Ontario’s Unnecessary Election

Dave

Welcome to today’s episode. Today, I’m diving into the upcoming Ontario election—one that many argue didn’t need to happen right now. With Doug Ford’s government calling an early election, questions are swirling: What’s the real motivation? How does this impact Ontarians? And most importantly, is this a move to benefit the people or just political strategy? Let’s break it down.

Dave

Ontario was not due for an election at this time. So why did Doug Ford decide to send voters to the polls early? One theory suggests that Ford is trying to capitalize on favorable polling numbers before economic conditions potentially worsen. With inflation still a concern and public dissatisfaction growing over his handling of key issues like healthcare and education, calling an election now could be a strategic move to avoid greater political challenges down the line. Additionally, an early election disrupts governance. The legislative process is halted, with important bills left in limbo. Before the election call, the Ford government was in the midst of pushing forward several key pieces of legislation on energy policy and urban development, but all of that is now on hold. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of government when political calculations take precedence over policy progress.

Dave

One of the major ongoing controversies is the Greenbelt scandal, which is currently under investigation by the RCMP. The Ford government has faced widespread backlash over its handling of protected Greenbelt lands, with accusations that developers with close ties to the government were given preferential treatment to acquire and develop these lands. Reports suggest that certain developers had prior knowledge of the government's intentions before the policy was publicly announced, raising serious ethical concerns. The scandal has led to resignations within the government and calls for greater transparency. Now, with an election looming, many wonder whether this move is meant to deflect attention away from the investigation and shield the Ford administration from further scrutiny.

Dave

Mohammed Adam, in his Ottawa Citizen article, argues that this election should not merely be a referendum on Ford’s economic and trade policies but rather a broader discussion about the future of Ontario. Beyond issues like tariffs, voters should be focused on fundamental concerns that affect daily life: public education, healthcare access, housing affordability, and climate policies. The opposition parties have been pushing these issues to the forefront, arguing that Ford’s administration has failed to adequately address them. The healthcare system, in particular, is under immense strain. Hospital emergency rooms are seeing record-long wait times, with severe staffing shortages contributing to delays in care. Instead of fixing these systemic problems, Ford’s government has pursued privatization efforts that critics argue will only deepen the crisis.

Dave

Opposition leaders have been vocal about the real issues that should be at the center of this election.

Dave

Ontario’s healthcare system is in distress, with overcrowded hospitals and a severe shortage of nurses and doctors. Despite Ford’s claims of increased healthcare funding, many argue that his policies favor privatization at the expense of public care.

Dave

Schools continue to face budget constraints, with underfunding affecting both teachers and students. Ontario’s education unions have raised alarms about inadequate resources and staff shortages, particularly in special education programs.

Dave

Home prices in Ontario remain out of reach for many residents. While Ford’s government has introduced policies aimed at increasing housing supply, critics say they favor developers rather than average Ontarians.

Dave

Beyond the Greenbelt scandal, Ford’s government has rolled back several environmental protections, raising concerns about sustainability and the province’s long-term planning.

Dave

To put this in perspective, here are some campaign promises from the other major political parties in this election.

Dave

First, from the NDP:

Dave

With respect to tariffs, implement a federal provincial income support program and direct agencies to procure locally and create new supply chains.

Dave

With respect to affordability, Get rid of tolls for all drivers on Highway 407, on both the government-owned portion and privately owned part called the 407 ETR. They pledge to buy the ETR portion back.

Dave

Second, from the Liberals:

Dave

With respect to tariffs, offer a $150,000 bonus to Canadian doctors and nurses working in the U.S. if they come back to Canada to work. Also, establish a “fight tariff fund” giving Ontario businesses lower interest rates, and eliminate inter-provincial trade barriers. They have also pledged to phase in rent control.

Dave

With respect to transit, boost transit safety by hiring 300 special constables, doubling investment in mobile crisis intervention teams, giving transit services an unspecified amount of money for safety equipment such as cameras, and installing platform doors in all Toronto subway stations.

Dave

With respect to affordability, cut middle income tax bracket by 22 per cent and take HST off home heating and hydro bills.

Dave

Third, from the Green party:

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With respect to housing, allow fourplexes across the province and homes with six units in large cities, and mid-rise buildings of six to 11 storeys on transit corridors and main streets. The Greens also pledge to remove development charges on homes under 2,000 square feet and remove the land transfer tax for first-time homebuyers.

Dave

With respect to tariffs, create a tariff task force, create an investment tax credit, develop a Buy Ontario strategy, create a Protect Ontario Fund for businesses disproportionately impacted, diversify trade partners and work to remove inter-provincial trade barriers.

Dave

Polling data from AI Polly, an AI pollster used by Advanced Symbolics Inc. which scrapes social media to find political views of users, indicates that the biggest concerns among Ontario residents include healthcare, housing affordability, and government accountability. Many voters feel disconnected from political decisions and are skeptical about whether this election will address their everyday struggles. AI Polly’s polling shows that while economic growth remains an important factor for voters, many prioritize long-term investments in social infrastructure. The data suggests that affordability, access to healthcare, and education funding are the key concerns that could ultimately decide the outcome of this election.

Dave

Adding to the controversy, yesterday Doug Ford was attending a meeting of Canadian premiers in Washington, DC. The primary goal of this meeting was to present a united front against U.S. tariffs and trade policies that negatively impact Canadian industries. However, Ford’s actions during this trip have raised eyebrows.

Dave

During a post speech scrum with reporters, Ford made comments about Donald Trump, calling him "one of the best negotiators in the world”. This remark is particularly troubling given Canada’s ongoing fight against tariffs and its efforts to protect domestic industries. Ford’s praise for Trump and his team stands in direct opposition to the broader Canadian strategy of securing fair trade deals and resisting protectionist measures from the U.S. This misstep has only fueled further speculation that Ford’s priorities are more aligned with political maneuvering rather than with serving the best interests of Ontarians. His comments not only weaken the collective position of Canadian premiers in trade discussions but also alienate key political allies.

Dave

So, did this election need to happen? Based on what we’ve covered today, the answer leans heavily toward no. Instead of addressing Ontario’s pressing issues, this early election appears to serve political interests more than the public’s. The Greenbelt scandal, the RCMP investigation, and concerns about affordability and healthcare all suggest that Ontarians deserve a government that stays focused on solutions rather than an unexpected campaign. Additionally, Ford’s actions at the Canadian premiers’ meeting in Washington and his ill-advised Trump remarks demonstrate a pattern of political miscalculations that could have real consequences for Ontario’s economy. This election should be about more than just Ford’s political maneuvering—it should be about the real issues affecting Ontarians every day. As voters, it’s up to us to see through these strategies and make informed decisions at the ballot box.

Dave

That’s it for today’s episode. If you found this discussion insightful, be sure to share it and stay informed as the campaign unfolds. Also, take a second to subscribe to this channel. It would be greatly appreciated. However, before I go, please note that this Saturday, February 15th, is the 60th anniversary of the 1st raising of our Canadian flag above parliament hill. If you have one, as per the wishes of five of our former prime ministers, please display it proudly outside your residence on that day and if you don't have one, consider buying one.

Dave

Thanks for listening, and I’ll catch you next time!