On the eve of a looming early election call, the political parties are scrambling to lock in their complete slate of candidates. For some, it’s still a mad dash to vet and recruit.
The nomination deadline is less than two weeks away, but still, it’s the earlier, the better. The longer a candidate is on the trail, the greater their visibility, and name recognition and the easier it is to shore up and mobilize support. That’s what one party’s internal review found — in many cases, candidates “were nominated too late” to run a proper campaign.
As of last night, here’s where they stand:
— For the Tories: With a long list of incumbents back on the ticket, Doug Ford has had no trouble rounding out his slate.
Several traditionally blue ridings — Sault St. Marie, Nepean, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke and Wellington—Halton Hills — are still vacant but are expected to be claimed in short order. A decision on who’ll run in a bulk of the empty ridings could come as soon as today, according to a source familiar.
The party’s nomination blitz has enabled their candidates to hit the campaign trail early. Many have opened or are still locking in their headquarters while ramping up their push for lawn sign requests, lit drops and in at least one case, turning to billboard ads.
In some cases, the process hasn’t been without local controversy. A candidate in Nepean — who came under attack by the incumbent — was “disqualified from running as a candidate for being out of compliance” with rules. Up north, the party is facing heat over a murky process behind the appointment of a local mayor, which has led a riding association executive to quit and a wannabe candidate to speak out.
— For the NDP: With less than a week till the writ drop, Marit Stiles has only over a quarter of her slate — but a source says it’s a result of slow vetting and a “rigorous democratic process” that has set them apart from other parties.
“Our constitution isn’t really friendly for snap elections,” said a source, speaking on condition of anonymity. “[Stiles] can’t just ‘appoint’ candidates. Each riding has a rigorous democratic process, at least a two week notice by the riding association and then a vote.”
Vetting had been a problem. The source said there was a “backlog” over the last month. “The party hired vetters, so they’re back on track, but then again, the process will still take time.”
Privately, according to two sources, a handful of ridings — closer to three score — are ready with candidates. Per protocol, the provincial director will be able shorten the nomination process if an election is deemed imminent. It’s expected that once the call is made on Wednesday, the constitution’s rules will be suspended, allowing candidates to be nominated en masse.
Another senior source cut straight to the point. “[We] hold meetings and registered members in each riding elect their candidates. Doug Ford just anoints his buddies,” the source texted.
“We will be running a full slate,” a party spokesperson said.
— For the Liberals: While optimistic, privately, some insiders are bracing for the possibility that Bonnie Crombie may not be able to round out a complete slate. That’s, in part, due to a recruitment problem.
Take Toronto—St. Paul’s, for example. While it’s viewed as a safe red seat — despite the current federal and provincial realities — the party hasn’t been able to lock in a candidate.
It’s one of several Toronto ridings that remain vacant.
“As we approach the upcoming provincial election, the Liberal Party of Ontario is actively seeking individuals who are interested in running as candidates in Toronto—St. Paul’s,” read an internal email to local riding association members. “... Whether you have prior political experience or are eager to bring fresh perspectives to the table, we encourage you to express your interest.”
A wide stretch of open ridings hasn’t fazed everyone just yet. “They will run a full slate,” said a source. “They have a lot more lined up than are publicly listed right now.”
“The timeline to get all candidates in place was cut short by an unnecessarily early election call. I’m confident they will have their slate shortly,” a second added. “A challenge in getting a team lined up is that potential candidates would want to have a strong understanding of what the party’s vision is and it takes time to get people engaged, interested and willing to take a leave of absence to put their name forward.”
The party says they have half their slate nominated, with “dozens more in the coming days.”
— For the Greens: Half their slate is locked in, according to the party. “They understand their local communities and will be a strong, independent voice for their communities at Queen’s Park — not the voice of the party leader,” said leader Mike Schreiner.
On the eve of a looming early election call, the political parties are scrambling to lock in their complete slate of candidates. For some, it’s still a mad dash to vet and recruit.
The nomination deadline is less than two weeks away, but still, it’s the earlier, the better. The longer a candidate is on the trail, the greater their visibility, and name recognition and the easier it is to shore up and mobilize support. That’s what one party’s internal review found — in many cases, candidates “were nominated too late” to run a proper campaign.
As of last night, here’s where they stand:
— For the Tories: With a long list of incumbents back on the ticket, Doug Ford has had no trouble rounding out his slate.
Several traditionally blue ridings — Sault St. Marie, Nepean, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke and Wellington—Halton Hills — are still vacant but are expected to be claimed in short order. A decision on who’ll run in a bulk of the empty ridings could come as soon as today, according to a source familiar.
The party’s nomination blitz has enabled their candidates to hit the campaign trail early. Many have opened or are still locking in their headquarters while ramping up their push for lawn sign requests, lit drops and in at least one case, turning to billboard ads.
In some cases, the process hasn’t been without local controversy. A candidate in Nepean — who came under attack by the incumbent — was “disqualified from running as a candidate for being out of compliance” with rules. Up north, the party is facing heat over a murky process behind the appointment of a local mayor, which has led a riding association executive to quit and a wannabe candidate to speak out.
— For the NDP: With less than a week till the writ drop, Marit Stiles has only over a quarter of her slate — but a source says it’s a result of slow vetting and a “rigorous democratic process” that has set them apart from other parties.
“Our constitution isn’t really friendly for snap elections,” said a source, speaking on condition of anonymity. “[Stiles] can’t just ‘appoint’ candidates. Each riding has a rigorous democratic process, at least a two week notice by the riding association and then a vote.”
Vetting had been a problem. The source said there was a “backlog” over the last month. “The party hired vetters, so they’re back on track, but then again, the process will still take time.”
Privately, according to two sources, a handful of ridings — closer to three score — are ready with candidates. Per protocol, the provincial director will be able shorten the nomination process if an election is deemed imminent. It’s expected that once the call is made on Wednesday, the constitution’s rules will be suspended, allowing candidates to be nominated en masse.
Another senior source cut straight to the point. “[We] hold meetings and registered members in each riding elect their candidates. Doug Ford just anoints his buddies,” the source texted.
“We will be running a full slate,” a party spokesperson said.
— For the Liberals: While optimistic, privately, some insiders are bracing for the possibility that Bonnie Crombie may not be able to round out a complete slate. That’s, in part, due to a recruitment problem.
Take Toronto—St. Paul’s, for example. While it’s viewed as a safe red seat — despite the current federal and provincial realities — the party hasn’t been able to lock in a candidate.
It’s one of several Toronto ridings that remain vacant.
“As we approach the upcoming provincial election, the Liberal Party of Ontario is actively seeking individuals who are interested in running as candidates in Toronto—St. Paul’s,” read an internal email to local riding association members. “... Whether you have prior political experience or are eager to bring fresh perspectives to the table, we encourage you to express your interest.”
A wide stretch of open ridings hasn’t fazed everyone just yet. “They will run a full slate,” said a source. “They have a lot more lined up than are publicly listed right now.”
“The timeline to get all candidates in place was cut short by an unnecessarily early election call. I’m confident they will have their slate shortly,” a second added. “A challenge in getting a team lined up is that potential candidates would want to have a strong understanding of what the party’s vision is and it takes time to get people engaged, interested and willing to take a leave of absence to put their name forward.”
The party says they have half their slate nominated, with “dozens more in the coming days.”
— For the Greens: Half their slate is locked in, according to the party. “They understand their local communities and will be a strong, independent voice for their communities at Queen’s Park — not the voice of the party leader,” said leader Mike Schreiner.
On the eve of a looming early election call, the political parties are scrambling to lock in their complete slate of candidates. For some, it’s still a mad dash to vet and recruit.
The nomination deadline is less than two weeks away, but still, it’s the earlier, the better. The longer a candidate is on the trail, the greater their visibility, and name recognition and the easier it is to shore up and mobilize support. That’s what one party’s internal review found — in many cases, candidates “were nominated too late” to run a proper campaign.
