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.
In 2022, Doug Ford's re-election marked the first time since 1959 that a premier had secured three consecutive majority governments.
As of 2011, Doug Ford was no longer eating red meat.
In 2012, Doug Ford publicly attempted a weight loss challenge.
In 2014, Doug Ford and his mother donated $90,000 to Humber River Hospital, where Rob Ford was receiving care.
In 2014, Doug Ford took over his brother's mayoral campaign and ran against Olivia Chow and John Tory, who ultimately won.
In 2016, the book "Ford Nation: Two Brothers, One Vision – The True Story of the People's Mayor" by Doug and Rob Ford was published.
In April 2018, during his election campaign, Doug Ford announced plans to reduce Ontario's electricity rates by 12 percent. His strategy involved redirecting the province's dividends from its partial ownership of Hydro One to subsidize electricity rates and absorbing the cost of conservation programs, estimated at $800 million annually.
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.
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.
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.
In July 2018, the average price of gas in Ontario was 130.1 cents per litre, according to fuel price analyst Patrick DeHaan. He noted that this price reflected the drop in oil prices, not the carbon tax.
In July, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that provinces failing to adopt a carbon pricing mechanism by September 1, 2018, would face a federal carbon tax of $20/tonne starting in January 2019.
By mid-November 2018, The Globe and Mail reported that the Ontario government had lost $2.7 billion in revenue, including $1.5 billion due to the elimination of the cap-and-trade program.
In November 2018, Bill Walker became the minister of government and consumer services, with Thomas Staples, who had played lacrosse with Dean French, serving as his executive assistant and legislative affairs advisor.
On December 5, 2018, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission rejected Hydro One's $3.4 billion takeover of Avista due to political risks associated with Ontario's leadership. The rejection triggered a CA$138 million break fee, potentially impacting Ontario ratepayers.
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.
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.
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.
Ford led the Progressive Conservatives to another majority government in the 2022 provincial election. The PCs gained seven more seats than they had won in 2018, with an increased share of the vote.
In 2018, Doug Ford endorsed the economic policies of the Republican Party and the presidency of Donald Trump in the United States, stating his support for Trump was "unwavering".
In 2018, Doug Ford promised a balanced budget for Ontario.
In 2018, Doug Ford stated his belief that the provincial government should fully subsidize dental costs for low-income seniors.
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.
In 2018, Doug Ford voiced his support for publicly funded healthcare and advocated for increased funding to establish 30,000 additional long-term care beds.
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.
In 2018, Ford was a staunch critic of the federal government of Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, opposing the Trudeau government's imposed carbon tax.
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.
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.
The 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. 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.
In January 2019, a federal carbon tax of $20/tonne was imposed on Ontario because the province did not adopt its own carbon pricing mechanism by the September 1, 2018 deadline.
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.
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.
By June 2019, the Ford government had removed or decreased funding for various school programs and increased class sizes.
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.
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.
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.
In 2019, Ford urged voters to vote out the Trudeau-led Liberals in the federal election, continuing his opposition to their policies.
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.
In 2019, the Ford government introduced the Ontario Health agency, aiming to centralize services.
In 2019, the Ontario Place redevelopment was predicted to cost around $400 million.
In 2019, the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program was enacted, fulfilling Doug Ford's promise to fully subsidize dental costs for low-income seniors.
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.
In January 2020, Doug Ford's mother, Diane, passed away from cancer.
On January 27, 2020, the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Canada was reported in Ontario.
In February 2020, Doug Ford and Toronto Mayor John Tory signed a preliminary agreement for the province to assume sole responsibility for the planning, design, and construction of several subway extensions.
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization recognized the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic, highlighting its global impact.
In August 2020, Doug Ford criticized Donald Trump's policy regarding tariffs on Canadian aluminum imports, deeming it "totally unacceptable".
After a brief feud with prior PC leader Patrick Brown, leading to Ford canceling the chair of Peel Region, they later made peace by 2020.
In 2020, Doug Ford's government spent $3.5 billion less on health care than initially budgeted.
Since 2020, political commentators have noted a shift in Ford's rhetoric and policies to the political centre, along with a more cooperative attitude toward the federal Liberal government.
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".
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.
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 regimes.
