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Premier Ford stops short of full endorsement but says Chow has his support

  • Allison Jones

  • Canadian Press

  • September 16, 2026

Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria, Mayor of Toronto Olivia Chow, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, and Minister of Seniors and Accessibility Raymond Sung Joon Cho, pose for a photo following an announcement regarding the Province uploading ownership and maintenance of the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway, in Toronto on Thursday, June 4, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey

TORONTO -- Ontario Premier Doug Ford has given Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow his seal of approval today in the midst of her bid for re-election.

Ford stopped short of giving her a full, explicit endorsement, but spoke about her in glowing terms when asked if he would weigh into the mayoral race.

He says the two have a "phenomenal" relationship and he will continue supporting her, urging people to "read between the lines" of his comments.

It is a far cry from Ford's prediction during the 2023 mayoral race that electing Chow would be an "unmitigated disaster."

The two have worked closely on many issues since then, while not always in agreement over provincial incursions on speed cameras and bike lanes, and Ford has often said the pair get along well.

Chow is running against Brad Bradford and Chris Alexander, among a packed slate of about 50 other candidates.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 16, 2026.