Ford's new tune
Timing is everything
Presented by Ontario’s Universities
ABOVE THE FOLD
Welcome to DONALD TRUMP’s Washington — and DOUG FORD’s opportune moment.
Trump has entered the White House — and while he hasn’t made good on his tariff threat just yet (musing instead about February 1) — the Premier is singing a new tune when it comes to justifying an early election.
Before Trump took office, Ford said he would require a new mandate for a multi-billion-dollar stimulus package to fight the tariffs.
Now, he says Trump’s more “aggressive” administration itself is reason enough to pull the trigger on a snap vote.
“This is going to be for four years with Donald Trump. He wants to undermine us any which way he can,” Ford told reporters. “We need a clear mandate, not for tomorrow, not for the next day — for four years of dealing with our American friends.”
Stateside: Ontario officials had a big presence in Washington for Trump’s swearing-in. Ford also hopped on a call with Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU last night.
Trump intimated tariffs could come down February 1, however several U.S. media outlets are reporting that he’ll direct federal agencies to first look into trade concerns.
But that hasn’t stopped Queen’s Park circles from playing their favourite guessing game: When will the writ drop?
Timing is everything: Ford is scheduled to visit Washington February 12 and 20, but Sun columnist Brian Lilley suggested that could be bumped up to an earlier date. Elections are called on Wednesdays and held on the fifth Thursday after that. My sources’ best guess: A writ drop on February 5. Or perhaps the week before that. Or maybe the week after. What say you?
Pour one out: Earlier at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association’s conference, Ford warned that he would pull American booze such as bourbon off LCBO shelves when and if Trump’s levies come down. It’s a tactic the province has used before — the LCBO removed Russian vodka amid the war in Ukraine.
Ford said he spoke with Kentucky Governor ANDY BESHEAR and told him, “you’ve got to talk to your President because the first thing we’re doing is we’re getting the bourbon.”
Interestingly enough: When Trump mentioned tariffs during his inauguration ceremony, the applause was relatively muted compared to his other promises. Many Republicans aren’t keen on the idea.
Closer to home, Ford’s political rival say he’s already got what he needs to fight Trump’s tariffs — including their support — and that an early election would be unnecessary and self-serving.
“Ford is selfishly creating chaos to justify going to the polls a year-and-a-half early for one reason: to outrun an RCMP investigation into his Greenbelt scandal,” said Liberal Leader BONNIE CROMBIE.
Salt in the wounds: “Doug said he’d go to Mar-a-Lago — he never got an invitation. He went on TV, got a new hat, and threatened to pull booze off the shelves. Donald Trump isn’t paying attention to Doug Ford. He doesn’t care,” Crombie added. Ouch.
A message from Ontario’s Universities:
Building Tomorrow’s Industries Means Building Talent Today
Ontario’s universities are vital to the province’s economic growth and security, preparing skilled graduates to meet the demands in critical sectors such as automotive and EV, advanced manufacturing, life sciences and more. It is now more critical than ever for the provincial government to invest in Ontario’s universities in order to ensure we have the talent and innovation that Ontario needs to prosper – learn more.
HAPPENING TODAY
ROMA DAY 2 — 8:30 a.m.: It’s Liberal Leader BONNIE CROMBIE’s turn to address the Rural Ontario Municipal Association’s annual conference in Toronto. 9 a.m.: Green captain MIKE SCHREINER will follow. 10:15 a.m.: Then, Infrastructure Minister KINGA SURMA addresses the crowd. Full agenda.
10:30 a.m.: CUPE representatives are in the Media Studio to share the results of a survey of Ontario Health at Home workers that sheds light on workplace challenges.
FUNDRAISING WATCH
Back-to-back fundraisers from the PCs…At 12 p.m.: A $1,000-a-plate lunch in Toronto…5:30 p.m.: Another $1,000-a-ticket event in Markham.
ON THE COMMITTEE CIRCUIT
Justice Policy meets behind closed doors to continue its study on intimate partner violence. Social Policy is also dealing with committee business.
CANDIDATE TRACKER
And the newest nominees are…
PC RUTH FARKAS (Toronto Centre)…NDPer JODI SZIMANSKI (Kitchener-Conestoga)…Grit ROB DEUTSCHMANN (Cambridge). Also: The Greens just nominated a bunch of contenders at lightning speed, and a handful of incumbents are back on the ticket. Get a running list of candidates so far.
CLIPPINGS
— BARGAINING CHIP: It’s that time of year again. The union representing more than 16,000 civil servants is gearing up for negotiations with the province again. Talks could start in six weeks — just in time for a possible early election.
— WAR ON DRUGS: “Toronto’s acting medical officer of health said the province’s plan to close half the city’s supervised consumption sites for drugs will be deadly for the city — and costly for the health care system.” The Star reports.
— MORE CAMPAIGN PREP: New Democrats may have cancelled their convention this month in order to prepare for a possible early election, but that didn’t stop them from rallying over the weekend. The NDP held its youth convention and a “campaign school” with around 700 of the party faithful, officially launched its refreshed branding, and heard from MARIT STILES.
— IN KINGSTON: “Roughly 1 in 3 households struggle with food insecurity…Kingston's city council say the problem is so severe they declared it an emergency during last week’s council meeting.” CBC reports.
— “COOLCATION”: Worried about the very real possibility of canvassing in frigid temperatures? Daydream of a “coolcation” — the newest trend in provincial tourism that aims to attract holidaymakers who want to escape scorching summers. More from the Star.
Meanwhile, at ROMA: The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario is urging the government to makeover the Municipal Accommodation Tax Framework, which involves short-term stays. That includes creating a formal and transparent rate change process and reducing reporting requirements.
MOVERS AND SHAKERS
First in Observer — TRANSITION — Transportation Minister PRABMEET SARKARIA is poaching a top staffer from Sport Minister NEIL LUMSDEN: MAURO BARONE, who served as Lumsden’s D-Pol, becomes Sarkaria’s director of stakeholder relations as of February 5.
TOPP TAPPED — BRIAN TOPP, the veteran operative who is chairing the NDP’s Election Planning Committee and was just named to Toronto Hydro’s board, has joined the political heavyweights on Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU’s Council on Canada-U.S. Relations.
SPOTTED:
Star of The O.C. MISCHA BARTON promoting Ontario teachers’ unions on TikTok…
REGULATORY ROUNDUP
Every Tuesday, we sum up the government’s latest proposals on the Regulatory Registry — where the nitty-gritty of policymaking is hammered out.
ALL MINES — The proposal: To “minimize unnecessary administrative and reporting processes associated with early mineral exploration assessment work.” Deadline for public feedback: February 15.
🍽️ LUNCH SPECIAL: Beef curry with rice and vegetables is on tap in the basement cafeteria.
⏳ COUNTDOWN: T-minus 41 days until the House reconvenes.