TORONTO

Ontario PCs are holding the lead in Toronto, a key battleground for Kathleen Wynne’s Liberals, according to a Forum Research poll.

Among decided and leaning voters, 38% of 416-area residents say they’d cast their ballots for Patrick Brown’s PCs if an election were held now, compared to 31% for the Liberals, 22% for Andrea Horwath’s NDP and 2% for Mike Schreiner’s Green Party of Ontario.

Forum’s poll of Toronto voters in March had the Tories at 36% and the Liberals at 31%.

“The Progressive Conservatives still lead in Toronto, a region which the Liberals need if they have any hope of re-election,” Forum Research President Lorne Bozinoff said. “It won’t be surprising to see the Liberals include some Toronto-specific goodies in their budget to try and woo back their disaffected supporters in the city.”

The strongest backers of PCs are Doug Ford supporters, middle-aged respondents, men, college and university grads, commuters and those who live in Etobicoke or North York.

Liberals are drawing support from women, the poor, public transit users and Mayor John Tory’s supporters. The NDP appeal to the youngest voters and Toronto residents earning $40,000-$60,000 annually.

Forum Research surveyed 840 Toronto residents April 4-5.