Headlines
Dangerous populist or regular dude? Doug Ford's long road to the premiership, and his evolution while in the big chair, is chronicled in <a href="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-doug-ford-anti-establishment-firebrand-or-likeable-everyman/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Globe and Mail</a>.
The PCs are spending billion on long-term care homes, with a lot of the money going to those with the word pandemic records, <a href="https://www.thestar.com/news/investigations/2022/05/27/doug-ford-is-spending-billions-to-expand-nursing-home-chains-with-some-of-the-worst-covid-19-death-rates.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a Toronto Star investigation shows</a>.
Two can play at that game. Another internal poll — this time from the NDP — <a href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/2022/05/26/confidential-ndp-memo-insists-they-have-the-momentum-to-stop-doug-ford.html?li_source=LI&amp;li_medium=star_web_ymbii" target="_blank" rel="noopener">was leaked to the Toronto Star</a>. It — surprise! – shows surging support for the Dippers.
And here's the May 26 polling update from our partner Mainstreet Research.
<ul>
<li>As the dust settles from the holiday weekend, our three-day polling sample is showing the PCs continuing to pull away from the Liberals and the NDP. Tonight’s seat count projection has the PCs at 75, the NDP at 26, the Liberals at 11, the Greens at two, and 10 seats still too close to call.</li>
<li>The PCs are still competing strongly in each of the 10 close races. One factor that could help them is a superior ground game. If there is a low voter turnout, their ability to get their votes out could make a difference in a lot of close ridings.</li>
<li>If the PCs continue to surge, the NDP could be vulnerable in a lot more seats as well. They could have a lot to lose.</li>
<li>As a result, the biggest remaining questions in this election are which party will form the official opposition, and will Stephen Del Duca be able to win his seat in Vaughn Woodbridge.</li>
</ul>
Check out all of the charts and crosstabs <a href="https://www.ipolitics.ca/dashboards/ontario" target="_blank" rel="noopener">on our polling dashboard.</a>
But if you think you know better than the pros, you can <a href="https://www.ipolitics.ca/dashboards/ontario/predictions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">make an election prediction here</a> and share it with your friends.
And while you’re at it, why don’t you <a href="https://www.ipolitics.ca/games/fordle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">play Fordle</a>?
Our barometer tells you which way the political winds are blowing. Check back in during the campaign as the weather changes, and follow <a href="https://twitter.com/elxnometre" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@elxnometre</a> on Twitter.
<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-406573" src="https://www.qpbriefing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/dY32dVko_50-400x400.png" alt="" width="400" height="400" srcset="https://old.qpbriefing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/dY32dVko_50-400x400.png 400w, https://old.qpbriefing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/dY32dVko_50-150x150.png 150w, https://old.qpbriefing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/dY32dVko_50.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" />
In case you missed it:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.qpbriefing.com/2022/05/26/ontario-pcs-spent-years-laying-groundwork-for-worker-friendly-strategy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ontario PCs spent years laying groundwork for worker-friendly strategy</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.qpbriefing.com/2022/05/26/riding-poll-del-duca-behind-in-vaughan-woodbridge/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Riding poll: Del Duca behind in Vaughan—Woodbridge </a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.qpbriefing.com/2022/05/26/steven-del-duca-frames-ndps-fraud-allegation-as-sexist-as-liberal-candidate-withdraws/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Steven Del Duca frames NDP’s fraud allegation as sexist as Liberal candidate withdraws</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.qpbriefing.com/2022/05/25/two-pc-mpps-backed-donors-appointment-to-ottawa-police-board-before-he-attended-convoy-protests/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Two PC MPPs backed donor’s appointment to Ottawa police board, before he attended convoy protests</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.qpbriefing.com/2022/05/25/pcs-starting-to-go-hard-on-facebook-advertising/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PCs starting to go hard on Facebook advertising</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>In other news</h3>
Ontario's personal support worker shortage is causing serious pain, and advocates don't see good solutions on offer in the election, <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/psw-shortage-impacting-both-workers-and-clients-1.6467271" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CBC reports</a>.
Another Liberal candidate withdrew yesterday after allegations of election fraud, <a href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/2022/05/26/ontario-liberal-candidate-withdraws-party-three-short-of-a-full-slate.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Canadian Press reports</a>.
Voters in Spadina—Fort York will have way fewer polling stations in the riding, <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/spadina-fort-york-drop-polling-stations-election-day-1.6464050" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CBC reports</a>.
