Premier Doug Ford confirms he will be calling an early provincial election next week, paving the way for Ontarians to head to the polls at the end of February.
“I will be seeing the lieutenant governor on Tuesday,” Ford said at a press conference announcing a transit expansion project in Brampton on Friday morning.
The premier pointed to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to implement 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian goods as justification for an early election in the province.
LIVE UPDATES: Ontarians to head to the polls next month
Ford currently has a majority government and the next fixed election date in Ontario was set for June, 2026.
“We need a mandate from the people to fight against Donald Trump’s tariffs. He’s coming against our families, our businesses, our communities,” Ford said.
Trump has said those tariffs could be implemented as early as Feb. 1.
Rumours about an early election have been circulating for months. On Thursday, a senior provincial government source told CTV News that voters will head to the polls on Feb. 27, more than a year ahead of the next scheduled provincial election.
“With a strong mandate, we will be able to fight with Donald Trump to make sure we stop the tariffs and make sure we give certainty to the people of Ontario,” Ford said Friday.
The premier added that the province is prepared to spend “tens of billions of dollars” to protect Ontario’s economy.
“It is no different than during the pandemic. We will make sure we secure people’s livelihoods. I will do whatever it takes to protect the people of Ontario,” he said.
Ford also suggested that a “lack of leadership at the federal level” factored into his decision to call a snap election in Ontario.
“At the federal level, we don’t know who is going to be the next prime minister,” Ford said.
“Right now, we need strong leadership in this country, we need strong leadership in this province, and we are going to deliver that strong leadership for the people of Ontario.”
‘I will be working 20 hours a day’
When asked about previous comments he made criticizing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for calling an early election in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ford said he will continue his work as premier “every single day” of the upcoming election campaign.
“I can assure you one thing. I’m a worker. I will be working 20 hours a day as we go through this transition with these tariffs,” Ford said. “Every single day I will be talking to our ministers, we will be getting policies out there.”
He said he also still plans to go to Washington next month alongside the country’s other premiers to speak to U.S. senators and members of congress in an effort to “make sure we send our story down there.”
The leaders of both the NDP and Liberals in Ontario have been critical of Ford’s decision to call an early election.
“While our province faces a grave threat with half a million jobs at risk, Doug Ford sees an opportunity to fight for one job - his own. He thinks he can con Ontarians with an early election to escape his record — but we won’t let him," Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles said in a written statement released on Friday afternoon.
Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie called the decision a “very self-interested and self-vested move.”
At every turn, Doug Ford has shown that the only person he’s in this for is himself.
— Bonnie Crombie 🇨🇦 (@BonnieCrombie) January 24, 2025
Calling a snap election at such a crucial moment in our province is just another example of that.
I have a real plan to put you first. pic.twitter.com/kRtpjuW0kV
“He’s chosen recklessness over responsibility. He’s answering chaos by creating more chaos at a time where we need stability and certainty,” she said in a video message posted on social media Friday.
In a statement issued on Friday morning, Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner accused Ford of “putting his job before your job” by calling an election now.
“In the face of looming tariff threats, Ontario needs stability, not an election,” he said. “We need to demonstrate strength through unity to defend Canadian workers, Canadian jobs and Canadian companies.”
Premier Ford took aim at both Crombie and Stiles in his remarks on Friday, suggesting it would be an “absolute disaster” to have either leader involved in negotiations with the U.S. president.
“Just imagine this, folks. Imagine Bonnie Crombie or Marit Stiles sitting across from President Trump negotiating a deal,” Ford said. “It would be an absolute disaster and god help us if that ever happens.”
Speaking to CTV News Channel after Ford’s remarks on Friday, Crombie accused the premier of inflating his role in trade talks with our neighbours south of the border.
“Let’s first say that Doug Ford will have a very tiny role, zero role, in the negotiations. This is solely the responsibility of the federal government,” Crombie said.
“What he wants to do is to take us to an unnecessary election that will cost voters $175 million. Imagine, at this time where he should be preparing us and protecting our jobs, the only job he wants to protect is his own. Do we see any other premier doing this?”
In the statement Stiles released Friday, the NDP leader said the premier can’t be relied upon to stand up for Ontarians during the looming trade war with the U.S.
“It’s time for a change in Ontario. For seven long years, Doug Ford has been on the side of wealthy insiders, while life for working people has gotten harder and more expensive,” she wrote.
“How can we trust him to stand up against Donald Trump and his billionaires when he can’t deliver on making life more affordable, getting people a family doctor, or building more homes.”
