Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow confirms she's running for re-election
· Toronto Sun
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Putting to rest weeks of speculation, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow confirmed she is running for re-election this fall.
“I registered to run for re-election,” Chow said during a press conference on Monday morning, “But that does not change what I do here as the mayor.”
Fellow mayoral candidate Brad Bradford , who has been an outspoken critic of Chow, had claimed she has been campaigning on the taxpayer’s dime.
“For 24 days, since I entered this race on May 1, the mayor has held event after event, each one costing Toronto taxpayers thousands of dollars they did not consent to spend on a campaign,” the Beaches-East York councillor said in an email to her campaign confirmation. “That was not right then. It is not right now. And I am glad it is over.”
According to the city’s website, 16 candidates for mayor have filed their paperwork. The nomination process will remain open until Aug. 21 and the election is scheduled for Oct. 26.
Bradford was one of eight candidates who registered when the nomination window opened on May 1.
Through the front door
Chow won the election in June 2023 with support from approximately 37% of those who did vote, the lowest turnout for a mayor in the city’s history.
A mayoral byelection was launched after John Tory stepped down in February 2023 over his affair with a staff member during the COVID-19 pandemic that the city council’s code of conduct.
In the fall election, incumbent Chow plans on going through the front door in a bid to become the city’s 67th mayor. In the meantime, she said the business of city government will continue.
“There’s plenty of time to campaign in the fall,” she said. “Right now, I’m going to spend my time serving the people of Toronto. I registered (Monday) to say one thing: To the people of Toronto, I am in your corner. I’ve always been and always will be.”
Premier Ford chimes in
Ontario Premier Doug Ford held the middle ground when asked about for his comments about Chow seeking re-election.
“I really like the mayor, I get along with everyone and I don’t care what political stripe they come from,” Ford said Monday morning. “I know exactly where Olivia is coming from, and she knows where I am coming from. We get along very well.
“We will see what happens during the election. If she wins I am going to work with her. I look forward to it.”
Ford was also asked if he was endorsing any of the municipal candidates.
“I am staying out of that,” he said.