Doug Ford congratulates Olivia Chow days after saying she would be an 'unmitigated disaster'
Ontario Premier Doug Ford congratulated Toronto’s mayor elect Olivia Chow Monday night, less than a week after publicly saying that if she was chosen to lead the city, it would be an “unmitigated disaster.”
In a statement issued moments after CP24 declared the race, the premier mentioned Chow’s dedication to the city.
“I want to congratulate Olivia Chow on tonight’s election win and on becoming the next mayor of Toronto,” he said.
“While we’re not always going to agree on everything, what we can agree on is our shared commitment to making Toronto a place where businesses, families, and workers can thrive.”
Ford goes on to say that he hopes to have a “willing partner” in Toronto, noting that he would work with anyone “ready to work with our government to better our city and province.”
The premier had made his choice for mayor clear throughout the election campaign in Mark Saunders. At first, Ford said he would stay out of the race, but as election day neared he quickly changed his tune. He urged residents to vote for someone who wouldn’t cut the police budget while placing a Saunders sign on his lawn, adding that a left-wing mayor would be a “disaster.”
At a news conference on June 21, Ford specifically attacked Chow, saying that if she was elected, it would be an “unmitigated disaster” and that businesses would flee the city.
“She makes David Miller look like a fiscal conservative, and businesses will start fleeing,” the premier added, speaking of the former mayor who ran the city from 2003 to 2010.
“God forbid Olivia Chow gets elected, your taxes are going up at an unprecedented rate.”
The weekend before the election, Ford also lent his voice to a robocall supporting Saunders.
"He's the only one that will keep our taxes low, create thousands of jobs, and keep our streets safe and represent the entire city," a message recorded by Ford said. "Please make sure you, your family and friends all go out and vote for Mark Saunders."
Speaking to her supporters after her win, Chow said that Ford as well as housing minister Steve Clark “graciously” called her Monday night.
“I know we both believe in the people of this city,” she said. “The people have sent a message today. They want to get things done, like building affordable housing and improving the TTC.”
“Well Mr. Premier we are ready. Let’s work together to get it done,” Chow added, using Ford’s signature campaign catch phrase.
Ford has always had a fixation on the City of Toronto. He was a city councillor while his brother was mayor.
Ford ran an unsuccessful bid for mayor himself in 2014, taking the torch from his brother Rob after he was diagnosed with cancer. Ford was defeated by John Tory, but still received more votes than Chow at the time.
As premier of Ontario, he slashed the size of Toronto’s city council, enacted his own subway expansion plan, blocked a favoured ranked ballot voting system and put in place strong mayoral powers.
This is in addition to his more recent move to redevelop Ontario Place and move the Ontario Science Centre to the waterfront.
CP24 declared Olivia Chow had won Toronto’s mayoral election at 9 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
B.C. theatre to pay $55K to neurodivergent actor in discrimination case
British Columbia's human rights tribunal has awarded a neurodigergent actor, who was diagnosed with sensory and learning disorders, more than $55,000 after finding that a Kelowna theatre company discriminated against him because of his disabilities.
Who's responsible for regulating cannabis stores operating under the sovereignty banner?
It's not quite clear who is supposed to be regulating so-called sovereign cannabis stores or even ensure they're benefiting Indigenous communities.