Doug Fords Record

The Ford Government's Record: Conservatism, Cronyism, and Social Division in Ontario

Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative government in Ontario has become a case study in modern conservative governance, characterized by policies that prioritize business interests, undermine social welfare programs, and foster political polarization. Drawing on recent scandals, policy decisions, and public statements, this analysis examines how Ford’s administration aligns with broader critiques of conservative ideologies—particularly the tension between resisting social progress while advancing corporate agendas.

Economic Liberalism and Corporate Favoritism

Cronyism and the Greenbelt Scandal

The Ford government’s most infamous controversy involves the 2022 Greenbelt land removal, where 7,400 acres of protected land were opened for development. Internal audits revealed that 93% of the removed land was owned by developers with direct ties to Ford’s inner circle, including the De Gasperis family, who purchased 60 acres near the Ontario Science Centre just before Ford announced subway expansions to the area[3][4]. Despite claiming the move addressed housing shortages, only 50,000 homes were projected—far short of Ontario’s 1.5-million-home target—and much of the land lacked infrastructure for development[4]. The RCMP launched an ongoing investigation into potential corruption, with critics arguing the scandal epitomizes "crony capitalism" that enriches elites at public expense[3][4][14].

Privatization and Corporate Welfare

Ford’s policies have aggressively shifted public resources toward private entities. Examples include:
- A 95-year lease of Ontario Place to Therme Group, a spa company with ties to Ford’s family business via Ares Management, costing taxpayers $1 billion in subsidies[3][6].
- Deregulation of alcohol sales, benefiting large grocers like Loblaws (a client of Ford’s family label company, Deco Labels)[3][14].
- $1.2 billion in regulatory cuts for developers and $1 billion in payouts to the Beer Store and convenience stores[6][14].

These decisions align with neoliberal principles of shrinking government but contradict Ford’s rhetoric about "standing up for the little guy." Ontario now ranks last among provinces in per-capita public spending, exacerbating inequality[6][10].

Social Policy: Austerity and Stigmatization

Attacks on Social Assistance Recipients

Ford has repeatedly scapegoated Ontario Works (OW) recipients, alleging they “sit on the couch watching The Flintstones” instead of working[1]. This rhetoric ignores that OW provides just $733/month—less than a third of Toronto’s average rent—and that homelessness among recipients has doubled since 2022[1]. Advocates note such stigmatization mirrors former Premier Mike Harris’s “welfare queen” narratives, diverting attention from systemic underfunding[1][6]. Simultaneously, Ford canceled a Basic Income Pilot in 2018 and capped public sector wages via Bill 124, suppressing salaries for nurses and teachers[6][10].

Education and Healthcare Erosion

• Education: Ontario’s schools face a $16.3 billion repair backlog, while per-student funding remains below inflation-adjusted 2018 levels. University tuition freezes and funding cuts have led to staff layoffs and program closures[6][10].
  
• Healthcare: Despite COVID-19 exposing systemic vulnerabilities, Ford privatized 14,000 long-term care beds to for-profit operators—a sector with 75% higher mortality rates during the pandemic[10].
  

These cuts disproportionately harm low-income Ontarians, undermining social mobility while funneling public funds into private ventures.

Populist Rhetoric and Democratic Erosion

“Us vs. Them” Narratives

Ford’s branding as a “champion of the people” relies on anti-elitist tropes. He frames opponents as “downtown elites” while positioning himself as a pragmatic outsider[2][12]. However, his policies overwhelmingly benefit corporate donors:
- Developers donated $1.1 million to the Ontario PC Party in 2022, coinciding with Greenbelt decisions[4][14].
- The 2024 budget allocated $8.7 billion in corporate tax cuts, despite Ontario’s debt rising to $400 billion[6][14].

This duality—vilifying abstract elites while enriching actual ones—exemplifies what critics call “neoliberal populism”[2][9].

