Pierre Poilievre’s big Ontario rallies are Doug Ford’s loss – Toronto Star

Over 1,000 Conservatives in downtown Toronto on a Tuesday night. A jam-packed rally in Brampton. Another 1,000 or more Tories in Lindsay.

With a provincial election just over a month away, surely these crowds would be for Ontario’s first conservative premier in 15 years, as he mounts his first re-election campaign?

Wrong.

Once a rumoured front-runner to replace former federal conservative leader Erin O’Toole, it now seems Premier Doug Ford will be overshadowed as Member of Parliament Pierre Poilievre secures the leadership win through selling memberships ahead of deadline on June 3, just one day after the provincial election.

Doug Ford made clear his MPPs should avoid the ongoing Conservative Party of Canada leadership race, he says, that their team has their hands full supporting the people of Ontario.

In reality, his edict might be the only way to keep them engaged in his race.

Two conservative races overlapping strain important resources, not just of political operatives, but also voters willing to donate and volunteer too.

If they had to pick one, I doubt many would choose him.

Conservatives salivate at the opportunity to end Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s reign and Poilievre’s popularity is a glimmer of hope.

Besides, Poilievre is actually extolling conservative ideals like “defunding the CBC,” ending all federal COVID-19 pandemic mandates and “firing gatekeepers.” That’s the type of policy that motivates the base and attracts those disgruntled by how the political class has managed the COVID-19 pandemic, as we saw show up through the trucker convoy.

Meanwhile Ford is forced to run on his pandemic management, which derailed his mandate and led Ontario to record spending increases.

Gasp.

While the election is the Progressive Conservatives ‘to lose,’ according to an Ipsos poll, campaigns matter. Also, both provincial leaders in opposition have not ruled out working together if the Conservatives do not win a majority of seats. Liberal leader Steven Del Duca even said his “mind is open.”

What happens when Doug Ford goes back to downtown Toronto, Brampton or Lindsay for his turn to collect support, will conservatives show up for him like they did for Poilievre?

The federal Conservative leadership race is an unnecessary risk for Premier Doug Ford as he goes back to voters for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the end, it may be Pierre Poilievre he calls for help in a stalling campaign.

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