Sources close to the government have revealed that Ontario Premier Doug Ford may call a provincial election as early as next week, citing the need for a strong mandate to address the potential economic fallout from US tariffs on Canadian goods.
Doug Ford may call a provincial election in Ontario as early as next week, according to two sources close to the government. The sources told CBC News that the election could be triggered in the first week of February, although it could happen even sooner. Ford has repeatedly stated his belief that he requires a new mandate from Ontarians to effectively address the potential economic damage resulting from US President Donald Trump 's proposed 25% tariff on Canadian goods.
This stance comes despite the fact that Ford's party currently holds a commanding majority in the provincial legislature, which is currently on recess. Ford has emphasized the need for a 'strong mandate' to defend Ontario's interests, stating, 'The stronger the mandate the better.' He argues that a new mandate from the electorate is crucial to potentially spend billions of dollars to safeguard jobs, businesses, and communities, asserting, 'We need a mandate from the people, we need a mandate to possibly spend billions of dollars to protect people's jobs, to protect businesses, and to protect communities, and there's only one group of people, I mean, one group that is gonna give me the mandate and that's the people. That's democracy,' Ford said.The potential election call comes at a time when speculation about early voting has been circulating for some time, predating Trump's victory in the US presidential election. Ontario's next scheduled election was set for 2026. Meanwhile, Ontarians are anticipating $200 'rebate' cheques from the government, which Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie has characterized as a 'pre-election bribe.'Earlier on Wednesday, Vic Fedeli, Ontario's minister of economic development and trade, declined to comment on the possibility or timing of an election. Fedeli asserted that the Ford government has been 'laser focused' on protecting Ontario jobs in the face of the looming tariff threat. 'These are all very, very serious issues and our job is to protect Ontario's jobs, Ontario workers,' Fedeli stated after a funding announcement in Toronto.He added that while he doesn't currently have a campaign office set up, he is prepared if an election is called. Ontario's fixed-date election law permits the premier to dissolve the legislature and call an election at any point before the completion of their four-year mandate. The Ontario Election Act mandates that the writ for an election, which initiates the 28-day election period, must be dated on a Wednesday.
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