Doug Ford names his choice for Toronto’s next mayor

Thestar.com
June 21, 2023

Premier Doug Ford has endorsed Mark Saunders for mayor.

Ford confirmed he has a Saunders sign on his front lawn in Etobicoke and would be casting his ballot next Monday for the former police chief in Toronto’s mayoral byelection.

“I’ve always said I’m staying out of the race. I have the right, like anyone else, to put a sign on my lawn,” the premier told reporters Tuesday in Carp, a rural part of Ottawa.

“I put Mark’s sign on my lawn and proud to have his sign on the lawn,” said Ford two days after the Toronto Sun reported on the blue and white sign.

“But again, I tell everyone, I’ll be voting for Mark but vote whoever you want to vote for. That’s your choice. That’s not up to me or anyone else to tell you who to vote for,” he said.

“That’s just my opinion. He’d be the best mayor.”

Saunders -- who ran for Ford’s Progressive Conservatives in Don Valley West in last year’s provincial election, finishing second to Liberal Stephanie Bowman -- welcomed the endorsement.

“I’m glad to have his vote. I encourage everyone in Toronto who doesn’t want Olivia Chow to be the mayor to vote for me. United, we can stop Olivia Chow,” he said.

The premier promised to “work with anyone” who becomes mayor of the provincial capital next week.

With polls showing Chow, a New Democrat, is the front-runner, Ford said if “she gets elected, I’ll work with her.”

“We’ll sit down and come up with common ground,” he said.

“It’s no different than, let’s say, Andrea Horwath. I think she works so well with the province, (as does) Steven Del Duca.”

That’s a reference to Horwath, the former NDP leader who is now the mayor of Hamilton, and Del Duca, the former Liberal leader who is now the mayor of Vaughan.

While they were tough opponents of the Tory premier in their previous roles, they have partnered with his government in recent months on shared priorities.

As of July 1, Horwath and Del Duca will gain “strong mayor” powers thanks to Ford.

“I don’t care about political stripes. I want to do what’s best for the people,” he said.

Still, he stressed the election is not decided yet.

“The only poll that counts is on election day. So see what happens,” said the premier, recalling the improbable mayoral victory of his late brother, Rob Ford, in 2010.

“I remember when Rob got elected -- two days before, the polls, I call them the fake polls, they come out and they said George Smitherman was going to win by 12 points,” he said.

“Well, there was a difference with 24 points because Rob kicked his butt by 12 points. So don’t believe in the polls, folks. Get out there. Whoever you vote for, go out and vote. I encourage you to vote.”