Muhammad Amanullah
Date: September 18, 2026 The True Post (Web News) —Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s comments about Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow have sparked fresh debate ahead of the city’s October mayoral election, after Ford appeared to signal support for Chow before his office later clarified that he had not endorsed her or any other candidate.
The issue arose after Ford was asked about the upcoming Toronto mayoral election at an unrelated event on Wednesday, where Chow was also present.
Ford’s Comments
Speaking to reporters, Ford described his relationship with Chow as “phenomenal” and said the provincial government would continue supporting the mayor.
Ford also praised Chow’s performance, saying she was doing an “incredible job,” before telling reporters to “read between the lines.” His remarks were widely interpreted as an indication that he was supporting Chow’s bid for another term as mayor.
The comments were notable because Ford and Chow have disagreed publicly over several Toronto issues in recent years, including bike lanes, the Billy Bishop Airport expansion and speed cameras.
Ford’s Office Clarifies the Position
On Thursday evening, however, Ford’s office issued a clarification saying the premier had not endorsed Chow.
“We would like to clarify that Premier Ford did not endorse Olivia Chow and will not endorse any candidate in the Toronto mayoral race,” the premier’s office said.
Ford’s office also emphasized that the premier has demonstrated a willingness to work with elected officials regardless of political affiliation when doing so advances the interests of Ontario residents.
The clarification followed a day of discussion over whether Ford’s comments amounted to an informal or indirect endorsement.
Relationship Between Chow and Ford
Despite their disagreements on several major municipal issues, Chow and Ford have also worked together on a number of matters involving Toronto.
Their governments have had differences over the future of cycling infrastructure, including bike lanes, as well as the expansion of Billy Bishop Airport and the removal of speed cameras.
At the same time, the two governments have cooperated on a major infrastructure initiative involving the Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway, with the Ontario government moving toward taking responsibility for the two major roadways. Ford and Chow’s cooperation on the project has highlighted the practical working relationship between the provincial and municipal governments.
Chow Leads in Latest Poll
The controversy comes as Toronto’s mayoral campaign enters its final weeks.
A Liaison Strategies poll released on September 9 found Olivia Chow with 50 per cent support among decided and leaning voters, compared with 39 per cent for Brad Bradford and 10 per cent for Chris Alexander. Two per cent said they would support another candidate.
Among all voters surveyed, including those who remained undecided, Chow had 42 per cent support, Bradford 32 per cent and Alexander 8 per cent. Sixteen per cent were undecided.
Liaison Strategies surveyed 1,000 Toronto residents on September 4 and 5, 2026, using interactive voice response technology and random-digit dialing through landline and cellular networks. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
Views on Chow’s Mayoral Performance
The same poll also asked Toronto residents about Chow’s performance as mayor.
Fifty-one per cent said they approved of her performance, while 45 per cent said they disapproved.
The figures indicate that while Chow retains support among a significant portion of voters, opinions about her record remain divided.
Why Ford’s Position Matters
The relationship between Toronto City Hall and the Ontario government is an important issue in the mayoral campaign because the two levels of government work together on transportation, infrastructure, housing, public safety and other matters.
A previous Liaison Strategies poll in August found that 48 per cent of respondents preferred a mayor who would balance cooperation with the province and standing up to it. Twenty-five per cent preferred a more forceful approach toward the provincial government, while 19 per cent favoured greater collaboration.
Ford’s latest comments therefore attracted attention because of the potential political significance of the relationship between the premier and the Toronto mayor.
However, his office has now formally stated that Ford is not endorsing Chow or any other candidate in the mayoral race.
Toronto Votes on October 26
Toronto voters will cast their ballots for mayor on October 26.
As the campaign enters its final stage, candidates are expected to continue focusing on issues including transportation, infrastructure, property taxes, housing, public safety, municipal services and the city’s relationship with the provincial government.
Ford’s comments initially appeared to suggest support for Chow, particularly because he praised her performance and told reporters to “read between the lines.” However, the subsequent statement from his office makes his formal position clear: he has not endorsed Olivia Chow or any other candidate in the Toronto mayoral election.
