A Tory grudge match and damage control
Spotted: Defying orders?
Presented by a world-class wellness destination coming to Ontario
ABOVE THE FOLD
HERE WE GO AGAIN — For any Ontario politicos hoping for a post-election reprieve, the feds have snatched that away: we’re going to the polls again on April 28.
As the national campaign officially kicks off, DOUG FORD finds himself smack dab in the middle of the drama. Here’s the latest…
About that phone call: The Premier and federal Conservative Leader PIERRE POILIEVRE are denying the Star’s explosive report about a tense phone call in which Ford told Poilievre his MPPs would be too busy to help him on the federal campaign trail.
“First of all, it was the first time I ever spoke to him,” Ford told reporters Friday. He said Poilievre didn’t ask him for help, but Ford did remind him that his MPPs “are going to be absolutely swamped.”
“I just don’t believe in interfering in the federal election. That’s going to be up to the people to decide. I’ll work with anyone,” he said.
It appears at least one PC MPP did have time to go out canvassing for her federal cousin: LAURA SMITH was spotted stumping for federal contender MELISSA LANTSMAN in Thornhill.
Publicly, Poilievre told reporters he and Ford talked about creating jobs, the Ring of Fire and cutting taxes. Privately, sources close to the heretofore distant leaders insist the tone of the call was friendly. Indeed, Ford put out a timely positive social media post praising Poilievre’s commitments for the Ring of Fire.
As for the political friendship the Premier actually does flaunt: Ford was in Ottawa Friday to meet with Prime Minister MARK CARNEY and his fellow first ministers re: DONALD TRUMP’s tariff tango.
They are pushing major infrastructure projects as a way to protect the Canadian economy — something that was music to Ford’s ears because it tracks with his own agenda for the Ring of Fire and critical minerals in particular.
To that end, Ford said the first order of business when the House reconvenes on April 14 will be legislation aimed at tackling interprovincial trade barriers and boosting labour mobility. “We’re getting rid of all the exemptions.”
More via Global News: “The Ford government also hopes the new federal stance may allow it to speed-up construction of nuclear power plants. At a separate meeting, Finance Minister FRANCOIS-PHILIPPE CHAMPAGNE said he asked provincial governments to submit ‘10, 12, 15 projects of national interest’ that could be fast-tracked for approvals and construction.”
Poll watch: The Angus Reid Institute gauged Canadians’ feelings on interprovincial trade barriers, which, as federal minister CHRYSTIA FREELAND put it, is becoming a “sexy” subject again. Fresh polling suggests that while “removing these barriers is an idea almost universally supported by Canadians,” they also say “these regulatory and certification requirements infringe on labour mobility and competition that would otherwise benefit their own province.” So upcoming legislation could be a tough balancing act for the Ford government.
Meanwhile, Ford talked GDP with third-graders.
A message from Therme Canada:
Imagine stepping off the TTC and into a lush, tropical oasis filled with warm thermal pools, soothing saunas, and exhilarating waterslides. All set against a backdrop of stunning views of Lake Ontario, surrounded by a massive 16-acre public park. This is the future Therme Canada Ontario Place, a unique family-friendly wellness destination that will be built for Ontarians, by Ontarians.
It’s no secret the wellness tourism industry is booming. According to the Global Wellness institute, its growing at twice the rate of traditional tourism. Let’s be honest, in these tense times we all need a little stress relief, and it would be nice if we could find it right here in our own backyard not 1000 miles south.
Don't Ontarians deserve a place that can fulfill our wildest wellness dreams, yet also support local, keep our kids entertained and not drain our savings account?
Therme Canada Ontario Place is THAT place, complete with thrilling waterslides, thermal pools, plenty of saunas, and restaurants galore, all surrounded by a free massive 16-acre public park and a new beach.
Because the best wellness destination shouldn’t be thousands of miles away. It should be right here at home.
