Doug Ford’s Cash Bonfire: Ontario Pays the Price

Doug Ford isn’t trying to protect Ontario—he’s trying to protect himself. A premier with a massive majority doesn’t call a snap election unless he’s running from something. And when it comes to Ford, there’s plenty to run from.

Ford parades his empty assurances like trophies. He talks up an “economic risk” and positions himself as the only one who can steer us through stormy waters. But let’s be clear: Ontario is hemorrhaging potential with record deficits, the highest net debt per capita, and the lowest healthcare spending per capita in Canada. Instead of solving these systemic issues, Ford has been off busy making backroom deals with developers, handing over public assets like Ontario Place to private interests, and micromanaging policies that choke innovation and efficiency.

Let’s Talk Numbers

• $175 million wasted on political self-promotion.
• $1.4 billion was spent putting booze in convenience stores instead of fixing healthcare.
• $2.2 billion funnelled into a luxury spa at Ontario Place instead of schools, hospitals, or transit.
• $103.5 million blown on government ads—more than any Ontario government in history. (those insane commercials that tell you, “everything is ok, nothing to see here”)
• $11.7 million outsourced to Staples to handle Service Ontario.
• $48 million to rip out $27 million worth of bike lanes.
• $3 billion on a one-time $200 election bribe rebate.

All of this reckless spending, while Ontario has the lowest per capita healthcare spending in Canada and a record number of people without a family doctor. Priorities, right?

Doug Ford’s Broken Promises on Healthcare

One of Ford’s key election promises was ensuring every Ontario family had access to a family doctor. Fast forward to today, and the situation has only worsened. The Ontario Medical Association now predicts 4 million Ontarians will be without a family doctor next year. Instead of following through on his original promises, Ford has decided to flood the public with a new wave of half-baked policies meant to signal that he’s “keeping his word.” Too little, too late.

His promise to connect every Ontario resident to a medical team by 2029 is a band-aid on a bullet wound, especially when the Ontario Medical Association predicts that the number of people without physician access is only going to grow. The statistics don’t lie: his administration’s financial mismanagement is leaving us with a system that’s struggling to serve basic needs.

The reality? He’s had years to fix the system. Instead, he slashed public healthcare funding, prioritized privatization, and let the crisis deepen to the point where even his new policies won’t undo the damage anytime soon.

Bonnie Crombie is Expensive? Really?

Ford and his Conservative buddies want you to believe that Bonnie Crombie is the expensive one? Their attack ads repeat the same tired tagline: “Bonnie Crombie, she’s expensive.” Expensive? Compared to what? The billions Ford has burned on vanity projects, corporate handouts, and a completely unnecessary election? If Ford wants to talk about who’s costing Ontario taxpayers, he should start by looking in the mirror.

The Real Story Behind the Election

• The RCMP is actively investigating the Greenbelt scandal.
• The Ontario Medical Association predicts 4 million Ontarians will be without a family doctor next year.
• The Financial Accountability Office reports that Ontario has the lowest revenue per capita of any province.

Why Now?

• Calling an election in February—when thousands of Ontario seniors are in Florida.
• A snap election dodges pre-election spending caps.
• The federal Liberals are in the middle of a leadership change.
• Waiting until 2026 means dealing with a likely Pierre Poilievre federal government.

It’s Not Leadership. It’s a Power Grab.

He’s betting that Ontario voters won’t pay attention. That we’ll be distracted by the cheap rebates and the beer in corner stores. That we’ll forget about the land deals, the privatization of healthcare, the blatant manipulation of Toronto’s governance, and the billions in unnecessary spending.

If there was ever a time to pay attention, it’s now. Ontario deserves better than another four years of backroom deals and political theatre. If Ford gets away with this stunt, we’re all on the hook for it.

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