Who is Olivia Chow?

Olivia Chow is the mayor of Toronto, Canada’s largest city. She became Toronto’s 66th mayor after winning the city’s 2023 mayoral by-election and officially taking office on July 12, 2023. Chow is also a notable figure in Toronto’s political history. According to the City of Toronto, she is the first person of Asian descent to serve as mayor and the first woman to hold the office since Toronto’s six municipalities were amalgamated into the present city in 1998. Her political career spans several decades and includes elected positions at the Toronto District School Board, municipal council and the federal Parliament.

Early life and education

Olivia Chow was born in Hong Kong in 1957 and moved to Toronto with her parents when she was 13 years old. Her family settled in the St. James Town neighbourhood. Before entering politics, Chow studied at the University of Toronto and later studied fine art at the Ontario College of Art and Design and the University of Guelph, where she completed an Honours BA. She subsequently worked as a sculptor, English-as-a-second-language teacher and counsellor for new immigrants. Her early work with immigrant communities and refugees contributed to her involvement in community activism and organizing.

How did Olivia Chow enter politics?

Chow’s first elected political position came in 1985, when she was elected as a Toronto District School Board trustee. In 1991, she became the first Asian-born woman elected as a Metro Toronto councillor. She went on to serve on Toronto’s municipal council for 14 years, including roles involving community services, transportation and the city budget. During her municipal career, Chow was associated with initiatives involving children, families, public transit and social services. The City of Toronto credits her with helping establish programs including free dental care for children living in poverty and school breakfast and lunch programs.

Olivia Chow in federal politics

Chow moved from municipal politics to federal politics in 2006, when she was elected as the Member of Parliament for Trinity—Spadina. She was re-elected twice and remained in the House of Commons until 2014. During her time as an opposition MP, she introduced legislation dealing with early learning and child care and a proposed national public transit strategy. Her federal political career was also closely connected to that of Jack Layton, the former leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party. Chow and Layton married in 1988 and worked together in Toronto politics and later on the national political stage. Layton died in 2011.

What did Olivia Chow do after leaving Parliament?

After leaving federal politics, Chow continued working in education, leadership development and community organizing. She joined Toronto Metropolitan University as a Distinguished Visiting Professor in 2015. In 2016, she founded the Institute for Change Leaders, an organization focused on leadership training and community organizing. She also published a memoir titled My Journey, documenting aspects of her personal and political life.

How did Olivia Chow become mayor of Toronto?

Chow entered the 2023 Toronto mayoral race following the resignation of John Tory. The 2023 election was a by-election held to choose a new mayor. Election Day was June 26, 2023, and the Toronto City Clerk later certified the results and declared Chow mayor-elect. The city reported that 725,333 ballots were cast. She formally assumed office on July 12, 2023, becoming Toronto’s 66th mayor. The City’s historical list of Toronto mayors records Chow’s term as beginning in 2023 and continuing to the present.

What issues has Olivia Chow focused on as mayor?

As mayor, Chow has emphasized issues including housing, affordability, public transit, community safety and city services. Her administration’s 2026 budget included an $18.9 billion operating budget and a $63.1 billion 10-year capital plan covering 2026 to 2035. The City said the budget focused on affordability, service stability, community safety and long-term financial sustainability. The 2026 budget also included a combined residential property tax and City Building Fund levy increase of 2.2 per cent. The City said the budget maintained TTC fares at existing levels for a third consecutive year and included investments in housing, transit and infrastructure.

Why is Olivia Chow significant in Toronto politics?

Olivia Chow’s career is notable for its length and range. She has held elected positions in municipal and federal government, worked in community organizations and education, and ultimately became Toronto’s mayor. Her career also reflects the changing demographics of Toronto. As the first person of Asian descent to become mayor, her election marked a milestone in the city’s political history. From her arrival in Toronto as a teenager to her years as a school trustee, councillor, MP and mayor, Chow has spent much of her public career focused on municipal issues and community participation.

Olivia Chow at a glance

• Full name: Olivia Chow
• Born: 1957, Hong Kong
• Current position: Mayor of Toronto
• Mayor of Toronto since: July 12, 2023
• Mayor number: 66th
• Former roles: Toronto District School Board trustee, Metro Toronto/Toronto city councillor and Member of Parliament
• Federal riding: Trinity—Spadina
• Political party during federal career: New Democratic Party
• Spouse: Jack Layton, who died in 2011
• Notable milestone: First person of Asian descent to serve as Mayor of Toronto

Conclusion

Olivia Chow is a longtime Toronto political figure whose career has stretched from school-board politics to City Hall and Parliament Hill. Her election as mayor in 2023 marked another major chapter in a public-service career that began in the 1980s. As Toronto mayor, she oversees a city facing major questions around housing, affordability, transportation, infrastructure and municipal finances. Her administration’s decisions on those issues continue to shape the direction of Canada’s largest city.