Major Controversies Surrounding Doug Ford: A Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Doug Ford.

Doug Ford is a Canadian politician and businessman currently serving as the 26th Premier of Ontario since 2018. He is also the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party. Ford represents the Toronto riding of Etobicoke North in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

June 15, 2018: Ford Announces Elimination of Cap and Trade Program

On June 15, 2018, Premier-designate Doug Ford announced the newly formed cabinet's plan to eliminate the province's cap and trade program under the 2016 Climate Change Mitigation and Low-Carbon Economy Act.

July 11, 2018: Ford Announces Reversion to 1998 Health Curriculum

On July 11, 2018, Doug Ford announced that Ontario's health curriculum, including sexual education components updated in 2015, would revert to the 1998 curriculum before the next school year, with plans to create a new curriculum after consultations.

July 2018: Ford hires Rueben Devlin as health-care advisor

In July 2018, Ford hired Rueben Devlin, a former PC Party president and family friend, as a health-care advisor at a salary of $350,000 plus expenses, which exceeded Ford's own salary of $208,974.

December 6, 2018: Ford government tables Bill 66

On December 6, 2018, the Ford government introduced Bill 66, an omnibus bill allowing municipalities to request the provincial government override regulations deterring businesses from locating in the region. Concerns were raised by political opponents and environmental groups that the bill's vague language could lead to the bypassing of clean water regulations and other environmental protections.

December 2018: Bob Paulson calls for inquiry into Ron Taverner's appointment

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

December 2018: OPP Deputy Commissioner alleges Ford requested a modified camper-type vehicle

In December 2018, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Deputy Commissioner Brad Blair alleged that Ford requested the OPP purchase and modify a large camper-type vehicle for the premier's use, keeping the costs "off the books." The vehicle was to include a swivel chair.

2018: Ford Ends York University Strike with Back-to-Work Legislation

In 2018, Doug Ford used back-to-work legislation to end the strike at York University, which had become the longest post-secondary strike in Canadian history.

2018: Sued over Rob Ford's estate mismanagement

In 2018, Doug Ford was sued by his sister-in-law for mismanagement of Rob Ford's estate, alleging that their actions deprived her and her children of due compensation, while Doug alleged that the claims amounted to extortion.

2018: Video emerges of Ford discussing Greenbelt development

In 2018, before being elected, a video surfaced showing Ford stating he would "open up a big chunk of the Greenbelt" if elected. Following public backlash, he promised to replace any removed land and aimed to increase housing supply to lower costs. He also pledged to maintain rent control but later removed it for newly built or converted rental units after taking office.

2018: Ford Proposes Teaching Job Cuts and Cancels Education Programs

In 2018, immediately after taking office, Doug Ford proposed to cut 3,475 Ontario teaching jobs, cancelled the Green Ontario Fund residential rebate program (including a $100 million fund for public school repair), eliminated an initiative to add indigenous peoples content to the school curriculum, and eliminated free tuition for low-income students.

January 22, 2019: Ford's daughter promotes CBD oil on social media

On January 22, 2019, it was reported that Doug Ford's daughter Kyla, posted videos promoting the health benefits of CBD oil, a cannabis product. This occurred despite Doug Ford's opposition to the legalization of recreational cannabis. Publications claimed the promotion wasn't lawful. Ford's daughter removed the posts, but neither Ford nor his daughter commented on them.

March 2019: Ron Taverner steps down amid controversy

In March 2019, Ron Taverner stepped down from his position as commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police, following months of controversy that led to an integrity commissioner investigation.

June 2019: Ford Government Removes Funding for School Programs and Increases Class Sizes

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

June 20, 2019: Ford awards "plum patronage posts to two political allies"

On June 20, 2019, it was reported that Ford had appointed Jag Badwal as Ontario's agent-general to Britain and the United States, and Earl Provost as Ontario's agent-general to Chicago, both with substantial salaries.

June 27, 2019: Reports of Tyler Albrecht's questionable appointment emerge

On June 27, 2019, a report highlighted 26-year-old Tyler Albrecht's proposed appointment as Ontario's trade representative in New York City with a $165,000 salary, despite having a "thin resume." His primary qualification was playing lacrosse with French's son.

June 28, 2019: Dean French resigns as Ford's chief of staff

On June 28, 2019, Dean French resigned as Ford's chief of staff amidst a patronage scandal. This followed revelations that individuals with personal ties to French were appointed to lucrative positions in New York and London.

2019: Ford Government Adjusts Cost-Sharing Arrangement for Toronto Public Health

In 2019, the Doug Ford 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, but after backlash, announced that the province would keep the cost-sharing arrangement and re-evaluate it at the end of the fiscal year.

2019: Ontario Information and Privacy Commissioner Orders Release of Mandate Letters

In 2019, the Ontario information and privacy commissioner ordered the release of mandate letters requested by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation through a freedom of information request, however, they were not released to the public. The final appeal of the decision is now being sent to the Supreme Court of Canada.

March 11, 2021: Ford Apologizes to MPP Sol Mamakwa for Vaccine Accusation

On Thursday, March 11, 2021, Ford apologized for accusing MPP Sol Mamakwa of 'jumping the line' to receive his second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, stating he "got a little personal".

March 2021: Ford Accuses MPP Sol Mamakwa of 'Jumping the Line' for COVID-19 Vaccine

In March 2021, Ford publicly accused MPP Sol Mamakwa of "jumping the line" to receive his second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, despite being eligible to receive it.

