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CMQSD402F9011 said:
By the time the next election comes. Would it be possible for Ford to lose his seat if the PCs were to lose an election? Not sure if Etobicoke North has a lot of older people who either tend to vote PCs and you probably have low income people who probably don’t vote and have voter apathy?
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It's certainly not a "natural" Tory seat--though the simple fact of Ford being there and the long tail of Ford Nation's enabled to raise the federal ship somewhat (the Cons getting 40% w/a fill-in candidate in the last federal election is saying something). But it's more likely that the seat will be lost post-Ford than the seat will be lost *by* Ford, even if there's the precedent of David Peterson in '90 for a premier to be humiliated in his home riding (and, if you want, George Drew in '48)
 
Johnny Au said:
Doug Ford is as much of a doctor as Dr. Seuss. Nuff said.
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Or Dr. Pepper. Or Dr. Mario. Or Dr Nick from The Simpsons. In fact, this pretty much sums it up:

Screenshot 2026-05-04 110922.png
 
CMQSD402F9011 said:
By the time the next election comes. Would it be possible for Ford to lose his seat if the PCs were to lose an election? Not sure if Etobicoke North has a lot of older people who either tend to vote PCs and you probably have low income people who probably don’t vote and have voter apathy?
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If polling is horrendous, to the extent where his own seat would be in jeopardy, I would imagine he wouldn't even run again. In his defense, Etobicoke North is a flippable seat, and not one of those since-confederation blue seats. It was Liberal before Ford and he only wins it by 30% or so, and he only wins east of Kipling by about 20%. A stronger LPO pushes him regardless.
 
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www.ctvnews.ca

‘You’ll be in prison, Doug:’ Opposition leader says public inquiry into Greenbelt could expose ‘dirty deals’

Ontario Opposition Leader Marit Stiles suggested on Monday that she would call a public inquiry into the Ford government’s handling of several files if elected premier and that Doug Ford could end up in “prison.”
www.ctvnews.ca www.ctvnews.ca

Feels like a great strategy by Stiles to say something bombastic and get in the media, and for the broader opposition to get under Ford's skin and goad him to have another outburst. For the last ~5 years with few exceptions he's been pretty decently media trained, and people enjoy his folksy comments, but really dislike his more authentic demeanour when he lashes out and insults, which has strangely seemed to happen more often recently.

On the topic of more recent lashing out, Steve Paikin wrote about the change in TVO (April 27):

ANALYSIS: What's going on with Doug Ford?​

The typically affable premier has been particularly prickly over the past few weeks. How will the public respond?​

"What’s going on with Ontario’s 26th premier these days? He’s picking fights where he doesn’t need to, as he did with the media after last week’s private-jet debacle. Then, this weekend, he had to apologize for hurling a personal insult at a Liberal MPP in the legislature (more on that later). This doesn’t reflect well on him, and he’s a leader who has, in recent years, been shown to have a finger on the pulse of the electorate. What gives?"

"Historically, the public seems to tire of its leaders after about nine years in office. Ford will hit that mark next year. Ford has already indicated he wants to run again in hopes of achieving a fourth consecutive majority government, something no premier has done since 1914. He is often discussed as a possible national Conservative leader, in the event that Pierre Poilievre fails to unseat Mark Carney. Why risk all that? Why run the risk of being thrown out of office because you’ve suddenly lost the discipline that has kept your party in power for three straight elections?"
 

Government-supervised board mistakenly distributes email identifying teachers at risk of layoffs​

From https://www.thetrillium.ca/insider-news/education-and-training/government-supervised-board-mistakenly-distributes-email-identifying-teachers-at-risk-of-layoffs-12238763


Tina Yazdani
Tina Yazdani

An email mistakenly distributed to educators in Peel Region identifying teachers at risk of layoffs in the upcoming school year has raised serious privacy concerns, prompting Ontario’s privacy watchdog to look into the incident at the government-supervised board.

The April 27 email, seen by The Trillium, contained an attachment with the names of the 159 teachers who have been declared “Surplus to Region,” meaning they could lose their permanent contracts at the end of the school year, and enter a recall pool.

The email appeared to be intended for superintendents, but cc’d all secondary school teachers at the board. It said the teachers are “not eligible to apply for or be considered for any posted vacancies,” and to ensure “any applications from these individuals are not considered.” The email was later recalled, according to one teacher.

Calandra’s office referred The Trillium to the board when asked if any steps had been taken to address the incident.

In a statement, the Peel Region District School Board said it takes staff privacy concerns seriously.

“We are currently reviewing the matter and have engaged the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario. Protecting personal information is a priority,” it said.

The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner says it is currently looking into the matter.

“School boards have an obligation to safeguard personal information under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA),” it said in a statement. “It’s important for public institutions such as school boards to have explicit policies, procedures, and administrative safeguards in place when handling personal information to avoid unauthorized disclosure of personal information.”

Misdirected emails continue to be a common cause of privacy breaches, it said.

