Adedokun Waliyu 
The frontrunner is still keeping a healthy lead in Toronto’s race for mayor with less than a week to go, according to the latest poll.
The recent survey from Liaison Strategies suggests former MP Olivia Chow is holding her lead. The poll shows her at 30 per cent support among decided voters with six days until election day.
“Chow is the clear favourite for Monday’s vote as this poll, and every other one, has her with a double digit lead heading into Monday’s vote,” said David Valentin, principal at Liaison Strategies.
Ex-Toronto police chief Mark Saunders trails Chow by 14 points at 16 per cent, followed by current city councillor Josh Matlow at 13 per cent and former city councillor Ana Bailao at 12 per cent. Saunders support is unchanged from the week prior, Matlow is down 3 points, and Bailao is up one.
“The undecided rate is now at 12 per cent, down one point, and we would expect in our final survey it holds steady or ticks down slightly.”
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Chow maintains 26 per cent support among undecided voters, with Saunders in second at 14 per cent. The most recent Liaison poll was conducted between June 17 and 18 and it surveyed more than 1,100 voters.
A Forum Research poll released on Monday similarly shows Chow maintaining a significant lead, with 32 per cent support among decided and leaning voters. Chow is followed by Saunders at 15 per cent, and Bailao and columnist Anthony Furey at 13 per cent.
While public safety remains his top priority, the major focus for Saunders at this point in the campaign has become Chow.
“Olivia Chow will be a disaster for this city,” Saunders said in a recent sit down with CItyNews. “I’ll be one that will restore that hope and bring us back to where we need to be and have respect and dignity for everybody that’s out there.”
Other candidates took part in the final debate of the campaign on Monday night. Mitzie Hunter, Matlow, Brad Bradford, Furey and Chloe Brown participated to discuss housing and affordability.
The byelection for a new mayor was triggered after John Tory officially stepped down back on Feb. 17 after announcing he had an “inappropriate relationship” with someone who used to work on his staff.
