Promo wars, power plays, MPP paydays
And Ghamari gets dragged
ABOVE THE FOLD
Liberal world may be on fire — with BONNIE CROMBIE’s critics in the New Leaf camp organizing hard ahead of September’s leadership review. But she’s not the only one under the microscope: MARIT STILES is staring down her own post-election review in the fall, and she’s looking to stave off any quiet grumbling inside the NDP.
Meanwhile, it’s open disclosure season at Queen’s Park. I dug into the latest MPP financial filings, starting with the big kahunas leading the parties. Plus: DOUG FORD is back at the podium today, and dropping hints on his latest bugaboo. Let’s go.
STILES’ SUMMER HIT LIST — The NDP leader is spending the Legislative recess trekking across the province on her “All In For Ontario” tour. While the crowd counts at Stiles’s rallies may not be as big as she’d want (hey, it’s summer!) — she’s not facing the same vocal flak that Crombie is getting. That may be because the NDP managed to hang on to Official Opposition status, despite losing ground and support in the February campaign (thanks, efficient vote).
Still, Stiles isn’t taking anything for granted ahead of her own leadership test and, like Crombie, is making the media rounds this summer. This week, she was on Newstalk 1010 with host JOHN TORY for a rare meeting of Queen’s Park Opposition leaders past and present. Here are the flashpoints from their convo:
Collecting Question Period fodder on the road
“I love the part of this that involves actually getting out and listening to people. And I think that’s not something that maybe the media focuses on all the time… But really, that is an important part of the job, and then bringing all of that information and those questions and those solutions back to the government.”
What people want? Basics.
“People out there are not asking for miracles. That’s what always strikes me. It’s basic things: I want my health care system to be there when I need it. I want my kids to have a good start in their public schools.”
Made in Ontario 2.0
“What I’m hearing a lot from industry is, rather than just sending us a cheque to help us out, order from us. Let’s buy Ontario, but also, let’s build Ontario. I was up in Thunder Bay talking to folks in the lumber mills, and the employers are saying, ‘Look, we have enough lumber to build 85,000 homes in one year. Let’s do it.”
Tariff warning signs from the ground
“I was meeting with a guy from a company that makes tools, really specialized parts and tools for mining companies and forestry and auto — and they’re saying their orders are down by a third right now. That is scary already.”
If she had to pick the one thing government should focus on:
“It is community care. And by that we could be talking about family doctors or teams of health professionals. But it’s the stuff that we do that prevents people from getting sick in the first place. If we could put more emphasis on the preventative stuff — things that community health centres do — it really saves us money in the end.”
The kids are not alright
“I had a 13- or 14-year-old say to me, not that many weeks ago — I asked how things are going, and they were on the verge of tears. It’s not okay. It’s not okay out there. The Ford government has cut $1,500 per student from our education system. No wonder our kids are feeling that.”
OPEN DISCLOSURE SEASON — Want a peek inside your MPP’s wallet? It’s that time of year again, when politicians publicly disclose any income, financial investments and debts beyond their legislative salary. Here’s what the leaders reported:
Trusts and toy helicopters: Premier DOUG FORD continues to draw his salary from Queen’s Park while holding stakes in the family’s sticker business — Ford Flexible Packaging (formerly Deco Labels and Tags), managed via a trust overseen by his wife, KARLA, since 2018. He also noted a loan to the company and a promissory note from RD Ford Holdings Inc., alongside the couple’s mortgage.
The only gift listed? A model aircraft from Airbus Helicopters Canada, given at a ribbon‑cutting ceremony.
Tech talk: MARIT STILES draws her salary as Leader of the Official Opposition, but lists no other income or gifts — just a mortgage and a line of credit on the books.
Her spouse, JORDAN BERGER, reports income from consulting fees and full ownership of private company Refraction Advisors. Berger also holds shares in ThreeD Capital Inc., a Toronto-based venture capital firm focused on emerging tech and blockchain plays.
Real estate and green-ish capital: BONNIE CROMBIE may not have a seat in the House, but that doesn’t mean she’s spared from revealing her finances.
The Liberal leader collects a party salary and holds an 8 per cent interest in Eagle’s Rest, a real estate partnership. Her portfolio leans heavily into investment funds, including: Centurian Apartment REIT, Equiton Investment Residential Income Fund Trust and ITM Isotope Technologies Munich SE. Ditto sector funds in life sciences and replacement fossil fuels. Crombie’s got no liabilities, no gifts and no side hustles.
Getting green: MIKE SCHREINER keeps things light on the asset side, declaring only his MPP salary and a stipend from the Green Party of Ontario — but no gifts, no investments and no additional offices. He and his spouse, SANDRA WELSH (who works at the University of Toronto), carry two mortgages, plus an (on-brand) Canada Greener Homes Loan from the feds. The only reported investment is Alterna Savings shares held by Welsh.
Dig up the financial dirt on all MPPs via the Integrity Commish.
HAPPENING TODAY
DOUG FORD’S THURSDAY — 11 a.m.: The Premier is up in Thunder Bay with Housing Minister ROB FLACK. And yes, the pair will take questions from media.
Spoiler alert: Ford may take the opportunity to spout off on the Bank of Canada’s decision to hold the key interest rate at 2.75 per cent, especially on the eve of DONALD TRUMP’s tariff deadline. Ford has weighed in on BoC moves before, much to the chagrin of experts who bristle at political interference. But Ford’s latest bashing is red meat for his base.
“I’m shocked by this decision,” Ford said on social media. “As we stare down economic uncertainty that’s putting hundreds of thousands of jobs at risk, it’s never been more important to stimulate economic growth and keep Canadians working. Rather than wait around and let President Trump’s tariffs do even more damage to our economy, the Bank of Canada needs to cut interest rates now.”
11:30 a.m.: BFF Tour — Associate Housing Minister GRAYDON SMITH is up in Sudbury alongside Mayor PAUL LEFEBVRE.
1 p.m.: Long-Term Care Minister NATALIA KUSENDOVA-BASHTA and Infrastructure Minister KINGA SURMA are making an announcement in Hamilton.
OPPO ITIN — MARIT STILES continues her All In For Ontario tour with a packed day in Hamilton. She’ll meet with workers at Solidarity Place and host a supportive housing roundtable at the David Braley Health Sciences Centre. She wraps the day with an evening shindig at the Workers Arts & Heritage Centre alongside OFL President LAURA WALTON, ONA President ERIN ARISS, and local community leader LOHIFA ACKER.
6 p.m.: The New Leaf Liberals continue to meet IRL. Tonight, they’ll be at the Kailash Parbat Restaurant in Mississauga — BONNIE CROMBIE’s turf. Pre-game read: “New Leaf Liberals want to root out Ontario Liberal shortcomings, not back a particular leader, says co-founder,” via The Hill Times.