Ready to come on home? Sign up for the newsletter and be automatically entered to win 1 of 3 free annual subscriptions to the Queen’s Park Observer.
MOVERS AND SHAKERS: GRITS ON DECK
BONNIE CROMBIE is filling up her roster on the bench and behind the scenes.
Here are the critic portfolios for what Crombie has been calling the “people’s opposition” because they placed second in the popular vote (which Official Oppo NDP Leader MARIT STILES dismissed as a “soundbite”)…
STEPHEN BLAIS: Caucus Chair, Infrastructure & Municipal Affairs, Middle Class Prosperity, Government Services & Procurement & Red Tape Reduction
STEPHANIE BOWMAN: Deputy House Leader, Finance & Treasury Board, Interprovincial Trade, Tariffs & International Trade
ROB CERJANEC: Economic Development & Innovation, Tourism, Sport & Culture
LUCILLE COLLARD: House Leader, Attorney General, Francophone Affairs
LEE FAIRCLOUGH: Hospitals, Mental Health, Addictions and Homelessness
JOHN FRASER: Leader in the Legislature, Labour, Education
ANDREA HAZELL: Transportation, Small Business, Women
TED HSU: Energy, Agriculture, Rural Affairs, Natural Resources, Mining & Forestry
KAREN McCRIMMON: Public Safety, Cybersecurity & Crime Prevention, Solicitor General
MARY-MARGARET McMAHON: Environment & Climate, Emergency Management
ADIL SHAMJI: Chief Whip, Housing, Primary Care, Urgent Care and Public Health, Indigenous Affairs
STEPHANIE SMYTH: Deputy Whip, Ethics, Integrity & Accountability, Northern Affairs, Seniors & Accessibility
JONATHAN TSAO: Citizenship & Immigration, Community, Social Services, Children & Youth
TYLER WATT: Training, Colleges & University, Long Term Care
Crombie doesn’t have a seat in the Legislature but she’s staffing up on the party side, featuring…
SANDRA JANSEN, chief of staff to Crombie and caucus
ERIC OSBORNE, deputy chief of staff
LIZ MENDES, former Mississauga-Lakeshore candidate who’s taking on executive director of the Leader’s Office
FAHIM KHAN, director of policy
MILES HOPPER, director of operations
BAHOZ DARA, D-Comms
CLIPPINGS
You read it here first! — THE LAST GLASS CEILING IN ONTARIO POLITICS: The Star digs into the race for Speaker, which, as I previously scooped, will see PC DONNA SKELLY faceoff with NDPer JENNIFER FRENCH to become the first woman in the role.
— IN TORONTO: “An Ontario court will hear arguments Monday from a Toronto supervised consumption site challenging the legality of a new provincial law that will soon shut down 10 such sites and prevent new ones from opening.” CP reports.
— IN PEEL: “The municipalities of Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon will be responsible for collecting their own garbage starting next year.” Via CP24: “Waste collection and recycling services in the three municipalities have been managed by the Region of Peel since the 1990s. However, the Peel Regional Council approved a motion earlier this week transferring waste collection to each municipality. The change is set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.”
— IN LONDON: “Ontario’s solicitor general was in London Friday with a blunt warning for criminals. ‘If you want to commit a crime here in Ontario, if you want to wreak havoc on our streets, we have room for you in our jails,’ Solicitor General MICHAEL KERZNER said from inside the Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre (EMDC). Kerzner visited the provincial jail to announce the completion of a renovation adding 110 new beds for minimum and medium-risk inmates at EMDC’s regional intermittent centre.” More from the London Freep.
SPOTTED: Get ready for Therme at Ontario Place!
🥳 HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Toronto Mayor OLIVIA CHOW.
🍽️ LUNCH SPECIAL: Grilled chicken thigh with potatoes and vegetables.
⏳ COUNTDOWN: T-minus 7 days until the Sunshine List is due out…21 days until the House reconvenes…22 days until the Throne Speech.