What will it take to Stop Doug Ford?

For those of you who have been reading my blog for a while, you would have noticed I am fiercely opposed to Doug Ford. Especially when his government went after bike lanes in Fall 2024 with Bill 212. Ever since he won his third majority last February, he has become even more unhinged with at least ten different controversial announcements within the past month alone which begs the following question. What will it take to stop Doug Ford?

Four of these ten announcements were made on Friday with the most egregious involving changing the Freedom of Information Act so that the Premier, cabinet ministers, and parliamentary assistants are exempt from it! A move which blatantly admits the Ford government is corrupt! The FOI process was essentially for exposing the truth behind the proposed bike lane removals, the Greenbelt scandal, and the Skills Development Fund scandal (among other things). With that kind of immunity, it would become even more difficult to call out such government missteps, while other provinces such as British Columbia – with an NDP government – are considering similar measures.

Cycle Toronto won our Charter challenge against Bill 212 because these documents made clear that the province knew the legislation was arbitrary and reckless. Our fight isn't about bike lanes. It's about respecting democracy especially when it puts people's lives at risk.

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— Cycle Toronto (@cycletoronto.bsky.social) March 13, 2026 at 7:25 PM

Speaking of government secrecy, it was revealed on the same day there was a confidential settlement from when the Ford government scrapped its deal with Starlink in response to Donald Trump’s tariff and 51st state threats. Of course, no amount was disclosed related to this settlement.

Also on Friday, the Ford government announced an end to all seven provincially funded supervised injection sites as of June 13. Two Toronto sites will be affected, though three others which don’t receive provincial funding will continue. Even so, these closures will make Toronto’s drug overdose problem even worse. Harm reduction advocates like Diana Chan McNally will be keeping a close eye on this one, so be sure to follow her on Bluesky if you haven’t already done so.

A final action from Friday involved Doug Ford – and Toronto city councillors Brad Bradford and James Pasternak – seeking an injunction against the Al Quds Day protest in support of Palestine. While I was pleased the injunction was denied and the protest proceeded on Saturday afternoon, asking for one on such short notice is beyond disrespectful. If politicians were to take hate speech seriously, why not go after those anti-immigration “Canada First” protests which were fortunately outnumbered by counter protesters?

On Tuesday, the Ford government announced plans to merge 36 conservation authorities into nine (instead of seven). A move which is in line with past government actions which limit the power of conservation authorities including removing the power to review development applications for environmental impacts in December 2022; not to mention his attacks on the Greenbelt.

Also on Tuesday, the Ford government announced plans to expropriate Toronto’s stake in Billy Bishop Airport so they can push through jets there; something supported by the Toronto Port Authority and TRBOT CEO – and Doug Ford lackey – Giles Gherson. This is a big slap in the face for NoJetsTO supporters which won their fight back in 2015 which cited noise and environmental concerns. The allowance of jets could also limit development within the Port Lands since it’s within the airport’s flight path. NoJetsTO has reactivated their campaign in response which I encourage you to support.

PRESS RELEASE: NoJetsTO Condemns Premier Ford and Ports Toronto shutting Torontonians out of the airport debate. Tell Ford you want a say at NoJetsTO.com! af93970d-16e7-4a9a-be2f-16918dd39444.usrfiles.com/ugd/af9397_b... #topoli #onpoli #cdnpoli

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— Norm Di Pasquale🇨🇦 (@normsworld.bsky.social) March 10, 2026 at 9:25 PM

As if Doug Ford wasn’t focused enough on the Waterfront with Ontario Place and Billy Bishop Airport, he also wants to see a new convention centre built on a new island created with infill! While there are those who view the Metro Toronto Convention Centre downtown as too small, the CNE grounds may be more appropriate which already has convention centre space. Speaking of which, Alex Bozikovic of the Globe and Mail recently argued in favour of having Waterfront Toronto take over redevelopment of that site. Something which sounds reasonable given the well received Queen’s Quay revitalization, the new Port Lands bridges, and Biidaasige Park.

Last month, the Ford government announced a lifting of the freeze on tuition fees, as well as changing OSAP funding rules. While up to 85% of OSAP funding students received were grants, the new rules would reduce that to 25% with loans making up the other 75%. While a couple of protests against the OSAP changes have happened already, these protests need to be more frequent and larger to force Doug Ford’s hand. The Québec student movement has been highly successful in stopping tuition hikes and bursary cuts before multiple times with the most recent being in 2012.

Last month, TCDSB trustee Markus de Domenico sounded the alarm over the Ontario government’s plans to build Buttonwood Hill Catholic elementary school without air condition. While the decision was ultimately reversed shortly after, Ontario PC MPP Kinga Surma attacked de Domenico on social medial while the Etobicoke Centre PC riding association promoted her post for three weeks accusing him of dishonesty and mismanagement. This development was one of numerous consequences of the provincial takeover of eight school boards which sidelined elected trustees. It remains unknown whether trustees could be eliminated, but it’s another issue to watch.

Last, but not least, Ontario is considering giving transit special constables new powers to arrest drug users. A move which was criticized by TTCriders’ Executive Director Andrew Pulsifer given many transit riders “feel less safe with more policing on public transit.

With only one year into Doug Ford’s third term as Premier and the legislature returning next week, Ontarians need to start asking tough questions as to how much more of this abuse of power and fascist tendencies are they willing to tolerate. While e-mailing MPP’s such as The Delusioneer’s templates against the FOI changes is a start, we’re at a point where more needs to be done. Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles made a good video recently calling out Metrolinx’s incompetence with the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, but that party needs to not only produce a lot more of such content, but also organize within their communities! Finally, maybe it’s time for unions to organize general strikes across the province and for student unions to ramp up their campaigns against the OSAP cuts?