Open this photo in gallery:
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and Ontario Premier Doug Ford speak after an announcement in Toronto, June 4. On Wednesday, Mr. Ford praised his working relationship with Ms. ChowArlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press
Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s office says he did not endorse Olivia Chow for Toronto mayor, a day after he publicly praised their relationship and offered his support.
Mr. Ford’s office issued a brief statement Thursday evening seeking to tone down his previous comments. More than 50 candidates signed up to run for the mayoral position in the municipal election on Oct. 26.
“We would like to clarify that Premier Ford did not endorse Olivia Chow and will not endorse any candidate in the Toronto mayoral race,” said Jennifer Cunliffe, a spokesperson for his office.
“The Premier has demonstrated that he will work with anyone no matter their political stripe to advance the interests of the people of Ontario.”
On Wednesday, Mr. Ford praised his working relationship with Ms. Chow, who was first elected in June, 2023. He has often spoken of his positive relationship with the mayor, despite, before she was elected, warning she would be an “unmitigated disaster” for the city.
Ford government says cities must not deviate from Buy Ontario rules
The two appeared together at a press conference Wednesday at the opening of a new biomanufacturing facility in Toronto.
Mr. Ford also spoke about giving the city billions as part of what was called a new deal for Toronto announced in November, 2023. It was intended to help the cash-strapped city.
The Ontario Premier was asked directly by a reporter about endorsements in the Toronto mayoral race.
“I just want to say the Mayor and I have a phenomenal relationship. Phenomenal. And we’ve given the City of Toronto more money than they’ve ever seen in their lives, over $9-billion,” he said.
“We’re going to continue supporting the Mayor. She’s doing an incredible job. So, read between the lines.”
Sanofi inaugurates Toronto facility that will produce seasonal flu vaccines for Canadians
Those comments raised the ire of Ms. Chow’s main rival in the race, Councillor Brad Bradford. Several of the Ford government’s ex-staffers are helping Mr. Bradford’s campaign, including the Premier’s former executive director of communications, Laryssa Waler. Kory Teneycke, Mr. Ford’s campaign manager for his three victories, also supports Mr. Bradford.
In a social media post on Wednesday, Mr. Bradford declared that Mr. Ford had endorsed Ms. Chow, alleging that she has “never stopped Doug Ford from doing exactly what he wanted to do.” He pointed to Ms. Chow muting her opposition to the province’s redevelopment of Ontario Place, and abandoning her previous campaign pledge of tearing down the eastern portion of the Gardiner Expressway. The province took over financial responsibility for the Gardiner and the Don Valley Parkway to ease the city’s financial burden as part of the new deal.
On Thursday, Mr. Bradford’s campaign struck a more conciliatory tone.
“As Mayor, Brad will have a productive relationship with Premier Ford. The Premier is not only Premier of Ontario, he is a resident of Toronto,” Mark Pelayo, a spokesperson for Mr. Bradford’s campaign, said in a statement.
“Brad has committed to doing a line-by-line review of the city’s finances to find out why Olivia Chow raised taxes nearly 20 per cent despite record funding from the province. The last mayor to do such a review was Mayor Rob Ford.”
On Thursday, Ms. Chow’s campaign didn’t directly address Mr. Ford’s statement, but said the two work well together.
“As Mayor, Olivia Chow has a good working relationship with the Premier, securing record investment in Toronto,” campaign spokesperson Shirven Rezvany said.
On Wednesday, Ms. Chow spoke about the importance of working together as a team, noting all three levels of government came together earlier this year to announce new subway cars will be built in Thunder Bay.
“At this very uncertain, stressful time, in the global turbulence, disruptive trade conversation that’s happening, the Team Canada approach, working together united, we are stronger and we’re proving it right now,” she said.