Why are municipal mayors entering the Ontario election race with endorsements? [Video]

Oakville, Ont., mayor Rob Burton stood on the floor of a manufacturing plant behind a podium with the blue and white words “protect Ontario” emblazoned across the front.

“Thank you for the chance to express my personal view for whom I believe is best for the community I love, particularly for growth management,” he said on Monday.

Burton went on to endorse Progressive Conservative Party Leader Doug Ford, adding he was “not here on behalf of the municipality, as mayor.”

It’s a familiar formula for the PC campaign, which has seen several mayors from big and medium cities appear alongside Ford and offer him their endorsement.

A flurry of leaders — representing places like Brampton, Barrie, Welland and Windsor — have all introduced Ford at campaign events and offered his party their personal support for a third majority government. The endorsements represent a small fraction of the province’s 400-plus local …