MPP Monte McNaughton is being supported by former Toronto mayor Rob Ford in his bid to become leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party.Alex Guibord
In a surprise move, former Toronto mayor Rob Ford says he will support Monte McNaughton, a relative newcomer to provincial politics, to become Ontario Progressive Conservative leader.
The controversial councillor made an impromptu announcement at City Hall on Thursday with the 37-year-old MPP by his side. The endorsement came as a surprise, given that Doug Ford – the former mayor's brother, who was glued to his side during his tumultuous term – has publicly backed rival Christine Elliott in the PC race.
"Monte should be the next premier of the province," Rob Ford said as he paid visits to his council colleagues, introducing them to the Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP. "I am going to support Monte, try to help him as best I can."
Mr. McNaughton, who was first elected to Queen's Park in 2011, said in an interview that he has known the former mayor for several years, and spoke of "similar values and principles."
"Rob Ford endorsed me because he believes I'm the conservative in the race," he said. "Rob Ford and I have, as I said, very similar values and principles for standing up for taxpayers."
The MPP said he is not concerned about being hurt by Mr. Ford's controversial past – including drug and alcohol abuse admissions, and a continuing police investigation.
Instead, Mr. McNaughton spoke of "similar backgrounds" of running small businesses, and added that, like the former mayor, he emphasizes customer service and advertises his personal cellphone number for constituents.
Mr. Ford dropped out of the mayoral race in September when he went to hospital with what turned out to be cancer. On Friday, the now-councillor said he has undergone his fifth round of chemotherapy, and will begin radiation next week.
Mr. Ford's endorsement was unexpected, given the Ford family's close relationship with Ms. Elliott, the widow of former federal finance minister Jim Flaherty. Doug Ford threw his support behind Ms. Elliott in November.
Mr. McNaughton said that he also has a friendly relationship with Doug Ford, but would not say whether he had tried to get an endorsement out of him as well.
Rob Ford's endorsement of Mr. McNaughton comes just one day after his former chief of staff, Newstalk1010 host Mark Towhey, announced he is working on the campaign of yet another PC leadership hopeful, Patrick Brown.
Also in the running to replace Tim Hudak are MPPs Lisa MacLeod and Vic Fedeli.
Ann Hui