Ontario PCs win third majority government

Doug Ford's Progressive Conservatives chugged to a third majority government Thursday, propelled by his visible crusade against economic uncertainty emanating from the U.S., though falling short of the increased majority he urged.

Critics said this $189-million snap Ontario election was unnecessary, dangerously timed as President Donald Trump's tariff knife dangles over Canada's head and called only to capitalize on good polling numbers, but voters did not appear too keen to punish Ford for it. However, they also didn't appear too keen to reward him for it.

Despite Ford kicking off the campaign by saying he needed the "largest mandate in Ontario's history" in order to deal with four years of a Trump presidency, the Progressive Conservatives were returned to the legislature with nearly as many seats as in 2022. Ford said he will work with governments at every level and of every political stripe to fight the tariffs and shore up Ontario's economy.