Ontario Premier Doug Ford has announced a snap election for February 27th, seeking to expand his majority in the legislature. He attributes the decision to the potential for 25 percent tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump, arguing that a strong mandate is needed to combat this threat. Opponents criticize the move, calling it unnecessary and a distraction from ongoing investigations.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford intends to trigger a snap election on Wednesday, aiming for an even more substantial majority than his current government possesses. He cites the looming threat of 25 percent tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump as the rationale for this move. The election would send Ontarians to the polls on February 27th, over a year ahead of the scheduled fixed election date in June 2026.
Ford, already holding a significant majority with 79 out of 124 seats in the legislature, indicated his dissatisfaction with the current situation. 'We need the largest mandate in Ontario's history,' he declared at a press conference on Friday. 'When you have a strong mandate in politics, and you have a strong mandate from the people for the next four years to last over the four years of the Trump administration, I can tell you, the opposition treats you with a little more respect, as opposed to being vulnerable. Always people think, 'OK, they're going into an election.'' Ford, while in Brampton, Ontario, to announce plans for an LRT tunnel project, emphasized the importance of a strong mandate. The election may see heightened competition in Brampton and the rest of Peel Region, which includes Mississauga and Caledon, with former Mississauga mayor Bonnie Crombie now leading the Ontario Liberals. Ford confirmed his intention to meet with the lieutenant-governor on Tuesday to dissolve the legislature and issue the writs on Wednesday. He asserts his ability to fulfill his duties as premier while simultaneously campaigning as leader of the Progressive Conservatives. He remains committed to visiting Washington, D.C., twice in February to advocate against potential tariffs with U.S. lawmakers. Ford anticipates a disproportionate impact on Ontario from the possible Trump measures, particularly the auto sector, potentially resulting in the loss of up to 500,000 jobs if the 25 percent tariff threat is enacted. 'When the tariffs hit, it affects the media, it affects manufacturing, it affects every single sector in this province,' he stated in response to a question regarding his platform's fully costed details. 'So you better pray that we get elected, because I'm going to protect everyone's job, including the media's job.' Opposition parties have countered that an early election is unnecessary, as they would support stimulus spending, and Ford already possesses a mandate to safeguard Ontario's interests. The Green Party Leader, Mike Schreiner, argued that the tariff threat underscores why the premier should not call an election. 'We need to demonstrate strength through unity to defend Canadian workers, Canadian jobs and Canadian companies,' he stated in a release. 'But Doug Ford is putting his job before your job.' Rumors of an early election have circulated since spring, and NDP Leader Marit Stiles believes Ford has latched onto tariffs as justification. 'I think he's just been looking for an excuse, an excuse so that it will distract from the fact that his government is under criminal investigation by the RCMP,' she commented. 'He says that he needs a mandate to fight for jobs in Ontario? I have a message for him: you are the premier of this province. It is your mandate every single day to fight for the jobs of working people in this province.' The RCMP is investigating the government's decision to open portions of the protected Greenbelt for housing development, a now-reversed policy that allegedly benefited a select group of developers by an estimated $8 billion, according to the auditor general. Ford maintains his confidence that no criminal activity occurred
Ontario Election Doug Ford Snap Election Donald Trump Tariffs Conservative Party Greenbelt RCMP Investigation
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