Natalie Johnson, longtime CTV News journalist, to run for city council

Natalie Johnson is shown in a photo released by her campaign.

A longtime CTV News journalist has joined the race to replace Brad Bradford as the city councillor for Beaches-East York.

Natalie Johnson formally registered as a candidate on Monday. She joins six other candidates who are already vying for the position.

Those candidates include James Dann, Tycen Legg, Kevin Morrison, Adam Smith, Austin Vieira, and Jeff Wahl.

Johnson is now on leave from her position with CTV News.

“Upon being advised by Video Journalist Natalie Johnson that she was considering running for Toronto City Council this October, CTV News immediately ceased using her in any on-air or editorial capacity and will continue to not do so until after the municipal election,” CTV News said in a statement. “We thank Natalie for her many journalistic contributions over her 19 years at CTV News as she pursues this new opportunity.”

In a press release issued on Monday, Johnson said she is pursuing a council run out of a desire to “get Beaches-East York moving again and do everything possible to get parents home to their kids faster at the end of the day.”

“Families need to have access to reliable transit and safe parks; small businesses need to feel supported; and taxpayers want services that deliver value,” she said.

Bradford has represented Beaches-East York since first being elected in 2018. He registered to run for mayor earlier this month.