Dear Editor:
Doug Ford thought that he was far enough away from the mic. He wasn’t. So he got caught saying that he was 100% behind the guy (Trump) until he was elected.
This means that Doug was 100% behind Trump when he said that he was going to target gender rights and transgender individuals, when he said he would release the Jan 6. felons who had attacked police officers, when he said that he would dismantle equity and inclusion programs, and when he said that he would legislate tax breaks for wealthy citizens.
And yes, even when he said that he would use tariffs to support those tax breaks.
Ford did not see a problem until Trump was going to affect Ontario’s economy, with possible splash back on Ford’s political career. Around the world, Conservatives are using the same “How to Get Elected” playbook. Identify something the population fears, give it a face, and then set yourself up as the only one who can save them. (Tariffs and sovereignty; Trump; Captain Canada).
But this expensive election, Ford has forced us into, has left him in a position where he is a jack of all trades and a master of none. Team Canada just had an important strategy session and the head of the premiers’ team was not there. He was out campaigning.
Yet Ford’s election ads and campaign focus on his role as “Captain Canada” and ignore housing, health care, education, the green belt, developers, alcohol sales, etc.
Ford has placed himself into a position where he is no longer able to fulfill his role as either Ontario’s premier or as the head of Canada’s premiers.
Captain Canada has caught his cape in the door. Hopefully, it is because he was on the way out.
Joanne Mitchell,
Fergus