The Ford government is gearing up for an early election, with staff briefed on caretaker responsibilities and upcoming decisions.
Toronto: So, it looks like the Ford government is getting ready for an early election. They’ve told their political staff to switch to “caretaker mode.” This means they’ll be pausing some decision-making while the election is on the horizon.
An internal memo from Ford’s Chief of Staff, Patrick Sackville, went out recently. It mentioned that they’ve already talked to Ontario’s Integrity Commissioner about what they need to do during this time. It’s all about making sure everything runs smoothly while they prepare to dissolve the legislature.
Sackville also laid out how a smaller ministry should function during this period. Basically, they’ll have a couple of people in charge, but they can’t make any big new decisions. They can only handle the usual stuff to keep things in line with cabinet directions.
He asked chiefs of staff to send in a list of who will be on this caretaker team soon. Ford himself hinted that an election could be called as early as January 29, so they’re really getting their ducks in a row.
Ford’s office is pushing for this early election, claiming they need a stronger mandate to tackle issues like U.S. tariffs. They want to make sure they have a loud voice in the conversation, especially with the looming threats from President Trump.
Even though they’re gearing up for this, the government knows that Ottawa will handle most of the heavy lifting when it comes to tariffs and border security. But the PC party is keen to use Ford’s image to rally support during the campaign.
Ford is also planning a trip to Washington soon to meet with American lawmakers, which could be a bit tricky under the caretaker rules. They have to be careful not to appear like they’re using their positions for political gain during the election period.
It’s a busy time for the Ford government, and they’re trying to navigate these waters carefully as they prepare for what’s next.
