Crossover canvassers and candidates
Let them eat cake
Presented by Disruptors: The Innovation Era
ABOVE THE FOLD
After a whirlwind provincial election, a busy week of swearings-in, an ongoing tariff war, and a shakeup on the Hill, it’s been a relatively (and perhaps mercifully) quiet start to the week at Queen’s Park.
But leave it to the feds to keep things interesting. Despite a warning from the Premier to stay out of federal campaigns, some PC MPPs just can’t resist hitting the hustings. And as for those who couldn’t clinch a seat at Queen’s Park: They won’t take no for an answer and are trying their chances in Ottawa.
DOUG FORD may insist his MPPs are “absolutely swamped,” but it appears some do have the time to go out canvassing for their federal cousins. WILL BOUMA is the latest PC to be seen at a campaign launch event for LARRY BROCK, who’s running for reelection in Brantford-Brant.
Bouma’s not the only one. PC LAURA SMITH was spotted at incumbent federal contender MELISSA LANTSMAN’s canvassing event on their home turf in Thornhill. A little birdie also tells me Ford government staffers have been spotted at federal campaign offices.
That’s despite Ford’s stern warning on Friday. Asked if he would let his MPPs campaign with PIERRE POILIEVRE, Ford said they’ll be to busy focusing on Ontario. “I want to make sure our MPPs are fulfilling our mandate…I’m not going to help anyone. That’s not my job. My job is to keep Ontario moving forward.”
Team Poilievre wasn’t exactly out in full force helping their provincial cousins during the February campaign — though some federal canvassers piggybacked on the Ontario election and went out canvassing for themselves. The exception: Federal Tories did door-knock for the PCs in battleground Eglinton-Lawrence, where PC MICHELLE COOPER narrowly beat VINCE GASPARRO. PAUL WELLS’s theory: “What made Eglinton-Lawrence special? I needed to be told: JENNI BYRNE used to date Vince Gasparro. Glad to see everyone’s focussed on what counts.”
Speaking of Gasparro…
Like AALIYAH sang: If at first you don’t succeed, dust yourself off and try again (you’re welcome). A bunch of failed provincial Liberal candidates are taking that to heart and making a comeback on the national ticket.
Déjà vu: Gasparro is running again under MARK CARNEY’s banner in Eglinton-Lawrence, which he lost provincially by a slim 167 votes. Federally, the riding bleeds red (save for the four years it was held by Tory JOE OLIVER), and was most recently repped by ex-MP MARCO MENDOCINO, who’s now working as Carney’s chief of staff.
More Queen’s Park-connected races to watch: Ex-Grit contender KRISTINA TESSER DERKSEN is vying for Milton East-Halton Hills South, where she’ll face off with ex-PC MPP PARM GILL, who left DOUG FORD’s caucus more than a year ago.
KARIM BARDEESY, who ran provincially in 2022, is back in Taiaiako’n-Parkdale-High Park, where he’ll take on NDPer and ex-MPP for the riding BHUTILA KARPOCHE. Karpoche isn’t the only ex-NDP MPP eyeing the Hill: MONIQUE TAYLOR is running in Hamilton Mountain and JOEL HARDEN is competing for Ottawa Centre.
More ex-BONNIE CROMBIE candidates joining Carney’s crew: ROSE ZACHARIAS, the former head of the Ontario Medical Association who’s gunning for Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte…CHI NGUYEN, another 2022 candidate, is running again in Spadina-Harbourfront.
Ontario is shaping up to be a federal battleground — something that’s not lost on the Ford government.
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CLIPPINGS
— TARIFF LATEST: Ontario officials were in D.C. again to talk tariffs, telling the Globe they’re “confident that we’re making headway.” On our side of the table: Ford staffer TRAVIS KANN, who’s heading up Ontario-U.S. relations in PO, and DAVID PATERSON, the province’s trade representative.
— CONSUMPTION SITES IN COURT: “Dozens of supporters packed a Toronto courtroom — and two overflow rooms — on Monday as a supervised drug-use site challenged the legality of a new provincial law that will soon shut down 10 such sites and prevent new ones from opening.” The Canadian Press was on scene.
— INSIDE MAPLEHURST: “Ontario’s jails are deadlier than ever — and this one is ‘the worst in every respect.’” The Star investigates what’s going on at Maplehurst Correctional Complex, the province’s deadliest jail.
— WINNER/GAGNON…MAIS NON? “Three years after legalization, Ontario's online gambling and sports betting industry is booming, but some experts say there's cause for concern around how gaming is marketed.” The good: $2.2 billion in revenue. The not-so-good: “Following legalization, ‘there was a rapid escalation in … how many people were calling [CAMH’s addiction] helpline regarding online gambling.’” CBC digs in.
