Ontarians are searching for Ford alternatives
Another chief exit
Brought to you by Colleges Ontario
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WHO’S CAPTURING ONTARIANS ATTENTION — Premier DOUG FORD has had a rough go in the polls and headlines over the past couple months. But the big question is whether his Oppo rivals have been able to capitalize on that to put a dent in the ruling party’s dominance.
Some polls suggest the leaderless Liberals may be riding on the coattails of their federal cousins’ popularity, and that’s why they place second or sometimes neck-and-neck with the PCs. Whoever takes the party helm in November could change that either way.
But part of the problem for NDP Leader MARIT STILES is traction — not many folks know her, relatively speaking, but those that do tend to like her.
So getting peoples interest is crucial. She’s been pushing hard on the political stunts, like bringing a cake to mark 1,000 days of the RCMP’s Greenbelt investigation and putting out catchy social media clips criticizing the Premier’s private jet fiasco.
That seems to be rousing curiosity in the Official Opposition leader. Google searches for “Marit Stiles” have spiked big time over the past month in the province, which Google classifies as a “breakout” — up 5,000 per cent compared to the month and year prior.
That said, Ford is taking up much of the oxygen, for better or worse. Google scores interest in the Premier consistently higher than Stiles, with Ford searches spiking to 100 on July 6, when he was pumping up a pipeline in Alberta.
No such thing as bad publicity? Part of his critics tactics this summer is to keep Ford’s blunders fresh in peoples minds. Ford insists people aren’t interested in his quick one-eighty on the jet or the now-reversed Greenbelt carve-up. And while that may be true in terms of Google searches for Ford’s plane, which dropped off immediately after the news broke, the Greenbelt is still a hot topic.
As for who’s grabbing the most attention in Liberal leadership world: Perceived frontrunner NAVDEEP BAINS consistently comes out on top, thanks to name recognition as a former federal cabinet minister. But LEE FAIRCLOUGH isn’t far behind. ERIC LOMBARDI and DYLAN MARANDO have also had their moments. Searches for the wannabe leaders spiked on July 5, when ROB CERJANEC bowed out of the race.
Why it matters: With a majority of Ontarians telling pollsters it’s time for a change at Queen’s Park, the search trends suggest the hunt for credible alternatives is ramping up.
A note on the numbers: Google ranks search popularity out of 100. 100 represents peak popularity for the search term, and a score of 50 means the term is half as popular. 0 means there wasn’t sufficient data.
A message from Colleges Ontario
Colleges and Polytechnics are Powering Mining and Critical Minerals Growth
Protecting Ontario’s mining and critical minerals growth starts with protecting its workforce pipeline. An investment in college and polytechnic growth seats is an investment in Ontario’s critical minerals future.
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Ontario’s ambitious plan to expand critical minerals development will require more workers with specialized technical, trades and applied science skills. Ontario is projected to face shortages of 26,650 workers in natural and applied sciences occupations and nearly 144,000 workers in trades, transport and equipment operator occupations between 2026 and 2035.
Through employer partnerships, applied research and provincially funded Specialist High Skills Major and Pre-Apprenticeship Training programs, colleges and polytechnics align education with industry needs. They have the partnerships, expertise and capacity to scale training and prepare more students for the jobs required to advance Ontario’s critical minerals strategy.
With 40,000 Priority Growth Fund seats being allocated to health care, STEM, education and skilled trades, an investment in college and polytechnic growth seats would ensure funding follows labour market demand, supports regional employers and delivers the workforce required to build Ontario’s economy.
Colleges Ontario represents Ontario’s 24 public colleges and polytechnics. Click here to learn more.
HAPPENING TODAY
11 a.m.: BONNIE CROMBIE makes it official and will sign up to run for Mississauga Mayor at City Hall.
7 p.m.: Green Leader MIKE SCHREINER and deputy leader (and candidate runner-up for Parry Sound-Muskoka) MATT RICHTER are in Muskoka for a town hall re: the hot-potato MZO proposed for Cliff Bay.
FUNDRAISING WATCH — 5:30 p.m.: The PCs are putting on a $1,000-a-plate event in Vaughan.
