Trump, trade and taxpayer subsidies
More candidates join the ticket
Powered by DoorDash
ABOVE THE FOLD
CAMPAIGN CASH — Surprise! Taxpayers will continue to bankroll political parties as Queen’s Park stares down the possibility of an early election next spring.
In a rare moment of unity, all political parties agreed to extend the taxpayer-funded per-vote subsidy, which is based on the number of votes a party receives and is paid out every quarter.
Campaigns cost money. And while the PCs initially promised to phase out the subsidy by the end of this year (DOUG FORD once called it “political party welfare”) and offset those losses by increasing the individual donation limit — the quarterly payouts will continue until the end of 2026.
By the numbers: Here’s how much the sitting parties are raking in each quarter in 2024, according to Elections Ontario…
For the PCs: $1,221,039
NDP: $710,015
Liberals: $714,897
Greens: $178,069
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation isn’t happy about the extension. “Hardworking Ontarians are struggling and Ford is taking money out of their pockets and putting it into the coffers of political parties,” said CTF Ontario Director JAY GOLDBERG. “For Ford to do this after already delaying on his promise to scrap the program for six long years is a betrayal of Ontario taxpayers.”
Go deeper: Here’s how the political parties stack up financially so far this year.
TRUMP TALK — DOUG FORD gave props to president-elect DONALD TRUMP and VP-elect JD VANCE, saying it’s time to “bet big” on the Ontario-U.S. relationship.
Ford, who has toned down his pro-Trump stance, added that “if it would have went the other way, I’d be working with them as well.”
The Ford government has made major strides stateside, including hiring a Washington-based lobbying firm to influence the next administration and assigned a PO staffer to head up the U.S. relations file.
One of the big reasons for the push is concerns over protectionist policies, especially when it comes to the steel and auto industries — but Ford seemed unfazed, at least for now. “He tried that last time and that didn’t last too long,” Ford told reporters, referring to tariffs. (Bonus: Earlier in the week Ford offered a candid anecdote about the time he called up Deputy Prime Minister CHRYSTIA FREELAND to complain about American tariffs.)
In Liberal land, this is a galvanizing moment. The party has already painted Ford with a Trump-esque brush, and insiders tell me that many card-carrying Grits will look to the situation south of the border and think, “we can’t let this happen here.”
“Anyone — I’m talking partisan Liberals here — who was fine to sit on the sidelines [in the next election] is probably changing their mind right now,” said one high-level organizer.
Added another: “BONNIE [CROMBIE] will have no problem selling tables” for her big Leader’s Dinner fundraiser in December, tickets for which range from $1,600 to $3,375.
Crombie seems to be capitalizing on that Trump-fuelled fear. “We all have a stake in the future of our province. Change doesn’t happen from the sidelines — our voices, votes, and actions have the chance to deliver #MoreforYou. Step in, speak out, and let’s build a stronger future together,” she posted on X the morning after the U.S. election, along with a link to join the campaign crew and donate.
A message from DoorDash:
Every single day, hardworking Ontarians and their communities are powered by DoorDash. Whether it’s helping local merchants reach new customers, providing Dashers with flexible work, or helping all of us find more time for what matters most — it’s easy to see that DoorDash goes beyond delivery.
This year, DoorDash launched their first ever Community Impact Report in Canada, sharing key insights to better understand how the platform is helping to grow and empower Canadian communities.
Stat of the Day: 72% of businesses say DoorDash helps minimize the time, cost, and logistical burden of in-house delivery
Learn more at about.doordash.com/en-ca/impact/dashroots/ontario
CANDIDATE TRACKER
A few more Grits are joining the ticket: Lawyer NIRMALA ARMSTRONG (Markham-Thornhill), high school teacher KELLY DUNN (Markham-Stouffville) and Bay Streeter KANIZ MOULI (Oakville North-Burlington).
Ditto PC incumbents: DEEPAK ANAND (Mississauga-Malton) and BILLY PANG (Markham-Unionville).
Find out who’s already locked in for the next election with our handy TRACKER.
HAPPENING TODAY
8 a.m.: A new group, One Step Forward: An Alliance for Advancing Recovery, launches on the South Lawn, near the Firefighters Memorial. They’re all about raising awareness on the impact of recent policy changes to address the opioid crisis.
9 a.m.: The Ontario Federation of Labour is in the Media Studio to talk about the impact of heat stress on workers and voice their support for NDPer PETER TABUNS’s private member’s bill to create heat protection standards on the job.
