Doug Ford's Conservative Triumph: A Resounding Victory Fueled by Liberal Fatigue

Doug Ford and his Progressive Conservative Party have secured a historic third consecutive majority in Ontario’s provincial election. This victory marks the first time since 1959 that an Ontario party leader has achieved such a feat, cementing Ford’s place in political history. While Ford’s platform focused on economic stability and resistance to U.S. tariffs, his landslide win was perhaps driven by Ontarians’ growing frustration with the tarnished Liberal brand.

The election results reaffirmed Ford’s dominance in Ontario politics. His Progressive Conservatives expanded their stronghold, though final seat counts were still coming in at the time of projections. Meanwhile, the Ontario NDP retained its role as the Official Opposition, holding key ridings in Windsor, London, and Niagara. The Ontario Liberals, led by Bonnie Crombie, struggled to gain traction but were projected to barely meet the 12-seat benchmark required for official party status.

Ford called this snap winter election against the backdrop of rising economic uncertainty, including the threat of U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump. His campaign leaned heavily on his positioning as the only leader capable of guiding Ontario through turbulent financial waters. Sporting his now-iconic “Canada is Not for Sale” hat, Ford presented himself as a steadfast defender of Ontario’s economy, making frequent appearances on American cable news to discuss trade policies.

A unique aspect of the campaign was Ford’s decision to travel twice to Washington, D.C., during the election period to advocate against tariffs. His opponents criticized this move as a distraction, but it played well with working-class voters who saw Ford as prioritizing their economic well-being over traditional campaign optics.

While Ford’s leadership and economic messaging were strong factors in his victory, a significant driver of this election result was the deep unpopularity of the Liberal Party—both at the provincial and federal levels. Since 2015, the federal Liberal government has engaged in reckless overspending, resulting in ballooning deficits, higher taxes, and a diminished standard of living for middle-class Canadians. The financial squeeze of high inflation, stagnant wages, and excessive taxation left voters weary of any policies hinting at more government expansion and unchecked expenditures.

Bonnie Crombie, the Ontario Liberal leader, attempted to distance herself from the federal Liberals’ legacy while unveiling an ambitious platform centered on increased government spending. Her plan, Getting the Basics Right: A Plan to do More for You, included massive investments in education, healthcare, and social programs. However, many Ontarians saw these promises as empty words—more spending that would inevitably lead to higher taxes or increased debt. Crombie assured voters that her policies wouldn’t raise taxes, but simple math dictates that government initiatives must be funded somehow. 

For many Ontarians, this election was a referendum on affordability. After years of rising costs and diminishing paychecks, voters were exhausted by government overreach. The harsh reality for working-class and middle-class families is that their financial burdens have only increased since 2015. Skyrocketing costs for housing, utilities, and groceries have made daily life more challenging, and government payroll deductions take a significant chunk out of every paycheck.

Ford’s message resonated because it acknowledged this economic strain. His platform, while not without its spending commitments, maintained a focus on job creation and economic stability. By contrast, Crombie’s promises of government expansion read like a continuation of the status quo—one that has already left Ontarians struggling to keep up.

Crombie’s campaign miscalculated in several ways. While promising to cut taxes in some areas—such as eliminating sales tax on home heating and hydro bills—her broader spending initiatives overshadowed these pledges. Her plan to double annual capital funding for school infrastructure and hire more education workers seemed out of touch with a public that is more concerned with affordability than bureaucratic expansion.

Furthermore, Crombie’s attacks on Ford’s government—particularly regarding healthcare and the Greenbelt scandal—failed to gain traction. While issues such as the doctor shortage and hospital wait times are legitimate concerns, voters prioritized economic issues above all else. The perception that Crombie’s leadership would mean more spending and deeper deficits overshadowed any critiques she made against Ford’s governance.

Ford now has a clear mandate for the next four years, with a government that is stronger than ever. However, challenges remain. Ontario’s healthcare system is under immense pressure, housing affordability is at a crisis level, and the economic uncertainty stemming from U.S. policies will require strategic maneuvering. Ford must deliver tangible results to maintain the trust of voters who have given him an unprecedented third term.

For the Ontario Liberals, the road ahead is bleak. With their federal counterparts continuing to struggle in public opinion polls, the provincial party must undertake a serious rebranding effort. Simply promising more spending without addressing affordability concerns will not win back voters. Until Ontarians feel financially secure again, any Liberal platform based on government expansion is bound to fail.

Doug Ford’s decisive victory sends a strong message: Ontarians are unwilling to bankroll more reckless government spending. After nearly a decade of federal Liberal policies that have made everyday life more expensive, voters chose economic pragmatism over lofty promises. Bonnie Crombie’s platform failed to inspire confidence, reinforcing the perception that the Liberals have learned little from their past mistakes.

Until Canada gets back on its feet economically, Ontarians simply can’t afford another Liberal government—literally. Ford’s win was not just a Conservative victory; it was a rejection of the policies that have made life increasingly unaffordable for the average Canadian. The Liberals will need to reckon with this reality if they hope to stand a chance in future elections.