A PC MPP rips into the NDP's ground game

And Ford holds forth

ABOVE THE FOLD

The knives are out as a byelection looms in Scarborough Southwest. But first: Premier DOUG FORD wound up scrumming with reporters after yesterday’s photo-op in Toronto. Here’s what you need to know…

— On Prime Minister MARK CARNEY’s new auto strategy, which scraps EV sales mandates and revives purchase rebates, Ford said the pair are aligned. The Premier had been calling for an end to the mandates, but when it comes to individual incentives, Ontario won’t follow suit. “I remember when I first got elected, we were giving rebates to millionaires that were buying $100,000 Tesla’s. We decided to take a different approach. We invested billions of dollars into domestic made cars, until they’re able to hire more people and build plants…I think it’s money well spent.”

Ford’s even willing to sweeten the pot for Korean automaker Hyundai to open a manufacturing plant in Ontario. “I don’t mean to call them out all the time, but Hyundai-Kia, they sell 220,000 cars. You’re selling that …