Prime Minister Stephen Harper put in a campaign plug for Ontario's Tories, saying it was time to complete a "hat trick" and join Toronto in painting the country blue in a move that would defeat the provincial Liberal government.
Harper made the remarks on Tuesday at an unannounced visit to the family home of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, a populist conservative elected last fall.
Ford, whose family was holding an invitation-only barbecue in honour of Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, introduced the prime minister as his new fishing partner.
"I love to fish, so if anyone wants to take me out, let's go fishing," Ford told the crowd of Conservative campaign volunteers, staffers and supporters at his mother's suburban Etobicoke residence.
Harper exchanged a few quips with Ford, saying the mayor didn't live up to his reputation because he "refused to kill and eat (the fish)," before thanking Ford for his support during the federal election.
"Rob endorsed us in the election. That helped a lot," the prime minister said, amidst applause from the partisan crowd.
In advance of the October provincial election, Harper said it was time to "complete the hat trick and do it provincially as well."
Both Harper's and Ford's speeches were captured on video and posted to YouTube.
The event was organized by Conservative MPs Patrick Brown and Kellie Leitch, who billed the event as an appreciation night for Flaherty and his efforts during last spring's federal election.
