Xiao Hua (Edward) Gong Enters Toronto Mayoral Race to Challenge Olivia Chow

Xiao Hua (Edward) Gong, a media magnate and perennial political candidate, has officially registered to run for mayor in Toronto’s upcoming municipal election on October 26. Gong aims to replace incumbent Mayor Olivia Chow, positioning himself as a candidate who can “rescue” the city amid rising living costs and increasing public stress.

A History of High-Visibility Campaigning

Gong is well-known in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) not for his electoral victories, but for his aggressive and omnipresent advertising strategies. During the 2023 Toronto mayoral byelection, his campaign saturated the city with blue-and-yellow signage, including lawn signs, flyers, and advertisements on taxi cabs, newspapers, and television.

His visibility reached a peak with towering advertisements at Sankofa Square. However, this approach led to significant friction with city officials and residents. The city received hundreds of complaints regarding his signage during the 2023 race—the highest number of complaints among more than 100 candidates—largely because many of the signs were not removed in a timely manner after the election concluded.

Past Electoral Performance and Political Track Record

Despite his high profile and heavy spending on visibility, Gong has struggled to translate name recognition into votes. His previous attempts to secure office show a consistent pattern of marginal support:

• 2023 Toronto Mayoral Byelection: Gong finished with 0.4% of the vote. Following the result, he demanded a recount, citing a mock byelection among Toronto students where he had allegedly received more than 20% of the vote.
• 2024 Mississauga Mayoral Byelection: Gong again secured 0.4% of the vote.
• 2025 Federal Election: Gong ran as a candidate for Don Valley North.

Business Interests and Media Influence

Gong’s political ambitions are backed by his role as a media and business owner. He owns Canada National Television, a Chinese-language TV station based in Markham. He operates a hotel business under the Edward Group, which previously held properties in both Canada and the United States, including the now-closed Edward Hotel Markham.

The Competitive Landscape

Gong enters a race where incumbent Mayor Olivia Chow maintains a significant advantage. Recent polling indicates that Chow holds a commanding lead over her challengers. Data from Liaison Strategies shows Chow with a 44% lead, well ahead of other potential candidates such as Councillor Brad Bradford (26%) and Michael Ford (16%).

public sentiment remains generally positive toward the current administration, with 50% of Torontonians stating the city is moving in the “right direction” under Chow’s leadership.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Xiao Hua (Edward) Gong?
Edward Gong is a Markham-based media magnate, owner of Canada National Television, and a frequent candidate in municipal and federal elections across the GTA.

When is the Toronto mayoral election?
The election is scheduled for October 26.

Has Edward Gong won any previous elections?
No. In his most recent mayoral bids in Toronto and Mississauga, he received 0.4% of the vote in each instance.

Looking Ahead

As the October 26 election approaches, the central question for Gong’s campaign will be whether he can move beyond visibility to achieve actual viability. While his omnipresent ads ensure he is a familiar face to voters, he faces a steep climb to overcome the commanding lead held by Mayor Olivia Chow and the historical trend of his low electoral returns.