By Sean Dougan
If you’ve been living under a rock, let me catch you up—Ontario is in full election mode, and to put it bluntly, we’re flying blind into the storm. With a stagnant federal government, economic turmoil, and rising tensions with our southern neighbors, the last thing Ontarians expected was another trip to the polls. Yet, here we are, despite Premier Doug Ford still having 16 months left in his mandate.
On February 27, 2025, Ontarians will cast their votes—ready or not. The rushed nature of this election has led to reactionary policies, if that, from the major parties, with little time for voters to properly assess their options. If you were hoping for a bold, visionary plan for Ontario, I regret to inform you that it’s unlikely to happen. Instead, we’re looking at quick fixes and crisis management, especially in response to economic instability and external threats.
That said, my goal here isn’t to sensationalize but to consolidate the information we do have. Full disclosure—I’m biased. I’ve voted for Ford twice, but this time, I’m abstaining. Why? Because I believe Ontario needs an austerity plan, and none of the parties are offering one.
So, with that in mind, let’s break down what little we know so far.
Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
PC Party of Ontario – Protect Ontario
Doug Ford, born November 20, 1964, in Etobicoke, is a businessman and politician, and the brother of the late Rob Ford, former Mayor of Toronto. Doug’s political journey has been deeply influenced by his father, the Honorable Doug Ford Sr., a former Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP). Doug grew up working at Deco Labels and Tags, a business founded by his father that helped build a strong network of cross-border relationships between Canada and the United States.
Doug’s political career began alongside his brother Rob, and initially, their approach seemed grounded in genuine empathy for others. Both Fords were known for advocating austerity, efficiency, and prioritizing the needs of the people. They made it a point to engage with constituents personally—answering phone calls, listening to concerns, and taking action. I’ve personally witnessed this when Rob Ford, in his characteristic way, went out to shovel my grandmother’s driveway one snowy day when no crews were sent out.
In 2010, the Ford brothers made their mark on city politics, often clashing with the NDP-leaning, left-wing councilors of downtown Toronto in what many remember as a comical yet heated rivalry. After Rob’s health complications in 2014, Doug decided to run for Mayor of Toronto but ultimately lost the race to John Tory.
Following that, Doug regrouped, leveraging his strong “Ford Nation” support in Toronto, built through the annual Ford Fest celebrations and his years of community involvement. In 2018, he secured a decisive victory to become the Premier of Ontario, a position he has held ever since.
However, Ontario has yet to see a clear vision driven by policy and detailed costing under Doug’s leadership. His tenure has often been marked by a reactionary approach—announcing large-scale projects before providing full cost estimates or thoroughly planning the details. When costings have been presented, they’ve been met with criticism for being, at best, inaccurate.
| Policy | Initial Costing | Actual or Updated Costs | Notes |
|---|
| Highway 413 & Bradford Bypass | ~$10B (unclear source) | Unknown (environmental costs not disclosed) | No full breakdown released. |
| Greenbelt Development (Reversed) | No detailed costing | Estimated $8.3B land value increase for developers | Scrapped after public backlash. |
| Healthcare Privatization (2023-2024) | “Saves taxpayer dollars” | No full costing | Critics argue private billing could increase costs. |
| Buck-a-Beer (2018) | No costing | Failed due to market rejection | No breweries could afford to sell beer at $1. |
| COVID-19 Response | No detailed pre-costing | Billions in spending, some unaccounted for | Ontario’s Auditor General found |
Entering the 2018 election, Doug Ford campaigned on a platform that included tax cuts, austerity measures, and promises to reduce the size of Toronto’s city council. He pledged healthcare reforms aimed at reducing wait times, as well as provincial transit and infrastructure upgrades. His platform also focused on job growth, education reform, and the ambitious and somewhat elusive “Connected Ontario” plan, which, admittedly, I myself was initially excited about.
