Doug Ford signals support for Chow's re-election bid with praise and billions in joint funding

Premier Doug Ford offered pointed praise for Mayor Olivia Chow's re-election bid on Wednesday, a striking reversal from his tone when she was first elected. At an unrelated Toronto event, Ford said: "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."

When Chow was elected mayor in the summer of 2023, Ford called her pending tenure "an unmitigated disaster" days before the vote. But billions in joint funding have flowed to Toronto during her term, and Ford and Chow have built what appears to be a working rapport. The two worked closely on the upload of the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway to provincial ownership—a plan announced in June that will transfer the highways to Ontario in fall 2027 as part of the "New Deal for Toronto." The agreement includes $353 million for Toronto to continue operating and maintaining the highways during the transition, and a commitment that both highways remain toll-free.

The Ford-Chow relationship has not been without friction. Ford and Chow frequently clashed over transit, bike lanes, housing and budget pressures in earlier years. The province is currently pushing ahead with plans to remove bicycle lanes on major Toronto corridors—Bloor Street, Yonge Street, University Avenue, Queen's Park Crescent and Avenue Road—moves Chow and city council have strongly opposed. Ford has framed the removals as efforts to "fight gridlock," while Chow has maintained Toronto's bike network is essential for safety, climate goals and reducing congestion.

Toronto voters head to the polls Monday, October 26. Voting locations will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.