Polling shows Chow leading Toronto mayoral race as candidates prepare to square off in tonight’s debate

Olivia Chow continues to grow her significant lead in the polls, while she and other top candidates prepare to square off tonight in the first major debate ahead of Toronto’s mayoral by-election next month.

Olivia Chow continues to grow her significant lead in the polls, while she and other top candidates prepare to square off tonight in the first major debate ahead of Toronto’s mayoral by-election next month.

A Forum Research poll conducted on Saturday found that 36 per cent of decided and leaning voters favoured Chow, up three percentage points from last weekend, when Forum conducted a similar poll over a two-day period.

“The poll was conducted by Forum Research with the results based on an interactive voice response telephone survey of 1,029 randomly selected Toronto residents over the age of 18, 71 per cent by cellphone and 29 per cent on landlines,” Forum Research said in a press release.

Forum’s poll conducted last weekend on May 6 and 7 had Mark Saunders and Josh Matlow tied for second place behind Chow with 14 per cent support each amongst decided and leaning voters.

However, their most recent poll suggests that Saunders has separated himself from the pack as the clear runner-up.

“Support for Mark Saunders rose to 18 per cent, while Josh Matlow and Mitzie Hunter are tied for third at 10 per cent,” the press release read.

“About one in five of those surveyed remain undecided.”