Premier Doug Ford is planning to call a provincial election next Wednesday, sending Ontarians to the polls on Feb. 27, a senior Progressive Conservative source has confirmed to CBC News.
His decision comes after months of speculation that Ford meant to face voters sooner than the legislated 2026 election date.
The scheduled election call would occur just days after Ford’s Progressive Conservative candidates meet for a “super caucus” event this weekend to plan for the provincial election. The event will feature strategic updates and training sessions, according to a copy of the invitation obtained by CBC News, aimed at preparing candidates for a winning campaign.
“This meeting will equip you with the tools, training, and resources needed for a winning election campaign,” the invitation states. “Your participation is crucial to ensuring a successful campaign and our collective success as a team.”
Ford Seeks New Mandate Amid Tariff Concerns
Ford has repeatedly emphasized the need for a new mandate to address potential economic fallout from U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed 25 percent tariff on Canadian goods. Despite holding a significant majority at Queen’s Park, Ford and his team argue that a strong mandate is essential to effectively stand up for Ontario.
On Monday night, Ford’s chief of staff, Patrick Sackville, sent an email to PC staffers urging the need to win a “strong mandate” to face the challenges, and wrote: “The stronger the mandate, the better.”
When asked about the probability of an earlier election call, Ford told journalists to “stay tuned.” At the same event, he identified the “super caucus” an opportunity to share his thoughts concerning the tariffs as well as being mum on matters of when precisely the election ought to be done.
Opposition Criticisms Over Election Time
Ontario’s opposition parties have slammed the potential election call as not the time for political interruption. NDP Leader Marit Stiles pointed out that Ford already has a mandate and accused him of prioritizing his political ambitions over the province’s needs.
“It’s not 500,000 jobs that he’s looking out for, it’s just his own,” Stiles said.
The Green Party Leader, Mike Schreiner, echoed the statement, claiming that Ford was creating unnecessary chaos. “The premier is now going to throw us into chaos at a time when we need stability because he’s more interested in his own job,” Schreiner said.
Ontario Liberal Party Leader Bonnie Crombie criticized Ford for failing to adequately prepare for economic threats from the U.S., stating, “He should be protecting jobs and preparing us for the threats south of the border, and he’s failed to do that up until now.”
Strategic Reasons Behind the Election Timing
Political analysts give a number of reasons why Ford’s Conservatives might want to hold an election now. Former Liberal cabinet minister John Milloy pointed out that Ford’s consistent lead in the polls and his “Captain Canada” image in the fight against Trump’s tariffs have improved his profile.
“Doug Ford has been consistently ahead in the polls over the past few months,” Milloy said. “Even his critics have given him a fair amount of credit.”
Andrew Brander is the vice-president at Crestview Strategy and a former PC advisor. He said an early election could pre-empt a federal election, giving the PCs a bit more room to breathe among voters.
The “Super Caucus” Meeting Details
The Progressive Conservatives’ “super caucus” is gathering on Saturday to discuss the campaign at a hotel near Pearson International Airport. Running from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the all-day session will include polling updates from pollster Nick Kouvalis and campaign messaging from strategist Kory Teneycke.
The agenda will include remarks from Premier Ford, photo sessions with candidates, and discussions on door-knocking and signage strategies. The meeting is designed to arm PC candidates with the resources they need for a winning campaign.
With the potential election call looming, Ontarians are gearing up for what could be a pivotal moment in the province’s political landscape.