Ontario Premier Doug Ford is being teased that he could call a snap election as early as next week, as his party looks to capitalize on a potential tariff turmoil to boost the Progressive Conservatives’ election chances.
Asked by reporters Wednesday if Ontarians should expect the election campaign to begin next week, Ford replied “stay tuned” and repeated his mantra that the U.S. They need a new mandate to fight potential tariffs from
Ford has suggested an early election may be needed to give the next Ontario government a “loud voice” to effectively deal with U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration and threats of tariffs on Canadian exports.
“That’s the great thing about democracy – they either vote for the government, or they vote for them,” the prime minister told reporters on Wednesday.
While the Progressive Conservatives have two dates—Jan. 29 and Feb. 5 – Circles on his calendar for the start of the election campaign, the Premier’s plans are kept very secret.
However, Global News has learned that civil servants have been asked to finalize all ministerial announcements before Tuesday, January 28, potentially allowing the premier to visit Lt. Gov. Edith Dumont to dissolve her government and call a general election the next day.
Under Ontario law, writs of election must be issued on Wednesday and held on the fifth Thursday after the election — meaning voters can cast ballots as early as Feb. 27.
Critics blasted the government’s electoral logic
Dates aside, Premier Ford’s reasoning has been heavily criticized by opposition leaders, who have pledged to support the government’s efforts to fight tariffs and rescue the economy if it starts to falter.
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Ford, whose party currently holds a 79-seat majority in the Ontario legislature, has argued that the Ontario government needs the strength of numbers to amplify the province’s voice in Ottawa and Washington.
Economic Development Minister Vic Fedelli, who traveled to Washington for Trump’s inauguration, said he was able to secure meetings with a number of American lawmakers during his visit.
“We had all day. I mean, meeting after meeting after meeting after meeting. I haven’t seen anyone who doesn’t want to talk to us,” Fedeli said, adding that he met with senators, members of Congress, US businesses, the US Chamber of Commerce.
When asked if any stakeholders or politicians declined the meeting, Fedeli said, “To my knowledge, no.”
NDP Leader Merritt Stiles suggested the government’s stated reason for the early election was not covered by the investigation.
“This pours cold water on Mr. Ford’s argument that he has to have an election to get a mandate to do his job,” Steeles told Global News.
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Questions on expense packages
Opposition parties are also pressing the government to provide voters with specific information on the economic stimulus package if the Progressive Conservatives plan to seek a new mandate.
Ford has maintained that his government will resort to spending levels not seen since the Covid-19 pandemic and has expressed a desire to get permission from voters to spend “tens of billions” of dollars.
On Monday, Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvi offered few details on what that package would include.
“It’s too early to go into it,” Bethlenfalvi told Global News. “I think the message the Premier and our government want to send is that we will look at all options to protect Ontario jobs and workers.”
When asked if the government will present the 2025-26 budget earlier than scheduled, Bethlenfalvi said, “Stay tuned.”
Green Party leader Mike Schreiner called on the Ford government to show its hand.
“If the government is going to call a snap election for political purposes, I think it is their responsibility to show the people what their detailed plan is,” Shriner said on Tuesday.
“These premieres, historically, also tend to develop platforms,” Schreiner added. “If the Premier is going to put us through an unnecessary election, he should have a detailed plan of what he is going to order.”
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