TORONTO VOTES: Several west end councillors endorse Olivia Chow

"Look at the power behind us, the power of experience," Chow said beside a Dundas Street West community centre called The Junction Train Platform.

During something like a lull in the mayoral race, a day when frontrunner John Tory had cancelled debates and Doug Ford’s campaign had yet to fully launch, the council incumbents presented Chow as a consensus-builder who will help transit-riders and the city’s children.

"I believe Olivia will help us with child care," said Doucette, whose Ward 13 which includes The Junction has seen two child cares recently shut down. Others need funds to relocate themselves away from schools, she said.

Doucette said Chow’s pledges to bolster child care, and her campaign planks pledging an expanded distribution of healthy snacks in schools and after-school programs match her own goals.

Gord Perks, who holds the adjacent Ward 14 Parkdale-High Park, said it has similar needs, and is waiting for a new community centre.

Chow, who could put majorities together on votes when she was a Toronto councillor, has already made the city a better place, he said.

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"I can’t wait to see what she does as mayor of Toronto."

Mihevc, who represents Ward 21 St. Paul’s, said Chow would be "a healing presence at city hall" after four years of division. While some may slap a "tax-and-spend" label on the former New Democrat MP, the St. Paul’s councillor added, it’s her opponents’ transit plans, not hers, that would end up costing city taxpayers billions.

"She is the responsible one," Mihevc argued.

Layton, a Trinity-Spadina (Ward 19) councillor and son of Chow’s late husband Jack, conceded his endorsement may not be a surprise, but said Chow deserved it after the hard work she’s done as a councillor, MP and public school trustee.

"I’ve worked together with all councillors, no matter what side they’re on," added Chow, who was also accompanied by Joe Cressy, a candidate in Ward 20, and by Ausma Malik and Marit Stiles, both seeking positions as public school trustees this fall.

Tory has gotten public endorsements from two North York councillors, Jaye Robinson and John Filion.

When Chow was asked whether she would be able to count more councillors, including some identifiable as being in the centre or right of Toronto’s political spectrum, she smiled. "I will have a further announcement coming up, just wait," she said.

"Good things take time."

Chow has been running third, though after the sudden switch between Rob and Doug Ford last week, her poll numbers are more uncertain.

"I’m not worried at all," Doucette said after the announcement. "I think we have a hiccup in the polls" and things are changing, she added.

Later on Tuesday, a new poll put Chow in second place by a percentage point, with Doug Ford in third.