Doug’s 2022 bid echoed much of the same, with a reactionary focus on COVID-19 recovery and an emphasis on affordable living. However, his time in office has not been without controversy, as several scandals have surfaced throughout his tenure.
| Scandal | Year | Details | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenbelt Land Swap | 2023 | Plan to remove land from protected Greenbelt for housing development, benefiting developers tied to Ford’s government. | Reversed after public backlash; multiple resignations, including Housing Minister Steve Clark. |
| COVID-19 Nursing Home Crisis | 2020-2021 | Long-term care homes suffered high death rates due to lack of oversight and preparedness. Military report exposed severe neglect. | Public inquiry criticized Ford’s handling, but no legal consequences. |
| Pandemic Spending & Unused Funds | 2020-2021 | Ontario’s Auditor General found Ford’s government left $4.4B unspent despite healthcare crises. | No major reforms, but criticism of Ford’s fiscal management. |
| Highway 413 & Developer Ties | 2020-Present | Pushed for Highway 413, benefiting developers who donated to the PC Party. Environmental concerns ignored. | Still proceeding, but facing legal challenges and opposition. |
| Use of Notwithstanding Clause | 2022 | Invoked clause to prevent education worker strikes and override Charter rights. | Massive protests forced Ford to back down within days. |
| Toronto City Council Cuts | 2018 | Reduced Toronto City Council seats mid-election, seen as anti-democratic. | Court challenges failed; Ford’s decision stood. |
| Police Officer Appointments | 2019 | Appointed friends & allies (like Ron Taverner) to high-ranking police positions. | Reversed after public outcry. |
| Buck-a-Beer Failure | 2018 | Promised beer at $1, but no breweries could afford it. | Program failed; beer prices remained unchanged. |
| Patronage Appointments | 2019 | Appointed unqualified party insiders to government jobs. | Many appointments reversed after media exposure. |
| MZO Orders (Minister’s Zoning Orders) | 2020-Present | Overused special zoning orders to fast-track development, often benefiting PC donors. | Still ongoing, facing legal and public scrutiny. |
| Privatization of Healthcare | 2023-2024 | Expanded private clinic services, raising concerns over two-tier healthcare. | Policy still in effect, but facing opposition. |
| Ontario Place Redevelopment | 2023-Present | Controversial plan to turn Ontario Place into a private spa, despite public opposition. | Ongoing, facing lawsuits and protests. |
Despite the controversies, Doug Ford has taken some steps that have positively impacted Ontario. For instance, he cut the gas tax during tough times, defended Ontario against the Trump administration’s tariffs, and made significant strides in reducing the province’s deficit and debt pre-covid. Ford’s efforts also included expanding infrastructure and securing energy superiority for Ontario, particularly after the challenges posed by Kathleen Wynne’s decision to split Hydro One. In many ways, Ontario is stronger thanks to Doug Ford’s leadership.
So, with the 2025 election approaching, what promises are the Progressive Conservatives making this time around?
- Strong leadership against Donald Trump’s tariffs.
- Construct a tunnel under the 401 to alleviate traffic congestion.
- GO 2.0 – A massive subway expansion that has been underreported by the media but is seen as a game-changer.
- Remove the toll on the 407.
- Ottawa LRT integration with a comprehensive transit package.
- Potential for Starlink or weather balloon high-speed internet for Northern Ontario.
- Tax cuts (though details and costings have not been provided yet).
- Business support during the tariff war.
- A ban on Chinese energy procurement across the entire sector.
- A $2 billion top-up to healthcare funding.
- $2 billion for water and wastewater infrastructure near municipalities.
- $300 million for rinks, skate parks, and sports centers across Ontario.
- A permanent gas tax cut of 5.7 cents per liter, renewable every 6 months.
The Liberal Party of Ontario – Bonnie Crombie
Ontario Liberal Party – The official site of the Ontario Liberal Party
Bonnie Crombie, born February 5th, 1960, is another Toronto native with a unique political journey. Unlike Doug Ford, who had political influence within his family, Bonnie was born to Polish immigrants of humble origins. She grew up in Etobicoke, attending Michael Power St. Joseph High School, before earning a BA in Political Science and International Relations from the University of Toronto. She later completed her Master of Business Administration at the Schulich School of Business.
Before entering the political arena, Bonnie worked in marketing for prominent companies like McDonald’s Canada, the Walt Disney Company, and the Insurance Bureau of Canada.
