Who is Olivia Chow
Chow arrived in Toronto from Hong Kong at 13 and has spent most of her adult life in its politics: school trustee, then 14 years on Metro and city council for the downtown wards, then eight years as the NDP MP for Trinity–Spadina. Her partner in all of it was Jack Layton, the councillor-turned-NDP-leader she married in 1988. In 2011 Layton took the party to 103 seats and Official Opposition for the first time, then died of cancer that August.
Her first run for mayor, in 2014, started as the front-runner's campaign. She led July polls at 40%, then faded to third behind John Tory and Doug Ford. Nine years later she won the 2023 by-election with 37.17%, beating Ana Bailão, and took office in July 2023.
- 1957
Born 24 March in British Hong Kong
- 1970
Moves to Toronto, age 13
- 1985–91
Toronto Board of Education trustee
- 1988
Marries Jack Layton, then a Toronto city councillor
- 1992–2006
Metro Toronto, then City of Toronto councillor, downtown and Trinity–Spadina
- 2006–14
NDP MP for Trinity–Spadina
- 2011
Layton leads the NDP to 103 seats and Official Opposition for the first time; he dies 22 August
- 2014
Runs for mayor; leads July polls at 40%, finishes third with 23.2%
- 2023
Wins the June by-election with 37.17%; sworn in 12 July as Toronto's 66th mayor
- 2026
Seeks a full term on 26 October
Read: Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Wikipedia
Chow and the Fords
Rob Ford. In 2014 Chow ran to replace him. As he returned to City Hall from rehab that June, she said: “Substance abuse is a disease, and he is sick. But Rob Ford needs to be replaced,” calling on voters to “democratically send Mr. Ford out of office.” CBC reported she also took her criticism of him to international media. Ford left the race that September after being hospitalized with an abdominal tumour, and his brother Doug ran in his place. A decade later, in May 2024, Mayor Chow supported renaming Centennial Park Stadium after Rob Ford.
Doug Ford. In the 2023 by-election the premier warned that electing Chow would be an “unmitigated disaster.” Within months they signed the New Deal for Toronto. The province took over the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway and committed $1.2 billion in operating money over three years plus $300 million up front. The city also agreed to let the province proceed with its contested redevelopment of Ontario Place, which includes a private spa and waterpark. Add the province's Ontario Line subway, and the Ford government's footprint in Toronto is large.
The friction never left. Ford's government is removing the Bloor, Yonge and University bike lanes over the city's objections. Chow's response in August: “the premier his first job is to fight Trump,” and bike lanes should be left “to the local community to decide.” Ford has also called city-run grocery stores “the craziest idea.” Then, on 16 September, he said: “The mayor and I have a phenomenal relationship… She's doing an incredible job. So, read between the lines.” His office later said it was not an endorsement.
Read: CBC News · CBC News · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Global News · CP24 · CP24 · CBC News