9:30 a.m.: Transportation Minister PRABMEET SARKARIA makes an announcement in Toronto.
9:30 a.m.: Back in the Media Studio, Aamjiwnaang First Nation is up, “to call on the Ontario government to take urgent action to address the toxic pollution crisis in their community.”
10 a.m.: Liberal Leader BONNIE CROMBIE and MPP STEPHANIE BOWMAN will pump up Bowman’s PMB aimed at cutting taxes for small businesses. It’s up for debate this afternoon.
11 a.m.: Ontario Health workers repped by CUPE Local 5516 follow. They’ve been in negotiations with the province since May 2023 and have accused the government of “anti-union bargaining tactics.”
11:30 a.m.: Health Minister SYLVIA JONES will address the Empire Club of Canada over lunch. The theme: “The Future of Fertility.” Expect plenty of self-congratulatory remarks as the Ford government just announced a 25 per cent tax credit to help families cover the cost of treatments like IVF. RSVP.
FUNDRAISING WATCH — 6 p.m.: PC ROB FLACK is headlining a $1,000-a-plate fundraiser in the 416. Premier DOUG FORD could make a cameo as he’s been hosting mini Leader’s Dinner events around the province. Invite.
ON THE ORDER PAPER
First up: MPPs will kick of second-reading debate on Attorney General DOUG DOWNEY’s Bill 220, which extends the taxpayer funded per-vote subsidy to 2026.
After the morning’s Question Period, a deferred vote: To send Bill 212 — which lays out the bike-lane ban and speeds up highway construction — to committee. As I first reported, the PCs have put the bill on the fast track with just one day of public hearings (instead of three) and one hour of third-reading debate (instead of six-and-a-half hours).
Later on, Liberal STEPHANIE BOWMAN will move second reading on her private member’s Bill 195, which would lower taxes for small businesses.
WEDNESDAY’S RUNDOWN:
Passed I: Bill 216, Finance Minister PETER BETHLENFALVY’s mini-budget implementation legislation, is now awaiting Royal Assent after bypassing public hearings and third-reading debate, thanks to a time-allocation motion from the PCs.
Passed II: Just in time for Remembrance Day, Bill 218, the Honouring Veterans Act, cleared second and third reading with all-party support. Recall: The bill creates a new award alongside The Royal Canadian Legion’s Ontario Provincial Command and specifically condemns acts of stolen valour.
Off to committee: Bill 214, Energy Minister STEPHEN LECCE’s electricity-grid-connections bill, which was also fast-tracked, will go under the microscope at the Interior.
Tabled I: AG DOUG DOWNEY’s aforementioned Bill 220, to extend the per-vote subsidy.
Tabled II: Bill 221, from NDPer SOL MAMAKWA, to make every September 30 a provincial holiday and a Day of Reflection for Indian Residential Schools.
ON THE COMMITTEE CIRCUIT
Crickets. MPPs are off the hook until next week.
COCKTAIL CHATTER
The Town of Wasaga Beach is holding a lunch reception in Room 230 (Icebreaker), while the Ontario Association of Medical Radiation Sciences is hosting in Room 228. There’s also a reception to mark Hindu Heritage Month in the Dining Room tonight.
CLIPPINGS
— AMATO BACK IN THE HEADLINES: A “key figure in the Ontario Greenbelt scandal worked on Highway 413 and Bradford Bypass. But records are scarce.” From the Narwhal: “Before being linked to the protected area and plans to carve it up, RYAN AMATO was a part of discussions around the highways. Yet documents show little evidence of his work at key moments.” NDP Leader MARIT STILES hammered the PCs hard on the story in Question Period (more on that momentarily).
Speaking of Amato… “Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister PAUL CALANDRA spoke to reporters at Queen’s Park on Monday after the Star published an article about how Ryan Amato, the former chief of staff to Calandra’s predecessor, STEVE CLARK, had refused to provide any Greenbelt-related emails he may have sent or received from his personal Gmail account…‘If there’s anything outstanding that the ministry needs to provide, we will provide it.’” Via the Star.
— LOCK ‘EM UP: “Ontario is ramping up its short-term plans to build new jail capacity, as well as a years-long plan to build hundreds of new beds, relying in part on conversions and modular buildings as the Ford government continues to lean into its tough-on-crime message.” Global News has the story.
— REALITY CHECK: TVO’s John Michael McGrath pokes holes in Oppo pitches for housing.