Ford Signals Support for Chow Ahead of October Election
AI-generated image · Bay Street Wire
The Premier's shift from calling the Mayor an 'unmitigated disaster' to praising her leadership sparks criticism from mayoral rivals.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford nearly endorsed incumbent Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow during a news conference on Wednesday, describing their working relationship as "phenomenal." While stopping short of an official endorsement, Ford told reporters that the province will continue to support the mayor, adding, "She's doing an incredible job, so read between the lines," according to Global News Toronto.
Ford highlighted that the province has provided the City of Toronto with more than $9 billion. The shift in tone is a stark reversal from the 2023 mayoral byelection, when Ford predicted that electing Chow would be an "unmitigated disaster," as reported by CBC Toronto and Global News Toronto.
The proximity between the two leaders comes as Chow campaigns for the Oct. 26 election against a field of candidates, including former federal minister Chris Alexander and Coun. Brad Bradford. According to Global News Toronto, recent polling from Liaison Strategies places Chow at 50 per cent, Bradford at 39 per cent, and Alexander at 10 per cent.
Bradford's campaign has characterized the Premier's warmth as a sign that Chow is easy to manipulate. Mark Pelayo, a spokesperson for Bradford, stated that Chow is the "easiest negotiation" Ford has ever had and claimed she handed over everything she promised to fight "on a silver platter," per CBC Toronto.
Meanwhile, Alexander's team noted in an email that Chow has feuded with Ford over numerous issues, stating that "neither side wins from these disputes," according to CBC Toronto. Despite past clashes over the province's plans for Toronto bike lanes and the takeover of Billy Bishop Airport, Chow has recently cited her relationship with Ford as a reason for voters to support her, pointing to the flow of provincial funding, Global News Toronto reports.