Deputy Mayor of Toronto Norm Kelly has given his endorsement to Kathleen Wynne ahead of next week's provincial election.
“This city needs a city-friendly leader and this province needs a city-friendly premier, and Kathleen, that leader and that premier is you,” Kelly said at a speech at the Canadian Club on Thursday.
In a news conference afterwards, Kelly re-stated his belief that Ontario's premier needs to be able to work with local municipalities.
"What we need in the 21st century is a leader who possesses certain traits," Kelly told reporters during the news conference. "One of them is the concept of partnership."
Kelly pointed to Wynne's actions after the ice storm of December 2013 as evidence of that partnership.
"Her response was immediate," Kelly said.
Wynne also emphasized her belief in the relationship between Queen's Park and cities.
"My partnership with municipalities in this province is extremely important," Wynne said.
Kelly has served as acting mayor of Toronto since November 2013, when council voted to confer to him the non-statutory powers held by Mayor Ford.
Less than two weeks ago, Kelly told reporters he would not endorse any candidate for mayor. However, Kelly said he reconsidered after being pressed by a Torontonian.
Kelly himself is running for re-election as city councillor in the ward of Scarborough Agincourt.
Last month, Kathleen Wynne also won the endorsement of Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion.
The 2014 Ontario election will be held on June 12.
