Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Doug Ford
How Doug Ford built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Doug Ford is a Canadian politician and businessman currently serving as the 26th Premier of Ontario since 2018. He also leads the Progressive Conservative Party. Ford represents the Toronto riding of Etobicoke North in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.
1934: First Newly Elected MPP to Take Office as Premier
In 1934, Mitch Hepburn became the first newly elected MPP to take office as premier. Doug Ford follows as the second.
1959: First Premier to do so since 1959
Progressive Conservatives led by Ford were reelected with a third consecutive majority government, the first premier to do so since 1959, though with a slightly smaller majority compared to 2022.
1962: Deco Labels and Tags Co-Founded
In 1962, Doug Ford's father co-founded Deco Labels and Tags.
1994: First Involvement in Politics
In 1994, Doug Ford's first involvement in politics came when he canvassed for Doug Holyday's mayoral campaign in Etobicoke.
1995: Assisted in Father's Campaign
In 1995, Doug Ford assisted in his father's campaigns as a PC MPP candidate.
1995: Doug Ford Sr. Becomes MPP
In 1995, Doug Ford's father, Doug Ford Sr., became a Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP).
1999: End of Doug Ford Sr.'s term as MPP
In 1999, Doug Ford Sr.'s term as a Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) ended.
1999: Assisted in Father's Campaign Again
In 1999, Doug Ford assisted in his father's campaigns as a PC MPP candidate.
2000: Assisted in Brother's Council Campaigns
In 2000, Doug Ford assisted in his brother Rob's council campaigns.
2002: Doug Ford Jr. Becomes President of Deco
In 2002, Doug Ford Jr. became president of Deco Labels and Tags and expanded the company into Chicago.
2003: Assisted in Brother's Council Campaigns
In 2003, Doug Ford assisted in his brother Rob's council campaigns.
2006: Assisted in Brother's Council Campaigns
In 2006, Doug Ford assisted in his brother Rob's council campaigns.
2008: Purchase of Wise Tag and Label
In 2008, Doug Ford Jr. launched the purchase of Wise Tag and Label in New Jersey and fired Wise Tag's manager.
October 25, 2010: Ford Elected as Councillor
On October 25, 2010, Doug Ford was elected as councillor to Toronto City Council in Ward 2, succeeding his brother Rob. He also announced he would donate his $100,000 annual salary.
2010: Doug Ford Jr. Enters Politics
In 2010, Doug Ford Jr. entered politics, and former Deco employees suggest the company declined under Randy's leadership afterward.
2010: Assisted in Brother's Mayoral Campaign
In 2010, Doug Ford assisted in his brother Rob's winning mayoral campaign.
2010: Ford becomes Toronto City Councillor
In 2010, Doug Ford became a Toronto city councillor for Ward 2 Etobicoke North.
2011: Ford and His Mother are Directors
As of 2011, Doug Ford and his mother were directors of Deco Labels and Tags, managed by his brother Randy.
2011: Ford Promotes Port Lands Plan
In 2011, Doug Ford promoted an alternative plan for the Port Lands district of Toronto, which was ridiculed and voted down by the council.
June 2013: Ford Announces He Won't Run for Re-election
In June 2013, Doug Ford announced that he would not run for re-election as councillor in the next Toronto election in 2014, expressing frustration with municipal politics.
February 20, 2014: Ford Will Focus on Brother's Campaign
On February 20, 2014, Doug Ford announced that he would not be a candidate in the next provincial election in order to focus on his brother's re-election campaign.
May 2014: Rob Ford Enters Drug Rehab
In May 2014, after his brother Rob entered drug rehab, Doug Ford commented that he would not rule out running for mayor.
June 12, 2014: Provincial Election Called
On June 12, 2014, the provincial election was called which Doug Ford did not run for.
September 12, 2014: Ford Enters Mayoral Campaign
On September 12, 2014, Doug Ford entered the mayoral campaign in the last hour before the nomination deadline after his brother Rob withdrew due to a tumor diagnosis.
November 27, 2014: Ford Announces He Will Not Run for PC Leadership
On November 27, 2014, Doug Ford announced that he would not be a candidate for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party and endorsed Christine Elliott.
2014: Donation to Humber River Hospital
In 2014, Doug Ford and his mother donated $90,000 to Humber River Hospital, where Rob Ford was receiving care.
