Ford's office clarifies premier did not endorse Chow in Toronto mayoral race

Premier Doug Ford's office walked back his comments supporting Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, clarifying that Ford did not endorse her mayoral re-election bid and will not back any candidate in the race.

At a joint press conference Wednesday at the opening of a new Sanofi vaccine manufacturing facility in Toronto, Ford was asked about endorsements. "The mayor and I have a phenomenal relationship. We are going to continue supporting the mayor. She is doing an incredible job, so, read between the lines," Ford said.

Ford's remarks were widely interpreted as a quasi-endorsement of Chow, including by rival Brad Bradford's campaign.

But Ford's office issued a statement Thursday to clarify. "We would like to clarify that Premier Ford did not endorse Olivia Chow and will not endorse any candidate in the Toronto mayoral race. The premier has demonstrated that he will work with anyone no matter their political stripe to advance the interests of the people of Ontario," the statement said.

Bradford's campaign spokesperson responded Thursday, arguing that Ford's working relationship with the city would be stronger under a Bradford administration. "As Mayor, Brad will have a productive relationship with Premier Ford. The Premier is not only Premier of Ontario, he is a resident of Toronto. Brad has committed to doing a line-by-line review of the city's finances to find out why Olivia Chow raised taxes nearly 20 per cent despite record funding from the province. The last Mayor to do such a review was Mayor Rob Ford," the spokesperson said.