Laura Dean

Candidate for Mayor

In their own words

This candidate hasn’t listed a campaign website or social account with the Town. That says nothing about them as a candidate — it just means less of their material is published online for us to summarise.

Where they stand

Every candidate in this race is shown against the same 16 issues, in the same order, whether or not we’ve found something for each one. Why we do it this way.

Housing

Will I be able to afford to live here?

This candidate has spoken about this issue more than once. Each statement is shown with its own source.

Toronto already permits up to 4 residential units as-of-right in Neighbourhoods while six-plexes are legal in select wards.

Answer: Yes.
Toronto already permits up to 4 residential units as-of-right in Neighbourhoods while six-plexes are legal in select wards. I support these intensification policies but believe substantially more housing as-of-right ('upzoning') needs to be directed to Avenues and major transit station areas.

“Toronto already permits up to 4 residential units as-of-right in Neighbourhoods while six-plexes are legal in select wards. I support these intensification policies but believe substantially more housing as-of-right ('upzoning') needs to be directed to Avenues and major transit station areas.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — mayoral questionnaire · October 14, 2026

Confidence:High

Laura Dean chose 'Build or finance substantially more affordable and supportive housing'.

Answer: Build or finance substantially more affordable and supportive housing.
Reducing DCs and updating zoning permissions are important for new housing but will not solve the affordable housing crisis. Next term, the City should focus on building and financing the deeply affordable and supportive housing that market solutions cannot provide.

“Reducing DCs and updating zoning permissions are important for new housing but will not solve the affordable housing crisis. Next term, the City should focus on building and financing the deeply affordable and supportive housing that market solutions cannot provide.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — mayoral questionnaire · October 14, 2026

Confidence:High

Laura Dean chose 'Supply land, funding and incentives to non-profit and private providers'.

Answer: Supply land, funding and incentives to non-profit and private providers.
Non-profit and private providers have a better track record of delivering projects than the City. The City should rely on its ability to supply land, funding and incentives and leave the work of building, acquiring and owning the housing to its expert partners.

“Non-profit and private providers have a better track record of delivering projects than the City. The City should rely on its ability to supply land, funding and incentives and leave the work of building, acquiring and owning the housing to its expert partners.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — mayoral questionnaire · October 14, 2026

Confidence:High

Laura Dean chose 'Yes'; public parks are finite public resources which were not designed for long-term habitation.

Answer: Yes.
Public parks are finite public resources which were not designed for long-term habitation. I would support requiring a person to leave an encampment where the new accommodation offers a viable path towards stable housing but not where it would only result in eventual relocation to a different park.

“Public parks are finite public resources which were not designed for long-term habitation. I would support requiring a person to leave an encampment where the new accommodation offers a viable path towards stable housing but not where it would only result in eventual relocation to a different park.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — mayoral questionnaire · October 14, 2026

Confidence:High

Dean: end homelessness by scaling up affordable and supportive housing, and cut youth unemployment.

In her own 200-word statement to CBC Toronto, Dean said a better Toronto 'starts with ending homelessness'.
Her route: scaling up affordable and supportive housing, plus reducing youth unemployment.

“That starts with ending homelessness by scaling up affordable and supportive housing, and reducing youth unemployment.”

(reported remarks)

Source: CBC Toronto: 'Hear from 8 Toronto mayoral candidates also on your ballot' (CBC text via europesays mirror) - candidates' own 200-word statements (PRE-WINDOW) · October 21, 2026

Confidence:High

Think we’ve got this wrong?

Taxes & spending

What happens to my tax bill, and where does the money go?

This candidate has spoken about this issue more than once. Each statement is shown with its own source.

Laura Dean chose 'Reduce internal administration, staffing or contract costs'.

Answer: Reduce internal administration, staffing or contract costs.
Changes with the least impact on Torontonian's day-to-day experiences must be prioritized.

“Changes with the least impact on Torontonian's day-to-day experiences must be prioritized.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — mayoral questionnaire · October 14, 2026

Confidence:High

Laura Dean chose 'Grow more slowly than inflation, requiring service restraint or alternative revenues'.

Answer: Grow more slowly than inflation, requiring service restraint or alternative revenues.
Taxes were raised last term and should remain stable over the next council term.

“Taxes were raised last term and should remain stable over the next council term.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — mayoral questionnaire · October 14, 2026

Confidence:High

Think we’ve got this wrong?

Emergency services

When I call for help, will it come fast enough?

This candidate has spoken about this issue more than once. Each statement is shown with its own source.

Laura Dean chose 'Mental-health response, addiction treatment and youth intervention'.

Answer: Mental-health response, addiction treatment and youth intervention.
Mental health and addiction issues are in plain view in Toronto's public spaces, making us feel uncomfortable and sometimes unsafe. More trained crisis intervention workers are needed, especially on the TTC. Youth must be given job and leadership opportunities so they can find purpose and identity.

