As mayor-elect Chow ascends to Toronto’s top office, budget challenges lie ahead

TORONTO — Olivia Chow heads to Toronto city hall today hours after being elected mayor of Canada’s most populous city. 
One immediate challenge for the former NDP parliamentarian and past city councillor will be tackling a nearly $1-billion pandemic-related budget shortfall, partly driven by reduced transit revenue and increased shelter costs.
Chow will also have to tackle issues of housing unaffordability and public safety concerns. 
The 66-year-old veteran politician and