Media Release May 1 - Second Brad Bradford integrity commissioner investigation?

May 1, 2026
For Immediate Release

Caught red handed in cash-for-access scandal—a second Brad Bradford Integrity Commissioner investigation?

Progress Toronto submits Integrity Commissioner complaint against Brad Bradford

Toronto, ON - On April 2, 2026, a full month before candidates could even register to run for Mayor of Toronto, Councillor Brad Bradford was the featured participant at a cash-for-access event in Concord, Ontario billed as “An Evening With Brad Bradford.” Individuals were allowed to meet with Councillor Bradford for fees ranging from $250 to $3,000. The event was orchestrated by lobbyist Nick Ainis and held in Concord, Ontario, far from Councillor Bradford’s constituents in Beaches—East York and even Toronto residents. This event calls into question the essential tenets of our democracy and demands nothing less than a full investigation to protect public confidence in local government.

This fundraiser potentially violates Sections 4.0, 4.3, 8.0(a), and 8.0(c) of the Code of Conduct for Members of Council.

That’s why Saman Tabasinejad, Executive Director of Progress Toronto, submitted an Integrity Commissioner complaint calling for an investigation May 1: “It’s no surprise that Bradford’s political opportunism led him to a cash-for-access lobbyist event in Concord, one that jeopardizes the integrity of the councillor’s office.”

This is not Bradford’s first time breaking the rules. In his failed 2023 mayoral campaign an Integrity Commissioner investigation found he violated Articles 5 and 7 of the Code of Conduct, which relate to the use of city resources for non-city purposes. He was then reprimanded by City Council.

Bradford announced his intention of running for mayor on October 1, 2025. Ward 19 constituents now commonly complain that Bradford has been an absentee councillor.

It should come as no surprise that Bradford, who has flip-flopped on police funding, TTC funding and rent control, has decided that when it comes to ethics and integrity, the rules do not apply to him.

Toronto deserves a mayor that works for every one of its citizens, not a handful of well connected, wealthy insiders from Concord, Ontario.

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Contact
Saman Tabasinejad
Executive Director
saman@progresstoronto.ca

Read full Integrity Commissioner Complaint here.

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