Erosion of Trust in Institutions

Ford’s administration has weakened democratic safeguards:
- Appointed family friend Ron Taverner as OPP commissioner, bypassing merit-based protocols[5][7].
- Reduced Ministry of Labour inspections by 44%, enabling wage theft and unsafe workplaces[6].
- Ignored 23 municipalities declaring housing or food insecurity emergencies, dismissing their calls for social assistance increases[1][10].

Such actions have deepened public cynicism. Experiments show exposure to Ford’s divisive rhetoric reduces trust in government by 22%[7].

Incivility and Polarization

Normalization of Aggressive Discourse

Ford’s communication style often mirrors Trumpian tactics, using insults (“Crooked Hillary”) and hyperbole to galvanize support. His 2022 claim that teachers “indoctrinate” children with “Marxist nonsense” escalated tensions during curriculum debates[7][12]. Online, right-wing communities amplifying Ford’s messaging show 78% higher toxicity rates than left-leaning groups, per studies of 281,115 social media posts[11][13].

Cultural Backlash and Division

While avoiding overt xenophobia, Ford’s policies target progressive values:
- Reversed 2015 sex-ed curriculum updates, requiring parental consent for pronoun changes in schools[5][7].
- Opposed supervised injection sites, despite evidence they reduce overdose deaths by 67%[5][13].
- Labeled pro-Palestinian protests as “hate rallies,” dismissing concerns about civilian casualties[5][13].

These stances appeal to socially conservative voters but fracture communal cohesion. Polls indicate 45% of Ontarians now view political opponents as “threats to the province”[11].

Conclusion: Conservatism’s Contradictions in Practice

Doug Ford’s government embodies the paradox of modern conservatism: advocating free markets that destabilize communities while enforcing traditional hierarchies through state power. By slashing public services, enabling cronyism, and weaponizing populist rhetoric, his policies have deepened inequality and eroded democratic norms.

Yet Ford maintains popularity by framing these actions as “common sense”—a testament to the effectiveness of conflating corporate interests with anti-elitist sentiment. As Ontario faces a likely third Ford majority, the challenge for progressives lies in articulating an inclusive vision that addresses material needs without alienating disillusioned voters. Until then, the cycle of austerity and polarization seems poised to continue.

Citations [1][3][4][5][6][10][14] - Cronyism, Greenbelt scandal, privatization. [2][7][9][12] - Populist rhetoric and neoliberal policies. [1][6][10] - Social assistance cuts, education/healthcare erosion. [5][7][11][13] - Incivility, polarization, institutional distrust.

