In the Ontario 2025 Election Debate, major party leaders clashed over healthcare, housing, and economic policy, exposing Ford’s glaring contradictions and urging unity.
As Ontario heads toward the February 27, 2025, provincial election, the recent leaders’ debate has provided plenty of material for voters and pundits alike to chew over. With the Progressive Conservatives under Doug Ford defending their record, and the opposition—Bonnie Crombie’s Liberals, Marit Stiles’ New Democrats, and Mike Schreiner’s Greens—offering their vision for a more affordable and sustainable Ontario, the debate underscored deep policy divisions and contradictory messaging.
Election Context and Debate Overview
Ontario’s 2025 election is set against a backdrop of significant challenges—from rising health care and housing costs to concerns about economic growth in the face of international pressures such as U.S. tariffs. The debate featured Ontario’s four major party leaders:
Doug Ford (Progressive Conservative)
Emphasized his economic record, job creation, and infrastructure projects such as the proposed 401 tunnel. Ford framed his leadership as essential to protecting Ontario from external threats, notably citing potential U.S. tariff impacts.
Bonnie Crombie (Liberal)
Touted her record as a can-do mayor from Mississauga, focusing on practical policy measures—tax cuts for middle-class families, removing burdens like the HST on home heating, and fixing the landlord–tenant board. Crombie attacked Ford’s record, describing some of his key projects as “fantasies” and accusing him of “7 years of lies.”
Marit Stiles (New Democratic Party)
Positioned herself as the champion of everyday Ontarians. She zeroed in on the strain of rising costs, particularly in health care and housing. Stiles promised solutions such as a grocery rebate, restored rent control, and a commitment to connecting every Ontarian with a family doctor within four years.
Mike Schreiner (Green Party)
Focused on fairness and the environment, criticizing Ford’s investment priorities such as a $2.2 billion subsidy for a luxury spa, and urging a shift in focus toward sustainable policies. Schreiner stressed the importance of costed, practical proposals and environmental protection, including defending farmland and opposing development on the Greenbelt.
Each leader brought their unique strengths and weaknesses to the debate, and while there is no single “winner” as perceptions vary among voters, several themes emerged that merit deeper analysis.
Key Issues Debated:
Leadership & Economy
Ford’s campaign centered on his economic credentials. He repeatedly emphasized that his government had created jobs and spurred infrastructure projects, including the controversial 401 tunnel. His supporters argue that Ford’s focus on free markets and open trade has “unlocked” Ontario’s economy, positioning the province as a defender of businesses and workers against international threats like U.S. tariffs.
However, both Marit Stiles and Bonnie Crombie challenged this narrative. They contended that despite Ford’s claims of economic growth, Ontario has become less affordable and that job opportunities have not kept pace with rising living costs. Mike Schreiner further critiqued Ford’s approach by arguing that his policies favored corporate subsidies over robust social programs. The debate, therefore, revealed a fundamental disagreement about the best path to economic growth—whether to rely on traditional free-market policies or to invest more heavily in social infrastructure to ensure broad-based prosperity.
Health Care
Health care was a major focal point of the debate. A staggering 2.5 million Ontarians reportedly lack a family doctor, a statistic that opponents have repeatedly cited to challenge Ford’s record. Both Crombie and Stiles promised to resolve this crisis within four years by increasing funding, reducing administrative burdens on physicians, and hiring more doctors and nurses.
Ford defended his government by claiming that Ontario leads the country with 90% of residents connected to primary care and that his administration has invested more in health care than any previous government. Yet this assertion is contradicted by the very real shortage of family doctors and the long emergency room wait times reported across the province. This discrepancy raises questions: if Ford’s numbers were accurate, why do millions of Ontarians continue to struggle to access basic health care?
Cost of Living & Housing
Affordability, particularly in terms of housing and groceries, emerged as another critical issue. Marit Stiles proposed a grocery rebate and the restoration of rent control, aiming to ease the financial burden on families. Crombie pushed for direct tax cuts—lowering income taxes for middle-class earners and eliminating the HST on essential services like home heating and hydro. In contrast, Mike Schreiner highlighted what he sees as corporate greed, arguing that Ford’s policies are tilted in favor of the wealthy.
