What to know
- Ontario Premier Doug Ford praised Olivia Chow Wednesday and told voters to “read between the lines,” prompting widespread speculation that he was endorsing her.
- His office later said Ford “did not endorse” Chow and would not endorse any candidate.
- Ford repeated that position Friday on Newstalk 1010, saying a real endorsement would be explicit.
- Mainstreet Research’s latest poll has Chow at 38.1 per cent and Bradford at 31.4 per cent.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he is not endorsing Olivia Chow for Toronto mayor, despite comments earlier this week that were widely interpreted as support for her re-election bid.
During a press conference on Wednesday that was not part of Chow’s re-election campaign, a reporter asked the Ontario Premier where he stood in the mayoral race.
“The mayor and I have a phenomenal relationship,” Ford responded. “We are going to continue supporting the mayor. She is doing an incredible job, so, read between the lines.”
Many interpreted his statement as an implicit endorsement of Chow, but Ford has since walked back his support.
On Thursday, his office put out a statement addressing the matter, clarifying that Ford will not be endorsing anyone for mayor.
“Premier Ford did not endorse Olivia Chow and will not endorse any candidate in the Toronto mayoral race,” the statement says.
“The premier has demonstrated that he will work with anyone no matter their political stripe to advance the interests of the people of Ontario.”
Ford doubled down on his supposed impartiality Friday morning, appearing on Toronto’s Newstalk 1010 radio station with former mayor John Tory — who is a regular contributor and has guest-hosted segments like Moore in the Morning.
“I just said the truth. I get along very, very well with the mayor,” Ford explained. “That kept going and I said, ‘read it between the lines.’”
“Basically, we’re gonna work things out. We’re going to get through this. But let’s be very, very clear. When I endorse someone, which I’m not, you come out and fully endorse them.”
Bradford responds
Mayoral candidate Brad Bradford defended Ford after his “read between the lines” comments, telling Now Toronto in a statement, “Nobody should blame the premier.”
“He negotiated hard for Ontario and won every single round. The question is for the person on Toronto’s side of the table.”
Poll shows tighter race
A new poll released by Toronto polling firm Mainstreet Research shows a tightening race between Bradford and Chow in the final stretch before election day. As of Friday, 38.1 per cent of Torontonians say they would vote for Chow, while 31.4 per cent back Bradford.
Voters will head to the polls on October 26.