CLIPPINGS
— FRENEMIES: “How seriously should once and perhaps future Mississauga mayor Bonnie Crombie take Premier Doug Ford’s threat that he would “send an army” to help incumbent Carolyn Parrish defeat her? If history is any indication, not very.” The Star on Ford’s record of hating on civic candidates, only to turn around and call them champions. They’ve also got a peek at Crombie’s launch speech:
“Doug also has a record of working effectively with mayors who led provincial parties against him,” she is expected to say. “I think that reflects something important about him: at the end of the day, he is focused on getting results. So am I.” Read on.
Also from the Star: Columnist Martin Regg Cohn on the political quitters who bow out shortly after an election only to put their constituents through a byelection. Ahem, NATE ERSKINE-SMITH and CAROLINE MULRONEY.
Speaking of NES: “JOHN TORY JR. has suspended his campaign to become the Liberal nominee in Beaches–East York, saying the compressed nomination timeline and strong support for other contenders leave “no realistic or viable path to success.”
— $8M-BOOZE TAB: “Sixteen months after Ontario pulled nearly $80 million worth of American alcohol from Liquor Control Board of Ontario shelves in response to U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods, the province still won’t say what it plans to do with it…The LCBO said taxpayers have spent about $8 million storing the inventory.” Featuring LCBO spokesperson SEBASTIAN SKAMSKI, ex-provincial and federal Tory staffer. More from the CBC.
— SPEEDY MINISTERS: “Naming the cabinet ministers whose vehicles were clocked by cameras breaking the speed limit would violate their personal privacy and reveal ministerial “travel habits,” the Ford government is arguing. Freedom of information documents obtained by Global News in October revealed vehicles registered to DOUG FORD’s cabinet were caught speeding 23 times over three years, racking up more than $3,300 in fines.” Go deeper.
— TEACHER TALKS: “Ontario education workers and parents are raising alarm bells over a province-wide educational assistant shortage as pre-school-year contract negotiations loom.” CBC has the story.
— IT’S A DEAL: “A new deal has been struck for a three-year labour contract between a union representing Canadian autoworkers and Ford Motor Co. The tentative agreement covers roughly 5,000 workers at five plants in southern Ontario, including Windsor Annex and Essex Engine Plants, and one in Alberta.” CP reports.
— BILLY BISHOP LATEST: “The Ford government’s proposed plan to expand Billy Bishop airport for jets could degrade water quality in Toronto’s Inner Harbour and negate the benefits of multi-billion-dollar infrastructure upgrades intended to keep it clean, according to a new city report.” CBC digs in.
— SPOTTED: Another Liberal leadership contender heads North, after a challenge from rival DYLAN MARANDO: NAVDEEP BAINS hits the road.
MOVERS AND SHAKERS
First in Observer — Another day, another senior staff exit: RYAN PUVIRAJ is leaving his post as chief of staff to Agriculture Minister TREVOR JONES. He’s been working for this government since 2018, and his last day is July 23.
From Puviraj’s farewell memo: “To the staff in Premier’s Office that I’ve worked with over the years — I know I’ve sometimes been a pain in the backside, but thank you for letting me care and advocate on behalf of OMAFA and it’s stakeholders to get results for the sector that matter most to them and give them reason to have our backs.”
ALEEM SUFI, special adviser to Premier DOUG FORD’s chief of staff TRAVIS KANN, is taking up the mantle for Puviraj. Sufi has worked for the Education Minister, run PC campaigns and served as a local party organizer, even as a part-time DJ.
ISABELLA KRIZMAN has been promoted to senior adviser on capital communications at Metrolinx.
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.
HOT LANES — The proposal: “To open existing and future high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes to single-occupant vehicles (SOVs) during off-peak hours.” Deadline for public feedback: July 27.
NO EA FOR MNR — Proposal: “To remove Class Environmental Assessment (EA) requirements under the Environmental Assessment Act for Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) projects.” That includes “access roads, dams, fish stocking, disposition of rights to Crown resources (for example, leases and land sales) and acquiring property.” Deadline: August 24.
NEW EA FOR MNR — Proposal: “A Project Evaluation Policy to replace the Class Environmental Assessment for (certain) MNR projects. The policy would focus on projects with higher potential for impacts, streamline processes and shorten timelines.” Deadline: August 24.
🥳 HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Ottawa Mayor MARK SUTCLIFFE.
🍽️ LUNCH SPECIAL: Beef brisket with potatoes and vegetables.
⏳ COUNTDOWN: T-minus 22 days until the Premier has to call the SSW byelection…33 days until AMO…105 days until the House reconvenes…130 days until the Liberals name a new leader…141 days to call a byelection in York-Simcoe.