Toronto’s acting mayor waded into the provincial election campaign Thursday, endorsing Liberal Leader Kathleen Wynne as a “city-friendly” candidate for premier.
Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly, who is in charge of all mayoral duties while Mayor Rob Ford is on a leave of absence, publicly expressed his support for Wynne less than two weeks after he told reporters he wouldn’t endorse any of Ontario’s provincial leaders ahead of the June 12 vote.
“I think that this city needs a city-friendly leader and this province needs a city-friendly premier, and Kathleen that leader and that premier is you,” Kelly told the audience at a Canadian Club of Toronto luncheon, where Wynne was delivering a speech.
Kelly said he decided to endorse a candidate after a citizen asked him about his initial decision to avoid entering the fray.
“The question was, ‘Don’t you care?’ … and that question remained with me,” Kelly said.
The deputy mayor said he chose to endorse a candidate who understands the concept of partnership.
Kelly is in the middle of his own re-election bid. A municipal election is being held Oct. 27 and Ontario's next premier will have to work with a new city council.
"It’s very gratifying to have Deputy Mayor Kelly here and have his support," said Wynne, who met with a handful of mayors Thursday morning.
Last month, she was endorsed by Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion.
Wynne is being challenged in next week’s election by Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak and NDP Leader Andrea Horwath.
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