TORONTO — Ontario took a new step into pre-election campaign territory Tuesday, with an opposition leader making her first major platform announcement and Premier Doug Ford urging people to vote Progressive Conservative, though he has not as of now called an early election. Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie said Tuesday that if elected she would essentially fulfil an election promise Ford made in 2018 – but didn't deliver – to cut income taxes. It puts her on the board with NDP Leader Marit Stiles, who has been making platform-style announcements in recent weeks, including building affordable public, non-profit and co-op homes, universal mental health care, and restoring services to urgent care centres that have been forced to reduce their hours.
Ontario's next election is officially set for June 2026, but Ford has refused to rule out calling an early election in 2025, and opposition parties believe signs are stacking up that point to a spring vote. When asked Tuesday about Crombie's announcement, Ford railed against her record as Mississauga mayor and that of the former Liberal provincial government, including a campaign-style pitch. "It's a very clear choice to the people of Ontario — it's tax you to death under Bonnie Crombie, or make sure you vote for the PCs, and we'll put money back in your pocket," he said.
Ford was speaking in Barrie, Ont., at the groundbreaking for a new office and training facility for the International Union of Operating Engineers, and announce.
_1b78fec41a5143afb6e7b9ad317023d2-620x480.jpg)