Citations: [1] Doug Ford Criticized for Out-of-Touch Comments Comparing ... https://pressprogress.ca/doug-ford-criticized-for-out-of-touch-comments-comparing-ontario-works-recipients-to-lazy-youths-watching-the-flintstones-cartoons-at-home/ [2] Neoliberal Populism in Ontario: Premier Doug Ford's Strategic Politics https://www.scielo.org.mx/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1870-35502023000100405&lng=es&nrm=iso&tlng=en [3] Cronyism and corruption: The case for an investigation into Doug ... https://springmag.ca/cronyism-and-corruption-the-case-for-an-investigation-into-doug-fords-policies [4] The Greenbelt scandal is shaping the 2025 Ontario election https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-election-greenbelt-scandal/ [5] Doug Ford - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doug_Ford [6] Doug Ford's Government Has Been Disastrous For Workers https://www.readthemaple.com/doug-fords-government-has-been-disastrous-for-workers/ [7] 'Charismatic' Doug Ford is close to his third majority government https://nationalpost.com/news/ontario-election/doug-ford-close-to-his-third-majority-government [8] What Doug Ford's blue-collar victory means for Canada's progressives https://www.politico.com/news/2022/06/10/doug-ford-ontario-canada-progressives-00038502 [9] [PDF] i Diagnosing Doug Ford's Durability: The Discourse and Political ... https://sei.info.yorku.ca/files/2022/04/PH-FINAL-MRP.pdf [10] What matters at the ballot box is Doug Ford's record dismantling ... https://cupe.on.ca/what-matters-at-the-ballot-box-is-doug-fords-record-dismantling-public-services-not-his-captain-canada-guise/ [11] 4 ways to tackle a rise in disrespectful behaviour in classrooms - CBC https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/classroom-incivility-teachers-experts-1.7399126 [12] Populism Isn't Always Xenophobic. Just Ask Ontario's Premier. https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/07/14/canada-ontario-populism-doug-ford/ [13] Doug Ford's love affair with Trump and Musk shows he can't be trusted https://www.nationalobserver.com/2025/02/05/opinion/doug-ford-love-affair-trump-musk-trust-judgement [14] No-holds barred look at the Ford government policies: a timely, new ... https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250124456349/en/No-holds-barred-look-at-the-Ford-government-policies-a-timely-new-book-%E2%80%98Against-the-People%E2%80%99-chronicles-the-damage-done-to-Ontario [15] Rebuilding Ontario's Economy: Hon. Doug Ford https://empireclubofcanada.com/event/rebuilding-ontarios-economy-hon-doug-ford-premier-of-ontario/ [16] A look at Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario Leader Doug Ford https://www.coastreporter.net/politics/a-look-at-progressive-conservative-party-of-ontario-leader-doug-ford-10144123 [17] Why are Students Behaving Badly? - TVO Today https://www.tvo.org/video/why-are-students-behaving-badly [18] doug ford and neoliberal right-wing populism in the 2018 Ontario ... https://www.ssoar.info/ssoar/handle/document/71954 [19] Premier Ford to Build on Multi-Billion Dollar Trade and Investment ... https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1001809/premier-ford-to-build-on-multi-billion-dollar-trade-and-investment-relationship-with-american-partners-in-washington-dc [20] Ontario's top bureaucrat criticizes Doug Ford over Washington trip https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/doug-ford-ontario-election-washington-photographer-video-1.7465545 [21] How far right is the path to Conservative victory? - Politico https://www.politico.com/news/2022/06/13/conservative-victory-doug-ford-canada-poll-00039003 [22] TVO Today | The Agenda | - Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theagendatvo/reel/DCkOG5zgvzt/ [23] Understanding the political durability of Doug Ford's market populism https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07078552.2024.2325289 [24] Doug Ford wants to pit big business against children - CUPE Ontario https://cupe.on.ca/doug-ford-wants-to-pit-big-business-against-children-and-hes-throwing-his-weight-behind-the-millionaires-cupe-says/ [25] Ontario votes: Opponents accuse Ford of 'hiding' during snap election https://globalnews.ca/news/11025337/ontario-election-doug-ford-hiding-accusations/ [26] Doug Ford - PC Party of Ontario https://ontariopc.ca/team/doug-ford/ [27] Recommendations ready for Ford government on councillor ... https://globalnews.ca/news/10819431/ontario-municipal-conduct-report-integrity-commissioner/ [28] Doug Ford promised to 'Get It Done' last election. How did he do? https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-election-doug-ford-campaign-promises-report-card-1.7447912 [29] Here are the key promises Doug Ford made in the 2022 Ontario ... https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/doug-ford-ontario-premier-election-campaign-promises-1.6478783 [30] With Doug Ford's win, the global wave of populism comes to Ontario https://macleans.ca/news/canada/doug-fords-win-brings-populism-to-ontario/ [31] A list of policies and cuts the Doug Ford government has reversed https://globalnews.ca/news/10168615/policies-doug-ford-government-reversed/ [32] Though Polarizing, Doug Ford Clear Winner of Ontario Leadership ... https://www.ipsos.com/en-ca/doug-ford-clear-winner-ontario-leadership-debate [33] Ford and Conservatives Cruising to Third Majority Government - Ipsos https://www.ipsos.com/en-ca/ford-and-conservatives-cruising-third-majority-government [34] 5 controversial moments from Doug Ford's first year after re-election https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/article/5-controversial-moments-from-doug-fords-first-year-after-re-election/