Renata Ford, Maxime Bernier pin hopes on 'Ford Nation' to capture Liberal riding

A federal election campaign launch in a small, stuffy office in the reliablyLiberalriding of EtobicokeNorth would normally gather little media interest except, of course, when a Ford is involved.

That's why it was here, at the campaign headquarters of Renata Ford, that Maxime Bernierdecided to formally kick offhis election bid earlier this week, on the first official day of the race.The leader of thePeople's Party of Canada is hoping to capitalize on that name and legacy, hoping the widow of former Toronto mayor Rob Ford just might have a chance of securing a victory for the fledgling party.

"I don't know what canhappen.But because of her name, shehas a good chancehere," Bernier saidabout his star candidate."That's why I'm with her."

For Renata Ford, who has no political experience, it was"destiny," she says, that she run and be part ofBernier's party. She repeats much of what she said when she first announced her candidacy in June:That Bernier'spoliciesand hispassion for his countryislike the passion her own husband had for city hall and the people it serves.

While Rob Ford's issues with substance abuse, most notoriouslycrack cocaine, grabbed headlines worldwide, Renata Ford has also had her own struggles. Back in June, she admitted she had gone through a"period of trials and tribulations"but was now "healthier" and "more ready than ever"to run to be a member of Parliament.

After pleadingguilty to impaired driving in 2018 for a 2016 incident, Renata Ford was sentenced tothree years of probation and 100 hours of community service.She wasalso issued a two-year driving ban and a $1,100 fine.

(When the topic israised during the news conference that followed Wednesday'scampaign launch,Ford saidshe can now drive, whileBernier simply said,"That's in the past.")

None of that, however, likelymakes much difference to manysupporters of Ford Nation, who stuck by Rob Ford during his tumultuous timeand feel the same affection for his wife.

The question is, however, will the political supportfor her husband and other Ford family memberstranslate into votes for her on Oct. 21?

'We love Renata and Rob'

"We love Renataand Rob, and we're here to support so the legacy continuesfrom Rob to her,"saidPenny Morrison, a resident ofEtobicoke Northand one of only a handful of supporters who came out for the campaign launch.

The Toronto riding represents a new political landscape,where constituencies and voters are notfundamentalist in their attachment to any one political party, saysMyer Siemiatycki, professor emeritus of political science at Ryerson University.

Etobicoke Northhas been one of the safest federal seats for the Liberalsin recent years, with Science and SportMinister Kirsty Duncan, who is running again, winning it by a margin of 39 percentage points in 2015.

Since 1962, the Liberals have only lost Etobicoke North once in 1984. Afterthe party won it back in 1988, it has only had three different MPs: Roy MacLaren, Roy Cullen andDuncan.

Yet what makes theriding one to watch in this election is that it'salso ground zero of Ford Nation.

It's where Renata's brother-in-law, Ontario PremierDoug Ford, has his seat, having flipped it last year from the provincialLiberals, who had previously held it since 2003.Doug Ford won by a margin of 27 points over the New Democrat candidate.

Meanwhile,Michael Ford, thenephew of Roband Doug, is the city councillor for the area.

"Fords are the best. The Ford brandyou can't beat a Ford, no matter who they are," saidMorrison. "This is the heart of Ford Nation. There's so many people from Ford Nation who love the Ford name because it's a guaranteed great thing to have a Ford. Doug is MPP. Michael is my councillor. If Renata is my MP, then it's complete."

Genevieve James, who was also at the campaign launch,says she, too, loved Rob Ford and believes Renata Ford will carry on his political tradition.

"The name is a legacy. But she's holding her own," she said.

But since the death of Toronto'sformer mayor, Ford Nationis not the unified force it once was.

Renata Ford is entangled in amultimillion-dollar lawsuit againstDoug Ford, fellow brother-in-law Randy Ford and their family businesses,claiming she and her children were bilked out of millions.

'I hear about Rob and the support he had'

Renata Ford won't speak about the lawsuit.And when asked whether the premier has offered any support, she'll only say that "Doug has his job to do and I'm more focused on the federal [election] and Maxime Bernier."

"When Igo to the doors, Ihear about Rob and the support he had," she said. "And theyloved Rob and my family, and they supportedus."

At the No Frills grocery store across the street from Ford's campaign office, Moe Rutherford, who lives in the riding and supported theLiberals in the last federal election,says the fact that a Ford is running in this election could certainly makea difference in how he votes.

"TheFord name is synonymouswith politics right across theboard," he said. "Rob Ford tried to do a lot ofthings that were good for the city, so that's a win factor for her.

"But what'sher platform?We're still wondering what it is," he said. "I can go either way."

Craig Morton, who has lived in the riding for 54 years, said while he hasbeen asupporter of the Fords, that doesn'tmeanRenata Ford will automatically get his support.

"I'm probablynot goingto back her;she doesn't come across well in thepress," he said. "I love the Fords themselves."

Jasbir Hundal, who is campaigningfor his sister, Conservative candidateSarabjit Kaur,says he doesn't believe theFord name or legacy is really an issue.

"I don't think there' s much impact," said Hundal, speakingat Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer'scampaign rally in Woodbridge, Ont.,on Wednesday."We are door-knocking, but peopleare not raising that."

Whilethere's often an advantage to challengingan incumbent when the candidate hasso-called "star power" attached to their name,Siemiatycki said, it is certainly no guarantee ofsuccess or a "magic wand."

"Star power, if it works, kind of depends on a known track recordand aset of accomplishments attached to the candidate," he said.

And when it comes to Renata Ford, despite the name, Siemiatycki doesn't expect a strong showing.

"She doesn't have a record or stature in her own right," he said. "Yes theFord name and brand has a certain cachet, but it's not a kind of blank cheque."

Also running in Etobicoke North areNDP's Naiima Farah and the Green's Nancy Ghuman.