Former Toronto mayoral candidate and councillor Doug Ford says he will be running against Mayor John Tory in 2018’s municipal election.
“For four years we have watched all the hard work we did at city hall … slowly, slowly come undone,” Ford told supporters at his mother’s home Friday evening in Etobicoke during the family’s annual Ford Fest.
“Transit in this city is a mess, traffic has ground to a halt and your taxes have never been higher.”
READ MORE: Doug Ford considering running for mayor of Toronto in 2018
Ford took aim at Tory on several topics, including road tolls, Smart Track and taxes.
“Mr. Tory has failed to deliver on promises he made during the last election,” he said.
“I’m here to say enough is enough. I’m here to tell you as mayor, my number one job… is to save each and every one of you money.”
READ MORE: Doug Ford slams ‘the media’ and Bill Blair, gets personal during interview with Global News
Ford, who didn’t elaborate on any specific policy proposals during his speech, said he would focus on customer service.
“Together we are going to take this city back and give each and every one of you a voice. You will once again have your calls returned. You will once again have access to the mayor’s office.”
Tory was unavailable for comment on Ford’s candidacy Friday evening, but he addressed the announcement during an unrelated news conference earlier in the day.
“I think if you look at the transit network plan we’ve put in place, the progress we’re making on housing, the fact that we have done things including kids ride free (on the TTC) and keeping taxes low to make the city more affordable for families, I think people will reflect on all of that,” he said.
READ MORE: John Tory elected mayor of Toronto
“Go back three short years, the council was dysfunctional, the relationships with the other governments were in tatters, the reputation of the city was being challenged every day in media around the world.”
Tory was elected mayor in 2014 and beat Ford, who finished second, by more than 64,000 votes. Ford stepped into the mayor’s race later in the campaign. His brother, former Toronto mayor Rob Ford, originally was seeking reelection but was forced to withdraw from the mayor’s race due to health issues.
In September 2016, Ford said during an announcement about his book that he would be re-entering politics “within about a year.”
READ MORE: Doug Ford says he’s re-entering politics, targets Justin Trudeau
John Tory previously indicated he will be running for reelection next year.
The municipal election is scheduled for Oct. 22, 2018. The earliest candidates can register and begin fundraising is May 1.
WATCH: Doug Ford announces he will be running against John Tory in the 2018 Toronto mayoral election.
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