Ontario Premier Doug Ford is dismissing suggestions that recent polling showing a decline in his approval ratings reflects growing voter dissatisfaction after nearly eight years in office.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Ford rejected comparisons to former political leaders whose popularity waned after long periods in power, insisting his political standing remains strong despite recent setbacks.
“I’m no Justin Trudeau, okay?” Ford said when asked whether Ontarians were beginning to move on from his leadership in the same way voters eventually did with former prime ministers and premiers who governed for extended periods.
“We’ll see if these numbers carry on for three weeks. With all due respect to the other premiers, I’m Doug Ford. I’m not Dalton McGuinty, I’m not Kathleen Wynne, and I’m sure the heck not Justin Trudeau,” he added.
Ford’s comments referenced three prominent political figures who left office after experiencing sustained declines in public support. Former Ontario premier Dalton McGuinty stepped down in 2013 after nearly a decade in power, while Kathleen Wynne’s Liberal government was defeated by Ford’s Progressive Conservatives in 2018. Former prime minister Justin Trudeau resigned in 2025 following months of weak polling numbers and mounting pressure within his own party.
The premier’s remarks come as several recent surveys have pointed to declining support for his government. A poll conducted by the Angus Reid Institute placed Ford’s approval rating at 21 per cent, the lowest level recorded during his tenure.
The decline follows controversy surrounding the provincial government’s purchase and subsequent sale of a $28.9-million private jet, which Ford argued was necessary for travel across Ontario and to the United States amid ongoing trade concerns. His government has also faced criticism over legislation retroactively exempting cabinet ministers and the premier’s office from certain freedom-of-information requirements, as well as plans to expand Toronto’s island airport.
Ford has repeatedly challenged the validity of the polling results. Last week, he labelled the Angus Reid survey “fake” and claimed his Progressive Conservatives would secure another overwhelming victory if an election were held today. The polling firm responded by defending its methodology and later issued a legal warning after Ford questioned the credibility of its findings.
Despite the criticism, Ford remained confident about his political prospects.
“If the election was held today, we wouldn’t just form a majority, we would form another massive majority — a super majority — that no one’s ever done in the history of Ontario,” he said.
The premier also criticized demonstrators who disrupted his annual FordFest barbecue in Scarborough last week. Ford alleged some protesters used inappropriate language in front of families and children attending the event.
He argued that supporters vastly outnumbered critics and noted that many protesters still participated in the festivities.
“It’s really sad, but they made sure they ate those burgers and drank their drinks and had their ice cream. I’m glad they enjoyed themselves as well,” Ford said.
Ford made the comments while announcing a new housing agreement between Ontario and the federal government. Under the deal, Toronto will receive $1.5 billion over the next decade if the city significantly reduces development charges on new housing projects for at least three years.
The province estimates the initiative could help facilitate the construction of approximately 44,000 new homes in Toronto as governments continue efforts to address the housing affordability crisis.
