According to a May opinion poll conducted by Liaison Strategies, the provincial Conservatives are now tied with the Ontario Liberals, after trailing for the first time since 2021. The poll put the PCs and the still-leaderless Liberals at 37 per cent, compared to 20 per cent support for Marit Stiles’ NDP.
Observers say that the dip likely stems from a series of recent scandals, including the government’s extremely unpopular decision to purchase a $29-million private jet, quickly dubbed the “gravy plane.” Days later, Ford caved to pressure and sold the jet, but not before spending $200,000 of taxpayer money on maintenance and legal support.
A few weeks later, the PCs used their majority to ram through a bill that alters Ontario’s freedom of information laws so cabinet ministers don’t need to disclose their cell phone records and other communications. Critics say the move undermines transparency and accountability. For example, The Trillium recently reported that this change has already blocked the release of more than 200 records related to the Greenbelt scandal.
This article appeared in the 2026 Jun/Jul issue.