2014: Ford runs for Toronto Mayor
In 2014, Doug Ford ran for Toronto mayoral election, where he placed second behind John Tory.
September 9, 2017: Ford Announces Mayoral Run
On September 9, 2017, Doug Ford announced that he would run for mayor of Toronto in the 2018 election.
January 25, 2018: Resignation of Patrick Brown
On January 25, 2018, Patrick Brown resigned, prompting a new PC leader to be chosen before the 2018 election.
January 31, 2018: Ford Seeks PC Nomination
On January 31, 2018, Doug Ford announced he would seek the PC nomination in Etobicoke North and run for the seat in the 2018 election.
February 1, 2018: Ford Focuses on PC Leadership Campaign
On February 1, 2018, Doug Ford announced that he no longer planned to run for mayor that year, intending to focus on his campaign for Ontario PC leader.
March 2018: Liberals Table Pre-Election Budget
In March 2018, the Liberals tabled a pre-election budget, which Doug Ford called a "spending spree".
March 27, 2018: Ford Named PC Candidate
On March 27, 2018, Doug Ford was named the party's candidate in Etobicoke North.
April 2018: Electricity Rate Reduction Announcement
In April 2018, during his election campaign, Ford announced his plan to lower Ontario's electricity rates by 12 percent by redirecting Hydro One dividends and absorbing conservation program costs.
June 7, 2018: PC Party Wins Majority Government
On June 7, 2018, Doug Ford led the PC Party to a majority government in the general election, winning 76 of 124 seats, including his own riding of Etobicoke North.
June 15, 2018: Ford Announces End to Cap and Trade Program
On June 15, 2018, Premier-designate Ford announced the elimination of Ontario's cap and trade program, established under the 2016 Climate Change Mitigation and Low-Carbon Economy Act.
June 29, 2018: Ford Sworn in as Premier
On June 29, 2018, Doug Ford was sworn in as premier of Ontario, holding a ceremony outdoors on the lawn of Queen's Park.
July 11, 2018: Reversion to 1998 Health Curriculum
On July 11, 2018, Ford announced that Ontario's health curriculum, including sexual education components, updated by the previous government in 2015, would be reverted to the 1998 curriculum.
July 25, 2018: Ford's Government Tables Cap and Trade Cancellation Act
On July 25, 2018, Ford's government tabled the Cap and Trade Cancellation Act, 2018 to formally repeal the cap and trade program.
September 2018: Minimum Wage Freeze
In September 2018, Doug Ford's government froze the minimum wage at $14 per hour and cancelled a planned increase.
November 15, 2018: 2018 Ontario Economic Outlook
On November 15, 2018, Finance Minister Vic Fedeli tabled the 2018 Ontario Economic Outlook which included a tax cut.
December 5, 2018: Hydro One's Avista Takeover Rejected
On December 5, 2018, Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission rejected Hydro One's $3.4 billion takeover of Avista due to political risks in Ontario.
December 6, 2018: Tabling of Bill 66
On December 6, 2018, the Ford government tabled its omnibus bill, Bill 66. The bill allows municipalities to request a provincial government override of any regulations that currently deter businesses from locating in the region.
2018: Proposed Teaching Job Cuts and Program Cancellations
Immediately after taking office in 2018, Ford proposed to cut 3,475 Ontario teaching jobs over four years and cancelled various programs, including the Green Ontario Fund residential rebate program.
2018: Ford becomes Premier of Ontario
In 2018, Doug Ford became the 26th and current premier of Ontario and leader of the Progressive Conservative Party.
2018: Ford Wins Progressive Conservative Leadership Election
In 2018, Doug Ford entered provincial politics and won the Progressive Conservative leadership election.
2018: Ford Promises Balanced Budget
In 2018, Doug Ford promised a balanced budget for Ontario.
2018: Endorsed the economic policies of the Republican Party
In 2018, Ford endorsed the economic policies of the Republican Party and the presidency of Donald Trump in the United States, saying his support for Trump is "unwavering".
2018: Ford Supports Public Healthcare
In 2018, Ford expressed support for publicly funded healthcare and increasing funding to create 30,000 additional long-term care beds.
2018: Ford Proposes Dental Care Subsidies
In 2018, Ford stated he believed the provincial government should fully subsidize dental costs for low-income seniors.
