A recent poll indicates Mayor Olivia Chow is gaining more support among decided and leaning voters surveyed about Toronto’s mayoral race. Liaison Strategies conducted the poll, revealing that Chow maintains a lead with 49% support, followed by Coun. Brad Bradford at 38% and former Conservative MP Chris Alexander at 11%.
According to David Valentin, the principal at Liaison, the latest poll suggests that Chow’s lead has slightly increased compared to their previous poll earlier this month. Valentin mentioned that although Chow is in the lead, there is still a significant number of undecided voters, making the campaign crucial. He noted that Bradford faces a challenge with a narrower base of support.
The poll results show that Chow is ahead of Bradford by 11 points among decided and leaning voters. In Liaison’s previous poll on August 7, Chow had 47% support, Bradford had 40%, and Alexander had 10%.
Among all voters, Chow stands at 39%, Bradford at 30%, Alexander at 9%, and 19% remain undecided. The approval rating for Mayor Chow is at 52%, with 42% disapproving, as per the poll data.
The poll surveyed 1,000 Torontonians via landlines and cellphones from August 14 to 16, with a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percentage points. The residents were interviewed using interactive voice recording and the data was weighted based on the 2021 Census.
In addition to mayoral preferences, the poll also asked about the city’s direction, the importance of bike lanes, the naming of Sankofa Square, and the mayor’s relationship with Ontario Premier Doug Ford.
Regarding the direction of the city, 48% of respondents believe Toronto is moving in the right direction, while 45% think otherwise, with 7% unsure. Valentin commented that this positive sentiment benefits an incumbent.
When it comes to bike lanes, 65% of respondents consider a candidate’s stance on this issue important for their vote. The preferences on bike lanes varied based on respondents’ locations, indicating a citywide divide on the matter.
Brad Bradford, a mayoral candidate, has pledged to remove specific bike lanes and rename Sankofa Square if elected. The poll also highlights voters’ opinions on how the next mayor should interact with Premier Ford, showing varying preferences among respondents.
With 45 candidates in the mayoral race, voters have a diverse array of choices. For a complete list of candidates, visit the city’s website.