Ontario Premier Doug Ford has ruled out the possibility of an early election in 2024 but hinted that an early vote could still occur in 2025. Despite the province’s next fixed election date being set for June 2026, Ford remained vague on whether he would call an election before then.
“We aren’t having an election this year,” Ford said during a news conference on Tuesday, but he avoided giving a clear answer on the possibility of a 2025 election.
Ford revealed that he has given his party’s Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) until December to decide if they plan to run again, a move that typically comes six months before an election. “You always have to be prepared,” Ford said. “We aren’t too far from any election no matter if it’s next year or the following year.”
While keeping election speculation at bay, Ford emphasized that his government’s priorities remain focused on job creation, healthcare, education, and infrastructure, including highways and transit projects. “We’re going to focus on what people want right now and that’s a good paying job, building hospitals, and schools,” he added.
Ford’s mention of an early election earlier this year prompted Ontario’s political parties to gear up for a potential campaign. The New Democratic Party (NDP) raised $1.1 million over the summer as leader Marit Stiles toured the province, while the Ontario Liberals, led by Bonnie Crombie, began assembling campaign teams and nominating candidates.
Carter Brownlee, a spokesperson for the Ontario Liberals, criticized Ford’s potential early election plans, suggesting it could be an attempt to avoid fallout from the RCMP investigation into the Greenbelt land swap controversy. The investigation is focused on the removal of 15 parcels of protected land for development, a move that was later reversed by Ford after public backlash.
The Green Party of Ontario, which holds two seats in the legislature, also spent the summer canvassing and building local teams.
Meanwhile, Ford is set to fulfill a key promise from his 2018 campaign by allowing beer and wine sales in convenience stores, a change that will take effect later this week. To do so, the province will pay $225 million to The Beer Store to break an existing contract and make room for expanded alcohol sales in corner stores.