TAPA presents a 2023 Mayoral Arts Debate on WEDNESDAY MAY 24, 2023 at 10:00am (doors at 9:30am) at Young People’s Theatre. The 2023 Mayoral Arts Debate is in lead-up to the Toronto Mayoral By-Election to elect a new mayor for the city of Toronto to serve the remainder of the 2022-2026 city council term on Monday, June 26, 2023.

TAPA supports a vibrant and diverse arts and culture community and will host the Mayoral Arts Debate with leading mayoral candidates to discuss the critical role that our sector plays as a driver of economic growth in the city of Toronto.

Moderated by maxine bailey (Executive Director, Canadian Film Centre), participating panelists will be announced in mid-May. During the 2023 mayoral by-election campaign, TAPA encourages every Mayoral candidate to support the arts and culture sector by advocating for the Toronto arts community at local, provincial and national levels. New financial investment is essential for Toronto to remain competitive as a creative hub and international arts destination. We are aiming to fill the house at YPT for the 2023 Mayoral Arts Debate!

The candidates invited are the top 6 polling candidates as shown on the Toronto Star’s Mayor Byelection Poll Tracker, which shows the result of polling by Forum Research, Mainstreet Research and Liaison Strategies polls for the National Ethnic Press and Media Council.

Invitations have been sent to the following mayoral candidates:

Ana Bailão, Brad Bradford, Olivia Chow, Mitzie Hunter, Josh Matlow and Mark Saunders

The 2023 Mayoral Arts Debate is supported by: