Toronto Councillors' Unusual Expenses Revealed
Toronto city councillors' 2025 office expenses have been disclosed, revealing a range of peculiar purchases from TikTok videos to bunny costumes. The expenditures, which include promotional items and consulting fees, have raised questions about taxpayer money usage.
Political Undertones in Expenses
Councillor Josh Matlow charged $500 for a TikTok video featuring former city bureaucrat Gabe Blanc, who has declared a council run. The video advocates for a city charter to limit Premier Doug Ford's powers. Matlow stated his office occasionally works with content creators for policy work and was unaware of Blanc's future ambitions.
Councillor Mike Colle spent $457.92 on a sign bearing the slogan 'Elbows up' and later ordered 400 posters with the same slogan and his name for $253.75. The posters may have a partisan edge, as Colle did not respond to inquiries about their popularity.
Another declared candidate, Brad Bradford, purchased $368.06 in media training from Lead Podcasting, which could aid his campaign against Mayor Olivia Chow.
Big-Ticket Items
Councillor Frances Nunziata spent $44,774 on a management consultant due to short staffing in her office. Councillor Chris Moise bought an $81.40 white Easter Bunny costume from Amazon for ward events. Ausma Malik purchased branded hand fans and bubble tubes totaling over $4,200. Lily Cheng spent $1,866.29 on supplies from Canada Popcorn Company, including a $300 pink cotton candy machine.
Highest and Lowest Spenders
Nick Mantas had the highest total spend on constituency services and office expenses at $59,954.85, largely due to his e-newsletter. Stephen Holyday spent the least at $32.86, followed by Gord Perks at $12,470.93.
Million-Dollar Councillors
Five councillors—Alejandra Bravo, Ausma Malik, Chris Moise, Amber Morley, and Jamaal Myers—cost taxpayers over $1 million in total remuneration and expenses in 2025. Mayor Olivia Chow surpassed $3 million. The total for all councillors reached $24.3 million, up from $21.4 million in 2024, partly due to a 24% pay hike approved in March 2025.
These expenses highlight the diverse and sometimes surprising costs of municipal governance in Toronto.
