Why Doug Ford may find there’s little to be gained by campaigning for Poilievre

After Doug Ford’s significant majority victory in Ontario, one might think Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre would be racing to cozy up to the premier for help in winning the crucial battleground province in the federal election.

However, Poilievre has stated that he hasn’t approached the Ontario Progressive Conservative leader for assistance. Ford, on the other hand, has indicated that he won’t be publicly supporting any of the candidates, choosing to focus on his province instead of getting involved in the federal campaign.

While Ford stayed out of the 2019 and 2021 federal campaigns, there may be some underlying tension between him and Poilievre that is preventing them from joining forces. Some analysts believe that Ford may not see much political gain in supporting Poilievre, and as such, he has chosen to stay neutral in the federal election.

Andrea Lawlor, an associate professor of political science at McMaster University, suggests that Ford’s focus is on working with anyone who shares his policy objectives, whether it be Poilievre or Liberal Leader Mark Carney. Ontario, with its 122 seats, will once again be crucial in determining the outcome of the federal election.

Julie Simmons, an associate professor of political science at the University of Guelph, questions why Poilievre wouldn’t seek Ford’s support, given the importance of Ontario in securing victory. However, despite rumors, Poilievre has denied reaching out to Ford for assistance in the federal campaign.

Ford, for his part, has made it clear that his priority is to keep Ontario moving forward and that he will not be actively campaigning for any federal candidates. While he has developed close relationships with some federal Liberal cabinet ministers, his relationship with Poilievre and Carney remains distant.

The lack of cooperation between Ford and Poilievre may stem from their differing conservative ideologies. Poilievre leans further to the right than traditional Ontarian conservatives, while Ford is seen as a pragmatic leader who serves a broad constituency.

Reports of tension between the Ontario Progressive Conservatives and the federal Conservatives, as well as between key strategists on both sides, suggest a potential “civil war” within the Conservative movement. Kathy Brock, a policy studies professor at Queen’s University, warns that it may be dangerous for both sides to have Ford actively campaign for Poilievre, as it could lead to backlash and division within the party.

In conclusion, the relationship between Ford and Poilievre remains strained, with both leaders choosing to focus on their respective responsibilities rather than actively supporting each other in the federal election. Only time will tell how this dynamic will impact the Conservative movement in Canada.