February 14, 2025
A steady drumbeat has arisen on how Ford's combative style and controversies may hurt the federal Conservatives. On the doorstep, things are more nuanced
On the campaign trail in Toronto's inner suburbs, Doug Ford and firearms are on voters' minds
On the campaign trail in Toronto’s inner suburbs, Doug Ford and firearms are on voters’ minds

TORONTO — At the first house that Liberal candidate Yvan Baker approached on a Wednesday afternoon canvass, the woman who answered the door told him she would be supporting him.

This wasn’t surprising, as Liberal signs were sprinkled among quite a few lawns on the street. But the woman told him she didn’t want to put up a sign on her own lawn.

“My neighbours are big Ford people,” she explained, looking apologetic. She preferred not to stoke political divisions. Baker, happy to have the vote, assured her it was no problem.

“Well, there was an interesting first interaction for you,” he said to the National Post reporter as they walked away afterward.

At a house a few doors down, the younger man who answered the door politely told Baker he wouldn’t be voting for him. But he said he did like Baker’s regular appearances on local talk radio. “I’m more of a conservative guy,” he said. “My wife might vote for you though.”

This is Ford Nation territory — or at least close to it. Baker was canvassing in a neighbourhood in the inner Toronto suburb of Etobicoke, up near the intersection of Dixon Road and Royal York Road. When Rob Ford was a city councillor, his ward included these houses. Baker figured it would be an interesting area to canvass with a reporter along for the walk.

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See Also:

(1) Ontario premiers past and present become political targets in federal campaign

(2) Ontario to allow community housing agencies to reject tenants evicted for crimes

(3) OPP busted by ‘politically-correct police’