Toronto mayoral candidates – from left to right, Olivia Chow, Rob Ford, David Soknacki, Karen Stintz, and John Tory – pose with moderator Chris Selley, far right, following a mayoral debate in Toronto on July 15, 2014.DARREN CALABRESE/The Canadian Press
Three weeks after Rob Ford's return from rehab, a new poll suggests he is in a three-way statistical tie with Olivia Chow and John Tory in the Toronto mayoral race.
The Forum Research opinion survey found that Ms. Chow had the support of 29 per cent of those polled while Mr. Tory was backed by 28 per cent of respondents and Mr. Ford had the support of 27 per cent.
However, Mr. Ford had the lowest approval rating of the main candidates, at just 33 per cent. Mr. Tory was in front, with the support of 67 per cent of respondents, while Ms. Chow had a 54 per cent approval rating.
The other two main contenders trailed well behind in terms of voter intentions. Karen Stintz had the support of 6 per cent of respondents, while David Soknacki had 5 per cent. Four per cent of those polled were undecided.
The poll, which has a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points 19 times out of 20, surveyed 1,063 Toronto residents on Monday.
The Forum Research findings are markedly different from a poll done earlier this month by Nanos Research.
The Nanos poll found that Mr. Tory had taken the lead in the race, with 39.1 per cent support, and Mr. Ford trailed in third place at 21.7 per cent. Ms. Chow had 32.7 per cent support.
Mr. Ford returned to city hall in late June after a two-month absence to attend a rehab program.
The municipal election will be held on Oct. 27.
Jill Mahoney