Welcome to the CRE Podcast: 100% Canadian, 100% commercial real estate.
In this episode of the Commercial Real Estate Podcast, Adam and Aaron sit down with Brad Bradford, the first active-sitting politician to ever appear on our podcast, and Toronto City Councillor for Beaches-East York, to discuss the pressing challenges in Toronto’s housing market and the intersection of politics and housing policy in Toronto.
Fresh off his removal from key housing-related roles by Mayor Olivia Chow, Brad unpacks the political tensions shaping the city’s approach to affordable housing and development.
He shares his candid perspective on the mayor’s decisions, which he describes as prioritizing “politics over progress,” and offers bold alternatives for addressing Toronto’s housing crisis. Brad also delves into his advocacy for ambitious housing solutions, including multiplex developments and increased density on major streets, which he argues were met with resistance by the mayor and her allies.
Here are the key talking points from the episode:
- Political Tensions: How Mayor Chow’s decision reshaped Brad’s role in housing policy.
- Housing Supply Challenges: The impact of bureaucracy, development charges, and NIMBYism.
- Leadership in Housing: Bold alternatives to break through political gridlock.
- Collaboration for Progress: Bridging divides between government and private sectors.
- Toronto’s Future: A vision for housing affordability and city growth.
More About Our Guest…
Brad Bradford is a Toronto City Councillor representing Ward 19, Beaches-East York. He holds a Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Urban and Regional Environments from York University and a Master of Arts in Urban Planning from the University of Waterloo. With a background in urban planning and years of experience in local government, Brad is a tireless advocate for housing, transit, and infrastructure solutions.
Known for his candid style and passion for pragmatic policies, Brad is committed to overcoming political and bureaucratic barriers to foster collaborative approaches to city building. Recently, he has been at the center of a public political dispute over Toronto’s housing strategy, positioning him as a key voice in the city’s housing debate.
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