Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre had a phone call this week but an account of the private discussion published by a media outlet is “not accurate,” the two have said.
The Toronto Star reported on March 20 that Poilievre called Ford asking for “advice” as the federal election is about to kick off. The report, based on anonymous sources, added that Ford told Poilievre he would be “staying out” of the electoral campaign.
The call between the two came 18 days after Ford secured another Progressive Conservative majority government in the province following a snap election, a victory for which Poilievre had not publicly congratulated him.
Before a first ministers’ meeting in Ottawa on March 21, Ford said that Poilievre had not sought his support or endorsement. “He asked for advice,” he said.
Ford said it was the first time ever he had spoken to Poilievre in answer to a reporter’s question about the Star’s article during an event earlier in Toronto.
“What was reported is not accurate at all. He didn’t ask me for help,” he said. “He didn’t, so I don’t know where they came up with that story.”
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Ford said what he’s most interested in is how each leader will protect Ontario amid the trade conflict with the United States.
“Are they going to get the Ring of Fire moving forward? Are they going to get out of the way and make sure that we get into the critical minerals?” said Ford.
The “Ring of Fire” is a region in Northern Ontario Ford wants to develop for mining. The process has been slowed by years of assessments and consultations.
Poilievre made a pre-campaign promise on March 19 that he would speedily issue permits to develop the region and pledged $1 billion over three years to connect the region to the Ontario highway network.
Ford commented on the pledge on March 21, saying that Ontario has been asking for the feds to streamline approvals for the development of the region for years, and that it’s great to see the federal Conservatives “answer our call.”
He added that all federal parties, including the Liberals, should follow suit.
“We need a clear answer on where the Liberals stand,” Ford said.
Poilievre was also asked about the Star’s report during a press conference in Ottawa on March 21.
“The report is not accurate,” he said, adding he spoke with Ford like he does with every other premier “whenever they want to talk.”
“We talked about bringing home jobs to Canada, supporting the Ring of Fire, cutting taxes, unleashing our production and reversing the lost Liberal decade,” he said.
Poilievre made three pre-campaign announcements this week, one of which included the Ring of Fire. He also pledged to create pre-permitted zones for the development of major projects such as pipelines and hydro dams.
In his announcement on March 21, Poilievre said a Conservative government would reinstate apprenticeship grants of up to $4,000 and fund training halls to develop the Canadian workforce.
The flurry of announcements came as Prime Minister Mark Carney is widely expected to trigger an early election over the weekend.
Most recent polls show that the Conservatives have lost their 20-piont advantage over the Liberals in recent months after Justin Trudeau’s announced resignation and amid the trade conflict with the United States.