2018: Back-to-Work Legislation Ends York University Strike
In 2018, Ford used back-to-work legislation to end the strike at York University.
2018: Staunch Critic of the federal government
In 2018, Ford was seen as a staunch critic of the federal government of Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
2018: Greenbelt Controversy and Rent Control Pledge
In 2018, before being elected, a video emerged of Ford discussing opening the Greenbelt. He later pledged to replace any removed land and increase housing supply. Also, pre-election in 2018, Ford pledged not to remove rent control.
2018: PCs Increased Share of the Vote
In 2018, the PCs gained seven more seats than they had won, with an increased share of the vote.
2018: Liberals regained official party status
The Liberals finished over ten percentage points ahead of the NDP in the popular vote, but only gained five seats compared to before the election (albeit this was enough to regain official party status for the first time since 2018), with Crombie being defeated in her riding.
2019: Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program Enacted
In 2019, Ford enacted the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program.
2019: Urged voters to vote out the Trudeau-led Liberals
In 2019, Ford urged voters to vote out the Trudeau-led Liberals in the 2019 federal election.
2019: New Sex-Education Curriculum
In 2019, a new curriculum was released that was largely similar to the 2015 version, save for allowing parents to opt-out.
2019: Ontario Health Agency Introduced
In 2019, the Ford government introduced the Ontario Health agency to centralize services.
February 2020: Preliminary Agreement Signed for Toronto Subway
In February 2020, Ford and Toronto Mayor John Tory signed a preliminary agreement which would see the province assume sole responsibility for the planning, design and construction of several subway extensions.
August 2020: Ford Disapproves of Trump's Aluminum Tariffs
In August 2020, Doug Ford expressed his disapproval of Donald Trump's tariffs on Canadian aluminum imports, calling the policy "totally unacceptable".
2020: Peace with Patrick Brown
By 2020, Ford made peace with prior PC leader Patrick Brown after a brief feud.
March 11, 2021: Ford Apologizes to Mamakwa
On March 11, 2021, Doug Ford apologized to MPP Sol Mamakwa for accusing him of "jumping the line" to get his second COVID-19 vaccine dose.
March 2021: Ford Accuses Mamakwa of Vaccine Line Jumping
In March 2021, Doug Ford publicly accused MPP Sol Mamakwa of "jumping the line" to receive his second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
April 9, 2021: Ford Receives First Dose of AstraZeneca Vaccine
On April 9, 2021, Doug Ford received his first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at a pharmacy in Toronto, and he encouraged all eligible Ontarians to get vaccinated.
April 2021: Ford Isolates After Staffer Contracts COVID-19
In April 2021, Premier Ford was in isolation following contact with a staff member who had contracted COVID-19.
April 16, 2021: Ford Announces Stricter COVID-19 Restrictions
On April 16, 2021, Premier Ford announced stricter COVID-19 restrictions in Ontario, including closing outdoor amenities and authorizing police to question individuals outside their homes, leading to significant backlash and concerns about civil liberties.
April 30, 2021: Ford Requests Halt to International Students
On April 30, 2021, Premier Ford requested the federal government to stop international students from entering Ontario in an effort to curb the third wave of COVID-19.
December 2021: New Restrictions on Indoor Settings
In December 2021, Ford's government announced new restrictions on indoor settings during the emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
December 20, 2021: Ontario Expands COVID-19 Booster Eligibility
On December 20, 2021, the Ontario government allowed all Ontarians over 18 to receive a third or booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine, following growing calls for expanded eligibility.
2021: Expected Savings from Ontario Health Agency
By 2021, the province expected to save $350 million a year through the Ontario Health agency.
2021: Ford Did Not Campaign for O'Toole
In 2021, Doug Ford did not campaign for federal Conservative leader Erin O'Toole during the federal election campaign.
2021: Ford Released his Ontario Place Vision
In 2021, Ford released his vision for Ontario Place. This revitalization plan included a new spa, adventure park, and expanded stage.
January 3, 2022: Ontario Moves to Modified Step 2 Restrictions
On January 3, 2022, Premier Ford announced that Ontario would move into a modified Step 2 on January 5, closing indoor dining, gyms, movie theaters, and schools in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
January 2022: Omicron Variant Emergence
In January 2022, Ford's government addressed the emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
March 2022: Political Bromance Between Ford and Trudeau
In March 2022, John Ibbitson of The Globe and Mail wrote that there was a "political bromance" between Ford and Trudeau.