As of last night, here’s where they stand:
— For the Tories: With a long list of incumbents back on the ticket, Doug Ford has had no trouble rounding out his slate.
Several traditionally blue ridings — Sault St. Marie, Nepean, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke and Wellington—Halton Hills — are still vacant but are expected to be claimed in short order. A decision on who’ll run in a bulk of the empty ridings could come as soon as today, according to a source familiar.
The party’s nomination blitz has enabled their candidates to hit the campaign trail early. Many have opened or are still locking in their headquarters while ramping up their push for lawn sign requests, lit drops and in at least one case, turning to billboard ads.
In some cases, the process hasn’t been without local controversy. A candidate in Nepean — who came under attack by the incumbent — was “disqualified from running as a candidate for being out of compliance” with rules. Up north, the party is facing heat over a murky process behind the appointment of a local mayor, which has led a riding association executive to quit and a wannabe candidate to speak out.
— For the NDP: With less than a week till the writ drop, Marit Stiles has only over a quarter of her slate — but a source says it’s a result of slow vetting and a “rigorous democratic process” that has set them apart from other parties.
“Our constitution isn’t really friendly for snap elections,” said a source, speaking on condition of anonymity. “[Stiles] can’t just ‘appoint’ candidates. Each riding has a rigorous democratic process, at least a two week notice by the riding association and then a vote.”
Vetting had been a problem. The source said there was a “backlog” over the last month. “The party hired vetters, so they’re back on track, but then again, the process will still take time.”
Privately, according to two sources, a handful of ridings — closer to three score — are ready with candidates. Per protocol, the provincial director will be able shorten the nomination process if an election is deemed imminent. It’s expected that once the call is made on Wednesday, the constitution’s rules will be suspended, allowing candidates to be nominated en masse.
Another senior source cut straight to the point. “[We] hold meetings and registered members in each riding elect their candidates. Doug Ford just anoints his buddies,” the source texted.
“We will be running a full slate,” a party spokesperson said.
— For the Liberals: While optimistic, privately, some insiders are bracing for the possibility that Bonnie Crombie may not be able to round out a complete slate. That’s, in part, due to a recruitment problem.
Take Toronto—St. Paul’s, for example. While it’s viewed as a safe red seat — despite the current federal and provincial realities — the party hasn’t been able to lock in a candidate.
It’s one of several Toronto ridings that remain vacant.
“As we approach the upcoming provincial election, the Liberal Party of Ontario is actively seeking individuals who are interested in running as candidates in Toronto—St. Paul’s,” read an internal email to local riding association members. “... Whether you have prior political experience or are eager to bring fresh perspectives to the table, we encourage you to express your interest.”
A wide stretch of open ridings hasn’t fazed everyone just yet. “They will run a full slate,” said a source. “They have a lot more lined up than are publicly listed right now.”
“The timeline to get all candidates in place was cut short by an unnecessarily early election call. I’m confident they will have their slate shortly,” a second added. “A challenge in getting a team lined up is that potential candidates would want to have a strong understanding of what the party’s vision is and it takes time to get people engaged, interested and willing to take a leave of absence to put their name forward.”
The party says they have half their slate nominated, with “dozens more in the coming days.”
— For the Greens: Half their slate is locked in, according to the party. “They understand their local communities and will be a strong, independent voice for their communities at Queen’s Park — not the voice of the party leader,” said leader Mike Schreiner.
Check out who’s already been nominated here.
{{LINE}}
A message from Mainstreet Research:
We believe strongly in the power of data to illuminate most any issue, but data is not enough. At Mainstreet Research, we have the experience and know how to harness the potential of data to deliver the insights that are critical to any business, political or public policy decision. Learn more.
With the writ set to drop on Wednesday, everyone is in campaign mode. Ford is set to convene a “super caucus” meeting at a hotel near Pearson Airport tomorrow.
“As we face the unprecedented threat posed by a potential trade war with the United States, it is more important than ever to be prepared for an election to secure a strong mandate from voters,” the invitation — sent to caucus, candidates and campaign managers on Thursday — read.
It’s a boot camp. “This meeting will provide you with the tools, training and resources needed for a winning election campaign,” it added. They can expect to hear from Ford. Kory Tenycke will talk about strategy, while Nick Kouvalis will brief on polling. They'll also receive training in voter ID, yard sign deployment and fundraising mastery.
Crombie and Stiles’ tour will continue. Both have already settled into their new campaign headquarters — and for the Liberal leader, operations are “ramping up,” according to a campaign source. More staff have been enlisted to support Crombie on the trail.
Tomorrow, the party will debut a “Super Saturday” canvassing blitz that will take place weekly, while a webinar on voter contact and being a campaign manager will be hosted on Thursday and Wednesday, respectively.
And here’s a win for Stiles: “He said Marit’s name!” as one source put it. Earlier today, Ford said Crombie or Stiles in power during a trade war “would be an absolute disaster.” “God help us if that ever happens.”
Looking to grab the attention of the province’s top and most powerful political players during the campaign? An ad in the newsletter can expose your brand or cause directly to our audience. It includes: MPPs, party leaders, senior aides, GR and PR strategists, lobbyists, members of the Ontario Public Service, journalists, executives, business leaders and university leadership. Thousands read us, share us, talk about us — and they can speak for themselves:
— “As someone who’s been working at Queen’s Park for about a decade now, it’s become part of my weekly must reads. I don’t know how but [Ahmad] always manages to know exactly what’s happening before it actually happens.”
— “The newsletter has a unique twist on provincial politics proving that municipalities are indeed creatures of the province. It’s a great must read.”
— “It’s essential reading. Fun, juicy and reliable.”
With some of the most competitive rates in the industry, you’ll reach your target audience where they engage with us most — ensuring prime, maximized visibility, guaranteed.
Our ad rates are available upon request. Reach out.
— The House is adjourned. No committee meeting is scheduled for next week.
— Michael Ford — the Premier’s nephew — is the latest incumbent to announce that he won’t seek another term.
“... I have made the decision to take on a new chapter in my life,” he says. “I look forward to staying actively engaged and doing my part to advance what’s best for the city and the province that I call home.”
Ford Jr. took a leave of absence in September for medical reasons.
— Another clue that Bonnie Crombie is closer to picking where she’ll be running in the next election: Jawad Haroon — considered a top local organizer for the Liberal leader during her leadership bid — will be nominated as the Liberal candidate in Malton.
That will limit Crombie to two open ridings in which she could run: Mississauga Centre and Mississauga East—Cooksville. While it’s far from a done deal — and it’s a tight kept secret, many in Liberal land have been convinced that Centre will be Crombie’s target. The district’s urban landscape with many high rise dwellers would make it easier to canvass and enlist volunteers while she’s on tour.
Over in Cooksville, the Tories are still on the search for a candidate. Kaleed Rasheed — who quit from cabinet and caucus over the infamous Las Vegas trip — isn’t running again.
There are around six wannabe candidates, according to a source, including Dominic Roszak with the Toronto Region Board of Trade. Roszak was a senior aide in the Ford government.
Scratch one name out. Wladyslaw Lizon — who once represented the riding federally and was on our radar as a potential candidate — says he’s not running. “I won’t be [the candidate],” he said Thursday night when reached by phone. When asked whether he’d had talks with the party, he said that it’s “irrelevant.”
A decision on who will run is expected as early as today.
— Nomination tracker: Six candidates — Rosemary Zacharias in Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, Ashley Fox in Perth—Wellington, Jonathan Tsao in Don Valley North, Pamela Jeffery in University—Rosedale, Ibrahim Daniyal in Pickering—Uxbridge and Vicky Dhillon in Brampton East — are also set to join the ticket in the next week.
Qadira Jackson, Alex Hilson and Tariq Khan have already been nominated in Scarborough Southwest, Wellington—Halton Hills and London North Centre, respectively.
