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A series of controversies does not appear to have weakened Rob Ford’s popular support, with a new poll putting him 11 points ahead of his closest competitor in the race for the Toronto mayoralty.

According to an Ipsos Reid telephone survey of 400 people, the penny-pinching Etobicoke councillor is at 32% support, well in front of George Smitherman at 21%.

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The poll was conducted on behalf of the National Post,

Global Television and Newstalk 1010 from Friday to Sunday, after Mr. Ford was grilled for a past DUI conviction in Florida and comments he made about migrants to Toronto.

It is the largest lead for Mr. Ford since he joined the race in March. Mr. Smitherman entered the race as the clear frontrunner, but two polls in June put the former deputy premier and Mr. Ford neck and neck, within the margin of error.

Ipsos Reid pollster John Wright said the new numbers reinforce the notion of a two-person race. “And the Smitherman team better take a good hard look at these numbers, because if there’s any wake-up call, it’s now,” Mr. Wright said.

