In a bid for a 3rd majority authorities, Premier Doug Ford is sending Ontarians to the polls on February 27.
The date for the election was formally set Tuesday afternoon, when Ford visited Lieutenant Governor Edith Dumont and requested her to dissolve the forty third Parliament of Ontario and set an election date for subsequent month.
The lieutenant governor agreed to the request and set the election date for Thursday, February 27.
Ford indicated final week that it was his intention to name for an early election, multiple 12 months early. He claims a brand new mandate is critical to cope with U.S. President Donald Trump’s threatened 25 per cent of tariffs on Canadian merchandise being despatched the US.
Nevertheless, opposition events at Queen’s Park argue that Ford is dashing Ontarians to the polls so as to get forward of what some imagine may very well be some very dangerous information for the Progressive Conservatives. An investigation by the RCMP into the Ford authorities’s determination to open the Greenbelt to improvement is anticipated to quickly produce a last report. NDP chief Marit Stiles has mentioned the Premier ought to give attention to coping with the threatened tariffs, fairly than utilizing them as an excuse to carry an early election that’s prone to price over $150-million.
“Whereas the folks of Ontario are anxious concerning the grave risk of tariffs, Doug Ford is pursuing his personal political acquire. Individuals want a Premier who will battle like hell for each single job that’s in danger, not run to the polls over a 12 months early,” Stiles mentioned. “Doug Ford thinks that he can name an early election to flee his file of failure on housing, well being care, training and affordability. We received’t let him.”
Liberal chief Bonnie Crombie additionally launched a press release, criticizing the choice to carry an early election.
“Doug Ford’s Ontario has failed you,” she wrote. “He is losing $175 million on an early election as a substitute of utilizing it to repair our damaged well being care system and make your life extra reasonably priced.”
Premier Ford is anticipated to kick off his marketing campaign in Windsor on Wednesday.
