Mike Layton has announced he’s planning a return to Toronto city council in this fall’s municipal election. In a post on social media Monday morning, the former representative for University-Rosedale said he’s running to reclaim his seat from incumbent Dianne Saxe. “Toronto has a huge opportunity before us. The upcoming election is a chance to elect a progressive city council that can effect meaningful change. I want to help lead this movement,” he wrote. Layton, the son of the late federal NDP leader Jack Layton and stepson of Mayor Olivia Chow, previously served as councillor for University-Rosedale for 12 years. He did not seek re-election in 2022, citing his desire to spend more time with his family. While he said he doesn’t regret stepping away from municipal politics four years ago, he explained that his children are older now and 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. Why they can bike on some streets and not others. Why the sky is orange and tastes like campfire. I have the answers, but that’s not enough—I want to work on solutions.” The 45-year-old politician will join 10 other candidates, including Saxe, vying for the Ward 11 seat. Toronto residents will head to the polls on Oct. 26.
