Mike Layton seeks return to Toronto city council after 4-year hiatus

TORONTO — Mike Layton is looking to reclaim his seat on Toronto city council after stepping away from municipal politics four years ago.

Layton is running in the Oct. 26 municipal election for the University-Rosedale seat, which he held from 2010 to 2022 before stepping away to prioritize time with his family.

“My kids are older now, and they are asking bigger questions. They want to know why their friend can’t find an affordable place to live in the neighbourhood and has to change schools,” he said in a statement on social media.

“I have the answers, but that’s not enough — I want to work on solutions.”

He said in the same post that he sees the civic election as an opportunity to bring in progressive leadership capable of driving real change and he’s eager to be part of that effort.

“The upcoming election is a chance to elect a progressive mayor and council who can effect meaningful change. And I want to help lead this movement” he said.

Layton is the son of late federal NDP leader Jack Layton, himself a former Toronto city councillor, and stepson of Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow.

If elected, Layton said his goals would include expanding affordable housing and transit options, along with installing rooftop solar panels to cut down on fossil fuel dependence.

In his post, he mentioned his previous work at City Hall, pointing to the building of affordable housing projects and bike lanes.

“Together, we can build a city everyone can afford to live in and a city we can be proud to call home,” he said.

Ten other candidates are running in Ward 11, including incumbent Dianne Saxe, who claimed the seat after Layton stepped down.

The October election will see Torontonians heading to the polls to elect a mayor, city councillors across the 25 wards and school board trustees.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 17, 2026.

The Canadian Press