Voters in Don Valley West head to the polls on Monday for Ward 15 by-election

Voters will select a new city council member during the Ward 15 – Don Valley West by-election in Toronto on Monday.

Sixteen candidates are registered to appear on the ballot, but polling indicates a competitive race between the leading candidates, Rachel Chernos Lin and Anthony Furey.

Chernos Lin, a trustee and chair of the Toronto District School Board, has received endorsements from prominent Liberals, including former Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and MP Rob Oliphant, who represents the Don Valley West riding in the House of Commons.

Furey, a former columnist and editor at the Toronto Sun, previously ran for mayor of Toronto in 2023 and has secured endorsements from Conservative figures such as Ontario’s Minister of Energy and Electrification, Stephen Lecce.

Both candidates were seen canvassing local neighborhoods over the weekend, making a final effort to gather votes before election day.

While campaigning near Wanless Park, north of Lawrence Avenue, Furey expressed his commitment to promoting “common sense” policies at City Hall.

“Public safety, fiscal accountability, getting traffic moving—these are the issues families in Don Valley West and across Toronto want us to focus on,” he stated.

Chernos Lin, meanwhile, was seen near East York Town Centre on Overlea Boulevard, where she emphasized her dedication to being a strong local voice tackling significant issues such as traffic, crime, and urban development.

“We have a lot of applications for 46-story towers, especially around the Bayview area, without the planned infrastructure to support them,” she noted.

This by-election follows the death of councillor Jaye Robinson, who passed away in May after a battle with cancer. Robinson had represented the ward for nearly 14 years.

Voting will begin at various polling stations in the area at 10 a.m. on Monday and will conclude at 8 p.m.