April 2022: Fixing Long-Term Care Act
In April 2022, the Fixing Long-Term Care Act came into force. The report detailed the collapse of the LTC inspection system and how the Ministry failed to protect residents.
April 2022: PC Government Releases Budget
In late April 2022, days before the election call, the PC government released its budget, promising infrastructure spending and tax breaks if reelected.
May 3, 2022: Legislature Dissolved, Election Called
On May 3, 2022, Premier Doug Ford met with the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario to dissolve the legislature and call for an election.
September 2022: Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act Passed
In September 2022, Ford's government passed the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, granting extra powers to the mayors of Toronto and Ottawa, including control over budgets, appointments, vetoes, and departmental reorganization.
October 2022: Ford Supports Emergencies Act Invocation
In October 2022, Premier Ford said he supported the Trudeau government's invocation of the Emergencies Act in response to the Canada convoy protest.
November 3, 2022: Bill 28 (Keeping Students in Class Act) Passed
On November 3, 2022, the Ford government passed Bill 28, also known as the Keeping Students in Class Act, imposing a contract on CUPE and making it illegal to strike.
November 7, 2022: Ford Announces Rescinding of Bill 28
On November 7, 2022, Ford announced that he would rescind Bill 28 and resume negotiations with CUPE.
2022: Ford Leads PCs to Victory Again
In 2022, Doug Ford led the PCs to another majority victory in the general election.
2022: Re-elected with a third consecutive majority government
In 2022, Ford's Progressive Conservatives were re-elected with a third consecutive majority government.
2022: Greenbelt Land Release Controversy
In 2022, after re-election, Ford faced controversy over releasing properties from Greenbelt protection amidst a worsening housing crisis. A total of 7,400 acres of Greenbelt land was removed, while 9,400 acres of land was added.
May 2023: Bill 60 (Your Health Act) Passed
In May 2023, Ford's government passed Bill 60, also known as the Your Health Act, to allow private clinics to perform more surgeries and procedures covered by OHIP.
July 2023: Ford Government Pledged Funding to Combat ER Closures
In July 2023, The Ford government pledged $44 million to combat ER closures.
May 2024: Speculation of Ford calling an early election
Speculation that Ford would call an early election began in 2024 and was further fuelled by Ford refusing to commit to the June 2026 date when asked by reporters at multiple press conferences in May 2024.
June 2024: Subway Projects Procurements
By June 2024, all of the subway projects began procurement or construction.
September 2024: Ford Government Explores Highway 401 Tunnel
In September 2024, Premier Ford announced that his government would explore building a tunnel for drivers and public transit under Highway 401, with a feasibility study planned.
November 2024: Ford Government Pledged Funding to Combat Staff Shortages
In November 2024, the Ford government pledged $500 million to combat ER closures due to staff shortages.
December 2024: Canadian Dental Care Plan Application Expansion
As of December 2024, applications for the Canadian Dental Care Plan were open to seniors, kids and teens, and adults with qualifying disabilities.
2024: Congratulated Donald Trump
After the 2024 United States presidential election, Ford congratulated Donald Trump and said it was "time to bet big" on Ontario–US relations.
2024: Projected Deficit End Date
In March 2018, the Liberals tabled a pre-election budget projecting a deficit until 2024-2025.
February 2025: Ford Pledges Highway 401 Tunnel
In February 2025, Doug Ford made the Highway 401 tunnel one of his re-election pledges.
2025: Ford Leads PCs to Another Victory
In 2025, Doug Ford led the PCs to another majority victory in the general election.
2025: Projected Deficit End Date
In March 2018, the Liberals tabled a pre-election budget projecting a deficit until 2024-2025.
June 4, 2026: Fixed Election Laws
Originally scheduled by fixed election laws to be held by June 4, 2026, Ford triggered an early provincial election, called a snap election, for Feb. 27 after meeting with Ontario's lieutenant-governor.
June 2026: Ford Refusing to Commit to June 2026 Date
Speculation that Ford would call an early election began in 2024 and was further fuelled by Ford refusing to commit to the June 2026 date when asked by reporters at multiple press conferences in May 2024.