Ford’s response, focusing on his record of keeping taxes low and issuing rebates, has not convinced critics. Despite his claims, housing costs continue to soar—up 38% since 2018 in many areas—and the province remains under pressure from rising grocery prices. The debate left many wondering how Ford’s economic policies have failed to translate into improved affordability for everyday Ontarians.
Crime & Public Safety
Public safety was another area where the opposition attacked Ford’s record. Ford reiterated his support for a tough law-and-order approach: harsher penalties for repeat offenders and increased police recruitment. Meanwhile, Crombie and Stiles argued for addressing the root causes of crime—such as poverty, lack of youth programs, and inadequate social services—rather than simply imposing tougher measures. Mike Schreiner, in particular, criticized Ford’s proposal to criminalize homelessness, advocating instead for more investment in housing and mental health services as a more humane and effective solution.
Education & Universities
Education was discussed primarily in terms of funding. Ontario is said to have the lowest post-secondary funding in Canada, a point raised by both the NDP and Greens. Ford defended his government’s $1.3 billion support for universities, while Crombie blamed him for what she described as an international student “Ponzi scheme.” Both Schreiner and Stiles called for increased funding and a reduction in student debt, emphasizing the need for a sustainable education system that better prepares Ontarians for the future.
Fact-Checking Doug Ford’s Key Claims
During the debate, Ford made several numeric and policy claims that have raised eyebrows. Here’s a closer look at some of these statements:
- “We hired 15,000 new doctors and 100,000 new nurses.”
- Claim: Ford stated that his government added 15,000 doctors and 100,000 nurses.
- Fact Check: Ontario’s total physician workforce is roughly 32,000–35,000. Adding 15,000 doctors would represent nearly a 50% increase—a figure that independent data does not support. Similarly, a jump of 100,000 nurses is difficult to reconcile with the province’s overall nursing numbers. Critics argue that these figures are either inflated or misinterpreted, possibly conflating training seats or registrations with full-time, permanent hires.
- “Ontario leads the country at 90% of people connected to primary care.”
- Claim: Ford claimed that 90% of Ontarians have a regular primary care provider.
- Fact Check: Statistics Canada data from 2019 indicate that around 90.6% of Ontarians reported having a regular health care provider. However, more recent trends—marked by doctor retirements and rising demand—suggest that this rate could be declining. Thus, while the claim might have been accurate at one point, the current reality shows significant gaps in primary care coverage.
- “We’ve built 50 new hospital projects, sites, or additions.”
- Claim: Ford asserted that his government initiated 50 new hospital projects worth about $50 billion.
- Fact Check: Ontario has indeed invested significantly in health infrastructure, but many of these projects are expansions or renovations of existing facilities rather than entirely new hospitals. Critics contend that counting upgrades and expansions as “new hospitals” exaggerates the scope of the investment.
- “No government has invested more in health care than we have—30% more than the previous government.”
- Claim: Ford stated that his government increased health care spending by 30% compared to the previous administration.
- Fact Check: While health care budgets have risen—especially due to COVID-19 expenditures—the raw 30% figure is potentially misleading. When adjusted for inflation, population growth, and extraordinary costs, the net increase might be less impressive than Ford’s claim.
- “We haven’t raised any taxes.”
- Claim: Ford maintained that his government has not raised taxes.
- Fact Check: Although Ford’s administration has cut certain fees, critics point out that other fiscal measures—such as reduced provincial transfers to municipalities that lead to higher local taxes or user fees—may have effectively increased the overall tax burden. The claim is therefore oversimplified.
- “We created over 850,000 jobs and attracted $70 billion in investment.”
- Claim: Ford highlighted the creation of 850,000 jobs and $70 billion in investment over his term.
- Fact Check: These figures are often cited by governments as cumulative or projected totals. However, questions remain regarding the methodology—whether these numbers account for job losses, retirements, or the difference between public funding and actual private-sector investments. The claim is part of a broader narrative that may overstate the positive economic outcomes.