Opposition politicians at Queen’s Park put the blame squarely on the provincial government.

“It’s a pretty big mistake, disclosing that information. Potentially very embarrassing for some people, and personal,” said interim Liberal leader John Fraser, who added the buck stops with the education minister.

“It’s a supervised board so … the minister should answer to that.”

Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles says it’s no surprise mistakes like this are happening.

“This is what happens when you put a Tory insider in charge of something as important as a school board,” said Stiles, noting boards are enormous organizations that should be run by individuals with a background in education. “They don’t want to have people in charge who can actually be held to account.”

“It’s a deeply concerning mistake,” added Green Leader Mike Schreiner. “It certainly adds to the stress and anxiety, and I can’t tell you how many teachers are really feeling it right now.”

A total of 331 permanent teachers in Peel, including 172 elementary teachers and 159 secondary school teachers, have received potential layoff notices for the upcoming 2026-27 school year.

“You’re seeing overcrowded classrooms, you’re seeing increasing violence in classrooms, and now you’re seeing the government cut back on teaching staff,” Schreiner said.

News of the cuts came in March, just six weeks after Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra took control of the board to prevent mid-year layoffs, but government officials have explained it is a part of “routine planning” as the board faces its sixth consecutive year of declining enrolment.

According to a PDSB director’s report released last summer, that decline is most notable among elementary students, with enrolment down by more than 10,000 since 2019.

But unions have called it one of the largest workforce reductions in the board’s history.

“This is not a normal staffing cycle,” said Allison Walker, president of the local OSSTF unit, in a March press release. “It is a manufactured crisis that is the direct result of an intentionally underfunded system by the Ford conservatives.”

The director’s report also said that, at the same time, there are “increasing support needs” for “marginalized and vulnerable students.”
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Nate Erske-Smith's chickens may be coming home to roost?

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Nate is not looking too popular, though I have no idea what the other candidates are really like!
 
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www.ctvnews.ca

Ford criticizes Stiles for ‘Trump-style rhetoric’ as she accuses government of ‘clutching its pearls’ over prison comment

Ontario Premier Doug Ford accused Opposition Leader Marit Stiles Tuesday of “stepping over a line” with a comment about how he could end up “in jail” if an inquiry were called into the Greenbelt.
www.ctvnews.ca www.ctvnews.ca


Ford criticizes Stiles for ‘Trump-style rhetoric’ as she accuses government of ‘clutching its pearls’ over prison comment

Ontario Premier Doug Ford accused Opposition Leader Marit Stiles Tuesday of “stepping over a line” with a comment about how he could end up “in jail” if an inquiry were called into the Greenbelt.

“The Trump-style rhetoric is unacceptable, as far as I’m concerned,” Ford told reporters.

On Monday, Stiles said that if she becomes premier, she would call a public inquiry into the Greenbelt that could expose “dirty deals” and result in Ford ending up “in prison.”

The RCMP is currently investigating the Ford government’s decision to open up land in the Greenbelt to developers, but no charges have been laid and it’s not clear who the investigation touches.

“Inside the legislature, words get said, but that that one was over the top, and yes, we go back and forth, but she stepped over the line,” Ford said Tuesday.

Speaking with reporters, Stiles said it’s “rich” for the government to accuse her of making “Trumpian” remarks when they’re under investigation over the Greenbelt themselves.


“They’re clutching their pearls when this very government is under RCMP criminal investigation for matters related to the carve up of the Greenbelt, for those dirty deals they made with developers behind closed doors,” Stiles said.

Ford criticized for similar comment in 2018
Referring to Stiles, Ford said his government wouldn’t “lower ourselves to the Trump-style rhetoric that she’s feeling right now.”

But while the PCs expressed outrage at Stiles Tuesday, her comment echoes one made by Ford himself back in 2018 when he suggested that then-premier Kathleen Wynne and other Liberals might be in jail if they had behaved in the private sector as they had in government.

“If Kathleen Wynne tried to pull these kinds of shady tricks in private life, then there would be a few more Liberals joining David Livingston in jail,” Ford said in a press release at the time, referring to a former Liberal staffer sentenced to jail in connection with deleted emails around the gas plant scandal.

At the time, Wynne responded by calling Ford a “bully” and comparing him to Trump as well.

The old press release was viewable online Monday night, but redirected to the PC Party’s homepage by Tuesday morning.

The party did not immediately respond to an email asking if they had actively removed it.

Words fly in Question Period
Earlier in the day, Government House Leader Steve Clark took aim at Stiles in the legislature for her comments the previous day.

“Speaker, yesterday we saw the Leader of the Opposition invoke dangerous American-style, Trumpian rhetoric that quite frankly has no place in this legislature,” Clark said during Question Period after Stiles asked a question about OSAP.

“That type of rhetoric lowers the tone in this house. It has no place in this legislature, our province or our country.”

Energy Minister Stephen Lecce chimed in saying “shameful” as Clark spoke.

Clark added that Ford is focused on the economy and on the “generational threat that we have with the Americans, on the tariffs.”

