Breaking News

NDP MPPs fight back against Ford’s move to rig municipal elections

With municipal elections well under way, Doug Ford’s move to take revenge on his political enemies by interfering in races across the province is petty and mean-spirited, says Official Opposition Leader Andrea Horwath — who led Monday’s question period with a sharp indictment of the move.

 

“Doug Ford cooked up his backroom plot to steal power from the people, and kept it hidden from 14 million Ontarians for an entire election campaign,” said Horwath.

 

“And that means, today, there’s absolutely no legitimate mandate for Ford to cancel regional elections and rip up Toronto’s wards.”

 

Ford’s changes to Toronto ward boundaries, and his cancellation of democratic regional elections, targets former political opponents at Toronto City Hall, where he was ostracized and rejected, as well as regional elections in Peel, Muskoka, York and Niagara, where other political enemies were running.

 

“Interfering in the middle of local elections to steal power away from the voters is not an act of leadership – it’s an abuse of power,” said Horwath.

 

“Taking revenge on political opponents does not show strength – it is a deeply chilling sign of weakness and insecurity. And hiding one’s secret plans during an entire election campaign does not show respect for voters – it demonstrates utter contempt for the people of Ontario.”

 

Horwath’s questions were followed by a slew of Toronto area, Peel and Niagara region NDP MPPs, one after another, who asked about the cost of lawsuits certain to follow, the complete lack of consultation, the secrecy, and other glaring problems with Ford’s shocking decree that he will force elections already underway to be halted.

 

On behalf of the people of Ontario, Horwath asked:

 

“Why is he acting like a dictator, instead of a premier?”

Andrea Horwath
Latest posts by Andrea Horwath (see all)