As I write this column there are just over 100 days until Canada\u2019s next federal election. In terms of experiencing such a countdown \u2013 been there \u2013 done that. All signs show this one, as with our own last provincial election, in the words of the late Danny Gallivan (former Hockey Night in Canada play by play commentator), this is going to be a \u201cbarn burner.\u201d<\/p>\n
That being said, until just days ago, the jury was still out on why Doug Ford really decided upon having such an incredibly long summer recess for the Legislative Assembly. Don\u2019t get me wrong – the delayed return is good for me as an individual MPP because I am really making the most of having extra time to spend in the riding and in the office. (Make hay while the sun shines, you know\u2026)<\/p>\n
But in the last few days while Canadian premiers were meeting in Calgary, if there was any doubt before about why we<\/u> are having such an extended break, it\u2019s been firmly established now. After Doug Ford\u2019s performance in Calgary, the reason for the extended recess is to keep him from blowing the possibility of Andrew Sheer\u2019s Conservatives forming the next federal government.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s be honest. Conservative staffers just don\u2019t know what words or policy are going to come out of Ford\u2019s mouth at any moment. With the election looming, Sheer can ill afford to have Ford putting out statements or policies that might make voters think twice about voting Conservative.<\/p>\n
It hardly seems it was only a year ago that Doug Ford was the belle of the ball across the country, basking in the honeymoon glow after his election victory as he met only weeks later with his provincial counterparts. But, as they say, what a difference a year makes. He quickly transitioned from rising political star to a plummeting meteorite.<\/p>\n
It seems that things were going all according to plan in Calgary until the national media provided Ford with an opportunity to express his thoughts on how the Premiers\u2019 Conference was going. Watching and listening to our Premier speak, his tendency to imitate his hero south of the border in the use of outlandish hyperbole and superlatives has become commonplace. As an example, one of his first and most memorable was describing his newly elected government as the \u2018first-ever government of the people.<\/em>\u2019 Remember that one? So who were all of the other governments in Ontario\u2019s history elected to represent? So, this time in Calgary when asked by media about this Premiers\u2019 Conference he stated, <\/strong>\u201cThis is the first opportunity this country has ever seen<\/em>\u2026 from coast to coast, from the east to the west, we have likeminded premiers that want their provinces to thrive.\u201d Really Mr. Ford? Of course he was referring to the fact that there are several premiers at the conference who are from the Conservative fold. But, don\u2019t you think the premiers from the other provinces also want to see their province and our country thrive?<\/p>\n Unfortunately for Mr. Sheer, Doug Ford was not finished. Ford went on to prove that, similar to the old song title, Ford \u266aonly has eyes for\u2026blue<\/em>\u2026\u266b<\/strong>saying, \u201cYou\u2019ve seen a clean sweep right across the country \u2014 blue, blue, blue, blue, every single election<\/u>\u2014 this is a great opportunity for the nation.\u201d I think Doug Ford must have been very good at paying attention in class when discussing current events. It seems to me that British Columbian\u2019s chose NDP Premier John Horgan in their last election and that in May of this year Newfoundlanders re-elected Liberal Premier Dwight Ball. Heck, according to Postmedia columnist Don Braid who attended the media event, Doug Ford didn\u2019t even get Horgan\u2019s name right referring to him as, \u201cPremier Hogirth<\/em>\u201d until Premier Kenny corrected him. Embarrassing for everyone.<\/p>\n Remember also, Doug Ford is really keen on taking his show on the road, not only across Canada but abroad and south of the border. How impressed were hydro regulators in Washington State and Idaho with Doug Ford\u2019s performance when Ontario Hydro wanted to purchase power producer Avista Corporation? Those two states issued a definite stop order on that purchase after they learned how Ford runs things in this province. It brings to mind when his brother Mayor Rob Ford took his show on the road, making the rounds on the American late night talk show circuit. Also not one of Canada\u2019s brighter moments.<\/p>\n Remember how Ford dismissed all accusations of inappropriate meddling in ministry affairs by his Chief of Staff, Dean French, who was forced recently to resign? Remember when French ordered the OPP to purchase a new van for Ford and to keep the purchase off the books to prevent the public from learning about it? Remember how Doug Ford said he was shocked and dismayed when he heard about French\u2019s ministerial interference and the abuse of his own MPPs at the hands of French? The kindest explanation I say is that Ford loves to wear blue filtered lenses in his sunglasses.<\/p>\n I would have a hard time arguing with anyone that extending Queen\u2019s Park summer recess to the end of October is rather excessive. It goes without saying that the leader of any federal party has no power or control over any provincial party leader \u2013 or at least shouldn\u2019t have. However, I have to admit that I do understand Sheer\u2019s desperate anxiety having a loose cannon like Ford \u201chelping him out\u201d on the election campaign trail.<\/p>\n As for me, however, – I plan on making hay while the sun shines as I crisscross Algoma-Manitoulin all summer long.<\/p>\n