Chris Alexander, a former federal cabinet minister, has officially entered the race for mayor of Toronto, announcing that he will file his candidacy papers the following day.
The announcement follows weeks of speculation among political circles, despite Alexander’s absence from elected office since 2011 and lack of municipal experience.
During a phone call, Alexander expressed uncertainty but conveyed enthusiasm for the role, citing frustrations with current councillor Brad Bradford.
The mayoral field now includes 32 candidates, with the primary contenders being Brad Bradford and incumbent Olivia Chow; Alexander’s entry adds a 33rd contender.
Alexander’s résumé features diplomatic assignments in Moscow, Kabul, and the United Nations, followed by election as MP for Ajax and service as minister of citizenship and defence.
His tenure in federal cabinet was marked by controversy over a tip line for cultural practices during the 2015 election, a move that attracted significant criticism.
Public recognition of Alexander remains limited; recent polling indicates that only a small percentage of voters can name him, despite his national profile.
A poll conducted by a municipal activist group found that 38% of respondents favored Chow, 29% supported Bradford, 30% were undecided, and only 3% backed Alexander.
With less than three months to build a campaign infrastructure, Alexander faces an uphill battle, as his lack of municipal visibility and the need to differentiate himself from established figures pose significant challenges.
Former cabinet colleague Lisa Raitt has cautioned that his candidacy could inadvertently aid Chow, highlighting the debate over whether Toronto requires a new mayor.
