Ontario voters casting ballots as Doug Ford seeks 3rd straight majority win

Why Doug Ford called this election

As Ontarians braved the winter weather to cast their votes in the recent election, many pondered the question: why was this election called in the first place?

Well, the answer to that question depends on who you ask. Premier Doug Ford called for this snap election nearly 16 months earlier than scheduled, citing the need for a stronger mandate to navigate potential U.S. tariffs.

However, there are some inconsistencies in Ford’s reasoning. Firstly, the Progressive Conservatives already held a majority in the legislature, allowing them to pass legislation without opposition support. Additionally, Ford began discussing the possibility of an early election six months before the first tariff threats from the U.S.

Ford also argued that responding to tariffs would require significant spending, which necessitated the approval of voters. Yet, this reasoning is questionable considering Ford’s history of making large spending promises without a renewed mandate.

For example, in September of last year, Ford pledged to build a tunnel under Highway 401 in the Greater Toronto Area, a project estimated to cost billions of dollars. This decision was made months before the tariff threats, raising doubts about the necessity of calling for an early election.