Matlow, Bailão, Chow leading pack of Toronto mayoral candidates: poll

A new poll suggests that former city councillors Josh Matlow, Ana Bailão and longtime Canadian politician Olivia Chow are leading the pack regarding hopeful Toronto mayoral candidates.

Mainstreet Research Poll surveyed just 746 residents in Toronto. Former police chief Mark Saunders is firmly in the mix, currently in fourth place.

The automated phone survey named 15 registered or potential candidates for mayor and was carried out from April 19 to April 20. The results show Matlow has the support of 18.1 per cent of decided and leaning voters, followed by Bailão, a close ally to former mayor John Tory, at 16.8 per cent, respectively.

RELATED: Mayoral candidates lay out visions for Ontario Place land

Chow, a former councillor and NDP MP expected to officially announce her candidacy in the coming days, is directly behind Bailão, receiving 16.2 per cent of the vote.

Saunders, meanwhile, received 12.6 per cent support in the latest poll. The former police chief has the trust of those surveyed regarding crime at 18 per cent, followed by Bailão (14 per cent), Chow and Matlow (tied at 12 per cent).

Bailão, Chow and Matlow (tied at 16 per cent) were the most trusted on affordable housing, with Matlow (15 per cent) and Bailão (14 per cent) receiving high marks for their promise to address traffic congestion in the city.

Last week, Bailão, Matlow and mayoral candidate Mitzie Hunter made separate announcements about what they would like to see happen to Ontario Place, a key piece of Toronto waterfront real estate.

Bailão said the former Science Centre space would make room for 5,000 new homes, including 1,500 affordable homes. That was before Premier Doug Ford teased the relocation of the Science Centre to Ontario Place, calling it “a great idea.”

Regarding the redevelopment of Ontario Place, the automated phone survey concluded that Matlow (17 per cent) and Bailão (16 per cent) lead the pack.

Chow, who is actively contemplating giving another run for mayor, lost to Tory in 2014. The 66-year-old teased a possible campaign run on March 27, saying, “I love this city, and I know it can be so much better — for everyone,” which linked to a media article saying she’s considering it.

The poll determined that if Chow opts against a run for mayor, Bailão would be the primary beneficiary, with 30 per cent of Chow supporters backing her as a second choice. Matlow is behind Bailão in this hypothetical, at 24 per cent, and Liberal MPP Hunter is trailing at 14 per cent.

Editor’s note: This article has been corrected to show that Olivia Chow was an NDP MP and not the former leader of the federal NDP.