Ontario Premier Doug Ford has called an early election, dissolving provincial parliament and setting the stage for a 28-day campaign. Ford cites looming U.S. tariffs as the reason for the snap election, stating he needs a strong mandate to protect Ontario's economy. Opposition leaders criticize the move, accusing Ford of wasting taxpayer money and prioritizing political gain over addressing pressing issues.
Ontario Lt.-Gov. Edith Dumont has dissolved provincial parliament following Doug Ford ’s request, triggering an early election call on Wednesday. Here are the latest developments on Tuesday, the day before the election campaign officially kicks off. Ford is making his way to Dumont’s office at around 2 p.m. to formally request the lieutenant-governor to dissolve provincial parliament. CTV News and CP24 will have a live stream of Ford's arrival.
The election campaign must always be held on the fifth Thursday after the writ drops, which leaves 28 days for the campaign period. Opposition leaders quickly weighed in on the provincial government shutting down for an early election. Ontario Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie said Ford is “wasting $175 million” for an early election, instead of using that money to “fix” the province’s health care system and tackling the affordability crisis. “As Premier, I’ll deliver More For You by guaranteeing you’ll have a family doctor, cutting taxes on your paycheque and home heating and building homes you can afford,” Crombie said in a statement. Meanwhile, Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles says Ford is playing on the anxieties of Ontarians amid looming tariffs for his “own political gain.” “People need a premier who will fight like hell for every single job that’s a risk, not run to the polls over a year early,” Stiles said. “In the coming weeks, we have the power to choose a better future for our province. We have the power to fight back against Donald Trump and turn the page on Doug Ford.”Ford is slated to launch his campaign in Windsor, Ont. at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Ford has said he needs a “clear mandate” to respond to U.S. President Donald Trump’s looming tariff threats. After signing various executive orders on his first day in the Oval Office, Trump said he was considering implementing sweeping 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods as early as Saturday. Premier Doug Ford said this morning that his cabinet has approved an economic action plan to respond to possible tariffs south of the border. “We do have a strong economic action plan which we will be rolling out over the period of the next 28 days. It is all about protecting the people of Ontario in every aspect, in every single sector,” he said.“With the threats we are seeing south of the border, threats of tariffs and economic force, it has never been more important for Ontario and Canada to do everything we can to protect our workers and protect our economy,” Ford told reporters at an unrelated news conference on Tuesday. “We are entering into a period of unprecedented economic risk and lengthy negotiations against President Trump and with the federal government and other provinces. Responding to this challenge will demand enormous action, including doing everything possible to keep our economy competitive.” When asked about the upcoming election campaign, Ford reiterated his comments about needing a “strong mandate” from voters to combat Trump’s possible tariffs. “This is a going to be a battle for the next four years and I want to make sure I have strong mandate to outlast President Trump,” he said.Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie confirmed she will be running in the riding of Mississauga East–Cooksville. “As the former mayor of Mississauga, I would be excited to run in any riding in Mississauga. It feel so great to put my name back on the ballot,” Crombie told CP24. “It is close to home. It is a great riding. I know the people in Mississauga East–Cooksville and I’m so excited to be representing them once again,” she added. CTV’s political analyst and commentator, Scott Reid, said recent polling suggests Ford enjoys a “giant lead” over his competition. “We are going to have to watch and see whether that plays out. The number one thing to watch for, in my view, if Doug Ford is going to defy expectations and find himself in trouble. We will know right away because he will stumble out of the gate,” Reid told CP24. “There will be pressure on him. ‘Why are you having this election? It is unnecessary. Why would you spend $175 million on an election you don’t need in order to fight tariffs. Why wouldn’t you spent that $175 million protecting business, workers.’ That’s what the opposition are going to say. Can they tag him with it? Can they slow him down?
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