April 2021: Calls for Ford's Resignation and Isolation Due to COVID-19

In April 2021, amidst handling of the COVID-19 crisis, calls for Ford's resignation grew. Ford also revealed that he had been in isolation following contact with a staffer who contracted COVID-19.

April 16, 2021: Ford Announces Stricter COVID-19 Restrictions, Faces Backlash, and Reverses Enforcement Measures

On April 16, 2021, amid growing COVID-19 case numbers, the Ford government announced a province-wide stay-at-home order, closing outdoor amenities including playgrounds, and authorizing police to require pedestrians and drivers to provide their home address and reason for being out. After significant backlash and refusal from police services, Ford promptly rolled back the new enforcement provisions and reopened playgrounds, while keeping other outdoor amenities closed.

April 30, 2021: Ford Requests Federal Government to Stop International Students from Entering Ontario

On April 30, 2021, Ford asked the federal government to stop international students from coming into Ontario in an effort to curb the third wave of COVID-19.

September 2021: Ontario Judge Issues 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 peoples) because the Ontario government did not consult with the Ginoogaming as is their constitutional duty.

August 2022: Ford Suggests Additional Private Healthcare Deliveries

In August 2022, Doug Ford proposed additional private healthcare deliveries to supplement existing public healthcare due to hospital staff shortages in Ontario.

August 2022: Controversy regarding developers attending Ford's daughter's pre-wedding party

In August 2022, questions arose about the optics of developers attending Doug Ford's daughter's pre-wedding party. Ford dismissed the concerns as "ridiculous".

November 3, 2022: Ontario Passes Bill 28, the Keeping Students in Class Act

On November 3, 2022, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario passed Bill 28, known as the Keeping Students in Class Act, which imposed a contract on CUPE and made it illegal to strike, invoking the notwithstanding clause.

2022: Controversy over Greenbelt properties released after re-election in 2022

In 2022, after re-election, Ford faced controversy over Greenbelt properties released for development. 7,400 acres were removed, while 9,400 acres of land with lesser conservation value, already protected from development, were added.

January 2023: Ford seeks clearance for daughter's pre-wedding party from Integrity Commissioner

In January 2023, Ford sought clearance from the Integrity Commissioner regarding his daughter's pre-wedding party.

February 2023: OPP investigates Greenbelt development decision

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

May 2023: Ford Government Passes Bill 60, the Your Health Act

In May 2023, Doug Ford's government passed Bill 60, also known as the Your Health Act, allowing private clinics to perform more surgeries and procedures covered by OHIP to reduce surgical backlogs.

August 9, 2023: Auditor General releases report on Greenbelt swap-out

On August 9, 2023, the Auditor General's report on the Greenbelt swap-out revealed that the government's flawed process favoured certain developers who were set to earn over $8 billion. The report also stated that the Greenbelt changes were not necessary to meet Ontario's housing target and criticized Housing Minister Steve Clark's chief of staff for neglecting environmental, agricultural, and financial risks.

August 2023: OPP asks RCMP to take over Greenbelt development file

In August 2023, to avoid any perceived conflict of interest, the OPP asked the RCMP to take over the investigation into the Ford government's decision to open up a portion of the Greenbelt for development.

September 7, 2023: Ombudsman of Ontario Releases Investigation into Long-Term Care Oversight During COVID-19 Pandemic

On September 7, 2023, the Ombudsman of Ontario released a report detailing the collapse of the long-term care inspection system during the COVID-19 pandemic and how the Ministry failed to protect residents.

May 2024: Ontario government to spend $400 million on parking for Therme spa

In May 2024, the cost to taxpayers to provide a parking component for the Therme spa reached $400 million, even with nearby expanded GO train station and subway line construction. According to the auditor general, other bids would have privately funded this parking, and some included a public park.

September 2024: Ford government working on legislation to restrict bike lane construction

In September 2024, it was reported that the Ford government was developing legislation to limit new bike lane construction that would require the removal of motor vehicle lanes. Ford believes bike lanes increase congestion and emergency vehicle response times, advocating for their placement on side streets rather than major roads.

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

On November 25, 2024, the Reducing Gridlock, Saving you Time Act, which shields the government from lawsuits related to cyclist deaths, was passed. Ford dismissed Toronto's estimate of $48 million for bike lane removal as "hogwash" and blamed bike lanes for traffic congestion.

December 2024: Auditor General Report calls Ontario Place revitalization 'not fair, transparent or accountable'

In December 2024, an Auditor General report criticized the Ontario Place revitalization project as "not fair, transparent, or accountable." The report noted that the estimated public cost had increased by $1.8 billion since 2019, totaling $2.2 billion.

2024: Ontario Place Redevelopment Cost Increases to $2.2 Billion

As of 2024, the total cost of the Ontario Place redevelopment has increased to $2.2 billion, a significant rise from the approximately $400 million predicted in 2019.

2024: Reducing Gridlock, Saving you Time Act removes Indigenous Consultation Requirement

In 2024, Ford's Reducing Gridlock, Saving you Time Act removed the requirement for future Indigenous consultation for the upcoming highway 413, with an Indigenous consultation period for the bill of only 30 days, which was considered by the regional chief as 'too short'.

2024: Ontario Science Centre Closure and Relocation

In 2024, the Ford government closed the Ontario Science Centre based on a report citing potential roof tile collapse, despite the original builder offering repairs. Nobel laureate Geoffrey Hinton pledged $1 million to help rebuild the science centre, but it did not stop the Ford government's plan. The updated 2024 budget increased the cost to 1.4 billion to build the new smaller science center, which is less than maintaining it at its current location which is assessed at 1.3 billion.

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