Bonnie’s political career has been marked by significant transitions. She served as the Member of Parliament for Mississauga Streetsville from 2008 to 2011. After being voted out, she shifted to municipal politics and became the councilor for Ward 5 in Mississauga. In 2014, she made a successful bid for Mayor of Mississauga, seizing the opportunity after the retirement of Hazel McCallion, the long-serving and influential mayor of the city.
However, her political journey took another twist when Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario, resigned amid scandal, leading to the Liberal Party’s loss of its official party status. Bonnie, in turn, resigned from her mayoral role and pivoted once again, running for the Liberal Party candidacy for Premier of Ontario.
| Role | Years | Key Accomplishments |
|---|
| Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) | 2008–2011 | – Advocated for Mississauga at the provincial level. – Focused on local infrastructure, healthcare, and education. – Served on various standing committees. – Supported women’s issues and gender equality. |
| City Councillor (Mississauga) | 2011–2014 | – Engaged with the community and addressed local concerns. – Contributed to managing Mississauga’s growth and development. – Advocated for public safety and infrastructure improvements. |
| Mayor of Mississauga | 2014–2024 | – Successfully transitioned from Hazel McCallion’s leadership. – Promoted economic growth and attracted business investments. – Led the Hurontario LRT project. – Focused on sustainable urban planning, green initiatives, and environmental sustainability. – Managed the city’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. – Advocated for affordable housing. – Enhanced Mississauga’s international recognition. |
Throughout Bonnie Crombie’s time as Mayor of Mississauga, she faced a series of media missteps and controversies surrounding her use of municipal funds. While Crombie has worked to project an image of responsible leadership, there have been numerous instances where her handling of city finances raised eyebrows.
Media reports pointed to unsubstantiated claims about questionable expenditures during her tenure. Some critics accused her of a lack of transparency when it came to how funds were allocated for certain projects. These concerns often stemmed from the way municipal budgets were handled, with accusations of funds being directed towards questionable or unnecessary initiatives without sufficient justification.
Although Crombie has repeatedly denied any misconduct or improper use of funds, these allegations became a consistent topic in the local media, creating a sense of doubt about her fiscal leadership. While her leadership on certain community projects has been praised, these ongoing controversies continue to spark debate over her legacy as mayor.
| Incident/Controversy | Details | Outcome/Response |
|---|
| Mayor’s Office Expenses & Travel | – Questions raised over international travel expenses related to trade missions and economic promotion (2016). – Critics questioned the necessity and cost of trips. | – Crombie defended the trips, claiming they helped raise Mississauga’s profile and attract investment. – No major misconduct found. |
| Media Mishap on Greenbelt Expansion | – Crombie made a controversial comment about the Greenbelt expansion in Ontario in 2015. – Critics saw it as downplaying its importance for Mississauga. | – Media backlash, but no significant impact on Crombie’s leadership. She continued to focus on economic development, with some adjustments to her messaging. |
| COVID-19 Response Criticism | – Mississauga faced difficulties balancing business closures, health measures, and economic concerns. – Some businesses felt restrictions were too harsh. | – Crombie’s leadership during the pandemic was generally viewed as decisive, though there were some criticisms of communication and the pace of restrictions. |
| Development & Land Use Criticism | – Criticized for prioritizing high-density developments over green spaces and affordable housing. – Concerns about potential conflicts of interest with developers. | – Crombie argued development was necessary for the city’s growth. – Despite criticism, her administration pushed forward with urban development projects. |
| Internal Party & Council Tensions | – Tensions with Mississauga City Council members over policy decisions and city management. – Public disputes about priorities and finances. | – Crombie managed to maintain control over council despite internal disagreements. – No lasting damage to her political standing. |
All in all, Bonnie Crombie’s political journey might come across as that of a “job hopper” in the industry. While I’ll aim to stay as unbiased as possible, it’s hard to ignore the perception that she has opportunistically moved through various roles. There’s a lot to unpack when it comes to her political trajectory, and I’ll leave the analysis to you. But, without a doubt, she’s shown a tendency to seize opportunities as they arise.
