Renata Ford, the widow of former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and sister-in-law to Ontario Premier Doug Ford, will run as the People's Party of Canada candidate for the riding of Etobicoke North in the upcoming federal election.
"I have deep concerns of what the future holds for Etobicoke North and for Canada," she told the room at the Royal Canadian Military Institute, after being introduced as one of the party's GTA candidates.
Last June, Renata made headlines when she launched a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against the premier, as well as fellow brother-in-law Randy Ford and their business, claiming she and her children lost millions of dollars after Rob Ford died.
Renata is also the aunt to Toronto city councillor Michael Ford.
Adding to the drama is Doug Ford's support for Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, the head of the party Bernier called 'morally corrupt' upon his departure from the CPC.
"Doug is his own person and he gets to choose who he wants to vote for," Renata Ford told reporters. "I found that Bernier is passionate, just as much as my husband was on the real issues."
She said with the lawsuit still before the courts, she couldn't comment on it, but did discuss her relationship with the premier.
"We're a family and we stick together when the times are tough, but we have different opinions," she said. "Rob and Doug are very different people and we stand up for what we believe."
Both Michael and Doug Ford released statements to the news shortly after it became official, with the premier's office simply saying it wished all candidates good luck.
Michael Ford said he wished the best for all candidates as well.
"I will not be supporting any one individual's candidacy in Etobicoke North. I do, however, look forward to working with whoever is elected on October 21," he said.
Renata wouldn't say if she informed her brother-in-law ahead of time that she was running.
Bernier said it was Ford who approached the party and he's proud that she did.
"I'm very happy and you know, I had tough times in politics a couple of years ago and she had a tough time also," he said. "But she's there with us and she believes in our ideas and she's ready to fight and that's great."
She said her time alongside her late husband in politics has prepared her for running for office, while denying the idea she was doing it for financial reasons.
"No, this is about Bernier, the party and the people of Canada," she said.
She was also asked about how she's doing after being put on three years probation a year ago for impaired driving.
"I'm healthier, stronger, I have great support and I think a lot of people go through hard times and they come out," she said.
As for the power of her last name, she simply said Rob was a great mayor for Toronto.