Major Controversies Surrounding Doug Ford: A Detailed Timeline

May 2013: Allegations of Hashish Sales

In May 2013, The Globe and Mail alleged that Doug Ford had sold hashish in the 1980s, which he denied. The Ontario Press Council found the newspaper's coverage "fair and ethical".

2014: Comparisons to Donald Trump

In 2014, during the mayoral campaign, Doug Ford was compared to U.S. President Donald Trump in the media.

2015: Concerns Over Sex Education Curriculum

In 2015, Doug Ford was critical of the sex education components of the Ontario health curriculum.

December 2016: Integrity Commissioner Finds Ford Broke Code of Conduct

In December 2016, the City of Toronto's integrity commissioner concluded that Doug Ford broke the city's code of conduct when he was a councillor by improperly using his influence.

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.

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 2018: Hiring of Health-Care Advisor

In July 2018, Ford hired Rueben Devlin, a Ford family friend, as a health-care advisor at a salary of $350,000 plus expenses.

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 1, 2018: Deadline for Provinces to Adopt Carbon Pricing

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that provinces that do not adopt a carbon pricing mechanism by September 1, 2018, would be subject to a federal carbon tax.

November 2018: Ontario Government Lost Revenue

By mid-November 2018, it was reported that the Ontario government had "lost $2.7-billion in revenue" which included the $1.5-billion loss of revenue from the elimination of the cap-and-trade program.

November 2018: Staples appointed executive assistant

In November 2018, Thomas Staples worked as executive assistant and legislative affairs advisor to the Minister of Government and Consumer Services, Bill Walker.

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.

December 2018: Call for Inquiry into OPP Commissioner Appointment

In December 2018, Bob Paulson called for an independent inquiry into Ford's appointment of Ron Taverner, a long-time friend, as the new commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police.

December 2018: OPP Deputy Commissioner's Allegations

In December 2018, OPP Deputy Commissioner Brad Blair claimed Ford requested the OPP to purchase a large camper-type vehicle with modified specifications and keep the costs “off the books.”

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: Sister-in-Law Sues Ford Brothers

In 2018, Doug Ford's sister-in-law sued Doug and Randy Ford for mismanagement of Rob Ford's estate, alleging deprivation of compensation and business losses.

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: 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: Ford Explains Decision Not to Sue

In a 2018 interview, Doug Ford explained that he had decided not to sue The Globe and Mail over the hashish sales allegations, deeming it a "waste of time".

January 2019: Federal Carbon Tax Imposed on Ontario

Starting in January 2019, Ontario became subject to a federal carbon tax of $20/tonne due to not having a carbon pricing mechanism in place.

January 22, 2019: Daughter's CBD Oil Promotion

On January 22, 2019, it was reported that Ford's daughter Kyla had posted videos promoting the health benefits of CBD oil, a cannabis product, leading to claims of unlawful promotion.

March 2019: Taverner Steps Down Amid Controversy

By March 2019, Ron Taverner had stepped down as the new commissioner of the OPP following "months of controversy".

June 2019: Funding Cuts for School Programs

By June 2019, the Ford government had removed or decreased funding for various school programs and initiatives.

June 20, 2019: Appointment of Political Allies

On June 20, 2019, Ford awarded "plum patronage posts to two political allies", hiring Jag Badwal and Earl Provost as Ontario's agent-general to Britain/US and Chicago respectively.

June 27, 2019: Details Emerge on Nepotism Scandal

On June 27, 2019, the Toronto Sun reported on a "thin resume" appointment for a "job that paid $165,000 a year" with only the qualification of playing lacrosse with French's son.

June 28, 2019: Dean French Resigns Amid Patronage Scandal

On June 28, 2019, Ford's chief of staff, Dean French, resigned "amid a patronage scandal" after it was revealed that two people with personal ties to [French] were appointed to lucrative positions.

2019: Mandate Letters Controversy

In 2019, mandate letters requested by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation were not released to the public, despite being ordered to by the Ontario information and privacy commissioner.

