ABOVE THE FOLD
First in Observer — PEROXIDE POLITICS — Turns out it’s not just policy and platforms the two progressive, centre-left Opposition parties are trying to set themselves apart on — it’s the hair, too.
Blonde ambition: I’ve learned that MARIT STILES brought in a style consultant ahead of February’s election campaign. That’s nothing new — devoted readers will recall when I revealed then-Liberal leader STEVEN DEL DUCA dropped $13,425 on an image consultant.
But here’s the twist: a little birdie tells me the consultant advised Stiles on the exact shade of blonde she should be — making sure she’s distinct from Grit Leader BONNIE CROMBIE’s platinum hue. Apparently at Queen’s Park, even the shade is strategic.
The NDP says it’s true Stiles hired a consultant and sent me this, on the record:
“Being a woman in politics means that there will always be scrutiny and a microscope around your appearance, clothes, etc. Marit’s goal always is to be her most authentic (and most comfortable!) self when she’s on stage or in the community or the House. She had a one-time style consultant who took a look at what was in her closet, made some outfit recommendations, and helped her find some closet staples (like the green suit!) that she can have on rotation. Marit’s personal style is a mix of professional, authentic, and approachable, so that’s what you get to see when she’s out there! As for the sneakers, other sensible shoes — it’s all her. The sneakers are here to stay.”
That green suit? Consultant-approved. The Blundstones? All Marit.
Of course, women in politics get a disproportionate amount of chatter about their wardrobes compared to men — though, as I previously reported, Crombie expensed high-end campaign outfits to the Liberals, and people still have opinions (and then some) about Del Duca’s unseasonal, oft-worn vest. Even PC Premier DOUG FORD knows how to flex a sartorial moment — remember when he gifted Alberta Premier DANIELLE SMITH a custom “Ford Nation” belt buckle and even gave her a full lasso demo?
It all suggests that in provincial politics, the outfit can be just as much a talking point as the platform — and sometimes, serving looks is just as important as serving policy.
HAPPENING TODAY
DOUG FORD’S TUESDAY — 1 p.m.: The Premier is up in Windsor alongside his Housing Minister ROB FLACK and Mayor DREW DILKENS.
Not-so-wild guess: Ford’s Ministers have been on the BFF tour this summer, doling out giant cheques for housing via the Building Faster Fund, a chunk of which municipalities receive if they hit their targets.
Pre-game read: “Despite adding long-term care beds, retirement homes and student dormitories to its housing statistics, the Ford government fell tens of thousands of units short of its goal last year. New data released by the province this month confirms that even with its modified definitions of new housing, Ontario achieved less than 80 per cent of its self-imposed 125,000-unit target for 2024.” Womp, womp — via Global News.
Later on, Ford may make a cameo at a $1,500-a-plate fundraiser for the PCs (no ministerial lineup usually means he’ll show). Invite.
10 a.m.: OCHU, the CUPE wing that represents hospital workers, is in the Media Studio to release findings of a new study re: nurse-to-patient ratios.
7 p.m.: Liberal Leader BONNIE CROMBIE’s summer tour continues in Sudbury at the local Days Inn. RSVP.
CLIPPINGS
— HIGHWAYS, HIGHWAYS, HIGHWAYS: “DOUG FORD considered shifting a significant portion of Highway 413 from its current route, Global News has learned, to accommodate a long-standing request from a Canadian developer whose construction firms own multiple properties in the region.”
— KEEP ON TRUCKIN’: “Ford’s office directed civil servants to look into the viability of subsidizing the tolls of trucks on Highway 407, Global News can reveal, devoting government resources to researching a signature policy pitched by the opposition.”
And that’s a big 10-4: The Tories are rolling out a self-driving truck pilot. Details.
— POUR ONE OUT: “Ontario’s five largest grocery store chains are threatening to stop selling wine and beer unless the province makes sweeping changes to upcoming deposit-return rules that will force stores to collect empty bottles of booze.” The Star has the story.
— WATER FIGHT! “The Ford government is facing backlash from advocates and water experts over proposed changes to Ontario’s Water Resources Act that would remove key oversight and public input from the province’s water-taking permit system.” More from the National Observer.
— PIPELINE POLITICS: “Ontario is taking a step toward planning new pipelines to bring Alberta oil and gas to the province for refining, issuing a request for proposals today for a feasibility study.” CP reports.
— WHAT NEW DEMOCRATS ARE READING: The latest from veteran NDPer strategist and fellow Substacker TOM PARKIN: “Ontario’s population declines as exodus to elsewhere continues.”
REGULATORY ROUNDUP
On Tuesdays, we sum up the government’s latest proposals on the Regulatory Registry — where the nitty-gritty of policymaking gets hammered out.
SLOW DOWN, MOVE OVER — The proposal: “To define the types of vehicles that would qualify as ‘work-related vehicles’ to be included in Ontario's Slow Down, Move Over law.” Deadline for public feedback: September 8.
ROCK, PAPER, WATER TABLE — Proposal: Updating and modernizing policies under Ontario’s Aggregate Resources Act — think stone, gravel, sand, and their extraction. Deadline: September 25.
DEVIL’S IN THE DETAILS — Proposal: “Amendments to the Devil’s Glen Provincial Park Management Plan [that] reflect a future addition of adjacent acquired lands to the park, a classification change, zoning changes, and changes to the permitted recreational activities within Natural Environment zones.” Deadline: September 19.
GASSED UP — Proposal: The government wants “to hear from municipalities, Indigenous communities, and others how to best support rural, northern, and Indigenous communities with access to natural gas for development.” Deadline: September 22.
POWER PLAY — Proposal: “A regulation under the Environmental Assessment Act that would include requirements Hydro One will need to undertake in order to proceed with the Northeast Power Line Project and for the Act not to apply to the Project. Hydro One is collaborating with First Nations partners in relation to the Project.” Deadline: September 14.
🍽️ LUNCH SPECIAL: Beef lasagna with vegetables and garlic bread.
⏳ COUNTDOWN: T-minus 5 days until the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference…31 days until the Liberal AGM in Toronto…38 days until the NDP convention in Niagara Falls…69 days until the House reconvenes…171 days until the PC convention in Toronto.