The race for Toronto’s top job is heating up with the three leading candidates hitting the campaign trail for Labour Day.
Rob Ford released another batch of his popular bobble heads today. A Portion of the proceeds for the dolls will go to the Humber River Regional Hospital, with the Ford family promising to match all donations.
“Our family is going to match donations,” said Doug Ford. “If we sell 50,000 worth, we are going to donate $50,000.”
The event took place at Ford’s mother’s house in order to avoid using city property for what could be called a campaign event.
Toronto’s mayor also reiterated where his campaign stands and what he plans to do down the final stretch.
“I’m going to be doing what I’ve been doing for 14 years,” said Rob Ford. “Returning calls, saving tax payers money doing exactly what the people elected me to do back in 2000 as a councillor and as a mayor.”
A recent poll has Ford sitting in a close second, behind John Tory. But the mayor said those numbers don’t mean much to him.
Watch: Rob Ford makes gains, Tory still leads and Chow falters: Poll
“I don’t listen to polls, I never have. The only poll that matters is on October 27 (election day),” he said.
Ford added that he expects this election will generate a record voter turnout and called on Torontonians to make their way to the polls.
“I want people to vote, no matter who they vote for,” said Ford. “Obviously I’d love them to vote for me but I’d rather have them vote against me than not vote at all.”
The other leading candidates, John Tory and Olivia Chow spent their morning at the Labour Day parade.
Tory, marching alongside the Labourer’s Union, reaffirmed his desire to take over Ford’s job.
“I want to work, I want to run Toronto and work with everybody including people in unions to build a better city,” said Tory.
The Tory campaign has once again rolled out a radio advertisement this weekend, centred on the candidate’s transit plan.
“If you’re listening to me you’re stuck in traffic on your way to work or trying to get home to your family,” he said in the advertisement. “As your next mayor I will solve that problem quickly with SmartTrack… and we will get you on track 10 years faster than Olivia Chow.”
Chow also spent her morning marching in the parade, posting a new message on her campaign website regarding why she decided to attend.
“It’s a time to say there are things we can, and should, do together to create a fairer, more equal and progressive city,” she said in the statement. “A city that invests in and values public services, and which makes improving the lives of working people right now a priority.”
In the same statement, Chow said, more than anything else, the city of Toronto needs a new leader.
“We need a change from the last four years—change that reflects our values by investing now. That’s why I’m marching today, and why I am running for mayor.”
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