Gong, Chris Sky, Molly the dog: How fringe candidates fared in Toronto’s byelection

Olivia Chow was elected as Toronto’s 66th mayor in Monday night’s closer-than-anticipated byelection.

Chow edged out former city councillor Ana Bailão — the only two candidates to garner more than 100,000 votes. Several other names saw at least 10,000 ballots cast with their names selected — here’s a look at what’s next for some of the top candidates who came up short.

In total, there were 102 names for Torontonians to choose from. Here’s how some of the notable fringe candidates fared.

Gong Xiao Hua

“Gong for Mayor” signs were a common sight across the city in the weeks leading up to the byelection, but despite winning the sign game, Gong Xiao Hua couldn’t crack the top 10.

Gong had a massive advertising campaign that included radio and television spots and a massive billboard at Yonge-Dundas Square. In the end, he received just under 3,000 votes, good for 11th place.

He has has been mired in controversy in recent years despite some success in various business ventures including manufacturing health supplements, creating media channels, commercial property and running beauty pageants.

He’s been accused of being involved in a pyramid scheme and while charges against him were ultimately dropped, his company was convicted and fined in Ontario. That led him to sue the Ontario Securities Commission for $7 million just a few months ago.

His team will be busy now, as all election signs must be removed by Thursday evening (72 hours after the polls closed).

Chris Sky

Chris Saccocia, more commonly known as Chris Sky, made his name as vocal opponent to public health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He finished 9th with approximately 8,000 votes. Saccoccia commented on the results as they trickled in, questioning the validity of the election, claiming he “exposed the largest act of fraud in Canadian history.”

Saccoccia was arrested earlier this month after being accused of uttering death threats. He posted a video to social media that week claiming he was turning himself in to Toronto Police 53 Division.

He was previously charged in 2021 with three counts of uttering death threats and assaulting a peace officer after he reportedly threatened to kill Ontario Premier Doug Ford and other Canadian politicians.

Giorgio Mammolitti

Former outspoken city councillor Giorgio Mammolitti finished 13th with just over 1,000 votes.

Mammoliti held his North York riding for more than two decades before losing his seat in the 2018 election after the wards were reduced from 44 to 25. He then made a failed bid for mayor of Wasaga Beach.

The councillor frequently made headlines during his time at city hall for a number of controversial remarks. He had his Twitter account suspended in the weeks leading up to the byelection after responding to a user, saying “they could use a shot in the face.”

Molly the dog

The only four-legged candidate on the ballot managed to crack the top 20 in Monday’s vote.

Molly the dog, running with her owner Toby Heaps, received just under 600 votes.

The canine, and her owner ran on the promise to “Stop the Salt Assault” on city roads during the winter. Heaps claimed if he had won he would designate Molly as the city’s first dog mayor.

Full results from the 2023 mayoral byelection can be found here.