Doug Ford completely crushed his opponents after an anemic election campaign. How to explain this tour de force in part one of the most polarizing premieres in Ontario history?
Answer: a perfect combination of circumstances.
The right moment
If the election was held on this date last year, it’s a safe bet that Doug Ford’s pandemic record would be even worse for him. In the spring of 2021, his approval rating dropped. Schools in Ontario have been closed and have been longer than anywhere else in the country. The third wave is once again destroying long -term care homes.
A year later, many Ontarians are willing to leave the COVID-19 in the rearview mirror.
Doug Ford’s rehabilitation
What bound up this rehabilitation, carried out last year by Conservative strategists called to rescue after the third wave, were the key announcements made by Justin Trudeau and his cabinet along with Doug Ford in recent months, for transport sector and national child care program.
Justin Trudeau brought Doug Ford back in the eyes of many voters, especially those in the GTA, who gave Mr. Ford in 2018 but voted for Mr. Trudeau in the last three federal elections. Steven Del Duca is very angry.
A tedious liberal leader
Many Ontarians still cannot identify Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca. Not parting with Kathleen Wynne’s government legacy, the former transport minister did not get his own seat. This is the Ontario Liberal Party’s worst performance in half a century, after 2018.
Coming out of his monotonous speech, he had no choice but to resign. Not only does Greater Toronto remain blue, but the Ford Nation spread to Toronto when his nephew, Michael Ford, was elected to York South — Weston. And the New Democrat retained some seats in Queen City that had been Liberal strongholds in the past.
The Liberal left shift, started by Ms Wynne but emphasized by Mr Del Duca, left the center open to Doug Ford. The promises remain with those in NDPwhich contributed to the division of the progressive vote.
After all, 60% of Ontarians did not vote for Mr. Ford. Steven Del Duca spent a lot of time attacking Andrea Horwath in hopes of winning the anti-Ford vote. Meanwhile, Mr. Ford remains low profile.
A flawless campaign
Early in his tenure, the fiery Doug Ford was incapable of discipline. He exploded when confronted by journalists. Quite the opposite of this campaign, where he made no major mistakes. It has only been vulnerable once, after a deadly storm in mid -May, when its record was thrown into the environment, but its opponents have failed to capitalize on this moment.
Otherwise, Doug Ford’s team limited its press briefings and reached voters more directly than through traditional media: large rallies, targeted robocalls and an army of volunteers at the gates. Doug Ford also turned on private radio to show that he was the leader of the people.
The seduction operation
What hurts the most for Andrea Horwath and of NDPwho were able to save the day and form official opposition, was the loss of riding in the Windsor region and northern Ontario at the hands of CPAP.
A long-term strategy, led by Labor Minister Monte McNaughton, that has slowly wooed construction unions and worked to promote and fund the training of trade-skilled workers.
Recently, Doug Ford flooded both investment regions for the automotive and mining industries. It’s an eyebrow-raising feat: Windsor — Tecumseh (and the pre-division ridings in the area) hasn’t elected a Conservative since the 1920s.
Gilles Bisson, the Dean of the Legislative Assembly, elected in Bob Rae’s government, bowed to Timmins. A possibility unimaginable a year ago.
Doug Ford underlined this in his speech: he succeeded in raising the Progressive Conservative coalition. If you work on an assembly line and you vote for NDP your whole life, or if you voted for Federal Liberals, I want you to know that as long as I am here, there is room for you in this party.
When they had time to sober up, the NDP and Liberals need to re -evaluate their future.
Despite the loss of a favorable 2018 context, Andrea Horwath is still leaving NDP in a better position than when he took the party 13 years ago. His successor will count on better foundations in Toronto, but will have to find a way to get into the suburbs and the youth.
It would also be good for Liberals to consider choosing their leader to avoid repetition.
While these two parties are looking at each other, Green Leader Mike Schreiner, who won re -election in Guelph, may be more prominent in the opposition than expected.
Source: Radio-Canada
