Ontario Premier Doug Ford has criticized mayoral frontrunner Olivia Chow, a longtime NDP politician, stating that her election as Toronto’s new mayor would be an “unmitigated disaster.”

Ford made the comments while speaking in Burlington, days before the June 26 election.

“You want my opinion? If Olivia Chow gets in, it will be an unmitigated disaster,” he said.

“Taxes are going to go up 25 to 30 per cent, when people can’t afford the rent, can’t afford mortgages now. Business are going to be fleeing Toronto, as far as I’m concerned.”

Ford further said  “workers should be terrified.” 

He added, “Folks, remember this, God forbid Olivia Chow gets elected, your taxes are going up at an unprecedented rate. Companies will leave.”

Olivia Chow responded to Ford by saying he doesn’t get to decide the mayor.

Chow’s union-happy plan to keep closed tendering for municipal contracts has been criticized by not just Ford but also the Financial Post’s Matthew Lau.

Lau wrote an article titled “Olivia Chow’s policies of more taxes, regulation will push Toronto to poverty and decay.” He argued that unlike candidates Anthony Furey and Brad Bradford, Chow won’t end closed tendering for municipal contracts. This means that the costs of projects will be higher for taxpayers due to a less competitive bidding process, one that’s only open to unions.  

Furthermore, Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre said the idea of Chow being good for Toronto is “bonkers.” 

Despite the opposition, polls suggest Chow will win the election rather easily.

Chow ran in the 2014 Toronto mayoral election, placing third behind winner John Tory and runner-up Doug Ford himself. 

Last year, John Tory announced his resignation as mayor of Toronto after getting caught having an extramarital affair with a 31-year-old staff member during the pandemic.