Housing Is on Your Ballot: 5 Questions to Ask Your GTA West Candidates
Ontario's municipal election is on Monday, October 26, 2026. If you live, own or rent in Oakville, Mississauga, Milton or Burlington, the people you elect will make decisions over the next four years that affect where new homes go, what they cost to build and what you pay in property tax. This post explains what your council actually controls, gives you five housing questions to ask candidates and covers the voting basics.
The short answer
City and town councils approve the official plan and zoning that decide where and what type of homes can be built. They also set development charges on new construction and local property tax rates. Those decisions shape housing supply and costs in your neighbourhood for years. Before you vote, ask candidates how they will handle approvals, density, fees, seniors' housing and growth.
Why housing matters in this election
In its October market report, the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board said housing is one of the biggest issues on voters' minds and that this election will help shape housing policy across the GTA for the next four years. The new council term begins on November 15, 2026.
The same report showed GTA home sales in September were down nine per cent from a year earlier, as many buyers waited for clearer signals on the economy and borrowing costs. Local decisions on supply and the cost of buying a home are one of the factors that can influence buyer confidence. For the latest numbers, see my GTA Real Estate Market Trends page.
What your city council controls
- The official plan: the long-term guide for where and what type of homes can be built.
- Zoning bylaws: the rules for height, density and building standards on each property.
- Development charges: fees on new construction that help pay for growth-related infrastructure.
- Serviced land and infrastructure: the water, roads and services new neighbourhoods need.
- Local property tax rates: set through the municipal budget each year.
Some big levers sit elsewhere. Interest rates and mortgage rules are federal, and the province sets the planning and development charge rules municipalities must follow. Knowing the difference helps you ask questions a council candidate can actually answer.
5 housing questions to ask your candidates
- How will you speed up approvals for new homes? Every month a project waits for approval is a month those homes are not available to buyers or renters.
- Where should new homes and gentle density go in our city? Townhouses, multiplexes and secondary suites are often where first-time buyers find a way in. My First-Time Home Buyers in Oakville page explains what buyers face today.
- How will you keep development charges and fees fair for new home buyers? These charges help pay for growth, but they are also part of what a new home costs. Ask how a candidate would balance the two. If you are considering a new build, see Pre-Construction Homes in Oakville.
- What will you do to give seniors more options to downsize and stay local? Many long-time homeowners want a smaller home close to family, friends and their doctors. Learn more on my Senior Downsizing in Mississauga page.
- How will roads, transit and community services keep up with growth? Commutes and services matter, especially for families relocating from the city. See Moving from Toronto to GTA West.
How to use these questions: ask them at a debate, by email or when a candidate knocks on your door. Listen for specifics such as timelines, locations and how a plan would be paid for.
Before you vote: the basics
- Who can vote: Canadian citizens aged 18 or older who live in the municipality, or who own or rent property there (or are the spouse of an owner or tenant), and are not prohibited by law.
- Not on the voters' list? You can still apply to your municipal clerk to be added or to correct your information until voting closes on October 26.
- Your ballot: depending on where you live, it may include mayor, local and regional councillors and school board trustees.
- Hours, locations and voting methods: these vary by city. Check your voter information card or your city's election page.
The Government of Ontario's municipal elections page has more on eligibility and the voters' list.
What this means if you are buying or selling
A council election will not change the market overnight. Over four years, though, decisions on approvals, density and costs can affect choice and prices in specific neighbourhoods. If you plan to move in the next few years, it is worth knowing what is proposed near you. My Free Buyer's Guide and my post Is Now a Good Time to Buy in the GTA? are good next reads.
Planning a move in GTA West?
Whether you are downsizing, relocating from Toronto or buying your first home, I can walk you through what is happening in your neighbourhood and how it may affect your plans.
Book a Call With TarlikaI do not endorse candidates or parties. This post is meant to help you ask good questions, whoever you support.
Tarlika Sehgal, REALTOR®, SRS®, ABR® | eXp Realty Of Canada, Inc., Brokerage
This article is general information only and is not legal or political advice. Voting hours, locations and methods vary by municipality, so confirm details with your municipal clerk or official city election website. Information is current as of October 22, 2026.
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