Blindsided by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre poaching one of his provincial cabinet ministers to run federally, Premier Doug Ford is girding for more departures.
As the premier gathers with Progressive Conservatives for a policy convention in Niagara Falls this weekend, he is mindful Poilievre may pilfer more of his caucus for a federal election expected next year.
Ford’s turf is fertile ground for the federal Conservatives because PC MPPs represent dozens of ridings that are also held by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberals.
That means veterans who have won back-to-back provincial elections — and have local name recognition — could help the rookie federal Tory leader topple Liberal incumbents, especially in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area that is crucial to a Poilievre victory.
“I wouldn’t say they’re jumping ship,” Ford said Wednesday in Aurora when asked about the surprise departure of former minister of red tape reduction Parm Gill on Jan. 25 and the potential for others to leave.
Premier not worried by exodus, citing resilience
My message is to anyone - no matter when I ran my private company or run the government - no one has a handcuff on anyone.
“I think the world of Parm, I wish him all the best. He was a federal MP before,” he said, referring to Gill’s service in the caucus of prime minister Stephen Harper between 2011 and 2015.
Asked what he would say to any of his caucus thinking about departing for federal pastures, Ford said, “My message is to anyone — no matter when I ran my private company or run the government — no one has a handcuff on anyone.”
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