MPP reacts to early election announcement

Thunder Bay - Conservative MPPs support their leader's decision to call an election more than a year before the end of his four-year term, while the NDP opposition accuses the premier of political opportunism.

On Friday morning, Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Kevin Holland and Energy Minister Stephen Lecce were in Thunder Bay for Doug Ford's announcement of his plan to call an election for Wednesday.

Holland said he had questioned the benefits of an early election, but ultimately he supports the decision.

He said: "For me, we need a strong government with a strong mandate for the entirety of President Trump's term to ensure that the people of Ontario, the businesses of Ontario, and the industries of Ontario are protected."

"My approach was to hope that it was just pre-inauguration bravado, but we can't count on that. We have to prepare for the worst and hope for the best, and in his inaugural address, he said we could actually face tariffs as early as February 1," Holland said.

When asked why the Ford government needs a strong mandate to deal with Trump when the Progressive Conservatives already have a majority, Lecce said that in the last election, the PCs did not ask Ontarians for permission to spend "potentially hundreds of billions of dollars to stimulate the economy" because of Trump's tariffs.

"We firmly believe that Ontarians should decide for themselves the plan they want for the future to protect our jobs. If we're going to reinvest hundreds of billions of dollars with long-term fiscal implications, that money is your money," he said.

Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP Lise Vaugeois told Dougall Media that the early election comes down to "political opportunism."

"This will cost the public millions of dollars that don't need to be spent right now. Ford already has a majority government. His term lasts until June 2026," Vaugeois said.

Vaugeois said she believes Ford has been planning an early election, and Trump's tariffs are just a "new opportunity."

"Ford now likes to present himself as the savior of Canada. Canada is not for sale," Vaugeois said.

If the election goes ahead as expected on Wednesday, voters will head to the polls on February 27, and Vaugeois said that date could have a negative impact on turnout.

"A February election is tough for everyone. It's tough. Door-knocking is never easy when it's cold outside, but I'd say let's stand up and make sure you get out and vote, because frankly, Ford is counting on people not voting because it's too cold outside," Vaugeois said.

"So let's prove to everyone that the people of Thunder Bay-Superior North will vote."

(File by Olivia Browning and Jodi Lundmark)

Source: https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/mpps-react-to-snap-election-announcement-10127677