Given the lack of a clear track record on policy or past performance from the Ontario Liberal Party, what can we expect from their current platform? While they’ve yet to provide any detailed costings, their promises largely revolve around healthcare improvements and disability payments. For a deeper look at their proposed policies, you can find a full review directly from their campaign sources
| Promise | Details | Objective/Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Doubling ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program) | Permanently double the ODSP to provide more financial support to individuals with disabilities. | Improve financial security for individuals with disabilities. |
| Universal Family Doctor Access | Ensure every Ontarian has access to a family doctor within four years. | Address the shortage of family doctors and improve healthcare accessibility. |
| Hospital Redevelopment | Accelerate the redevelopment of St. Mary’s and Grand River hospitals in Kitchener-Waterloo. | Enhance healthcare facilities and capacity in growing areas. |
| Public Transit Safety | Hire 300 special constables for Ontario’s transit systems to ensure commuter safety. | Improve safety for passengers using public transit. |
| Counteracting U.S. Tariffs | Introduce retaliatory tariffs against American goods, and remove American-made alcohol from Ontario liquor stores. | Strengthen Ontario’s economy and protect local businesses from potential U.S. trade actions. |
| Transit Constables | Hire 300 special constables for transit systems around the province | Increased community safety |
| Cut Taxes | Promised tax cuts of 22% for the middle class | |
| HST | Remove HST from your Hydro Bills |
The New Democrat Party – Marit Stiles
Ontario’s New Democrats « Ontario NDP
Marit Stiles was born on September 20, 1969, in St. John’s, Newfoundland, growing up on a small rural farm. Before entering politics, Marit was actively involved in her local community in Newfoundland, gaining experience in communications and media. She moved to Ontario in the early ’90s and, in 2014, became a school board trustee for the Trinity-Spadina Davenport Ward 9 area. Marit successfully ran for the MPP position in Davenport in 2018, and after Andrea Horwath’s departure in February 2023, she became the leader of the Ontario NDP.
While Marit’s time in Ontario politics has been relatively short, and her leadership thus far has been under the radar, she has avoided major scandals. The NDP, under her leadership, has taken cues from other political figures, such as Bonnie Crombie, in shaping their platform. Here are some of their key promises:
Affordability:
- Doubling the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).
- Introducing a monthly grocery rebate for households based on income and family size.
- Requiring grocery chains to disclose price increases over 2% within a week (grocery price transparency).
Healthcare:
- Recruiting 3,500 new family doctors, focusing on northern communities.
- Establishing a nurse-to-patient ratio and hiring 15,000 new nurses over three years.
Education:
- Hiring more school staff to improve student support.
- Expanding school meal programs.
- Ending academic streaming and reviewing the funding model to better support higher-needs students.
- Allocating $830 million for school repairs and maintenance.
Housing:
- Building 60,000 new supportive housing units for those living in encampments.
- Pledging to build or acquire at least 300,000 affordable rental homes.
Municipalities:
- Taking over the cost of operating homeless shelters from municipalities while allowing local coordination of services.
As we approach the upcoming election, it’s clear that not every political leader has their own vision for Ontario’s future, a lot of this is completely reactionary. Doug Ford’s focus on fiscal responsibility, healthcare, and infrastructure has shaped his time in office, although his approach often lacks detailed costings and full transparency – undeniably on things like healthcare, homes, overbudget out of control transit projects undelivered and fiscal spending post Covid. Bonnie Crombie’s political journey has been marked by ambitious goals, but her leadership is sometimes clouded by controversies and media mishaps, there isn’t a vision for Ontario here just well calculated uncosted vote banking on key issues. Meanwhile, Marit Stiles, though still in the early stages of her leadership, presents the least semblance of a plan or brings any experience. I didn’t mention the independents, Mike Schreiner, or Dominic Cardi of the future party as I view them as irrelevant compared to the swing voters in Ontario.
Here you are Ontario a preparation for the unprepared storm we go into. I hope this stimulates discussions in the next few weeks amongst you that you might dream your Ontario and share it with us so that it can be a place of economic power, stability and freedom once again. It’s costing us 187 million to run this show, the least we can do is try to be informed.