Doug Ford Appears to Have a Favourite for Toronto's Upcoming Mayoral Byelection
Key Highlights :
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has made it clear who he would like to see as the next mayor of Toronto. On Monday, a Mark Saunders campaign sign was proudly displayed on the front lawn of the Premier's residence, sending a strong message to the people of Toronto. In a statement from the Premier's office, a spokesperson said Ford would "work with anyone, and that's what he intends to do."
Ford has previously stated that he has no intentions of meddling in the Toronto byelection, however, he has hinted at the type of mayoral candidate he would vote for. He believes that the next mayor should be someone who understands the importance of policing. He has been vocal about his opposition to defunding the police force, saying “We’re seeing stabbings in the subway, car thefts coming out of our gazoo, and just enough’s enough. We’ve got to put more money into policing.”
Mark Saunders, the city's former police chief, is the clear favourite of the Premier. His campaign has focused on transit safety, vowing to triple the number of TTC special constables and integrate the unit into the city’s police force. A recent poll from Liaison Strategies shows Saunders and city councillor Josh Matlow tied for second place at 14 per cent, with former city councillor Olivia Chow in the lead at 26 per cent support.
It is clear that Ford wants to see a mayor who understands the importance of policing and is committed to improving safety in the city. Mark Saunders is the only candidate who has made such a commitment, and it appears that he is the one the Premier would like to see as the next mayor of Toronto. Election day is set for June 26, and it will be interesting to see if the Premier's choice is the one that the people of Toronto choose.
