Chow still front-runner as Bailão, Saunders gain ground: Toronto mayoral polls

Campaigning continues in the race to become Toronto’s next mayor as we enter the second day of advanced voting.

Two new polls courtesy of Mainstreet Research and Viewpoints show Olivia Chow is still the frontrunner in the race, but are at odds as to whether support for the former Member of Parliament is growing or shrinking.

The Viewpoints survey shows Chow has 37 per cent of support among decided voters, with her closest competitor, ex-Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders, at 15.4 per cent.

Other candidates are hovering at or below 10 per cent, with Josh Matlow at 10.3 per cent, Ana Bailão at 10 per cent, Brad Bradford at 9.5 per cent, Anthony Furey at 9 per cent, and Mitzie Hunter at 6 per cent, respectively.

“This data reveals that Chow’s lead has grown and widened. She has momentum as undecided voters start to firm up their choice,” said James Valcke of Viewpoints Research.

RELATED: ‘I’m the only one’: Mark Saunders bills himself as only alternative to Olivia Chow

A poll by Mainstreet Research tells a different story, showing Chow slipping by three points to 29 per cent, and former Deputy Mayor Bailão boosted to 20 per cent.

Saunders and Matlow come in third and fourth with 13 per cent and 11 per cent, respectively. Hunter and Anthony are tied for fifth with 9 per cent each, according to Mainstreet Research.

The Viewpoints poll was conducted online from June 1 to June 2, consisting of just over 1,000 Toronto residents aged 18 and over.

It also showed that a majority of voters (56 per cent) agreed they want the next mayor to “stand up to Doug Ford,” while 36 per cent want the next mayor to work with the Premier. Eight per cent were undecided.

Mainstreet’s latest report is based on a survey conducted from June 7 to June 8 among a sample of 706 adults, 18 years or older, living in Toronto.