TORONTO, October 13, 2026 – The campaign of Toronto mayoral candidate Brad Bradford said on October 12 that advocacy group Progress Toronto had reposted a Thanksgiving weekend post involving Bradford, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Daily Bread Food Bank, and called on the organization to remove the content and apologize to volunteers who took part in food sorting.
On the morning of October 10, Bradford and Ford visited Daily Bread Food Bank in Etobicoke to take part in a Thanksgiving food-sorting event. Bradford’s campaign said about 100 volunteers participated that day, sorting and packing food to be provided to residents in need.
After the event, Progress Toronto reposted a post criticizing Bradford and Ford. The post included the phrase “thanks for the expired cans,” prompting a response from Bradford’s campaign.
Campaign spokesperson Laryssa Waler said it is normal for political figures to face criticism during an election campaign, but food bank volunteers and residents who rely on food bank services should not become targets of political attacks.
She called on Progress Toronto to delete the post and apologize. She also said describing the food sorted that day as “expired cans” could affect both the volunteers who took part in the event and the families receiving the food.
Food security is also one of the issues being discussed in this year’s Toronto mayoral election. Bradford’s campaign cited figures showing that Toronto food banks recorded about 4.1 million visits last year, up 340 per cent from 2019.
Bradford’s campaign also used the incident to criticize incumbent Mayor Olivia Chow’s affordability and fiscal policies, and accused Progress Toronto of running political messaging against Bradford in this election.
Daily Bread Food Bank has long provided food assistance to Toronto residents. This year, it also hosted a mayoral candidates’ debate, asking candidates questions on food security, housing and poverty.
With less than two weeks remaining before the October 26 voting day, the cost of living and food security remain key issues in the mayoral election.
（LJI by Yuanyuan）