Cross another name out. In Bay of Quinte, Sean Kelly won’t be running again. “Kelly says he and his family have made the decision he will not run next month,” according to the local paper.
Ruth Farkas, John Demik, Paul Vickers and John Jordan will carry the Tories’ banner in Toronto Centre, Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound and Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, respectively.
Corey Lepage has been nominated as the NDP’s candidate in Timmins. Thadha Navaneethan will carry the banner in Scarborough North, while Megan Beauchemin will run in Burlington.
Lucia Iannantuono, Thaila Riden and Mark Harrison will carry the Green banner in Hamilton Centre, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell and Niagara West, respectively. Allan Kuhn is running in Simcoe—Grey, with Mark Bekkering in Scarborough Southwest, Ali Hosny in Oakville North—Burlington and Janet Errygers in Flamborough—Glanbrook.
— Marit Stiles paid a visit to the NDP’s new HQ. “The media always asks me: do you think you can do it? I’m like ‘just watch me.'"
— But the NDP isn’t too happy about the early election call. Here’s part of an email blast to supporter earlier today:
— A provincial delegation was in Washington for Trump’s inauguration.
— More than two dozen labour leaders from the private, public, and trades sectors are set to call on the Ford government to form a workers’ task force to respond to Donald Trump’s looming tariffs. It’s a bid “to safeguard hundreds of thousands of jobs instead of destabilizing the province by moving the government into caretaker mode.”
Calendar clash: February 27 isn’t just voting day — it’s also the date of the Toronto Region Board of Trade’s annual dinner, as a friend of the newsletter pointed out.
“Normally, there are a number of cabinet ministers and staffers there, and the Premier gives remarks. Won’t happen this year — and I'm guessing there won’t be a thousand people in attendance either,” they wrote in. Tickets are still up and no word yet on whether the event will proceed.
— SCOOP — Patrick Brown isn’t holding back on Bonnie Crombie.
There’s zero love lost between Brown and Crombie. They clashed openly over the dissolution of Peel Region — recall that one presser — and Brown has cozied up to Ford (at today’s press conference, Brown called Ford “an incredible friend” to Brampton).
With an election call on Wednesday, Brown was asked for his thoughts on the brewing Crombie v. Ford clash. “For some reason, when Bonnie Crombie was mayor of Mississauga, she went after Brampton again and again,” he told this reporter. “She tried to steal funds from the city, she proposed a regional dissolution that would have taken away everything Brampton has put into the region... It would have been devastating for the city.”
Brown said as Mississauga’s mayor, Crombie was “antagonistic, confrontational and draconian” towards Bramptonians. “I hope that in her new position, the ‘anti-Brampton’ approach that she took will be put in the rearview mirror,” he added.
— With an uptick in population, Brown says it’s time to review the region’s funding formula. “Mississauga gets more transfers from the province and the federal government for transit, for public safety, for healthcare,” he said. “Some of those key social transfers will need to be adjusted — including representation on local council.”
Population should dictate representation at Peel Region, he says. Parrish isn’t opposed. “With the downloading of planning, waste, roads and water going into an arms-length utility, we need the region to be a much smaller body. Three from Mississauga, three from Brampton, one from Caledon. I’d support that,” she said.
The two cities have already clashed over more cash for police.
— An NDP MP is questioning why Sarah Jama still hasn't been told she can run under the party’s banner. “... Despite [the] decision, there has been no action to ensure that a fair, democratic process moves forward,” Matthew Green wrote. “The question that needs answering is simple: what’s the hold up?”
— The Ford government has hired private investigators to monitor supervised injection sites, aiming to “gather additional evidence about the impact of these sites” on neighborhoods amid ongoing litigation.
— Toronto has rejoined the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, with a councillor now sitting on the board.
— The group is launching an ad blitz “calling for clear commitments from all provincial parties to enhance quality of life in our communities.” The message will run across print and digital platforms, including newspapers, online outlets, and social media, to emphasize the urgency of these issues to provincial leaders and the public alike. More here.
— A new poll by Mainstreet Research found that among the leaning and undecided vote, Doug Ford is ahead of Bonnie Crombie by ten points, with Marit Stiles trailing in third place.
— That’s on par with a Liaison survey that found a nine-point lead for Ford.
— The Tories aren’t sweating a trending drop. Here’s how Nick Kouvalis reacted to both surveys. He shared internal data indicating Ford ahead of Crombie by a two-to-one margin.
— The CEO of Ontario Health atHome is out of her job amid palliative care delivery shortages.
— Brian Lilley says while it’s nice that Ford wants permission to spend tens of billions of dollars in response to Trump’s tariffs, it isn’t necessary.
— and it’s only good for his party.
— Martin Regg Cohn says Ford is trying to protect himself with an early call.
— After walking away from the cameras, Ford told reporters: ‘Off the record, you guys, your bosses are going to love it. There’s maybe tons of advertising and you get to keep your job for another year or two.’”
— Kingston has declared food insecurity an emergency.
— John Michael McGrath says two politicians — Jamal Myers and Carolyn Parrish — are upending the old stereotype that housing density is the turf of snobby downtown elitists.
— Legal Aid Ontario has a surplus although many can’t access it the support.
— Ontario has struck a tentative deal with striking engineers.
— Ford has ordered the LCBO to pull American liquor from shelves if Donald Trump slaps levies on Canadian exports.
Thank you for reading POLICORNER. Do you have the intel on tomorrow’s “super caucus” meeting? Know where Bonnie Crombie will run? I want to hear from you — and you'll stay anon, just like those mysterious sources you’re curious about. Have feedback? A juicy tip? Election theories? Hit me up. We’re back in your inbox next week.
On the eve of a looming early election call, the political parties are scrambling to lock in their complete slate of candidates. For some, it’s still a mad dash to vet and recruit.
The nomination deadline is less than two weeks away, but still, it’s the earlier, the better. The longer a candidate is on the trail, the greater their visibility, and name recognition and the easier it is to shore up and mobilize support. That’s what one party’s internal review found — in many cases, candidates “were nominated too late” to run a proper campaign.
As of last night, here’s where they stand:
— For the Tories: With a long list of incumbents back on the ticket, Doug Ford has had no trouble rounding out his slate.
Several traditionally blue ridings — Sault St. Marie, Nepean, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke and Wellington—Halton Hills — are still vacant but are expected to be claimed in short order. A decision on who’ll run in a bulk of the empty ridings could come as soon as today, according to a source familiar.
The party’s nomination blitz has enabled their candidates to hit the campaign trail early. Many have opened or are still locking in their headquarters while ramping up their push for lawn sign requests, lit drops and in at least one case, turning to billboard ads.
In some cases, the process hasn’t been without local controversy. A candidate in Nepean — who came under attack by the incumbent — was “disqualified from running as a candidate for being out of compliance” with rules. Up north, the party is facing heat over a murky process behind the appointment of a local mayor, which has led a riding association executive to quit and a wannabe candidate to speak out.
— For the NDP: With less than a week till the writ drop, Marit Stiles has only over a quarter of her slate — but a source says it’s a result of slow vetting and a “rigorous democratic process” that has set them apart from other parties.
“Our constitution isn’t really friendly for snap elections,” said a source, speaking on condition of anonymity. “[Stiles] can’t just ‘appoint’ candidates. Each riding has a rigorous democratic process, at least a two week notice by the riding association and then a vote.”
Vetting had been a problem. The source said there was a “backlog” over the last month. “The party hired vetters, so they’re back on track, but then again, the process will still take time.”
Privately, according to two sources, a handful of ridings — closer to three score — are ready with candidates. Per protocol, the provincial director will be able shorten the nomination process if an election is deemed imminent. It’s expected that once the call is made on Wednesday, the constitution’s rules will be suspended, allowing candidates to be nominated en masse.
