As in the 1974 election incumbent David Crombie faced no real opposition in his bid for reelection. ;Results
City council
City council was mostly stable, the only notable upset was the defeat of long serving Old Guard member William Boytchuk by NDPer David White in Ward 1. The conservative membership remained stable as retiring moderate NDPer Reid Scott was replaced by conservative Tom Wardle Jr.. ;Ward 1 ;Ward 2 ;Ward 3 ;Ward 4 ;Ward 5 ;Ward 6 ;Ward 7 ;Ward 8 ;Ward 9 ;Ward 10 ;Ward 11
Changes
Mayor David Crombie resigned on August 31, 1978 to contest a Federal by-election for Rosedale on October 16, 1978. On September 1, 1978 City Council met to appoint a new Mayor. The right-wingers stood Ward 8 Alderman Fred Beavis while the left-wingers stood Ward 11 Alderman Anne Johnston. When the vote was held the two candidates were tied with 11 votes each so in accordance with the Municipal Act put both names into a hat, and the name picked out of the hat would officially be pronounced interim mayor. Fred Beavis was the name chosen and he became mayor. Thomas Clifford now became Ward 8's sole Alderman and was appointed Metro Councillor on September 11.
Metro boroughs
East York
Results from the borough of East York. Two aldermen were elected to each ward. ;Mayor ;Ward 1 ;Ward 2 ;Ward 3 ;Ward 4
Etobicoke
Results from Etobicoke. Four members were elected to the Board of Control. Two aldermen were elected to each ward. ;Mayor ;Board of Control ;Ward 1 ;Ward 2 ;Ward 3 ;Ward 4 ;Ward 5
North York
;Mayor Lastman is re-elected defeating a challenge by Controller William Sutherland ;Board of Control ;Ward 1 ;Ward 2 ;Ward 3
Hugh Montgomerie was a forty-three-year-old film technician. He recommended a ban on high-density development projects that did not have adequate recreation facilities.
Martin Lewin was a thirty-two-year-old sales manager. He argued that shoppers in major plazas should not be forced to pay parking fees.
Harbans Rai Varma was a fifty-year-old supply teacher. He called for lower employment and inflation levels, and for improved race relations. He campaigned for the North York Board of Education in 1980, and lost to Elsa Chandler in Ward Four. A candidate named "Rai Varma" ran for the Markham Board of Control in 1991; this may be the same person.
Results from the Borough of Scarborough. Four members were elected to the Board of Control. One alderman was elected to each ward. ;Mayor ;Board of Control ;Ward 1 ;Ward 2 ;Ward 3 ;Ward 4 ;Ward 5 ;Ward 6 ;Ward 7 ;Ward 8 ;Ward 9 ;Ward 10 ;Ward 11 ;Ward 12
York
Results from the borough of York. Two members were elected to the Board of Control. One alderman was elected to each ward. ;Mayor ;Board of Control ;Ward 1 ;Ward 2 ;Ward 3 ;Ward 4 ;Ward 5 ;Ward 6 ;Ward 7 ;Ward 8
