How Ford's popularity stacks up

Plus: A new ADM for LTC and a throwback to the first-ever legislative session

ABOVE THE FOLD

POLL WATCH — Despite Covid cases blowing up and tougher restrictions in place, Premier DOUG FORD is still scoring cool points with Ontarians — but that may be starting to wane.

That’s the upshot from a pair of recent public-opinion surveys that suggest the Premier’s approval is holding steady these days — hovering around the same numbers he had when he was elected with a majority to Queen’s Park in 2018.

It’s a nice position to be in with just over five months to go before the 2022 vote.

Year-end approval ratings from Maru Public Opinion show Ford’s sitting pretty with an approval rating of 41 per cent, down just one percentage point from the previous quarter.

Compared to his fellow first ministers, Ford ranks toward the end of the pack, beating out New Brunswick’s BLAINE HIGGS (with 39 per cent, down by 13 points), Alberta’s JASON KENNEY (29 per cent, down two points) and Manitoba’s new-ish HEATHER STEFANSSON (28 per cent). The top three: B.C.’s JOHN HORGAN (60 per cen…