Another senior source cut straight to the point. “[We] hold meetings and registered members in each riding elect their candidates. Doug Ford just anoints his buddies,” the source texted.
“We will be running a full slate,” a party spokesperson said.
— For the Liberals: While optimistic, privately, some insiders are bracing for the possibility that Bonnie Crombie may not be able to round out a complete slate. That’s, in part, due to a recruitment problem.
Take Toronto—St. Paul’s, for example. While it’s viewed as a safe red seat — despite the current federal and provincial realities — the party hasn’t been able to lock in a candidate.
It’s one of several Toronto ridings that remain vacant.
“As we approach the upcoming provincial election, the Liberal Party of Ontario is actively seeking individuals who are interested in running as candidates in Toronto—St. Paul’s,” read an internal email to local riding association members. “... Whether you have prior political experience or are eager to bring fresh perspectives to the table, we encourage you to express your interest.”
A wide stretch of open ridings hasn’t fazed everyone just yet. “They will run a full slate,” said a source. “They have a lot more lined up than are publicly listed right now.”
“The timeline to get all candidates in place was cut short by an unnecessarily early election call. I’m confident they will have their slate shortly,” a second added. “A challenge in getting a team lined up is that potential candidates would want to have a strong understanding of what the party’s vision is and it takes time to get people engaged, interested and willing to take a leave of absence to put their name forward.”
The party says they have half their slate nominated, with “dozens more in the coming days.”
— For the Greens: Half their slate is locked in, according to the party. “They understand their local communities and will be a strong, independent voice for their communities at Queen’s Park — not the voice of the party leader,” said leader Mike Schreiner.
Check out who’s already been nominated here.
{{LINE}}
A message from Mainstreet Research:
We believe strongly in the power of data to illuminate most any issue, but data is not enough. At Mainstreet Research, we have the experience and know how to harness the potential of data to deliver the insights that are critical to any business, political or public policy decision. Learn more.
With the writ set to drop on Wednesday, everyone is in campaign mode. Ford is set to convene a “super caucus” meeting at a hotel near Pearson Airport tomorrow.
“As we face the unprecedented threat posed by a potential trade war with the United States, it is more important than ever to be prepared for an election to secure a strong mandate from voters,” the invitation — sent to caucus, candidates and campaign managers on Thursday — read.
It’s a boot camp. “This meeting will provide you with the tools, training and resources needed for a winning election campaign,” it added. They can expect to hear from Ford. Kory Tenycke will talk about strategy, while Nick Kouvalis will brief on polling. They'll also receive training in voter ID, yard sign deployment and fundraising mastery.
Crombie and Stiles’ tour will continue. Both have already settled into their new campaign headquarters — and for the Liberal leader, operations are “ramping up,” according to a campaign source. More staff have been enlisted to support Crombie on the trail.
Tomorrow, the party will debut a “Super Saturday” canvassing blitz that will take place weekly, while a webinar on voter contact and being a campaign manager will be hosted on Thursday and Wednesday, respectively.
And here’s a win for Stiles: “He said Marit’s name!” as one source put it. Earlier today, Ford said Crombie or Stiles in power during a trade war “would be an absolute disaster.” “God help us if that ever happens.”
Looking to grab the attention of the province’s top and most powerful political players during the campaign? An ad in the newsletter can expose your brand or cause directly to our audience. It includes: MPPs, party leaders, senior aides, GR and PR strategists, lobbyists, members of the Ontario Public Service, journalists, executives, business leaders and university leadership. Thousands read us, share us, talk about us — and they can speak for themselves:
— “As someone who’s been working at Queen’s Park for about a decade now, it’s become part of my weekly must reads. I don’t know how but [Ahmad] always manages to know exactly what’s happening before it actually happens.”
— “The newsletter has a unique twist on provincial politics proving that municipalities are indeed creatures of the province. It’s a great must read.”
— “It’s essential reading. Fun, juicy and reliable.”
With some of the most competitive rates in the industry, you’ll reach your target audience where they engage with us most — ensuring prime, maximized visibility, guaranteed.
Our ad rates are available upon request. Reach out.
— The House is adjourned. No committee meeting is scheduled for next week.
— Michael Ford — the Premier’s nephew — is the latest incumbent to announce that he won’t seek another term.
“... I have made the decision to take on a new chapter in my life,” he says. “I look forward to staying actively engaged and doing my part to advance what’s best for the city and the province that I call home.”
Ford Jr. took a leave of absence in September for medical reasons.
— Another clue that Bonnie Crombie is closer to picking where she’ll be running in the next election: Jawad Haroon — considered a top local organizer for the Liberal leader during her leadership bid — will be nominated as the Liberal candidate in Malton.
That will limit Crombie to two open ridings in which she could run: Mississauga Centre and Mississauga East—Cooksville. While it’s far from a done deal — and it’s a tight kept secret, many in Liberal land have been convinced that Centre will be Crombie’s target. The district’s urban landscape with many high rise dwellers would make it easier to canvass and enlist volunteers while she’s on tour.
Over in Cooksville, the Tories are still on the search for a candidate. Kaleed Rasheed — who quit from cabinet and caucus over the infamous Las Vegas trip — isn’t running again.
There are around six wannabe candidates, according to a source, including Dominic Roszak with the Toronto Region Board of Trade. Roszak was a senior aide in the Ford government.
Scratch one name out. Wladyslaw Lizon — who once represented the riding federally and was on our radar as a potential candidate — says he’s not running. “I won’t be [the candidate],” he said Thursday night when reached by phone. When asked whether he’d had talks with the party, he said that it’s “irrelevant.”
A decision on who will run is expected as early as today.
— Nomination tracker: Six candidates — Rosemary Zacharias in Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, Ashley Fox in Perth—Wellington, Jonathan Tsao in Don Valley North, Pamela Jeffery in University—Rosedale, Ibrahim Daniyal in Pickering—Uxbridge and Vicky Dhillon in Brampton East — are also set to join the ticket in the next week.
Qadira Jackson, Alex Hilson and Tariq Khan have already been nominated in Scarborough Southwest, Wellington—Halton Hills and London North Centre, respectively.
Cross another name out. In Bay of Quinte, Sean Kelly won’t be running again. “Kelly says he and his family have made the decision he will not run next month,” according to the local paper.
Ruth Farkas, John Demik, Paul Vickers and John Jordan will carry the Tories’ banner in Toronto Centre, Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound and Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, respectively.
Corey Lepage has been nominated as the NDP’s candidate in Timmins. Thadha Navaneethan will carry the banner in Scarborough North, while Megan Beauchemin will run in Burlington.
Lucia Iannantuono, Thaila Riden and Mark Harrison will carry the Green banner in Hamilton Centre, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell and Niagara West, respectively. Allan Kuhn is running in Simcoe—Grey, with Mark Bekkering in Scarborough Southwest, Ali Hosny in Oakville North—Burlington and Janet Errygers in Flamborough—Glanbrook.
— Marit Stiles paid a visit to the NDP’s new HQ. “The media always asks me: do you think you can do it? I’m like ‘just watch me.'"
— But the NDP isn’t too happy about the early election call. Here’s part of an email blast to supporter earlier today:
— A provincial delegation was in Washington for Trump’s inauguration.
— More than two dozen labour leaders from the private, public, and trades sectors are set to call on the Ford government to form a workers’ task force to respond to Donald Trump’s looming tariffs. It’s a bid “to safeguard hundreds of thousands of jobs instead of destabilizing the province by moving the government into caretaker mode.”
Calendar clash: February 27 isn’t just voting day — it’s also the date of the Toronto Region Board of Trade’s annual dinner, as a friend of the newsletter pointed out.
“Normally, there are a number of cabinet ministers and staffers there, and the Premier gives remarks. Won’t happen this year — and I'm guessing there won’t be a thousand people in attendance either,” they wrote in. Tickets are still up and no word yet on whether the event will proceed.
— SCOOP — Patrick Brown isn’t holding back on Bonnie Crombie.
