A recent survey conducted by Liaison Strategies, a national public opinion research firm, indicates an increasing level of support for Mayor Olivia Chow among decided and leaning voters in the ongoing Toronto mayoral contest. The poll reveals that Chow maintains a leading position with 49% of support from respondents, followed by Coun. Brad Bradford from Beaches-East York, who garnered 38% support. Chris Alexander, a former Conservative MP and cabinet minister, secured 11% support in the survey.
David Valentin, the principal at Liaison, noted that the latest poll, released on Thursday, suggests a slight growth in Chow’s lead compared to their earlier poll this month. Valentin commented that while Chow is currently ahead, there remains a considerable number of undecided voters, indicating that the campaign efforts could still influence the outcome. He highlighted that Bradford faces a challenge due to his narrower voter base despite having genuine support.
The survey results indicate that Chow is leading Bradford by 11 points among decided and leaning voters. Liaison Strategies defines a leaning voter as someone initially undecided but later indicates a preference for a specific candidate.
In response to the poll, all three candidates were approached by CBC News for comments. While Alexander’s campaign highlighted the increasing recognition of his candidacy among Torontonians, Bradford’s campaign criticized Alexander’s mayoral bid as a farce in Toronto’s political arena, emphasizing issues with his campaign messaging.
Compared to the previous poll on August 7, Chow’s support has risen by two points, Bradford’s has decreased by two points, and Alexander’s has increased by one point. Among all voters, not just decided ones, Chow stands at 39%, Bradford at 30%, Alexander at 9%, and 19% remain undecided.
Regarding job approval ratings, 52% of respondents approve of Mayor Chow’s performance, while 42% disapprove. The survey involved a random sample of 1,000 Torontonians surveyed via landlines and cellphones from August 14 to 16, with a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percentage points.
The poll also explored public sentiment on various city issues, such as the direction of Toronto, the importance of bike lanes in mayoral candidates’ platforms, the renaming of Sankofa Square, and the mayor’s relationship with Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Respondents were divided on these topics, reflecting differing perspectives across the city.
Bradford’s campaign has promised to remove specific bike lanes if he becomes mayor, while also proposing to rename Sankofa Square to Toronto Square. The survey results indicate varying levels of support for these proposals among respondents.
Furthermore, the poll highlighted the preferences of voters on how the next mayor should engage with Ontario Premier Doug Ford, with opinions split between striking a balance, standing up to Ford, or collaborating with the premier. As the mayoral race continues, with 45 candidates vying for the position, the dynamics and issues at play are shaping the upcoming election in Toronto.
