A crippling exit and a could-be comeback
Cottaging at the Fords
ABOVE THE FOLD
New Democrats are pumping out snap vote-themed ads and fundraising appeals. Meanwhile, there’s no end in sight for the LCBO strike. But first: I’ve got the skinny on a key Liberal exit at a crucial time for the party — plus, a possible comeback.
Let’s get to it.
SCOOP — IN LIBERAL LAND — As the Grits ramp up their early election prep — including an ambitious timeline for candidate nominations — the party has lost its executive director at crunch time.
After two years in the gig, MANDY MOORE has left her post and is “moving on to a new opportunity I’m passionate about.” Adds Moore:
“It’s been an honour to serve as the OLP’s Executive Director for the last two years. I'm incredibly proud of the work I’ve done along with the staff and a small army of amazing volunteers through a very challenging time in the Party’s history.”
Officially: Party spokesman CARTER BROWNLEE thanked Moore for her “dedication” but there’s not much to report when it comes to hiring her replacement. He’ll “have more to say on the incoming executive director in the days ahead.”
Unofficially: It’s a big loss. “Mandy was a reliable and committed executive director with years of service and two impressive byelection wins under her belt. This is another blow to the OLP after the Milton byelection loss,” texted one former party official.
Timing is everything: Some insiders are concerned the timing of the shakeup in personnel could impact the party’s early election prep and the nomination process.
“Mandy leaves big shoes to fill on both fronts and people aren’t exactly jumping at the opportunity of working for the OLP after six years without party status.”
Don’t call it a comeback (yet): Meanwhile, word on the street is AMANDA SIMARD could be returning to the fray.
The former PC-turned-Liberal MPP for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell was tight-lipped when I reached her cell — but Simard isn’t ruling out the possibility of carrying the Grit banner again under BONNIE CROMBIE. Crombie, sources tell me, personally likes Simard and the prospect of her as a candidate.
The big question: Where would Simard run?
Some theories: She could go back to her roots in Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, which she won as a PCer, then repped as an Independent, and later a Liberal, after defecting over the Ford government’s cuts to French-language services. In 2022, she lost the seat to PC STÉPHANE SARRAZIN.
She could also run on her current turf in Etobicoke — the heart of Ford Nation.
Simard is engaged to Liberal MP (and Queen’s Park alumni) YVAN BAKER, who reps Etobicoke Centre, which Infrastructure Minister KINGA SURMA holds provincially.
While there’s an undeniable poetry to Simard running in the same riding as her fiancé (aww!) the couple currently lives in Etobicoke-Lakeshore — a much more competitive spot, currently held by Tory CHRISTINE HOGARTH. But: Rumour has it hospital prez LEE FAIRCLOUGH will fly the Liberal banner again in Lakeshore, and Simard has supported her in the past.
With just nine incumbents, the Grits have the most ground to make up when it comes to securing a 124-candidate slate in the next election — whenever that happens to be.
Speaking of which, the buzz about a snap vote persists. The PCs’ pollster is even gauging public sentiment on the possibility of an early election.
But, and it’s a biggie: Sources tell me the PCs won’t start their nominations until the fall — so don’t expect any election call before that months-long process wraps up. It also means more MPPs could jump ship around that time, a la PARM GILL. My pet theory is still early Spring 2025. What say you?
OVER IN OPPO LAND — New Democrats are looking to make a buck off of that snap vote speculation, launching an “early election” fund with a splashy promo clip featuring MARIT STILES.
“If you’re going to call an election two years early — I’m ready,” Stiles says in the video from the NDP’s unofficial campaign kickoff last month. It comes with a link to donate and “fund the NDP’s early election campaign.”
Why it matters: Campaigns cost money, and the more cash in a party’s arsenal, the more resources they have to run advertising, tour Ontario’s 124 ridings, pump canvassers full of caffeine and pizza and more.
Go deeper: Here’s how the parties stacked up financially in Q2.
HAPPENING TODAY
UPDATE — DOUG FORD’S WEDNESDAY — 10 a.m.: The Premier and Finance Minister PETER BETHLENFALVY are front and centre in Etobicoke for a boozy announcement. Spoiler alert: It’s been a while since Ford has taken questions from reporters, so expect him to get grilled on the LCBO strike, the Science Centre’s closure, GOLDIE GHAMARI’s exit and more.
9 a.m.: Health Minister SYLVIA JONES is up in Orillia.
11:30 a.m.: CUPE’s Ontario Council of Hospital Unions is rallying outside PC MICHAEL FORD’s constit office to call out the government’s expansion of private health care, namely MRIs and CT scans.
FUNDRAISING WATCH — 5:30 p.m.: Liberals in St. Catherines are hosting an “all-you-can-eat” barbecue on Henley Island for $20 a pop. Cash bar. Mystery special guests. Invite.
