Former columnist Anthony Furey gaining in polls as Toronto byelection nears
Posted May 30, 2023 5:01 pm.
Last Updated May 30, 2023 5:15 pm.
While there may be over 100 candidates for mayor in the Toronto byelection, one candidate is gaining some traction amongst voters with a variety of conservative policy announcements in his campaign.
Former Toronto Sun columnist Anthony Furey has increased support in recent polls in what has already been a crowded race.
Furey has so far painted himself as a City Hall outsider with a no-nonsense right-wing approach to problems that persist in the city, including an announcement Tuesday about safe injection sites.
“[Safe injection kits] are being distributed, not just at injection sites, but the family shelter system all across Toronto. I want to be clear on something. As a candidate for mayor, this is not going to continue under my watch. This is ridiculous,” said Furey.
With that, he’s receiving some attention.
The latest poll from Forum Research has him in a tie for fourth place with nine per cent support among decided or leaning voters. Main Street Research, meanwhile, also shows him with nine per cent support and in fifth place among the top-tier candidates.
When asked about the poll numbers, Furey said, “It feels great. And I mean, what’s the strategy? [It’s] common-sense policies, hard work, getting out and meeting all the amazing people of all walks of life from the city, corner to corner. I’m going to Etobicoke. I’m going to Scarborough. I’m an east ender myself.”
RELATED: Mayoral front-runner Olivia Chow plans a ‘modest’ property tax increase
The former columnist has received endorsements from controversial author Jordan Peterson and former Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs and President of the Treasury Board John Baird.
During Furey’s campaign, the 39-year-old has pledged to halt any new safe injection sites, remove tent encampments, hire 500 police officers and boost their visibility on streets.
He also wants to stop new bike lanes, reopen King Street to through traffic and continue with plans to rebuild the Gardiner East. Furey also mentioned his intentions to initiate legal action against Metrolinx over the delays finish the Eglinton Crosstown LRT.
Furey has since promised to eliminate the municipal land transfer tax for first-time homebuyers and grow the physical boundaries of Ontario Place. These are all policies that have also been noted by other high-profile candidates, including former Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders.
RELATED: Byelection for Toronto mayor to take place June 26
Brad Bradford, another right-leaning candidate in the race, has fallen behind Furey in some polls. He hopes more people will be paying attention by the time election day draws closer.
“The only poll that matters, of course, is on June 26. But I recognize that, again, people are living busy lives. We’re all consumed in this election, but people are fighting to put food on the table,” said Bradford.
Bradford has made a point of targeting both Olivia Chow and Saunders with his messaging, warning one will raise taxes while the other will be, the “Premier’s rubber stamp at City Hall.”
“We need somebody who’s going to stand up for Toronto’s interests. We need less talk and more action and someone who’s going to tackle the priorities of affordability, community safety, and getting the city moving,” he added.
Furey has also chosen to take on Chow, the latest front runner, in the race, with the hope of gaining even more ground before election day on June 26.
“I know what Olivia Chow, right out of the gate, said she’s going to tear down the Gardiner. I mean, respectfully, I just think that’s one thing to talk about when we have so much congestion,” Furey said.
“I’m not going to be tearing down the Gardiner. I have said I’m not bringing in entirely new taxes.”
With files from Meredith Bond
