Brad Bradford secures backing of three more federal Liberal MPs for Toronto mayor race

Brad Bradford has secured endorsements from three federal Liberal MPs, expanding his roster of high-profile backers ahead of the October 26 Toronto mayoral election.

The newly backing MPs are Vince Gasparro (Eglinton-Lawrence), Leslie Church (Toronto-St. Paul's), and Ali Ehsassi (Willowdale). Gasparro and Church appeared alongside Bradford in a campaign video shared Sunday; Ehsassi appeared with him in a second video shared Monday afternoon.

"I've known Brad since 2018, when I was Principal Secretary to Mayor John Tory," Gasparro said in a statement. "I saw firsthand his commitment to growing our economy, enhancing our public safety, and improving affordability." Church called Bradford "somebody who shows up for midtown Toronto and has been there every step of the way." Ehsassi added: "Brad Bradford is a serious, hardworking leader with a track record of getting things done for the people of this city."

The three join four other Liberal MPs already supporting Bradford: Jennifer McKelvie (Ajax, former Toronto Deputy Mayor), Judy Sgro (Humber River-Black Creek), James Maloney (Etobicoke-Lakeshore), and Yvan Baker (Etobicoke Centre). Bradford has also received endorsements from outgoing Conservative MP Scott Aitchison, Ontario Liberal MPP Stephanie Smyth, and city councillor James Pasternak.

Bradford said the federal and provincial backing signals a shift toward change in Toronto. "Toronto is stuck, and the people of this city know it," he said. "We're on the cusp of change. Change is within our grasp. To change the city, we need to change the mayor."