CLIPPINGS
— COTTAGING AT THE FORDS: “Premier DOUG FORD’s former family cottage is now a luxe rental property, but it will cost you a pretty penny to stay at the Ford family retreat in Muskoka…a whopping $750 per night with a minimum three-night stay.” Road trip, anyone? Via blogTO.
— 1-800-PREMIER: Ford, meanwhile, is still giving out his personal cellphone to the public — “even as lawyers for the premier fight to keep his call records secret and argue they are not related to official business.” Global reports.
— LCBO LATEST: OPSEU prez JP HORNICK “is demanding assurances from the provincial government that the plan to expand alcohol sales into corner stores won’t result in job losses for its members.”
Meanwhile, Finance Minister PETER BETHLENFALVY wrote to FORD-friendly developer and prolific government appointee CARMINE NIGRO, who chairs the board of the LCBO, “directing the Crown corporation to showcase and promote Ontario beer, wine, spirits and ciders as part of the expansion.”
Also: “LCBO management has scrapped the plan to open five stores across the province on an appointment basis for bar and restaurant owners on July 10.”
And: The strike is wreaking havoc on supply chains.
— DAYCARE DEBACLE: “Ontario municipalities have been forced to turn down thousands of child-care spaces in the $10-a-day system because of a limit on the percentage of for-profit spaces in the province’s deal with the federal government.” CP has the story.
— GOT PLANT-BASED MILK? “Ontario has reported nine cases of listeriosis connected to a country-wide recall of a number of plant-based milk products by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.”
— CONSULTANTS GALORE: New Democrats aren’t happy about Metrolinx sticking with private consultants for the next five years. “86 Vice Presidents and an endless roster of consultants on the payroll. FORD seems happy to let this continue but I’m not. Ordinary Ontarians deserve to know their government isn’t wasting their hard-earned $$ on wealthy insiders,” says MARIT STILES.
— GRASSY NARROWS: “In its efforts to press the Ontario and federal governments to do more to address mercury contamination of its river, Grassy Narrows First Nation told the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights that many community members have "lost hope" and struggle to go to work and school.” Details from CBC.
— LICENCE TO STEAL: “A Brampton family say they've endured weeks of stress and frustration after one of their licence plates was stolen and more than $400 in parking tickets landed on their lap.” More from CBC. Meanwhile, Canada’s car jackers get the BBC treatment.
— ON CAMPUS: “Pro-Palestinian protesters dismantled their encampments at two southern Ontario universities over the weekend, while demonstrators at another university campus were handed a trespass notice Monday and warned legal action could follow.” CP reports.
— ON THE FARM: Justice for Migrant Workers is urging the Ford government to take “emergency” action to protect workers in extreme heat. That’s something the NDP has also been calling for.
MOVERS AND SHAKERS
First in Observer — TRANSITION — SPENCER FAIR becomes issues manager and press secretary to Long-Term Care Minister NATALIA KUSENDOVA-BASHTA. HARJOT SANDILA is now MPP liaison.
For all our new readers: Get exclusive coverage on the latest moves in the Premier’s Office.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD — SEAN CONWAY, former Liberal MPP for Renfrew North and cabinet minister under then-premier DAVID PETERSON, has been awarded the Distinguished Service Award from the Former Parliamentarians of Ontario. Save the date: Conway will accept the award in a special ceremony at the Leg on October 17.
SPOTTED:
The Premier’s Office seemingly gloating over the fact the LCBO strike is spurring business for smaller breweries, vintners and distillers (while some who sell mainly through the LCBO are worried)…Liberal captain BONNIE CROMBIE rallying in solidarity with OPSEU and striking LCBO workers…PCs STEPHEN LECCE, GEORGE PIRIE, DAVID PICCINI, SAM OOSTERHOFF and more in Wild Rose Country for the federal provincial meeting of Energy and Mines ministers (they also swung by Stampede)…Meme machine 6ixbuzz polls DOUG FORD’s alternative booze map, calling it a “savage” move…
LOBBYING DISPATCH
Here are the new, renewed and amended registrations over the past 24 hours:
Andrew Brander, Crestview Strategy: Association of Canadian Distillers/Spirits Canada, Ontario Long Term Care Association, Pallium Canada, Grain Farmers of Ontario, Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper Inc.
In-house organizations: Canadian Opera Company.
🍽️ ON THE MENU: Wondering whether to pick up lunch or brown-bag it? Grilled sausage with sauerkraut and vegetables is on special in the basement cafeteria.
⏳ COUNTDOWN — Now including Ford Fest and the Liberals’ annual general meeting…
T-minus 103 days until the House reconvenes…5 days until the all-Premiers’ Council of the Federation summer meeting…37 days until Ford Fest…72 days until the Liberal AGM in London.