Please don't complain about an election call

Ontario is about to have an election. Is it necessary? No. Does that matter right now? Probably not.

Should the people who have been complaining about Doug Ford’s governance of Ontario for years complain about having the chance to now vote him out of power? Probably not, but many of them sure are doing just that.

Ford’s argument for an early vote, as you have no doubt heard already and will hear literally hundreds more times over the coming weeks, is that he “needs a strong mandate” to handle the trade threat (and other threats) that Donald Trump poses to Ontario and Canada.

This argument belies the fact that Ford has already responded effectively to Trump’s threats, and has received pretty much bipartisan praise for that response, with his current mandate. But never mind that. The Fords have always been opportunists with strong political instincts, and the premier sees a chance to extend his time in power while he enjoys all that bipartisan praise, as well as a strong polling lead.

And while no election is a sure thing, I have learned not to doubt Ford’s instincts, if only when it comes to taking advantage of a cynical political opportunity.

His critics may not like that approach, but if those critics looked around they’d realize that is how the game is played, that this is the age of cynical opportunity, and that the Liberals, at least federally, have done the exact same thing not so long ago.

It’s also my own opinion, even if it’s nobody else’s, that you should never complain about a chance to vote against a government you purportedly despise.

When democracy is under attack across the globe, by populist conservative politicians, it seems strange to be outraged by a populist conservative politician sending citizens to the polls when it is not strictly necessary.

So by all means, if you’re opposed to all the ways Ford has hurt or neglected Ontario over the past several years, call out his cynicism, especially when he belatedly promises $1.8 billion to fix primary health care after leaving it dying on the vine for years. That’s breathtakingly cynical, and nobody should fall for this Lucy football trick. Again. Point out where and how his government has harmed people—drug users, cyclists, seniors, kids who love field trips to the Science Centre, and many more.

Point out that he’s already got a strong mandate and is using this moment to benefit himself and his party—that’s self-evidently true. Urge voters to punish him at the polls for it, and work to make sure that they do.

But don’t complain about being asked to cast your vote. Even if it’s your political enemy asking you to do it. Especially now.

Also, you know who this Ontario election really screws? Pierre Poilievre. So take heart there, if you like.