By Ray Rivers
February 18th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
In our democracy, a sitting government usually calls an election because its term is over, or because there is policy disagreement that can best be settled by going to the people. But neither of those explain why Mr. Ford has decided to call this unnecessary early election in one of the most brutal winter periods in recent memory. Pity those party workers canvassing for votes as they watch lawn signs either swept away by winter storms or a passing snowplow. And voting day, Feb 27th, is promising to be another cold snowy day.
Doug Ford: A provincial Premier not a Prime Minister.
Doug Ford would tell you that this is all necessary because he wants a four year mandate to fight the US president Trump. But that is nonsense – he’s provincial premier not PM. And we all suspect the real reason is the upcoming RCMP report on the Greenbelt. Ford admitted that he once mused about giving the provincial Greenbelt to his developer friends. Then he promised during his first and again during his second election campaign that he wouldn’t do that. Then he did that. Then he backtracked and finally apologized for being such an idiot. And now the RCMP may be on the cusp of potentially charging him with corruption.
The other political leaders easily trashed Ford’s record. By all accounts Ontario voters are worse off now than they were seven years ago when Ford won his first majority government. Hallway health care, for example, which he was going to eliminate, has only worsened. Two and half million Ontario residents can’t find a doctor and are forced to use walk-in-clinics or hospital emergency wards…or do without.
Traffic congestion, in fact grid lock in major cities, is the worst in modern history. Ontario’s contribution to climate changing greenhouse gases is increasing once again after years of decline. The provincial targets for housing have been missed again and new housing starts have tumbled. In fact, even single family homes, the kind Mr. Ford likes, have fallen to a 69 year low in the province. Meanwhile in 2024, more than 80,000 people in Ontario were experiencing homelessness, a 25% increase from 2022.
Ford’s promise to eliminate the deficit; to reduce electricity rates, to reduce taxes have all been broken. And despite racking up massive deficits and debt he has withheld or cut much needed revenues to education and health care. Instead Ford has wasted tax payer dollars either suing the federal government over carbon pricing, shutting down new electrical power plants and paying for his pet projects. One of those pet projects is the new spa at Ontario Place, which is costing every family in the province something like $400 according to the opposition NDP leader.
Nobody who watched the debate should want to trust Ford to manage our economy, even in good times. And we’ve all been told the upcoming tariff years will not be good times.
Sometimes debates matter in an election, It is unfortunate this one was timed around family dinners on Family Day, possibly missing the attention of many Ontario voters. So, many voters who might automatically vote for status quo will just do what they did last time. But nobody who watched the debate should want to trust Ford to manage our economy, even in good times. And we’ve all been told the upcoming tariff years will not be good times.
This is a snap election and last night’s was the only general debate among the leaders. When it was over there were only three left standing and Doug Ford wasn’t one of them. Ford never justified this early unnecessary election and the costs and inconvenience it is imposing on the voters. The debate, however, exposed just how poorly Doug Ford has managed the province and its economy.
On what planet does that pathetic performance record entitle him to continue as premier? Does he think we have rocks in our heads?
100% agree with all your comments. Dougie has always been out for himself, one way or another using promises of how he alone can get it done. And as always completely fails to accomplish anything.
We can only hope the other parties. Yank the rug out from under Doug and his enablers.
The $200 tax rebate he provided has cost Ontario $3.1 billion.
A rebate to all taxpayers was always ridiculous. At the time it was announced I suggested that those above the first level of taxation do not need and should not get a $200 rebate as they would not really notice it. Those in the first layer of taxation or below (those who pay no taxes because they have too little income), they deserved it. But $200? Maybe $1,000 or $2,000 would be the real help they needed and still need.
But really if there’s $3.1 billion floating around looking for a home then wouldn’t it have been much better to provide that $3.1 billion to healthcare where it is desperately needed.
After the $200 ($3.1 billion) is spent, the procedure wait lists will still be there. The emergency rooms will still be packed. Hospitals will still be short-staffed with nurses. Two and a half million Ontarians still won’t have a family doctor.
The $200 rebate simply put was a Druggie Fraud election vote bribe.
Voters open your eyes. Druggie Fraud has done nothing for you. He wants to build a new highway (through greenbelt and sensitive wetlands) whilst we have a sparsely used 407. Negotiate a deal with the 407’s owners for trucks to use it at no charge, or minimal charge and get them off the 401.
Druggie Fraud has eliminated the ability of municipalities to levy appropriate development charges from Druggie’s developer friends. Thereby forcing municipalities to substantially increase property taxes.
Send Druggie Fraud a message. Do not vote for a Conservative candidate. Place your vote strategically and vote for the candidate with the best chance of defeating the Conservative candidate.
Let’s see what the Ontario voters want and then decide if you the Liberal Lover know how elections work.
He definitely knows how elections work both in mechanics and in in practical terms. A large number of the electorate might be upset with Dougie Fraud but are apathetic and lazy. They might mouth off a lot and loudly but they do nothing about it. That together with election day being mid-winter will for sure mean the turnout is very low.