Poll shows Olivia Chow ahead as newcomer Chris Alexander draws modest support
A recent Liaison Strategies poll finds incumbent Olivia Chow leading the Toronto mayoral race, while former cabinet minister Chris Alexander has entered with about 10% backing.
Liaison Strategies’ first poll since Chris Alexander joined the mayoral contest shows incumbent Olivia Chow maintaining a lead, with 47% support among decided and leaning voters, seven points ahead of Brad Bradford’s 40%. Among the broader electorate, Chow holds 38% support, Bradford 32%, and Alexander 8%, while 20% remain undecided. Alexander, a former federal cabinet minister and ex-ambassador to Afghanistan, is largely unknown to voters, with 61% indicating no familiarity.
His entry appears to erode the centre-right vote that previously favored Bradford, whose favourable rating has slipped slightly. The poll also reveals that half of Torontonians approve of Chow’s performance as mayor, and a majority (81%) favor a greater police and security presence at large street festivals despite higher costs. Overall, the data suggest a still-open race, with Alexander’s impact uncertain and Bradford facing a tighter contest for anti-Chow voters.
Why it matters
The poll indicates shifting dynamics in Toronto’s mayoral race, affecting how candidates position themselves.
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