Torontonians more committed to voting with Doug Ford’s name on ballot: poll

Doug Ford is motivating civic participation, according to a new poll.

An exclusive CityNews and Toronto Star poll by Forum Research conducted before Tuesday night’s mayoral debate revealed half of those surveyed say they are more likely to vote in this election because Doug Ford’s name will be on the ballot.

Of those asked 67 per cent of Ford’s supporters are most likely to say they are more committed to voting now, compared to 47 per cent of John Tory supporters and 27 per cent Chow supporters.

“Doug may not be quite as well-liked by Ford Nation as his more cuddly brother, but his Hail Mary entry into the race has certainly galvanized its citizens, and they’re eager to vote for their new champion,” said Forum Research president, Dr. Lorne Bozinoff. “The challenge will be for them to overcome the strong motivation that is also driving John Tory’s supporters,”

Even though he was released from hospital after his first round of chemotherapy, half of those polled feel Rob Ford should withdraw from the Ward 2, Etobicoke North race, even though those polls have him ahead in the district.

When it comes to one-on-one battles, according to the poll, Tory has the advantage over Ford and Chow.

And when Ford and Chow go head-to-head, Chow wins 50 per cent to 41 per cent.

The poll was conducted Tuesday from a sample size of 1,164 Torontonians.

A new Forum Research poll conducted exclusively for CityNews on Monday found Tory has maintained a seven-point lead in the Toronto mayoral race with Ford in second place, at 38 per cent and 31 per cent, respectively.

Olivia Chow remained in third place but her numbers increased from 19 per cent last week to 25 per cent in the latest poll.

Forum Research CEO Lorne Bozinoff said Ford has emerged from the 10 days since he registered on the mayoral ballot with relatively strong numbers.

“Doug Ford had to do three things: he had to come out of the gate strong and take ‘Ford Nation’ with him, and he did that. He then had to get beyond the honeymoon period, the sentimental period, the sympathy vote and all that, he had to get beyond that, and that’s the last 10 days. He has held on to his lead there,” Bozinoff said.

“Then finally, he’s got to come out with a really strong performance in the debate tonight.”

Ford, who officially launched his mayoral campaign on Saturday, entered the mayoral race on Sept. 12 after Rob Ford dropped out citing health reasons.

Last week, Dr. Zane Coehn at Mount Sinai Hospital said Ford had been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive malignant liposarcoma, a type of cancer in fat cells.

The municipal election will be held on Oct. 27.

Sept. 24 Forum Research poll

Mobile users click here to read the latest poll from Forum Research.

With files from The Canadian Press