Ontario Politics in Focus: Assessing Premier Doug Ford’s Mandate, Leadership Shifts, and Future Prospects | March 28, 2024

As we near the halfway point of Premier Doug Ford’s second mandate, it’s time for a stock take on his achievements and challenges – and what it means for the Spring sitting of the Ontario legislature. With the election of Bonnie Crombie as the Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party in December, the main protagonists of the next Ontario election are now set. Ms. Crombie is a brand name in the vote rich GTA, and while she will not have a seat in the legislature, she will be a new force for Doug Ford to reckon with, while also setting up a “progressive primary” with Marit Stiles’ NDP. How has Marit Stiles fared in her first year on the job as Leader of the Official Opposition? Will the Ford government need to recalibrate policy to respond to the recent changes in political leadership? Will Bonnie Crombie’s election finally dig the Ontario Liberals out of their multi-year funk? Our political experts will debate these hot topics – and more.