Deputy mayor Jennifer McKelvie endorses Ana Bailão in Toronto mayor’s race

Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie has thrown her support behind former city councillor Ana Bailão with just over a week to go in the Toronto mayor’s race.

McKelvie, the city councillor for Scarborough-Rouge Park, was named deputy mayor last fall following the municipal election and then thrust into the role as the city’s interim mayor when John Tory stepped down back in February after admitting to an inappropriate relationship with a staffer.

At the time of the transition, McKelvie made it clear she would not be running for mayor and has remained on the sidelines throughout the campaign.

“I love this city and this election is far too important for me to sit on the sidelines,” McKelvie said Friday adding that with city council having completed its legislative session, she felt a responsibility to “stand up for Toronto” and support a candidate.

“Ana is the only candidate capable of getting Toronto’s fair share from Doug Ford and Justin Trudeau. Her track record supports it. She’s the only one of sitting down with other governments and getting things done.”

A former deputy mayor under Tory, Bailão’s policies are seen by many as a continuation of Tory’s agenda at City Hall. She has received the endorsement of several union groups, a number of MPs, current city councillors Paul Ainslie, Shelley Carroll, Nick Mantas, Chris Moise, Frances Nunziata, and James Pasternak, as well as former mayors Barbara Hall and Art Eggleton.

According to the latest Mainstreet Research poll, Bailão has the support of 14 per cent of decided voters which puts her in second place behind front-runner Olivia Chow, who sits at 31 per cent. Former police chief Mark Saunders is close behind in third at 13 per cent followed by Josh Matlow at 12 per cent and Anthony Furey at 11 per cent.

Election day is June 26.