Over a third of Torontonians would still vote for Rob Ford: poll

ABOVE: Mayor Ford accused of smear campaign against councillors. Jackson Proskow reports. 

TORONTO – Rob Ford’s videos, explicit language and ongoing crack scandal hasn’t stopped 39 per cent of voters from considering casting a vote for the embattled mayor in the next election, according to a new poll.

The Ipsos-Reid poll found that 64 per cent of  Torontonians believe council’s move to strip the mayor of most of his power was the right move.

However, Ford’s fiscal conservative agenda is still sought after by voters.

According to the poll, 62 per cent of Torontonians want council to continue with the mayor’s agenda. Those who agree with his agenda are more likely living in Etobicoke and Scarborough rather than residents in the city’s core who are more likely to disagree with Ford.

Read More: 2013 review: The year in Rob Ford

Some highlights from the poll:

• 39 per cent would consider voting for Ford
• 61 per cent however would not vote for Ford
• 61 per cent of Scarborough residents and 50 per cent of East York residents would vote for him
• Only 36 per cent of Etobicoke residents would vote for him

Since admitting to crack use in October, the mayor has been constant fodder for late-night television, had his powers stripped, his office budget slashed, and 11 staff members moved to the deputy mayor’s office. And most Torontonians believe council’s decision to reduce Ford to mayor in name only was a good idea.

In Depth: Rob Ford

According to the poll, 64 per cent of Torontonians supported council’s decision to place Ford’s power in the hands of deputy mayor Norm Kelly. Only 36 per cent disagree.

And 68 per cent of Torontonians surveyed agree Kelly should be meeting with political leaders, like Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne, instead of Ford.

The poll was conducted online by Ipsos-Reid between December 9 and 13. It surveyed 485 Torontonians. The poll is considered accurate to +/- 5.1 percentage points.