Ontario Premier Doug Ford has just blasted Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre’s campaign ahead of the 2025 Canadian federal election at the end of the month.
Ford doubled down on comments made last week by Conservative campaign strategist Kory Teneycke, who criticized his own party by accusing Poilievre and his team of « blowing a 25-point lead » to the Liberal Party, calling it « campaign malpractice at the highest level. »
The Liberals have seen a surge in support ever since U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada and Justin Trudeau‘s resignation as prime minister and replacement by Mark Carney.
Speaking on CTV News last Tuesday, Teneycke said: « I know it’s uncomfortable for people to hear that said out loud, but it’s in every poll and every poll aggregator, the numbers are the numbers, and saying that you don’t believe in polls, if you’re managing a campaign, it’s delusional. »
Teneycke’s comments come after CPC supporters were spotted at a rally in Brampton, Ontario, wearing hoodies and holding banners with writing reading, « Do you believe the polls? »
The party has confirmed to The Globe and Mail that they are not official campaign merchandise.
Teneycke has served as Premier Ford’s campaign manager, overseeing the Ontario Progressive Conservatives’ three successive majority governments — most recently in February.
Speaking to the media on Monday afternoon, Ford criticized how Poilievre’s campaign has gone so far.
« As for Kory, I’ve said from day one: he’s tough as nails, but he’s the best campaign manager in the country, » Ford told Global News.
« To be very frank, if Kory was running that campaign, I don’t think Mr. Poilievre would be in the position he’s in right now. But there’s still a lot of time left, and we still have debates. At the end of the day, the people will decide which way they want this country to move forward, » the Conservative premier said.
« But sometimes, the truth hurts. »
Ford’s comments come just days ahead of the official leaders’ debates this week.
Poilievre will face off against Liberal Leader Mark Carney, the NDP’s Jagmeet Singh, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet and Green Party co-leader Jonathan Pedneault in two separate debates.
The French debate will take place on Wednesday, April 16, at 8 p.m. ET, while the English debate begins at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 17. Both debates will air live across the country on major networks including CTV News, Global News and CBC.
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