There’s zero love lost between Brown and Crombie. They clashed openly over the dissolution of Peel Region — recall that one presser — and Brown has cozied up to Ford (at today’s press conference, Brown called Ford “an incredible friend” to Brampton).
With an election call on Wednesday, Brown was asked for his thoughts on the brewing Crombie v. Ford clash. “For some reason, when Bonnie Crombie was mayor of Mississauga, she went after Brampton again and again,” he told this reporter. “She tried to steal funds from the city, she proposed a regional dissolution that would have taken away everything Brampton has put into the region... It would have been devastating for the city.”
Brown said as Mississauga’s mayor, Crombie was “antagonistic, confrontational and draconian” towards Bramptonians. “I hope that in her new position, the ‘anti-Brampton’ approach that she took will be put in the rearview mirror,” he added.
— With an uptick in population, Brown says it’s time to review the region’s funding formula. “Mississauga gets more transfers from the province and the federal government for transit, for public safety, for healthcare,” he said. “Some of those key social transfers will need to be adjusted — including representation on local council.”
Population should dictate representation at Peel Region, he says. Parrish isn’t opposed. “With the downloading of planning, waste, roads and water going into an arms-length utility, we need the region to be a much smaller body. Three from Mississauga, three from Brampton, one from Caledon. I’d support that,” she said.
The two cities have already clashed over more cash for police.
— An NDP MP is questioning why Sarah Jama still hasn't been told she can run under the party’s banner. “... Despite [the] decision, there has been no action to ensure that a fair, democratic process moves forward,” Matthew Green wrote. “The question that needs answering is simple: what’s the hold up?”
— The Ford government has hired private investigators to monitor supervised injection sites, aiming to “gather additional evidence about the impact of these sites” on neighborhoods amid ongoing litigation.
— Toronto has rejoined the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, with a councillor now sitting on the board.
— The group is launching an ad blitz “calling for clear commitments from all provincial parties to enhance quality of life in our communities.” The message will run across print and digital platforms, including newspapers, online outlets, and social media, to emphasize the urgency of these issues to provincial leaders and the public alike. More here.
— A new poll by Mainstreet Research found that among the leaning and undecided vote, Doug Ford is ahead of Bonnie Crombie by ten points, with Marit Stiles trailing in third place.
— That’s on par with a Liaison survey that found a nine-point lead for Ford.
— The Tories aren’t sweating a trending drop. Here’s how Nick Kouvalis reacted to both surveys. He shared internal data indicating Ford ahead of Crombie by a two-to-one margin.
— The CEO of Ontario Health atHome is out of her job amid palliative care delivery shortages.
— Brian Lilley says while it’s nice that Ford wants permission to spend tens of billions of dollars in response to Trump’s tariffs, it isn’t necessary.
— and it’s only good for his party.
— Martin Regg Cohn says Ford is trying to protect himself with an early call.
— After walking away from the cameras, Ford told reporters: ‘Off the record, you guys, your bosses are going to love it. There’s maybe tons of advertising and you get to keep your job for another year or two.’”
— Kingston has declared food insecurity an emergency.
— John Michael McGrath says two politicians — Jamal Myers and Carolyn Parrish — are upending the old stereotype that housing density is the turf of snobby downtown elitists.
— Legal Aid Ontario has a surplus although many can’t access it the support.
— Ontario has struck a tentative deal with striking engineers.
— Ford has ordered the LCBO to pull American liquor from shelves if Donald Trump slaps levies on Canadian exports.
Thank you for reading POLICORNER. Do you have the intel on tomorrow’s “super caucus” meeting? Know where Bonnie Crombie will run? I want to hear from you — and you'll stay anon, just like those mysterious sources you’re curious about. Have feedback? A juicy tip? Election theories? Hit me up. We’re back in your inbox next week.
On the eve of a looming early election call, the political parties are scrambling to lock in their complete slate of candidates. For some, it’s still a mad dash to vet and recruit.
The nomination deadline is less than two weeks away, but still, it’s the earlier, the better. The longer a candidate is on the trail, the greater their visibility, and name recognition and the easier it is to shore up and mobilize support. That’s what one party’s internal review found — in many cases, candidates “were nominated too late” to run a proper campaign.
As of last night, here’s where they stand:
— For the Tories: With a long list of incumbents back on the ticket, Doug Ford has had no trouble rounding out his slate.
Several traditionally blue ridings — Sault St. Marie, Nepean, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke and Wellington—Halton Hills — are still vacant but are expected to be claimed in short order. A decision on who’ll run in a bulk of the empty ridings could come as soon as today, according to a source familiar.
The party’s nomination blitz has enabled their candidates to hit the campaign trail early. Many have opened or are still locking in their headquarters while ramping up their push for lawn sign requests, lit drops and in at least one case, turning to billboard ads.
In some cases, the process hasn’t been without local controversy. A candidate in Nepean — who came under attack by the incumbent — was “disqualified from running as a candidate for being out of compliance” with rules. Up north, the party is facing heat over a murky process behind the appointment of a local mayor, which has led a riding association executive to quit and a wannabe candidate to speak out.
— For the NDP: With less than a week till the writ drop, Marit Stiles has only over a quarter of her slate — but a source says it’s a result of slow vetting and a “rigorous democratic process” that has set them apart from other parties.
“Our constitution isn’t really friendly for snap elections,” said a source, speaking on condition of anonymity. “[Stiles] can’t just ‘appoint’ candidates. Each riding has a rigorous democratic process, at least a two week notice by the riding association and then a vote.”
Vetting had been a problem. The source said there was a “backlog” over the last month. “The party hired vetters, so they’re back on track, but then again, the process will still take time.”
Privately, according to two sources, a handful of ridings — closer to three score — are ready with candidates. Per protocol, the provincial director will be able shorten the nomination process if an election is deemed imminent. It’s expected that once the call is made on Wednesday, the constitution’s rules will be suspended, allowing candidates to be nominated en masse.
Another senior source cut straight to the point. “[We] hold meetings and registered members in each riding elect their candidates. Doug Ford just anoints his buddies,” the source texted.
“We will be running a full slate,” a party spokesperson said.
— For the Liberals: While optimistic, privately, some insiders are bracing for the possibility that Bonnie Crombie may not be able to round out a complete slate. That’s, in part, due to a recruitment problem.
Take Toronto—St. Paul’s, for example. While it’s viewed as a safe red seat — despite the current federal and provincial realities — the party hasn’t been able to lock in a candidate.
It’s one of several Toronto ridings that remain vacant.
“As we approach the upcoming provincial election, the Liberal Party of Ontario is actively seeking individuals who are interested in running as candidates in Toronto—St. Paul’s,” read an internal email to local riding association members. “... Whether you have prior political experience or are eager to bring fresh perspectives to the table, we encourage you to express your interest.”
A wide stretch of open ridings hasn’t fazed everyone just yet. “They will run a full slate,” said a source. “They have a lot more lined up than are publicly listed right now.”
“The timeline to get all candidates in place was cut short by an unnecessarily early election call. I’m confident they will have their slate shortly,” a second added. “A challenge in getting a team lined up is that potential candidates would want to have a strong understanding of what the party’s vision is and it takes time to get people engaged, interested and willing to take a leave of absence to put their name forward.”
The party says they have half their slate nominated, with “dozens more in the coming days.”
— For the Greens: Half their slate is locked in, according to the party. “They understand their local communities and will be a strong, independent voice for their communities at Queen’s Park — not the voice of the party leader,” said leader Mike Schreiner.
Check out who’s already been nominated here.
{{LINE}}
A message from Mainstreet Research:
We believe strongly in the power of data to illuminate most any issue, but data is not enough. At Mainstreet Research, we have the experience and know how to harness the potential of data to deliver the insights that are critical to any business, political or public policy decision. Learn more.
