Premier Doug Ford confirms he’s calling snap Ontario election
'You'd better pray that we get elected, because I'm going to protect everyone's job'
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OTTAWA — In a year of two big general elections, Ontarians will be going to the polls first.
Responding to weeks of speculation over a potential snap election, Ontario Premier Doug Ford put those rumours to bed on Friday, saying that the writ will indeed drop next Wednesday.
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Premier Doug Ford confirms he’s calling snap Ontario election Back to video
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“I’ll be seeing the Lieutenant Governor on Tuesday,” Ford told reporters during a transit press conference in Brampton.
“We need a mandate from the people to fight against Donald Trump’s tariffs … with a strong mandate, we’ll be able to fight with Donald Trump to make sure we stop the tariffs.”
That would mean Ontario voters would almost certainly be heading to the ballot box on Feb. 27.
“I will do whatever it takes to protect the people of Ontario,” Ford said. “We are the engine of Canada, protecting all Canadians. We will not back down.”
Ford already holds a strong majority in Queen’s Park, with 76 out of 124 seats represented by the Progressive Conservatives.
Ford dismissed comments suggesting he’s seeking a new mandate because he’s lost the trust of Ontarians, saying instead that combatting the tariffs will be his key focus.
“When the tariffs hit, it affects the media, it affects manufacturing, it affects every single sector in this province,” he told one reporter. “You’d better pray that we get elected, because I’m going to protect everyone’s job, including the media’s job.”
Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles said her party’s ready to take on the PCs, accusing Ford of being more interested in self-preservation than saving the province.
“While our province faces a grave threat with half a million jobs at risk, Doug Ford sees an opportunity to fight for one job – his own,” she said in a statement.
“He thinks he can con Ontarians with an early election to escape his record – but we won’t let him,” Stiles said. “It’s time for a change in Ontario.”
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In a statement, Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner echoed the sentiment.
“In the face of looming tariff threats, Ontario needs stability, not an election,” he said. “We need to demonstrate strength through unity to defend Canadian workers, Canadian jobs and Canadian companies.”
In a separate press release, the party said they’ve so far filled over half of their slate with candidates, including former Orangeville Mayor Sandy Brown, Centre Wellington Township Councillor Bronwynne Wilton.
While the Liberals remained largely silent Friday, Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie accused Ford of erecting smokescreens.
“This snap election isn’t about Trump or tariffs – it’s about Doug Ford scrambling to outrun the RCMP investigation into his Greenbelt scandal,” she wrote on X.
“Ontario’s economy is failing thanks to Ford,” Crombie added. “We are not prepared to weather this storm. And instead of owning up to his actions, Ford is abandoning his post when Ontarians need leadership the most.”
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