Responding to Clark, Stiles shot back that his comment was “pretty rich, coming from a government that is under RCMP criminal investigation.”

Asked by reporters Monday whether she felt her comment was appropriate given it echoes the “lock her up” comments Donald Trump repeatedly hurled at Hillary Clinton, Stiles reiterated she feels the government is “corrupt” and is involved in “dirty deals.”

She said Tuesday she believes she is simply voicing what Ontarians are thinking.

“I think I’m saying out loud what a lot of people are saying quietly, which is that this is a premier and a government who have to answer to the people. If you have nothing to hide, why are you working so hard to hide things,” Stiles said.
 
globalnews.ca

Progressive Conservatives set Ford Fest for Scarborough ahead of key byelection | Globalnews.ca

Staff and MPPs in the Ford government are being asked to beef up the attendance numbers at Premier Doug Ford’s annual community barbecue — nicknamed Ford Fest — as the Progressive Conservative Party looks to “build momentum” ahead of the Scarborough Southwest byelection. While the Ford...
globalnews.ca globalnews.ca

Progressive Conservatives set Ford Fest for Scarborough ahead of key byelection

Staff and MPPs in the Ford government are being asked to beef up the attendance numbers at Premier Doug Ford’s annual community barbecue — nicknamed Ford Fest — as the Progressive Conservative Party looks to “build momentum” ahead of the Scarborough Southwest byelection.


While the Ford government has yet to call the byelection to replace former NDP MPP Doly Begum, the PCs appear to be gearing up — moving Ford Fest to Scarborough, with plans to use the June 19 event as a launchpad for voter outreach.

“This year’s event … will serve as an important opportunity to build momentum in Scarborough as we approach the upcoming Scarborough Southwest by-election,” an internal party email, obtained by Global News, states.

The email, sent from an Ontario PC party executive and addressed to all ministerial chiefs of staff using their personal email addresses, also laid out the party’s participation expectations.

Elected MPPs are being told they “should” attend Ford fest, their offices are being asked to provide two volunteers each and chiefs of staff are being asked to lean on stakeholders to attend the barbecue.

“Attendance at Ford Fest is highly encouraged for regional caucus members,” the email states. “All caucus members in GTA and the surrounding ridings should attend Ford Fest.”

The party also told chiefs of staff to reach out to stakeholders — groups and individuals that advocate and lobby the government for decisions and funding — and “encourage” them to attend the event.

“This is an excellent opportunity to invite your friendly stakeholders,” the email said. “Please reach out and maintain a list of stakeholders you have invited/who are attending and encourage them to sign up online.”

The executive’s email made it clear that the party would retain a copy of the “final list of stakeholder attendees” at Ford Fest — raising questions about how the party or government intended to use the list of individuals attending.

NDP Leader Marit Stiles said the email is “inappropriate” and could warrant an investigation from Ontario’s Integrity Commissioner.

“There’s no question, ministers’ staff are not supposed to be doing partisan work in their offices. And this very clearly seems to overstep that,” Stiles said.

“Stakeholders of the minister should be off-limits. That’s pay-to-play politics.”

Interim Liberal Leader John Fraser called it a conflict of interest that crosses the line.

“It puts pressure on those stakeholders to come to an event that they would not otherwise come to,” Fraser said.

A spokesperson for the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party said Ford Fest is a “long-standing, free public event” and attendance is “completely voluntary.”

“We always give the team a heads-up before public promotion so they’re aware and can take part,” the party said in a statement.

“As with any event like this, people are encouraged to invite others in their networks who may be interested.”

As parties gear up for the by-election, the NDP was the first to name its candidate. The Official Opposition won the seat in 2025 and will look to retain it now that Begum has stepped down and crossed to the federal Liberals.

“We are going to hold that riding,” Stiles declared last week at Queen’s Park. “But we’re not taking it for granted.”

The Ontario Liberals, meanwhile, will select their candidate on May 9, after an open nomination race that includes current MP Nate Erskine-Smith.

Interim Liberal leader John Fraser said, heading into the byelection, the party’s “poll numbers are good,” giving them confidence in the upcoming vote.

“Those are really good things, they’re encouraging things,” Fraser said, adding that good polling isn’t a substitute for hard work.

The PC Party, meanwhile, hasn’t offered details on whether it will hold an open nomination process or appoint a candidate.

Ford has previously said the party will work hard to “turn that seat” blue during the byelection.
 
afransen said:
I feel like NES might act too much like the smartest guy in the room and is not very good at being a team player or coalition builder.
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DSCToronto said:
That certainly seems to be a common view, though the “smartest guy in the room” may only apply when he’s alone!
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In my experience with Nate, I've found him pleasant, responsive and inquisitive; and he is a policy wonk with a great education.

That said; his literal understanding of how to play the game of politics does seem challenged at times.

I think he's genuinely hurt when people don't seem to recognize his value; and he lets it show.

The former is understandable, big ego or not; but the latter is real problem when you need a strong network of backers.
 
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