A Vital Political Truth: Canada Works Best When Provincial and Federal Governments Collaborate

Strategic Insights -

Canada's regional politics often revolve around the relationship between Queen's Park and Parliament Hill. Historically, voters in Ontario's suburbs, often referred to as the 905, have consistently supported both the federal government and the provincial government, usually of the same party. This alignment was demonstrated in the 2022 federal election, where the Liberals won a strong minority government, mirroring the Progressive Conservatives' victory in the 2022 Ontario election. The partnership between Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been a key factor in navigating the country's challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing trade negotiations with the United States.

Key Takeaways:

  • In the 2022 federal election, Liberal Party of Canada candidates won a strong minority government in Ontario, mirroring the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario's (PCPO) victory in the 2022 Ontario election.
  • The PCPO's campaign manager, Kory Teneycke, criticized Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, during the federal election campaign, citing similarities between Poilievre and former U.S. President Donald Trump.
  • The criticisms from the PCPO and a well-publicized breakfast in March between Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau helped seal the Conservative Party's defeat in the federal election.
  • After the election, the Ford-Trudeau alliance continued, with Prime Minister Trudeau visiting Ontario Premier Ford's cottage during a meeting of first ministers in July in Muskoka, Ontario.
  • Premier Ford praised Prime Minister Trudeau, stating he would hand over the keys of a business to the Prime Minister if he were a business owner.
  • The partnership between Queen's Park and Parliament Hill has been crucial in navigating Canada's challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing trade negotiations with the United States.
  • The collaboration between the federal and Provincial governments has been demonstrated historically, such as in 1960s PC premier John Robarts agreeing to back Liberal prime minister Lester Pearson's proposed Canada Pension Plan.

Statistics:

  • 2022 federal election results: Liberal Party of Canada won a strong minority government in Ontario.
  • 2022 Ontario election results: Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario won a majority government.
  • The number of Ontario voters who tend to vote for the same party federally and provincially: in the millions, concentrated in the 905 (surrounding Toronto's downtown core).

Sources:

  • John Ibbijton, Staff Media fellow at the Fraser Institute and a senior fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. Ontario Premier Doug Ford is meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday for a "heart-to-heart" talk, as the Premier calls it, about U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs.
  • CBC News, April 28, 2022. Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives make inroads in York Region and other parts of the 905.
  • Toronto Star, July 2022. Ontario Premier Doug Ford praises Prime Minister Trudeau, saying he would hand over the keys of a business to the Prime Minister if he were a business owner.