Despite adjourning the Ontario Legislature until a week after October’s federal election, Premier Doug Ford insists he won’t use the free time to campaign for federal Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer.
Speaking to reporters at a news conference held to mark the first anniversary of his Progressive Conservative party’s provincial election win, Mr. Ford also denied the five-month hiatus announced this week was meant to allow Mr. Scheer to distance himself from the Premier, who has seen his popularity sag amid controversies over spending cuts.
“Right from the get-go I said I am not going to get involved in the federal election,” Mr. Ford said on Friday. “We’re going to continue working hard for the people of Ontario.”
By contrast, newly elected Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, a former federal cabinet minister, is expected to campaign for Mr. Scheer in Ontario, The Globe and Mail has reported. Some Conservative MPs say they have heard concerns about Mr. Ford at the door from voters.
On Friday, Mr. Ford summoned the news media to an event room at a hotel near Pearson Airport, giving a short speech about his government’s accomplishments, with his entire cabinet arrayed behind him, standing silently. He made a point of praising what he called his “all-star team” of ministers, calling it “the best cabinet this province has ever seen.” He said he would not speculate when asked about rumours of an imminent cabinet shuffle.
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