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But while her delivery was stern and her rhetoric forceful, there were three words she avoided using in her prepared remarks: “Premier Doug Ford.” Instead she repeatedly attributed the decision to “the province.”ÌýÌý

Her reluctance to directly attack the Conservative premier was in contrast to one of her progressive council allies, Gord Perks, who earlier in the day told reporters that by scrapping automated speed enforcement (ASE) cameras, Ford was risking lives to score political points.

But refusing to pick a fight with the premier was typical for Chow, who despite being on the opposite end of the political spectrum as Ford has sought compromise rather than confrontation with him in the two years since she took office over his contentious policies on Ontario Place, supervised consumption sites, bike lanes and more.

The speed camera debate is the latest test of that approach, whichÌýChow’s boostersÌýargue has allowed her to wring key concessions for the city out of Queen’s Park, but which at least one prominent progressive claims has led the mayor to repeatedly cave to Ford on major issues, to the long-term detriment of Toronto.

With the mayor in the final year of her term and potentially facing a tough re-election fight next October, those close to Chow say she’s taking the right approach, and don’t believe that working with the Tory premier on thorny issues will weaken her support among progressive voters who in 2023 helped make her Toronto’s first left-leaning mayor in more than a decade.Ìý

“It’s all about managing the relationship. When do you fight and when do you not?”Ìýsaid one source close to Chow, who like others quoted in this story spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive political relationship. “Of course the base likes the fight. But there’s also material benefits that the mayor has been able to win by working with the premier in a way that surprises people.”Ìý

The Ontario government wields tremendous legislative and financial power over municipalities in the province, which the three-term premier has already demonstrated through surprise decisions to slash the size of º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøcouncil and grant its leader strong mayor powers.Ìý

Chow’s first major concession to Ford was tied to what has arguably been the biggest success of her administration. When she struck the so-called “new deal” with the premier in November 2023, the mayor could take credit for wiping up to $6.5 billion in costs off the cash-strapped city’s books through the province’s agreeing to take ownership of the money-draining Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway, as well as for securing $1.2 billion in provincial operating funding for transit and shelters.Ìý

But as part of the deal, Chow agreed to not fight Ford’s plans to allow a private company to build a mega-spa at Ontario Place. That was a bitter pill for her supporters who had been encouraged by her election promise to fight to keep Ontario Place public. After the new deal, Chow explained that while her position hadn’t changed, the municipality had no ability to stop Ford’s plan, and the issue was best fought over at Queen’s Park, not city hall.ÌýÌý

Since the province passed legislation in November 2024 that will allow it to tear out cycling lanes on University Avenue, Bloor Street and Yonge Street, Toronto’s bike-riding mayor has said she’s trying to find a “win-win” with the premier. To do that, she’s proposed redesigning some bikeways to restore traffic lanes for cars, while also keeping space for cyclists.Ìý

At points, Ford’s government has seemed open to that compromise, and a second source close to the mayor said the strategy has preserved the bike lanes, at least for now. While there are some º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøprogressives who are passionate about cycling and “who would like to see more” from the mayor on the file, “I think there is a general appreciation of the fact that she is working to save the bike lanes,” they said.Ìý

However, the immediate obstacle for the premier’s designs on bike lanes is a Charter challenge brought not by the mayor, but by cycling advocates. In July, a Superior Court judge ruled that removing the cycle tracks would be unconstitutional. Ford has criticized that decision as “ridiculous” and his government is appealing. If he wins, at least some of Toronto’s major bike lanes could yet be removed.ÌýÌý

In the case of the speed cameras, it’s also not yet clear whether Chow’s diplomacy will bear fruit. In the weeks leading up to Ford’s announcement, the mayor tried to reform the ASE program in response to his public criticism of the devices. Sources confirm that those efforts, which included supporting more visible signage and a grace period for first-time speeders, were an effort to forestall the premier from scrapping the cameras altogether.Ìý

If so, they didn’t work, at least not yet. But the mayor is vowing to move ahead with ASE reforms.

And while still not openly criticizing Ford, her messaging in defence of speed cameras was more pointed than her reaction to previous policy missives from the premier. That could be in part because the mayor feels strongly that the devices are important for road safety, but is also a sign her administration is growing frustrated by being repeatedly drawn into what it considers distracting controversies originating from Queen’s Park.Ìý

“I think there’s been too many in a row,” said the first source. The cameras “are broadly popular and useful, and on this (issue) the province has provided no evidence” to justify its intervention.Ìý

One source with knowledge of Chow’s thinking said she is emboldened to be more vocal about speed cameras because she believes the public is on her side, and Ford has shown he’s willing to change course when faced with public backlash.

If she can’t convince him to keep the cameras herself, her defence of them could create a base for others to pressure him before he introduces camera-killing legislation next month.Ìý

Still, Chow is hardly declaring war on the premier. She confirmed Friday that she gave Ford advance warning of her press conference this week, and meanwhile, she and the province continue to work closely on important files like last month’s joint announcement of plans to allow greater housing density around transit stops.Ìý

The city’s financial future — as well as Chow’s political fortunes — could depend on continued co-operation. The $1.2 billion in operating funding from the new deal is set to run out after next year, and while the mayor hasn’t confirmed she plans to run for re-election, she would be on sounder footing if she and Ford can reach a second edition of the agreement before the end of her term.Ìý

To date, few members of Toronto’s progressive establishment have publicly criticized Chow’s chummy relationship with Ford, which aside from political considerations appears animated by genuine friendship. He , and has praised her for naming an Etobicoke stadium after his late brother Rob, the former mayor.Ìý

But Gil Penalosa, an independent who ran for mayor in 2022 and endorsed Chow the following year, said she’s not doing enough to stand up to the premier. He claims that she’s avoiding messy political fights in an effort to stay on course for re-election, and has said her administration has “failed” through a lack of ambition.Ìý ÌýÌý

“I don’t think she is compromising (with Ford). I think she’s giving in on all these issues,” he said in an interview. He was particularly critical of her backing down over Ontario Place, and handing control of the Gardiner to province.

During her election campaign Chow committed to rebuilding the eastern elevated portion of the highway at ground level, and Penalosa believes both the spa plan and allowing the elevated highway to continue cutting off the city from the waterfront are generational mistakes.

Having a positive relationship with the premier is laudable, he said, but “she should be fighting for what is good for Toronto.”