The Ford government is introducing sweeping changes to Ontario’s election laws, proposing to eliminate fixed election dates, increase political donation limits, and make public funding for political parties permanent.
Attorney General Doug Downey announced that the reforms aim to “restore flexibility” to Ontario’s electoral process, moving away from what he described as “American-style fixed election dates.” Under the proposed changes, future governments could call elections at any time within a five-year term, rather than adhering to a predetermined schedule every four years.
“The proposed reforms will return Ontario to an electoral process that served our province well for nearly a century and a half,” Downey stated. “This will allow governments to seek a fresh mandate when circumstances demand it — such as unexpected global or economic challenges.”
Under the current rules introduced by former premier Dalton McGuinty about two decades ago, Ontario’s next election would have taken place in 2029. However, premiers have still had the power to call early elections, as Doug Ford did earlier this year, citing a need for a renewed mandate amid U.S. tariff threats.
Alongside scrapping fixed election dates, the legislation would raise the annual donation limit from $3,400 to $5,000 starting next year, with future increases tied to inflation. Downey said this adjustment reflects changing economic conditions and aligns Ontario’s system with other jurisdictions.
The bill would also make permanent the per-vote subsidy that allocates public funds to political parties based on their election performance. Originally introduced by the Liberals under Kathleen Wynne after banning corporate and union donations, the subsidy — currently $2.54 per vote annually — was set to expire in 2027. Under the new plan, it would continue indefinitely. Based on 2025 election results, the Progressive Conservatives would receive approximately $5.5 million annually, the Liberals $3.8 million, the NDP $2.4 million, and the Greens about $616,000.
Downey said maintaining the subsidy ensures “a fair balance between public and private financing of elections.”
The proposed reforms would also remove pre-election spending limits for third-party advertisers — limits that were originally created to regulate union and advocacy group spending ahead of campaigns. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court of Canada struck down a Ford government law that had tightened those restrictions.
Opposition parties, however, have criticized the move. Liberal parliamentary leader John Fraser argued that the government’s priorities are misplaced, pointing to economic and social challenges facing Ontarians. “Hundreds of thousands of children are relying on food banks, our schools and hospitals are struggling — and this is the premier’s focus, looking after his party and donors,” Fraser said.
NDP Leader Marit Stiles echoed that sentiment, saying the higher donation cap “favours big donors and insiders over ordinary Ontarians.”
While Downey indicated that new penalties will be introduced for violating Ontario’s Election Finances Act, specific details have not yet been disclosed.
If passed, the legislation would represent one of the most significant overhauls of Ontario’s election framework in two decades — reshaping how, when, and by whom future campaigns are fought.