Doug Ford could trigger an Ontario election as early as next week, two sources close to the government confirmed to CBC News.
Both sources said that they expect the election to be called in the first week of February, but it could happen earlier.
Ford has repeatedly said he believes he needs a new mandate from Ontarians to respond to potential economic devastation from U.S. President Donald Trump's 25 percent tariff on Canadian goods — despite a large majority in Queen's Park. The government is currently on break.
On Monday night, Patrick Sackville, Ford's chief of staff, emailed PC staffers saying they need a “strong mandate” from the government to stand up for Ontario, “the stronger the better.”
Asked about the election call Wednesday, Ford told reporters to “stay tuned.”
“We need a mandate from the people, we need a mandate to spend billions of dollars to protect people's jobs, protect businesses and protect communities, and there's only one group of people, I mean, one group that will deliver. I have a mandate and that's the people,” Ford said. said
As he headed to his office, the premier added: “Off the record, you'll like it.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford made the comments after two sources close to his government told CBC News that an early provincial election could be held as early as next week.
Ontario's next election was supposed to be in 2026, but speculation that Ford would call an early vote has been swirling since last spring — long before Trump won the U.S. election. Meanwhile, Ontarians will soon receive $200 “rebate” checks from the government, which Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie called a “pre-election bribe.”
Earlier in the day, Economic Development and Trade Minister Vic Fedeli did not predict when the election would be called.
Fedeli said the Ford government has a “laser focus” on protecting Ontario jobs in the face of growing tariff threats.
“These are all very, very serious issues and our job is to protect Ontario jobs, Ontario workers,” Fedeli said after announcing the funding Wednesday morning in Toronto.
Fedeli said he does not currently have a campaign office set up but is ready if an election is called.
“I'm ready when the Prime Minister tells us to go on a campaign.”
Ontario's fixed-date election laws expressly allow the premier to dissolve the legislature and call an election at any time before the end of a four-year term.
Ontario's Elections Act dictates that the writ for election — which starts the 28-day election period — must be dated Wednesday.
