Harper-era cabinet minister Chris Alexander a late entry in Toronto mayoral race

Chris Alexander, seen here during the Conservative Party of Canada leadership debate in 2017, has joined the race to become Toronto's next mayor. Photo by Ben Nelms/Bloomberg via Getty Images

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The race to become Toronto’s next mayor is welcoming a late and potentially game-breaking candidate in former Conservative federal cabinet minister and long-time diplomat Chris Alexander.

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The 57-year-old, once Canada’s ambassador to Afghanistan (2003-2005) and an immigration minister under former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, had been rumoured to be considering a run and informally launched his bid with a campaign website on Tuesday night.

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“I’m running because Toronto has been standing still for three years,” it reads.

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“A city with this much talent, strength and potential should not be under-performing. We need to work together to make Toronto better — the best it can be.”

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Alexander is expected to register his candidacy this morning at City Hall, per CBC, at which point he’ll become the 33rd person seeking the mayor’s job.

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While the field is crowded, polling indicates that, until now, the electorate has focused on two candidates — incumbent Mayor Olivia Chow and Coun. Brad Bradford seeking to usurp her.

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A poll conducted last week and released after Alexander’s announcement showed Chow leading by eight points among decided and leaning voters.

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“Among all voters, Chow is at 39 per cent, Bradford is at 33 per cent, someone else is at eight per cent, and 20 per cent are undecided,” according to a Liaison Strategies Toronto Pulse survey of 1,000 Torontonians between July 24-26.

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More to come.

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