'Toronto is in a very bad mood': Why the city's race for a new mayor will likely get meaner

While it may feel like more candidates are resorting to negative campaigning early in the Toronto mayoral election, one political strategist says what we’ve seen so far is likely just a taste of what’s yet to come.

It felt this week like candidates in Toronto’s race to pick a new mayor started to use their elbows a little bit more.

Multiple candidates issued statements and tweets taking shots at their rivals.

Ana Bailao called former council colleague Josh Matlow, a “plagiarist,” accusing him of cribbing his platform from former candidate Gil Penalosa. Mark Saunders also took a swipe at Matlow, saying during an announcement “I usually chuckle when I hear candidates like Josh Matlow chastise people for using cars.”

Saunders had previously lashed out at Olivia Chow over safe injection sites.

But Saunders found himself the target of some fire this week. Former columnist, Anthony Furey took a shot at the former police chief, saying that he himself “started soft on injection sites, then tried to shift to my position” and also accused him of copying a promise to tear up bike lanes.

“Mark Sanders isn’t a leader, he’s a follower“ Furey tweeted.

So what’s the strategy behind the shots candidates seem to be firing off at one another more frequently? Well there may not be just one.