Photo credit: globalnews.ca
Ford’s Election Strategy Struggles in Toronto Despite Majority Win
In a significant political development for Ontario, Premier Doug Ford successfully secured a third consecutive majority government, yet he once again encountered difficulties in capturing the downtown Toronto vote during the recent elections.
Leading up to the elections, Ford implemented several strategies aimed at urban voters, particularly targeting Toronto. Among the most notable actions was the removal of bike lanes, a decision that raised eyebrows among urban planners and residents alike.
Additional controversial measures included attempts to clear homeless encampments and the closure of supervised consumption sites. However, these efforts did not translate into electoral success, as the Progressive Conservatives (PC) lost a few seats in Toronto.
John Milloy, director of the Centre for Public Ethics at Martin Luther University in Waterloo, provided insights into Ford’s political maneuvers during an interview late Thursday. He indicated that Ford’s actions were not solely focused on winning over downtown voters.
“Ford clearly aimed to make inroads into central Toronto, yet his primary audience remains the suburban commuter,” Milloy observed.
He elaborated that although the decision to attack bike lanes might lack engineering rationale, it effectively communicates to suburban commuters that their struggles with traffic congestion are being acknowledged.
“Going after bike lanes may make no sense from an engineering point of view, but it sends a message to those commuters that he cares about the fact that they’re spending hours in their cars,” he said.
Milloy noted that the Progressive Conservatives likely did not expect to gain seats in downtown Toronto. “Is he really that worried about Toronto St. Paul’s, for example, which the Tories aren’t going to win, or some of the really downtown core ridings? He knows he’s not going to win them, but he can still signal to his base,” Milloy explained.
He expressed concern regarding the lack of representation for downtown Toronto residents in provincial governance. “That’s a little concerning; the voice of a very important part of the country isn’t going to be that well-represented at Queen’s Park,” Milloy remarked.
While the New Democratic Party (NDP) remains the preferred choice for many in downtown Toronto, the Liberal Party made a modest comeback by securing several seats across the region. Milloy interpreted this shift, stating, “I think people just weren’t willing to give the Liberals a shot. And I think the NDP was not their first choice, but it was sort of seen as the only progressive choice. So I think the Liberals are kind of a little bit out of the doghouse now.”
As the political landscape evolves, the implications of these election outcomes will continue to resonate, particularly in how they reflect the diverse needs and opinions of Ontario’s urban populations.
Source
globalnews.ca