2019: Cost-Sharing Arrangement Adjustment for Toronto Public Health and Paramedic Services

In 2019, the government announced that it would adjust the cost-sharing arrangement for Toronto Public Health and Toronto Paramedic Services resulting in retroactive cuts that would total $177 million a year and $1 billion cut in Toronto over 10 years.

2019: Increased Cost of Ontario Place Revitalization

Since 2019, the estimated public cost of redeveloping Ontario Place has increased by $1.8 billion.

2020: Healthcare Spending Less Than Budgeted

In 2020, Ford's government spent $3.5 billion less on health care than budgeted.

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.

March 25, 2021: Supreme Court Upholds Federal Carbon Tax

On March 25, 2021, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the federal government has the constitutional authority to introduce pollution pricing on behalf of provinces without their own regime.

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.

September 2021: Injunction on Mining in Wiisinin Zaahgi'igan

In September 2021, an Ontario judge issued an injunction on mining in Wiisinin Zaahgi'igan, an area sacred to the Ginoogaming First Nation, due to a lack of proper consultation by the Ontario government.

August 2022: Developer Attendance at Daughter's Pre-Wedding Party

In August 2022, Ford dismissed concerns about developers attending his daughter's pre-wedding party as "ridiculous", maintaining that "no one can influence the Fords".

August 2022: Ford Suggests Additional Private Healthcare Deliveries

In August 2022, Ford suggested additional private deliveries of healthcare in order to supplement existing public healthcare in response to a hospital staff shortage throughout Ontario.

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: Greenbelt Lands Removed

In 2022, a bill was tabled to restore the Greenbelt lands removed in 2022.

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.

January 2023: Integrity Commissioner Review of Pre-Wedding Party

In January 2023, Ford sought clearance from the Integrity Commissioner for the event where developers attended his daughter's pre-wedding party.

February 2023: OPP Investigation into Greenbelt Decision

In February 2023, the Ontario Provincial Police anti-rackets branch were still investigating complaints about Ford's government's decision to open up a portion of the Greenbelt for development.

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.

August 9, 2023: Auditor General's Report on Greenbelt Swap-Out

On August 9, 2023, the Auditor General released a report on the Greenbelt swap-out, finding the government's process flawed and favouring certain developers set to earn over $8 billion.

August 2023: RCMP Takes Over Greenbelt Investigation

In August 2023, the OPP asked the RCMP to take over the file regarding the Greenbelt development decision, in order to avoid any perceived conflict of interest.

September 7, 2023: Ombudsman Report on Long-Term Care Oversight Released

On September 7, 2023, the Ombudsman of Ontario's report was released, detailing the Ministry of Long-Term Care's failure to protect residents through inspection and enforcement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

May 2024: Cost to Provide Parking at Ontario Place

As of May 2024, the cost to provide parking for the Therme spa at Ontario Place is at $400 million dollars at taxpayers' expense.

September 2024: Legislation to Restrict Bike Lane Construction

In September 2024, it was reported that the Ford government was working on legislation to restrict the construction of new bike lanes that would require the removal of lanes for motor vehicles.

November 25, 2024: Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act Passed

On November 25, 2024, the Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act passed, shielding the government from lawsuits related to cyclist deaths.

December 2024: Auditor General Report on Ontario Place Revitalization

In December 2024, an auditor general report called the Ontario Place revitalization 'not fair, transparent or accountable,' noting a $1.8 billion increase in public cost.

2024: Indigenous Consultation Removed for Highway 413

In 2024, Ford's Reducing Gridlock, Saving you Time Act removed the requirement for future Indigenous consultation for Highway 413, potentially contravening Ontario's Environmental Assessment Act.

2024: Closure of Ontario Science Centre

In 2024, Ford's government closed down the Ontario Science Centre due to concerns about roof tiles collapsing. The company that originally built the science centre said that the building does not need to be shut down, and offered to fix it.