Here’s what Ontario’s three opposition leaders say is top of mind for them, as Ontario’s legislature resumed this week after an extended summer break and as speculation about an early election continues to swirl.
Ontario’s next official election isn’t scheduled until 2026. But an array of announcements and remarks made by Premier Doug Ford in recent months — such as bringing alcohol to convenience stores, wanting to dig a tunnel under the 401 and a controversial measure to restrict where bike lanes are built — have political watchers believing he’s gearing up for a campaign.
Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie, Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner and NDP Leader Marit Stiles sat down with Metro Morning host David Common and talked about their priorities and plans should an early election happen.
Bonnie Crombie
Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie said she’s unsure when an election might happen, but she believes it depends on factors like when results from the RCMP investigation into the Greenbelt controversy come to light.
“I think this is a government running scared and wanting to get ahead of some of these scandals,” the former Mississauga mayor said.
She believes that health care will be the top ballot issue in the next election.
“Our wait times have gone up 48 per cent since this government has taken office. Two thousand people each and every day are getting their treatment in a hallway or in an auditorium or in the doorway,” she said.
As Ontario’s legislature resumes this week, Metro Morning host David Common spoke with Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie about where her party stands ahead of a potential early provincial election call.
Mike Schreiner
The Green Party leader said he’s prepared if an early election is called, and he believes housing will be the top issue. But he urged the premier to focus on problems Ontarians currently face rather than eyeing the next run to the polls.
“Put the people of Ontario ahead of your political self interest,” he said.
Throughout the interview, he also outlined his own housing strategy, including legalizing fourplexes, adding protections for renters and building more affordable homes.
“We have young people leaving the province because they can’t afford a home, a minimum wage worker cannot afford a one bedroom apartment in any city in the province,” he said.
As Ontario’s legislature resumes this week, Metro Morning host David Common spoke with Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner about the possibility of an early election and his proposed solutions for the province’s housing crisis.
Marit Stiles
NDP leader Marit Stiles said she doesn’t think Ontarians want to head to the polls early.
“I don’t think anybody is looking for an expensive election before they have to have one,” she said, adding that her party will be ready for a potential early run.
Stiles said she believes an array of issues will dominate the next election, including affordability, the need to build more homes and hiring more doctors, issues she says have predated the Ford government.
“Ontarians don’t have that short of a memory,” she said. “It started under the Liberals and it’s become status quo under the Conservatives.”
Ontario’s legislature has resumed sitting in the midst of intense speculation that Premier Doug Ford will call an early election. Metro Morning host David Common spoke with NDP Leader Marit Stiles about her party’s plans for the next few weeks.
CBC Toronto reached out to Premier Doug Ford’s office for an interview, but was told that “regrettably, the Premier is unavailable to accommodate the request this week but happy to connect at another time.”