“Mental health and addiction issues are in plain view in Toronto's public spaces, making us feel uncomfortable and sometimes unsafe. More trained crisis intervention workers are needed, especially on the TTC. Youth must be given job and leadership opportunities so they can find purpose and identity.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — mayoral questionnaire · October 14, 2026

Confidence:High

Laura Dean chose 'Remain approximately constant after inflation'.

Answer: Remain approximately constant after inflation.
TPS should focus its resources on reducing the number of guns on the street and addressing violent crime.

“TPS should focus its resources on reducing the number of guns on the street and addressing violent crime.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — mayoral questionnaire · October 14, 2026

Confidence:High

Think we’ve got this wrong?

Transit

Can I get where I need to go without driving?

This candidate has spoken about this issue more than once. Each statement is shown with its own source.

Laura Dean chose 'Yes'; the road pricing question is not worth much time because the provincial government will never allow road tolls.

Answer: Yes.
The road pricing question is not worth spending much time on because this provincial government will never allow Toronto to implement road tolls. In theory, I would be very supportive of Toronto implementing a congestion charge in the downtown core for non-residents or tiered pricing.

“The road pricing question is not worth spending much time on because this provincial government will never allow Toronto to implement road tolls. In theory, I would be very supportive of Toronto implementing a congestion charge in the downtown core for non-residents or tiered pricing.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — mayoral questionnaire · October 14, 2026

Confidence:High

Laura Dean chose 'More frequent and reliable service on existing routes'.

Answer: More frequent and reliable service on existing routes.
Many people choose to drive because they are not confident the TTC will get them to where they are going on time. Better reliability is key to reducing congestion.

“Many people choose to drive because they are not confident the TTC will get them to where they are going on time. Better reliability is key to reducing congestion.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — mayoral questionnaire · October 14, 2026

Confidence:High

Laura Dean chose 'Transit, walking and cycling'; streets are for people and should be able to move as many people as safely as possible.

Answer: Transit, walking and cycling.
Streets are for people and should be able to move as many people as safely as possible.

“Streets are for people and should be able to move as many people as safely as possible.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — mayoral questionnaire · October 14, 2026

Confidence:High

Think we’ve got this wrong?

Government

Will decisions be made in the open, and will anyone answer for them?

This candidate has spoken about this issue more than once. Each statement is shown with its own source.

Laura Dean chose 'Overriding council on zoning and approvals to get homes built'.

Answer: Overriding council on zoning and approvals to get homes built.
Strong Mayor powers should be used where Council stands in the way of crucial housing getting built. Overall budget decisions impacting the City as a whole as well as decisions on senior staff and departments should be made and owned by all of Council.

“Strong Mayor powers should be used where Council stands in the way of crucial housing getting built. Overall budget decisions impacting the City as a whole as well as decisions on senior staff and departments should be made and owned by all of Council.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — mayoral questionnaire · October 14, 2026

Confidence:High

Laura Dean chose 'Align with provincial priorities where doing so secures funding or approvals'.

Answer: Align with provincial priorities where doing so secures funding or approvals.
Toronto has little legal authority to prevent provincial interference. It is in the long-term interest of Torontonians to partner with the province for funding and approvals. If, however a provincial initiative threatens our priorities, advocacy is essential to protecting Torontonians.

“Toronto has little legal authority to prevent provincial interference. It is in the long-term interest of Torontonians to partner with the province for funding and approvals. If, however a provincial initiative threatens our priorities, advocacy is essential to protecting Torontonians.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — mayoral questionnaire · October 14, 2026

Confidence:High

Think we’ve got this wrong?

Roads & infrastructure

Will the things I use every day actually get fixed?

Laura Dean chose 'Introduce a levy or other recurring source reserved for maintenance'.

Answer: Introduce a levy or other recurring source reserved for maintenance.
The money Toronto will save by no longer having financial and operational responsibility for the DVP and Gardiner should be reserved for addressing Toronto's infrastructure backlog.

Show their words & source (a few sentences)

“The money Toronto will save by no longer having financial and operational responsibility for the DVP and Gardiner should be reserved for addressing Toronto's infrastructure backlog.”

Source: Build Canada Toronto Election Hub — mayoral questionnaire · October 14, 2026

Confidence:High

Economy

Will our main streets and local jobs thrive?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Environment

Is the candidate protecting the nature we live in?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Healthcare

Will there be a doctor and a hospital when we need one?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Growth & development

How fast should we grow, and who decides what gets built where?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Social & community services

Who looks after the most vulnerable residents?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Active transportation

Can I walk and bike safely around town?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Arts & culture

Does the candidate value what makes this place feel alive?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Data centres

Should energy-hungry data centres be welcomed here?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Water & waste

Is our drinking water safe and our waste handled?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Bylaw enforcement

Are the rules fair, and are they actually enforced?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Think we got something wrong?

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