On April 9, 2021, Doug Ford received his first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at a local pharmacy in Toronto and encouraged eligible Ontarians to get vaccinated.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In December 2021, during the emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, Ford's government announced new restrictions on indoor settings.
On December 20, 2021, the Ontario government allowed all Ontarians over 18 years of age to receive a third or booster dose of COVID-19 vaccines.
By 2021, the province expected to save $350 million a year through the Ontario Health agency.
In 2021, Doug Ford did not actively campaign for federal Conservative leader Erin O'Toole during the federal election campaign, signaling a distance between them.
On January 3, 2022, Ford announced that Ontario would be moving into a modified Step 2 on January 5, closing indoor dining, gyms, movie theaters, and schools to combat the spread of COVID-19.
In March 2022, John Ibbitson of The Globe and Mail wrote about a "political bromance" between Ford and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, highlighting their cooperative relationship.
In April 2022, the Fixing Long-Term Care Act came into force, aimed at helping long-term care homes better prepare for future pandemics.
In late April 2022, days before the election call, the PC government released its budget, promising to implement it if reelected. The budget recorded a deficit of $19.9 billion and promised spending on infrastructure and tax breaks.
On May 3, 2022, Premier Doug Ford met with the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario to advise dissolution of the legislature and for writs of election be drawn up.
In August 2022, Doug Ford proposed additional private healthcare deliveries to supplement existing public healthcare due to hospital staff shortages in Ontario.
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".
In September 2022, Ford's government passed the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, granting additional powers to the mayors of Toronto and Ottawa, including direct control over budgets, appointments, and vetoes over laws conflicting with provincial priorities.
In October 2022, Ford publicly supported the Trudeau government's invocation of the Emergencies Act in response to the Canada convoy protest.
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.
On November 7, 2022, Doug Ford announced that he would rescind Bill 28 and resume negotiations with CUPE following a province-wide strike.
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.
The Progressive Conservatives led by Ford were reelected with a third consecutive majority government in 2022, though with a slightly smaller majority compared to 2022. This is the first premier to do so since 1959.
In January 2023, Ford sought clearance from the Integrity Commissioner regarding his daughter's pre-wedding party.
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.
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.
In July 2023, the Ford government pledged $44 million to combat the 1,199 ER closures in Ontario, which mostly impacted rural areas.
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.
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.
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.
In 2023, Doug Ford stated he had a positive relationship with Olivia Chow after previously calling her "an unmitigated disaster," noting that election times involve "throwing some mud back and forth."
In May 2024, speculation arose that Ford would call an early election, fueled by his refusal to commit to the June 2026 date. It is speculated that this was to take advantage of a lead in the polls and fundraising, as well as a desire to hold the election before the next federal election.
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.
By June 2024, all of the subway projects mentioned in the February 2020 agreement, had begun procurement or construction.
In September 2024, Premier Ford announced that his government would explore a tunnel for drivers and public transit under Highway 401, initiating a feasibility study for what he claimed would "be one of the world's longest tunnels".
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.
In November 2024, the Ford government allocated $500 million towards educating more nurses and providing specialized training for current ones in response to increasing ER and urgent care closures.
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.
As of December 2024, Ontario's debt has increased by $86 billion since Doug Ford took office, a much larger increase than under his predecessor.
As of December 2024, applications are open for the Canadian Dental Care Plan to seniors, kids and teens, and adults with qualifying disabilities.
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.
After the 2024 United States presidential election, Doug Ford congratulated Donald Trump and stated that it was "time to bet big" on Ontario–US relations.
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.
In 2024, Doug Ford faced criticism for the continued delay in opening the Eglinton Crosstown, which reached its 14th year of construction, leading to calls for a public inquiry.
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'.
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.
On January 8, 2025, Doug Ford was unharmed after an OPP vehicle he was travelling in was involved in a collision on Highway 401.
In 2025, Doug Ford had a brief meeting with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and, while voting for him, will not be advising his MPPs to campaign for him.
The 44th Ontario general election was originally scheduled by fixed election laws to be held by June 4, 2026
The 44th Ontario general election was originally scheduled by fixed election laws to be held by June 4, 2026.
In 2029, the Ontario Science Centre is scheduled to be moved to Ontario Place, into a space that is 50% smaller than the previous one.
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