The 'M' word

An NDPer joins the Greens

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More clues that an early election call could be around the corner: DOUG FORD dropped the word “mandate” when speaking about his plan to counter DONALD TRUMP’s tariff threat — and that has political parties preparing for a vote as soon as February.

Recall: Insiders say the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s presidency provides the rationale the Premier needs to trigger an early election.

Global News has the latest on that. Earlier this week, TVO’s John Michael McGrath also floated the notion of a February election. And late last year, you, dear readers, mused about the possibility of a February vote. Canvassing in the cold, anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

Fuelling the early election speculation is the slew of voter-friendly policies from the PCs, including the latest: GO 2.0.

Premier DOUG FORD is asking Metrolinx to explore a massive GO train expansion in southern Ontario. That includes diverting freight rails to expand service in Kitchener and Milton.

“I’ll believe it when I see i…