What to know
- Brad Bradford said “nobody should blame” Doug Ford after the premier appeared to support Olivia Chow.
- Ford previously said he would “continue supporting the mayor” and told reporters to “read between the lines.”
- Bradford criticized Chow over taxes and argued she has not done enough to find savings at City Hall.
- Chow defended her record, saying she is an “experienced negotiator” who has fought the province on issues including the Billy Bishop Airport and local democracy.
Mayoral candidate Brad Bradford says “nobody should blame the premier” after Doug Ford appeared to back Olivia Chow for mayor, turning his criticism toward Chow and arguing she has failed to stand up for Toronto in negotiations with the province.
“Nobody should blame the premier,” Bradford said in a statement to Now Toronto on Wednesday. “He negotiated hard for Ontario and won every single round. The question is for the person on Toronto’s side of the table.”
Ford appeared to support Chow during a press conference on Wednesday. After being asked where he stood in the mayoral race, he praised his relationship with Chow and said, “we’re going to continue supporting the mayor. She’s doing an incredible job.”
“Read between the lines,” Ford added, stopping short of explicitly saying he was endorsing Chow.
A statement from Bradford’s campaign argued that Ford’s apparent support for Chow reflects what it describes as the mayor’s willingness to compromise with the provincial government on issues she previously opposed.
The campaign pointed to Ontario Place, the Gardiner Expressway, the Billy Bishop Airport, bike lanes and the province’s strong mayor powers as examples.
Speaking at a campaign announcement on Thursday, Bradford said he intends to work with Ford if elected.
“[The] premier says a lot of things, and I’m looking forward to working with this premier and, of course, the prime minister, and everybody who wants to see Toronto succeed,” Bradford said.
Bradford criticizes Chow’s administration
Bradford also agreed with Ford’s comments about provincial funding for Toronto, but questioned why the city has continued to raise taxes.
“What I can’t reconcile with is how we still have had the largest tax increase in Toronto’s history,” he said.
Bradford criticized Chow’s approach to city finances, arguing her administration has not done enough to find savings.
Chow responds
Chow pushed back on Bradford’s characterization of her relationship with the provincial government, saying her experience has made her an effective negotiator.
“I am an experienced negotiator. I’ve been a member of parliament. I’ve been a city councillor,” Chow said at a youth safety announcement on Thursday.
“I sat across the table with both the prime minister and the premier,” she said, pointing to what she described as more than $15 billion in investment from both levels of government in Toronto during her first three years as mayor.
Chow also pointed to areas where she said she has fought the province, including the proposed expansion of the Billy Bishop Airport, waterfront protections, local parks and local democracy.
The Toronto mayoral race is heading into its final stretch, with the election set for Oct. 26.
