Former mayoral candidate Olivia Chow considering another run to become Toronto’s mayor
Former councillor Olivia Chow is contemplating another run for mayor of Toronto.
“I want to let you know I am considering running,” Chow told CP24 Monday. “I love this city and I know it can be so much better — for everyone.”
She posted a similar message in a tweet Monday morning.
Chow served as a councillor in Toronto from 1991 to 2005 and then as an NDP member of parliament for Trinity-Spadina from 2006 until 2014.
She ran for mayor in 2014, placing third behind John Tory and Doug Ford.
Speaking with CP24 Monday, Toronto Metropolitan University Professor Myer Siemiatycki said her entry marks a “big development in the race.”
“I think Olivia Chow will be a credible and formidable campaigner,” Siemiatycki said.
The widow of late federal NDP leader Jack Layton, Chow has deep roots with the NDP and could potentially rally the left in the upcoming byelection.
Despite the fact that Chow placed third in her 2014 bid, Siemiatycki said “second chances are possible in Toronto mayoral elections.” He pointed to the fact that John Tory lost a race to David Miller before returning to win the mayor’s office years later and said that if Chow runs, she will likely “take stock of some of the lessons” learned in her previous run.
He said the dynamics of the current race could also work in her favour.
“Even in that campaign (2014), she received about 25 per cent of the vote,” he said. “Given the large number of candidates who will be in this upcoming byelection horse race, 25 per cent could easily be enough of the share of the votes cast to bring them in to win the mayoralty. So I would say she's in a very strong position.”
A crowded field of contenders has emerged to replace former mayor John Tory, with a number of right-leaning and right-of-centre candidates in the race.
However, there are fewer left-leaning candidates with strong name recognition.
Former councillor Mike Layton, Chow’s step-son, has said previously that he will not run.
There has been some speculation that given the crowded field, a strong left-wing candidate might be able to come up the middle in a split-vote situation.
Siemiatycki said that while mayoral candidates typically try to run “big tent” campaigns to appeal to as many types of voters as possible, the crowded field could mean that a candidate who runs a more targeted campaign could be successful.
“This time around, micro-targeting might be the ticket to success and I imagine we are going to see candidates running virtually on single issues or single messages. And it will be interesting to see how Olivia Chow positions herself in this campaign,” Siemiatycki said.
Nominations officially open on April 3 and the vote to choose a new mayor is set to take place on June 26.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.