Popular Toronto mayor not choosing sides in federal campaign

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford says he's stayed out of the federal election campaign so far and has no intention of getting involved over the final four weeks — with one exception.

"If there's one person I'm going to help it is a friend of ours, Jim Flaherty, everyone knows that," said Ford during a scrum with reporters on Friday.

Ford said — except for Flaherty — he's not endorsing "any leader or any party."

Flaherty is a long-time friend of the Ford family and is also the Conservative member of Parliament for the riding of Whitby-Oshawa, just east of Toronto

The Toronto mayor said he hopes no matter who is elected in the May 2 vote they'll help the city.

"Whatever leader, or whatever party can help out the City of Toronto the best, will help out the taxpayers," said Ford.