With the writ set to drop on Wednesday, everyone is in campaign mode. Ford is set to convene a “super caucus” meeting at a hotel near Pearson Airport tomorrow.
“As we face the unprecedented threat posed by a potential trade war with the United States, it is more important than ever to be prepared for an election to secure a strong mandate from voters,” the invitation — sent to caucus, candidates and campaign managers on Thursday — read.
It’s a boot camp. “This meeting will provide you with the tools, training and resources needed for a winning election campaign,” it added. They can expect to hear from Ford. Kory Tenycke will talk about strategy, while Nick Kouvalis will brief on polling. They'll also receive training in voter ID, yard sign deployment and fundraising mastery.
Crombie and Stiles’ tour will continue. Both have already settled into their new campaign headquarters — and for the Liberal leader, operations are “ramping up,” according to a campaign source. More staff have been enlisted to support Crombie on the trail.
Tomorrow, the party will debut a “Super Saturday” canvassing blitz that will take place weekly, while a webinar on voter contact and being a campaign manager will be hosted on Thursday and Wednesday, respectively.
And here’s a win for Stiles: “He said Marit’s name!” as one source put it. Earlier today, Ford said Crombie or Stiles in power during a trade war “would be an absolute disaster.” “God help us if that ever happens.”
Looking to grab the attention of the province’s top and most powerful political players during the campaign? An ad in the newsletter can expose your brand or cause directly to our audience. It includes: MPPs, party leaders, senior aides, GR and PR strategists, lobbyists, members of the Ontario Public Service, journalists, executives, business leaders and university leadership. Thousands read us, share us, talk about us — and they can speak for themselves:
— “As someone who’s been working at Queen’s Park for about a decade now, it’s become part of my weekly must reads. I don’t know how but [Ahmad] always manages to know exactly what’s happening before it actually happens.”
— “The newsletter has a unique twist on provincial politics proving that municipalities are indeed creatures of the province. It’s a great must read.”
— “It’s essential reading. Fun, juicy and reliable.”
With some of the most competitive rates in the industry, you’ll reach your target audience where they engage with us most — ensuring prime, maximized visibility, guaranteed.
Our ad rates are available upon request. Reach out.
— The House is adjourned. No committee meeting is scheduled for next week.
— Michael Ford — the Premier’s nephew — is the latest incumbent to announce that he won’t seek another term.
“... I have made the decision to take on a new chapter in my life,” he says. “I look forward to staying actively engaged and doing my part to advance what’s best for the city and the province that I call home.”
Ford Jr. took a leave of absence in September for medical reasons.
— Another clue that Bonnie Crombie is closer to picking where she’ll be running in the next election: Jawad Haroon — considered a top local organizer for the Liberal leader during her leadership bid — will be nominated as the Liberal candidate in Malton.
That will limit Crombie to two open ridings in which she could run: Mississauga Centre and Mississauga East—Cooksville. While it’s far from a done deal — and it’s a tight kept secret, many in Liberal land have been convinced that Centre will be Crombie’s target. The district’s urban landscape with many high rise dwellers would make it easier to canvass and enlist volunteers while she’s on tour.
Over in Cooksville, the Tories are still on the search for a candidate. Kaleed Rasheed — who quit from cabinet and caucus over the infamous Las Vegas trip — isn’t running again.
There are around six wannabe candidates, according to a source, including Dominic Roszak with the Toronto Region Board of Trade. Roszak was a senior aide in the Ford government.
Scratch one name out. Wladyslaw Lizon — who once represented the riding federally and was on our radar as a potential candidate — says he’s not running. “I won’t be [the candidate],” he said Thursday night when reached by phone. When asked whether he’d had talks with the party, he said that it’s “irrelevant.”
A decision on who will run is expected as early as today.
— Nomination tracker: Six candidates — Rosemary Zacharias in Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, Ashley Fox in Perth—Wellington, Jonathan Tsao in Don Valley North, Pamela Jeffery in University—Rosedale, Ibrahim Daniyal in Pickering—Uxbridge and Vicky Dhillon in Brampton East — are also set to join the ticket in the next week.
Qadira Jackson, Alex Hilson and Tariq Khan have already been nominated in Scarborough Southwest, Wellington—Halton Hills and London North Centre, respectively.
Cross another name out. In Bay of Quinte, Sean Kelly won’t be running again. “Kelly says he and his family have made the decision he will not run next month,” according to the local paper.
Ruth Farkas, John Demik, Paul Vickers and John Jordan will carry the Tories’ banner in Toronto Centre, Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound and Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, respectively.
Corey Lepage has been nominated as the NDP’s candidate in Timmins. Thadha Navaneethan will carry the banner in Scarborough North, while Megan Beauchemin will run in Burlington.
Lucia Iannantuono, Thaila Riden and Mark Harrison will carry the Green banner in Hamilton Centre, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell and Niagara West, respectively. Allan Kuhn is running in Simcoe—Grey, with Mark Bekkering in Scarborough Southwest, Ali Hosny in Oakville North—Burlington and Janet Errygers in Flamborough—Glanbrook.
— Marit Stiles paid a visit to the NDP’s new HQ. “The media always asks me: do you think you can do it? I’m like ‘just watch me.'"
— But the NDP isn’t too happy about the early election call. Here’s part of an email blast to supporter earlier today:
— A provincial delegation was in Washington for Trump’s inauguration.
— More than two dozen labour leaders from the private, public, and trades sectors are set to call on the Ford government to form a workers’ task force to respond to Donald Trump’s looming tariffs. It’s a bid “to safeguard hundreds of thousands of jobs instead of destabilizing the province by moving the government into caretaker mode.”
Calendar clash: February 27 isn’t just voting day — it’s also the date of the Toronto Region Board of Trade’s annual dinner, as a friend of the newsletter pointed out.
“Normally, there are a number of cabinet ministers and staffers there, and the Premier gives remarks. Won’t happen this year — and I'm guessing there won’t be a thousand people in attendance either,” they wrote in. Tickets are still up and no word yet on whether the event will proceed.
— SCOOP — Patrick Brown isn’t holding back on Bonnie Crombie.
There’s zero love lost between Brown and Crombie. They clashed openly over the dissolution of Peel Region — recall that one presser — and Brown has cozied up to Ford (at today’s press conference, Brown called Ford “an incredible friend” to Brampton).
With an election call on Wednesday, Brown was asked for his thoughts on the brewing Crombie v. Ford clash. “For some reason, when Bonnie Crombie was mayor of Mississauga, she went after Brampton again and again,” he told this reporter. “She tried to steal funds from the city, she proposed a regional dissolution that would have taken away everything Brampton has put into the region... It would have been devastating for the city.”
Brown said as Mississauga’s mayor, Crombie was “antagonistic, confrontational and draconian” towards Bramptonians. “I hope that in her new position, the ‘anti-Brampton’ approach that she took will be put in the rearview mirror,” he added.
— With an uptick in population, Brown says it’s time to review the region’s funding formula. “Mississauga gets more transfers from the province and the federal government for transit, for public safety, for healthcare,” he said. “Some of those key social transfers will need to be adjusted — including representation on local council.”
Population should dictate representation at Peel Region, he says. Parrish isn’t opposed. “With the downloading of planning, waste, roads and water going into an arms-length utility, we need the region to be a much smaller body. Three from Mississauga, three from Brampton, one from Caledon. I’d support that,” she said.
The two cities have already clashed over more cash for police.
— An NDP MP is questioning why Sarah Jama still hasn't been told she can run under the party’s banner. “... Despite [the] decision, there has been no action to ensure that a fair, democratic process moves forward,” Matthew Green wrote. “The question that needs answering is simple: what’s the hold up?”
— The Ford government has hired private investigators to monitor supervised injection sites, aiming to “gather additional evidence about the impact of these sites” on neighborhoods amid ongoing litigation.
— Toronto has rejoined the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, with a councillor now sitting on the board.