The three opposition parties want to end for-profit long-term care, but the PCs have their own ideas, <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ont-elxn-long-term-care-1.6466808" target="_blank" rel="noopener">writes CBC</a>.
A Toronto woman was arrested for trespassing at Doug Ford's Thursday night rally in Hamilton, <a href="https://toronto.citynews.ca/2022/05/26/lawyer-arrested-doug-ford-rally/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CityNews reports</a>.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
BREAKING:
Prominent <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Toronto?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Toronto</a> lawyer <a href="https://twitter.com/CarymaRules?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CarymaRules</a> arrested at <a href="https://twitter.com/fordnation?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@fordnation</a> rally.
More details will follow… <a href="https://t.co/GKYGi2KAoR">pic.twitter.com/GKYGi2KAoR</a>
&mdash; Caryma Sa&#39;d - Lawyer + Political Satirist (@CarymaRules) <a href="https://twitter.com/CarymaRules/status/1529953505842192389?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a href="https://www.tvo.org/article/election-cycle-how-ontarios-parties-are-wooing-voters-with-e-bike-subsidies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TVO</a> looks at what each party is pitching on e-bikes.
Some parents are angry after the TDSB changes its specialized school admission policy. <a href="https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2022/05/26/very-disappointed-some-families-upset-as-tdsb-approves-change-to-admission-policy-at-specialized-schools.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Toronto Star has the story</a>.
Ottawa rejected an appeal by small internet service providers on rates but directs the CRTC to go harder on competition, <a href="https://www.thestar.com/business/2022/05/26/ottawa-rejects-internet-rates-appeal-sets-new-crtc-policy-to-boost-telecom-competition.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to the Star</a>.
In the opinion pages:
<a href="https://www.tvo.org/article/why-should-first-nations-people-care-about-provincial-politics" target="_blank" rel="noopener">For TVO, Courtney Skye</a>
<ul>considers why First Nations people should care about provincial politics.
<li aria-level="1">The provincial government, and boomers, need to stop dragging their feet on the housing crisis, <a href="https://www.tvo.org/article/to-fix-the-housing-crisis-we-need-action-from-the-province-and-from-boomers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ene Underwood writes for TVO.</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Brian Lilley calls BS on an internal Liberal poll showing surging support in the <a href="https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/lilley-del-duca-claims-momentum-polls-show-a-sputtering-campaign" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Toronto Sun</a>.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/political-opinion/2022/05/25/in-her-fourth-campaign-as-leader-andrea-horwath-tells-us-whats-changed-and-what-still-needs-to.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Star's</a> Martin Regg Cohn sits down with Horwath.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Ford's flexibility may be his biggest asset, <a href="https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2022/05/26/does-doug-fords-ability-to-change-account-for-his-lead-in-the-polls.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rick Salutin writes in the Star</a>. </li>
</ul>
<h3>Events</h3>
Steven Del Duca will make an announcement on the party’s plan to stop Highway 413. 410 Rathburn Rd W, Mississauga. Zoom.
10 a.m.
Mike Schreiner makes an announcement. 1000 Main St E, Hamilton. Zoom.
10 a.m.
Andrea Horwath hosts a brunch for front-line workers. 7 Brimley Rd S, Scarborough.
11 a.m.
Andrea Horwath talks to the media about her plan to stop the cuts. 7 Brimley Rd S, Scarborough. Zoom.
1:15 p.m.
Steven Del Duca will visit a Mosque in Brampton. 291 Great Lakes Dr, Brampton.
1:30 p.m.
Andrea Horwath addresses teachers and education workers about respect for workers. 98 Bigwin Rd, Hamilton.
2 p.m.
Doug Ford makes an announcement. Oakville. Youtube.
2:15 p.m.
Steven Del Duca will stop for ice cream at 9 Main St, Mississauga.
3 p.m.
Mike Schreiner meets with the Brampton Library CEO. Virtual.
3 p.m.
Andrea Horwath makes a campaign stop. 31 Mechanic St., Paris.
3:10 p.m.
Steven Del Duca will visit a Mosque in Mississauga. 2200 South Sheridan Way, Mississauga.
4 p.m.
Mike Schreiner participates in a sign wave with local candidates. Intersection of 410 and Bovaird Road, Brampton.
5:30 p.m.
Andrea Horwath campaigns in Mississaauga—Streetsville. 248 Queen St S, Mississauga.
8 p.m.
Doug Ford hosts a rally in Kitchener.

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