Toronto, Ontario – Premier Doug Ford told reporters on Sept. 18, 2026 that his recent positive remarks about council candidate Chow should not be read as an endorsement. The clarification came during a press briefing after a reporter asked whether the premier would back any candidate in the upcoming municipal election while discussing a new funding agreement for the city.
When questioned about his stance on the funding deal and whether he would support a particular contender, Ford emphasized that his comments were limited to acknowledging Chow’s contributions and did not signal a formal backing. He reiterated that he has not, and will not, endorse any individual running for municipal office.
The briefing took place as Toronto prepares to vote in its city election later this year. The provincial government has been negotiating a fresh funding arrangement with the municipality, a topic that has drawn attention from local officials and media alike. Ford’s response was intended to separate his role in the intergovernmental funding discussion from any partisan involvement in the city’s electoral race.
Ford’s statement underscores his position of neutrality in the municipal contest, despite the heightened scrutiny of provincial leaders’ influence on local politics. By stating that his praise of Chow was not an endorsement, he aimed to avoid the perception of favoring a candidate while the province finalizes the funding package.
The premier’s remarks conclude a brief period of speculation about possible provincial support for specific municipal candidates. As the funding deal moves forward, Ford has signaled that his focus remains on the agreement’s details rather than on electoral preferences, maintaining a clear separation between policy negotiations and campaign politics.