Contradictions in Doug Ford’s Messaging
Beyond individual fact-checks, several contradictions have emerged in Ford’s overall narrative:
Tax Policy vs. Spending Claims:
Ford insists he has never raised taxes and that his government is protecting Ontarians’ money. Yet, he also boasts of massive spending on health care, infrastructure, and job creation projects—expenditures that would typically require higher revenue. This discrepancy has led critics to ask: if taxes haven’t increased, how are these projects being funded?
Primary Care Coverage vs. Health Care Crisis:
Ford claims a 90% attachment rate to primary care, yet millions of Ontarians still lack a family doctor. This contradiction between his statistics and the lived reality of long emergency room waits and doctor shortages undermines his credibility on health care issues.
Workforce Numbers vs. Practical Realities:
The claim of adding 15,000 doctors and 100,000 nurses appears to conflict with the overall size of Ontario’s medical workforce. Even if there has been some growth, the numbers cited are far out of step with independent data, suggesting either exaggeration or a misrepresentation of what “hiring” means in this context.
Economic Strength vs. Fiscal Challenges:
Ford repeatedly emphasizes a strong economy and job creation. However, opposition voices argue that his policies have resulted in significant deficits and rising debt. The promise of a booming economy seems at odds with the fiscal challenges many Ontarians face—particularly in housing affordability and health care access.
Coalition Prospects
Will the Opposition Join Forces?
One question that has loomed large is whether the Ontario Liberals, NDP, and Greens would form a coalition government if Ford’s PCs win a minority. Here’s what we know:
No Formal Pact:
To date, none of the opposition parties have announced a binding agreement to work together in the event of a minority government. Although there have been hints and speculative statements suggesting a willingness to cooperate on key issues, no formal coalition agreement exists.
Distinct Policy Priorities:
Each opposition party maintains its own distinct platform. The Liberals and NDP have different approaches to tax cuts and social spending, while the Greens focus on environmental sustainability and fairness. Coalition negotiations would require significant compromises and policy alignment, something that is far from guaranteed.
Political Complexity:
Forming a coalition in Ontario would be unprecedented in recent history and would involve lengthy negotiations. Even if Ford’s PCs win a minority, the opposition’s prospects for an alliance would depend on both the electoral mandate and the willingness of each party to set aside differences for a common goal.
Speculation vs. Reality:
While many voters and analysts speculate that the opposition parties might band together to oust a Ford government if it fails to secure a majority, the current focus for each party is on winning power on its own merits. Any coalition would be a post-election negotiation rather than a pre-election promise.
The Ontario Leaders’ Debate provided a vivid snapshot of the political battleground as the province heads toward the 2025 election. Doug Ford’s campaign rested on his record of economic growth and job creation, yet his claims—especially those regarding health care investments, workforce numbers, and tax policies—have faced intense scrutiny and fact-checking. Critics argue that Ford’s broad economic statements mask significant shortcomings in health care access, housing affordability, and fiscal management.
In contrast, Bonnie Crombie’s practical, aggressive approach—doubling down on tax cuts and tangible measures to improve affordability—resonated with many voters seeking change. Marit Stiles focused on the struggles of everyday Ontarians, emphasizing the urgent need for better health care, rent control, and public services. Meanwhile, Mike Schreiner offered a progressive alternative with a focus on fairness, environmental protection, and costed plans that challenge the status quo.
The debate also brought forward a pressing question for a potential minority government: will the opposition parties work together? While there is considerable speculation that the Liberals, NDP, and Greens might form a coalition if Ford’s PCs fall short of a majority, no party has made a binding commitment to do so. Instead, each remains focused on winning power on its own terms, leaving the coalition possibility an open question that would depend on post-election negotiations.
Ultimately, the debate highlighted both the passion and the polarization in Ontario’s political landscape. As voters head to the polls on February 27, 2025, they will have to weigh these conflicting visions for Ontario’s future—a choice between continuity and change, between economic austerity and robust social investment, and between competing approaches to tackling the province’s most pressing challenges.
For Ontario voters, the challenge now is to decide which vision best addresses the issues they face—from health care and housing to crime, education, and economic opportunity.
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