— The group is launching an ad blitz “calling for clear commitments from all provincial parties to enhance quality of life in our communities.” The message will run across print and digital platforms, including newspapers, online outlets, and social media, to emphasize the urgency of these issues to provincial leaders and the public alike. More here.
— A new poll by Mainstreet Research found that among the leaning and undecided vote, Doug Ford is ahead of Bonnie Crombie by ten points, with Marit Stiles trailing in third place.
— That’s on par with a Liaison survey that found a nine-point lead for Ford.
— The Tories aren’t sweating a trending drop. Here’s how Nick Kouvalis reacted to both surveys. He shared internal data indicating Ford ahead of Crombie by a two-to-one margin.
— The CEO of Ontario Health atHome is out of her job amid palliative care delivery shortages.
— Brian Lilley says while it’s nice that Ford wants permission to spend tens of billions of dollars in response to Trump’s tariffs, it isn’t necessary.
— and it’s only good for his party.
— Martin Regg Cohn says Ford is trying to protect himself with an early call.
— After walking away from the cameras, Ford told reporters: ‘Off the record, you guys, your bosses are going to love it. There’s maybe tons of advertising and you get to keep your job for another year or two.’”
— Kingston has declared food insecurity an emergency.
— John Michael McGrath says two politicians — Jamal Myers and Carolyn Parrish — are upending the old stereotype that housing density is the turf of snobby downtown elitists.
— Legal Aid Ontario has a surplus although many can’t access it the support.
— Ontario has struck a tentative deal with striking engineers.
— Ford has ordered the LCBO to pull American liquor from shelves if Donald Trump slaps levies on Canadian exports.
Thank you for reading POLICORNER. Do you have the intel on tomorrow’s “super caucus” meeting? Know where Bonnie Crombie will run? I want to hear from you — and you'll stay anon, just like those mysterious sources you’re curious about. Have feedback? A juicy tip? Election theories? Hit me up. We’re back in your inbox next week.
On the eve of a looming early election call, the political parties are scrambling to lock in their complete slate of candidates. For some, it’s still a mad dash to vet and recruit.
The nomination deadline is less than two weeks away, but still, it’s the earlier, the better. The longer a candidate is on the trail, the greater their visibility, and name recognition and the easier it is to shore up and mobilize support. That’s what one party’s internal review found — in many cases, candidates “were nominated too late” to run a proper campaign.
As of last night, here’s where they stand:
— For the Tories: With a long list of incumbents back on the ticket, Doug Ford has had no trouble rounding out his slate.
Several traditionally blue ridings — Sault St. Marie, Nepean, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke and Wellington—Halton Hills — are still vacant but are expected to be claimed in short order. A decision on who’ll run in a bulk of the empty ridings could come as soon as today, according to a source familiar.
The party’s nomination blitz has enabled their candidates to hit the campaign trail early. Many have opened or are still locking in their headquarters while ramping up their push for lawn sign requests, lit drops and in at least one case, turning to billboard ads.
In some cases, the process hasn’t been without local controversy. A candidate in Nepean — who came under attack by the incumbent — was “disqualified from running as a candidate for being out of compliance” with rules. Up north, the party is facing heat over a murky process behind the appointment of a local mayor, which has led a riding association executive to quit and a wannabe candidate to speak out.
— For the NDP: With less than a week till the writ drop, Marit Stiles has only over a quarter of her slate — but a source says it’s a result of slow vetting and a “rigorous democratic process” that has set them apart from other parties.
“Our constitution isn’t really friendly for snap elections,” said a source, speaking on condition of anonymity. “[Stiles] can’t just ‘appoint’ candidates. Each riding has a rigorous democratic process, at least a two week notice by the riding association and then a vote.”
Vetting had been a problem. The source said there was a “backlog” over the last month. “The party hired vetters, so they’re back on track, but then again, the process will still take time.”
Privately, according to two sources, a handful of ridings — closer to three score — are ready with candidates. Per protocol, the provincial director will be able shorten the nomination process if an election is deemed imminent. It’s expected that once the call is made on Wednesday, the constitution’s rules will be suspended, allowing candidates to be nominated en masse.
Another senior source cut straight to the point. “[We] hold meetings and registered members in each riding elect their candidates. Doug Ford just anoints his buddies,” the source texted.
“We will be running a full slate,” a party spokesperson said.
— For the Liberals: While optimistic, privately, some insiders are bracing for the possibility that Bonnie Crombie may not be able to round out a complete slate. That’s, in part, due to a recruitment problem.
Take Toronto—St. Paul’s, for example. While it’s viewed as a safe red seat — despite the current federal and provincial realities — the party hasn’t been able to lock in a candidate.
It’s one of several Toronto ridings that remain vacant.
“As we approach the upcoming provincial election, the Liberal Party of Ontario is actively seeking individuals who are interested in running as candidates in Toronto—St. Paul’s,” read an internal email to local riding association members. “... Whether you have prior political experience or are eager to bring fresh perspectives to the table, we encourage you to express your interest.”
A wide stretch of open ridings hasn’t fazed everyone just yet. “They will run a full slate,” said a source. “They have a lot more lined up than are publicly listed right now.”
“The timeline to get all candidates in place was cut short by an unnecessarily early election call. I’m confident they will have their slate shortly,” a second added. “A challenge in getting a team lined up is that potential candidates would want to have a strong understanding of what the party’s vision is and it takes time to get people engaged, interested and willing to take a leave of absence to put their name forward.”
The party says they have half their slate nominated, with “dozens more in the coming days.”
— For the Greens: Half their slate is locked in, according to the party. “They understand their local communities and will be a strong, independent voice for their communities at Queen’s Park — not the voice of the party leader,” said leader Mike Schreiner.
Check out who’s already been nominated here.
{{LINE}}
A message from Mainstreet Research:
We believe strongly in the power of data to illuminate most any issue, but data is not enough. At Mainstreet Research, we have the experience and know how to harness the potential of data to deliver the insights that are critical to any business, political or public policy decision. Learn more.
With the writ set to drop on Wednesday, everyone is in campaign mode. Ford is set to convene a “super caucus” meeting at a hotel near Pearson Airport tomorrow.
“As we face the unprecedented threat posed by a potential trade war with the United States, it is more important than ever to be prepared for an election to secure a strong mandate from voters,” the invitation — sent to caucus, candidates and campaign managers on Thursday — read.
It’s a boot camp. “This meeting will provide you with the tools, training and resources needed for a winning election campaign,” it added. They can expect to hear from Ford. Kory Tenycke will talk about strategy, while Nick Kouvalis will brief on polling. They'll also receive training in voter ID, yard sign deployment and fundraising mastery.
Crombie and Stiles’ tour will continue. Both have already settled into their new campaign headquarters — and for the Liberal leader, operations are “ramping up,” according to a campaign source. More staff have been enlisted to support Crombie on the trail.
Tomorrow, the party will debut a “Super Saturday” canvassing blitz that will take place weekly, while a webinar on voter contact and being a campaign manager will be hosted on Thursday and Wednesday, respectively.
And here’s a win for Stiles: “He said Marit’s name!” as one source put it. Earlier today, Ford said Crombie or Stiles in power during a trade war “would be an absolute disaster.” “God help us if that ever happens.”
Looking to grab the attention of the province’s top and most powerful political players during the campaign? An ad in the newsletter can expose your brand or cause directly to our audience. It includes: MPPs, party leaders, senior aides, GR and PR strategists, lobbyists, members of the Ontario Public Service, journalists, executives, business leaders and university leadership. Thousands read us, share us, talk about us — and they can speak for themselves:
— “As someone who’s been working at Queen’s Park for about a decade now, it’s become part of my weekly must reads. I don’t know how but [Ahmad] always manages to know exactly what’s happening before it actually happens.”
— “The newsletter has a unique twist on provincial politics proving that municipalities are indeed creatures of the province. It’s a great must read.”
