The Ontario legislature resumes sitting today after an unusually long summer break and with speculation building about Premier Doug Ford’s desire to call an early election.
Opposition critics say the premier’s public comments- such as the idea to dig a tunnel under Highway 401 to spending $225 million to put beer, wine and coolers in corner stores earlier than planned- are evidence Ford is more focused on electioneering than governing.
The next fixed election date isn’t until June 2026, but Ford has left the door open to calling one next year, giving his own caucus members a December deadline to decide if they will run again.
So far, two backbenchers have bowed out, as has Speaker Ted Arnott, after 34 years at the legislature.
But as parliament resumes sitting today, the first day back promises to be a busy one.
Energy Minister Stephen Lecce and Housing Minister Paul Calandra will be making an 8:30 a.m. announcement and Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria will introduce a bill aimed at tackling gridlock and advocacy groups planning protests.
Sarkaria has announced that his bill will include facilitating construction 24 hours a day, accelerating property acquisitions and an environmental assessment for Highway 413 and requiring municipalities to ask the province for permission to install bike lanes when they would remove a lane of vehicle traffic.
Lecce’s announcement follows his pledge last week to soon release his vision for how to significantly boost electricity supply in the province, after the Independent Electricity System Operator said demand will surge by 75 per cent between now and 2050.
Written by: K. Freeman with files from The Canadian Press
