Brad Bradford pushes motion to require Toronto's next mayor on police board

Toronto Councillor Brad Bradford has tabled a motion asking the city's next mayor to serve on the Toronto Police Service Board, directly challenging Mayor Olivia Chow's decision to decline the position during her first term.

Bradford, who is running to challenge Chow in the upcoming mayoral election, argues the mayor should play a direct role in police oversight. He points out that former Toronto mayors John Tory, Mel Lastman, and David Miller all served on the board while in office. In a video posted to social media, Bradford criticized Chow's choice, saying she "gave up her say when it comes to how many police officers the service hires, or how fast the police can respond when you call for help, or how more than a billion dollars of your taxpayer money gets allocated and spent."

The motion asks city council to affirm that "ultimate political accountability" for community safety in Toronto rests with the mayor and should not be delegated. It also proposes that if a future mayor declines the seat, they must provide council with a written explanation outlining their reasons.

Bradford's challenge comes as Chow has not yet announced her re-election campaign. When asked about the issue recently, Chow said she would address it further when she launches her campaign this fall. The motion is scheduled to be considered during Toronto City Council's July 29-31 meeting.