— “It’s essential reading. Fun, juicy and reliable.”
With some of the most competitive rates in the industry, you’ll reach your target audience where they engage with us most — ensuring prime, maximized visibility, guaranteed.
Our ad rates are available upon request. Reach out.
— The House is adjourned. No committee meeting is scheduled for next week.
— Michael Ford — the Premier’s nephew — is the latest incumbent to announce that he won’t seek another term.
“... I have made the decision to take on a new chapter in my life,” he says. “I look forward to staying actively engaged and doing my part to advance what’s best for the city and the province that I call home.”
Ford Jr. took a leave of absence in September for medical reasons.
— Another clue that Bonnie Crombie is closer to picking where she’ll be running in the next election: Jawad Haroon — considered a top local organizer for the Liberal leader during her leadership bid — will be nominated as the Liberal candidate in Malton.
That will limit Crombie to two open ridings in which she could run: Mississauga Centre and Mississauga East—Cooksville. While it’s far from a done deal — and it’s a tight kept secret, many in Liberal land have been convinced that Centre will be Crombie’s target. The district’s urban landscape with many high rise dwellers would make it easier to canvass and enlist volunteers while she’s on tour.
Over in Cooksville, the Tories are still on the search for a candidate. Kaleed Rasheed — who quit from cabinet and caucus over the infamous Las Vegas trip — isn’t running again.
There are around six wannabe candidates, according to a source, including Dominic Roszak with the Toronto Region Board of Trade. Roszak was a senior aide in the Ford government.
Scratch one name out. Wladyslaw Lizon — who once represented the riding federally and was on our radar as a potential candidate — says he’s not running. “I won’t be [the candidate],” he said Thursday night when reached by phone. When asked whether he’d had talks with the party, he said that it’s “irrelevant.”
A decision on who will run is expected as early as today.
— Nomination tracker: Six candidates — Rosemary Zacharias in Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, Ashley Fox in Perth—Wellington, Jonathan Tsao in Don Valley North, Pamela Jeffery in University—Rosedale, Ibrahim Daniyal in Pickering—Uxbridge and Vicky Dhillon in Brampton East — are also set to join the ticket in the next week.
Qadira Jackson, Alex Hilson and Tariq Khan have already been nominated in Scarborough Southwest, Wellington—Halton Hills and London North Centre, respectively.
Cross another name out. In Bay of Quinte, Sean Kelly won’t be running again. “Kelly says he and his family have made the decision he will not run next month,” according to the local paper.
Ruth Farkas, John Demik, Paul Vickers and John Jordan will carry the Tories’ banner in Toronto Centre, Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound and Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, respectively.
Corey Lepage has been nominated as the NDP’s candidate in Timmins. Thadha Navaneethan will carry the banner in Scarborough North, while Megan Beauchemin will run in Burlington.
Lucia Iannantuono, Thaila Riden and Mark Harrison will carry the Green banner in Hamilton Centre, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell and Niagara West, respectively. Allan Kuhn is running in Simcoe—Grey, with Mark Bekkering in Scarborough Southwest, Ali Hosny in Oakville North—Burlington and Janet Errygers in Flamborough—Glanbrook.
— Marit Stiles paid a visit to the NDP’s new HQ. “The media always asks me: do you think you can do it? I’m like ‘just watch me.'"
— But the NDP isn’t too happy about the early election call. Here’s part of an email blast to supporter earlier today:
— A provincial delegation was in Washington for Trump’s inauguration.
— More than two dozen labour leaders from the private, public, and trades sectors are set to call on the Ford government to form a workers’ task force to respond to Donald Trump’s looming tariffs. It’s a bid “to safeguard hundreds of thousands of jobs instead of destabilizing the province by moving the government into caretaker mode.”
Calendar clash: February 27 isn’t just voting day — it’s also the date of the Toronto Region Board of Trade’s annual dinner, as a friend of the newsletter pointed out.
“Normally, there are a number of cabinet ministers and staffers there, and the Premier gives remarks. Won’t happen this year — and I'm guessing there won’t be a thousand people in attendance either,” they wrote in. Tickets are still up and no word yet on whether the event will proceed.
— SCOOP — Patrick Brown isn’t holding back on Bonnie Crombie.
There’s zero love lost between Brown and Crombie. They clashed openly over the dissolution of Peel Region — recall that one presser — and Brown has cozied up to Ford (at today’s press conference, Brown called Ford “an incredible friend” to Brampton).
With an election call on Wednesday, Brown was asked for his thoughts on the brewing Crombie v. Ford clash. “For some reason, when Bonnie Crombie was mayor of Mississauga, she went after Brampton again and again,” he told this reporter. “She tried to steal funds from the city, she proposed a regional dissolution that would have taken away everything Brampton has put into the region... It would have been devastating for the city.”
Brown said as Mississauga’s mayor, Crombie was “antagonistic, confrontational and draconian” towards Bramptonians. “I hope that in her new position, the ‘anti-Brampton’ approach that she took will be put in the rearview mirror,” he added.
— With an uptick in population, Brown says it’s time to review the region’s funding formula. “Mississauga gets more transfers from the province and the federal government for transit, for public safety, for healthcare,” he said. “Some of those key social transfers will need to be adjusted — including representation on local council.”
Population should dictate representation at Peel Region, he says. Parrish isn’t opposed. “With the downloading of planning, waste, roads and water going into an arms-length utility, we need the region to be a much smaller body. Three from Mississauga, three from Brampton, one from Caledon. I’d support that,” she said.
The two cities have already clashed over more cash for police.
— An NDP MP is questioning why Sarah Jama still hasn't been told she can run under the party’s banner. “... Despite [the] decision, there has been no action to ensure that a fair, democratic process moves forward,” Matthew Green wrote. “The question that needs answering is simple: what’s the hold up?”
— The Ford government has hired private investigators to monitor supervised injection sites, aiming to “gather additional evidence about the impact of these sites” on neighborhoods amid ongoing litigation.
— Toronto has rejoined the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, with a councillor now sitting on the board.
— The group is launching an ad blitz “calling for clear commitments from all provincial parties to enhance quality of life in our communities.” The message will run across print and digital platforms, including newspapers, online outlets, and social media, to emphasize the urgency of these issues to provincial leaders and the public alike. More here.
— A new poll by Mainstreet Research found that among the leaning and undecided vote, Doug Ford is ahead of Bonnie Crombie by ten points, with Marit Stiles trailing in third place.
— That’s on par with a Liaison survey that found a nine-point lead for Ford.
— The Tories aren’t sweating a trending drop. Here’s how Nick Kouvalis reacted to both surveys. He shared internal data indicating Ford ahead of Crombie by a two-to-one margin.
— The CEO of Ontario Health atHome is out of her job amid palliative care delivery shortages.
— Brian Lilley says while it’s nice that Ford wants permission to spend tens of billions of dollars in response to Trump’s tariffs, it isn’t necessary.
— and it’s only good for his party.
— Martin Regg Cohn says Ford is trying to protect himself with an early call.
— After walking away from the cameras, Ford told reporters: ‘Off the record, you guys, your bosses are going to love it. There’s maybe tons of advertising and you get to keep your job for another year or two.’”
— Kingston has declared food insecurity an emergency.
— John Michael McGrath says two politicians — Jamal Myers and Carolyn Parrish — are upending the old stereotype that housing density is the turf of snobby downtown elitists.
— Legal Aid Ontario has a surplus although many can’t access it the support.
— Ontario has struck a tentative deal with striking engineers.
— Ford has ordered the LCBO to pull American liquor from shelves if Donald Trump slaps levies on Canadian exports.
Thank you for reading POLICORNER. Do you have the intel on tomorrow’s “super caucus” meeting? Know where Bonnie Crombie will run? I want to hear from you — and you'll stay anon, just like those mysterious sources you’re curious about. Have feedback? A juicy tip? Election theories? Hit me up. We’re back in your inbox next week.