York Region works to ensure that everyone has access to the programs and services they need to thrive. Mobilizing community support, United Way's work is rooted in ground-breaking research, strategic leadership, local advocacy and cross-sectoral partnerships committed to building a more equitable region and lasting solutions to the GTA's greatest challenges. 

About Toronto Star
Founded in 1892, the Toronto Star has long been Canada's largest daily newspaper. Now a multi-platform news organization, the Star publishes a newspaper seven days a week in the Greater Toronto Area and publishes ongoing news and information to a global audience on thestar.com and mobile applications. The Star is owned by Toronto Star Newspapers Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. Torstar owns and operates several daily news brands, including the Hamilton Spectator and Waterloo Region Record, and dozens of community news sites across Ontario.

About Toronto Metropolitan University
A world-class research institution established in 1948, TMU is Canada's leader in career-oriented education. Across ten faculties--including the Lincoln Alexander School of Law and the new TMU School of Medicine--we offer hundreds of programs to nearly 48,000 students, supported by a global network of over 265,000 alumni.

SOURCE United Way Greater Toronto

Media Contact: Meetu Madahar, Manager, Communications - United Way Greater Toronto, [phone] | [email protected]