Former MP Chris Alexander drops out of Toronto's mayoral race

Toronto mayoral candidate Chris Alexander has withdrawn from the race just weeks before the election. He informed the public just half an hour before advance voting was set to begin. In his statement, Alexander expressed that the path to success had become unclear over the weekend. He acknowledged that despite their efforts to catch up faster, their goal was not achieved.

Alexander made this decision before advance voting started to ensure all Torontonians had a chance to vote for a candidate who would see their campaign through. Currently, he is trailing far behind the incumbent Olivia Chow and Councillor Brad Bradford in recent polls. After his withdrawal, the debate scheduled with him will only feature Chow and Bradford.

Alexander had previously served as a Conservative Member of Parliament for Ajax-Pickering from 2011 to 2015 and held the role of Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship under former Prime Minister Stephen Harper for two years. Advance voting will commence at 10 a.m. and continue until October 11, with the actual election scheduled for October 26.