Ford VOWS to take on feds

Change of power in Ottawa wouldn't alter his priorities, premier insists

- KRISTIN RUSHOWY

HALIFAX Premier Doug Ford insists it does not matter whether the Liberals or the Conservatives win the next federal election.

But in a veiled shot at Pierre Poilievre's federal Tories, Ford - who has worked closely with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberals - says regardless of who is elected, he will fight "like a pit bull" for the province if Ottawa acts against its interests.

Speaking to the Star in an exclusive interview at the annual meeting of Canada's 13 premiers, held this week in Nova Scotia, Ford also said calling an Ontario election in 2025 a year before the scheduled vote in June 2026 - is not something he's thinking about now.

"It's not on my mind," he said. "I never rule out anything, but my main focus is to continue moving the province forward and really focusing on the things that people really care about and that's the economy that drives everything else, health care," as well addressing increasing concerns about crime.

An early election call "is probably the last thing on my mind right now. And we'll see when we get closer"

The Star reported in May that Ford is considering moving up the Ontario vote in order to go to the polls before an expected October 2025 federal election.