— FLAG POLITICS: Green AISLINN CLANCY is calling on newly sworn Education Minister PAUL CALANDRA to step in at the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, which is considering a motion that would effectively ban Pride flags at local public schools. “Ontario’s education system is publicly funded and must be inclusive of all students,” Clancy wrote in an open letter to Calandra. “I urge you to intervene and stop this overreach of power and erosion of democracy.” Former Minister STEPHEN LECCE was supportive of Pride flags but stopped short of intervening.
— HOT DOC: Remember that new TVO documentary that promised “an unfiltered, ground-level look at the final days of Ontario Place before its controversial redevelopment”? It’s here! Watch.
SPOTTED:
Premier DOUG FORD surprising Toronto Mayor OLIVIA CHOW with a birthday cake (they’ve come a long way from that “unmitigated disaster” comment)…680News’s RICHARD SOUTHERN in all his Legislative page glory (Devoted readers will know this reporter was also an eighth grade page, but no, I will not be sharing images from those awkward years.)
LOBBY LIST
It’s Tuesday, which usually means the REGULATORY ROUNDUP — but it’s still crickets over on the government registry. Instead, sate yourself with a slew of new, renewed and amended lobbyist registrations, which are coming fast after last week’s cabinet shuffle…
Steve Coupland, SGC Research: Hydro One Networks Inc, X-energy Canada Inc
Jonathan Duschinsky, Jon Duschinsky Inc: Shaw Festival Theatre
Stew Kiff, Solstice Public Affairs: Association franco-ontarienne des conseils scolaires catholiques, Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario, Atria Development, Université de Sudbury
Benjamin Lamb, Wellington Advocacy: Civiconnect Youth Community Engagement Organization, Edge Factor Inc., Redeemer University, IDENTOS Inc, Uber Canada Inc., Dairy Farmers of Ontario, Progressive Contractors Association of Canada, Professional Engineers of Ontario, McMaster Divinity College
Regan Watts, Fratton Park: Dayforce Canada Ltd. (formerly Ceridian Canada Ltd.), Crystal Beach Tennis and Yacht Club
Ken Cain, Sussex Strategy Group: Canadian Renewable Energy Association, Evolugen (Brookfield BRP Canada Corp.), Neoen Renewables Canada Inc, Hydrostor Incorporated, Kruger Energy, Boralex, EDF Renewables Canada, Potentia Renewables
Chad Hallman, Jenni Byrne & Associates: Toronto Business Development Center
Claudia Gallant and Matin Koohkan, Jenni Byrne + Associates: Bilt Services Inc.
Jill Walker, GW Group: TDL Group Corp., CNIB Foundation, BetMGM LLC, National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco, Serco Canada
Puneet Luthra, P S Luthra Consulting: Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, The Reading Partnership, Movember Canada
Anton Sestritsyn, NorthGuide: Cabinovo Housing Inc.
Plamen Petkov, Maple Leaf Strategies: Facebook Canada Ltd., Black Diamond Group, Enbridge Inc, Questrade Financial Group, Northern Road Link Project
Matthew Dubé, Proof Strategies: StubHub Inc.
Bonny Skene, 2042176 Ontario Inc.: Dryden Fibre Canada
Jacob Gorenkoff, Homeward Public Affairs: Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation, Labour Education Centre, LOFT Community Services, One Bowl Housing Corporation. Blue Door Support Services, Community Living Central York
Brian Lewis, Brian Lewis and Associates: EXCITE International
MacKenzie Collings, Rubicon Strategy: Henvey Inlet Wind LP, EDF Renewables Development Inc., Bruce Power Inc.
Marisa Maslink and Karl Baldauf, McMillan Vantage: Apple Canada Inc
Liam Thompson and Luke Adams, StrategyCorp: Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association
John Perenack, StrategyCorp: 7-Eleven, Inc.
Jessica Trepanier, John Penner, Wil Robertson and Elena Mantagaris, StrategyCorp: Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries
Fraser Macdonald, StrategyCorp: Ontario Education Collaborative Marketplace
Danya Vered, Kristopher Gaier, Rob Krauss and Stanley Shtilman, StrategyCorp: Arch Capital Corporation
Sara Szot, Brian Teefy, Wil Robertson, Elena Mantagaris and John Penner, StrategyCorp: GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
🥳 HAPPY BIRTHDAY: PC JOHN JORDAN (Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston)…Former MPP and the Premier’s nephew MICHAEL FORD…KARL BALDAUF, ex-PC staffer, now lobbyist…+1: ex-PC staffer MARK LAWSON.
🍽️ LUNCH SPECIAL: Beef lasagna with vegetables and garlic bread.
⏳ COUNTDOWN: T-minus 6 days until the Sunshine List is due out…20 days until the House reconvenes…21 days until the Throne Speech.