PC leader Doug Ford was showing his pride, wearing a Team Canada jersey as he campaigned in Milton.
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston joined him.
Ford used the visit to promote his desire to remove barriers that hinder inter-provincial trade.
“Internal trade barriers cost Canada’s economy $200 billion every year,” says Ford.
“They reduce our national GDP by 7.3% and add 14.5% to the cost of goods and services Canadians buy every day. A re-elected PC government is ready to support a true labour mobility deal. We’re ready to remove all Ontario’s party-specific exemptions under the Canada Free Trade Agreement.”
Ford’s appearance was the first time in seven days that he has addressed the media during the campaign.
His opponents claim he has been in hiding, but Ford insists he has been active on the campaign trail.
“I’m out in front of the people more than anyone. I’m just out all over the province. It’s non-stop, folks. Five in the morning till midnight every single day.”
Ford also mentioned plans for a northern Ontario tour that will include visits to Cochrane, Timmins, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay in the coming days.
Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie outlined her healthcare platform in a speech at the Canadian Club of Toronto.
She says she is feeling optimistic about her campaign.
“I know we’re the underdogs in this race, but I also can feel the momentum shifting,” says Crombie.
“I can feel the wind in our sails. And I feel the desire for change growing door after door after door. And together, we can change the government. We are going to fight like heck to win.”
NDP leader Marit Stiles used the opportunity to cast an early ballot at the advance poll in her riding.
Stile is hopeful other Ontarians will also get out and vote.
“I think people are going to show up. I think they’re going to turn out because this is an important election and people know that their vote has the power to change things,” says Stiles.
Green Party leader Mike Schreiner continued to promote segments of his platform.
Thursday, he outlined a strategy to protect renters.
“First, we would expand rent control to include buildings built after 2018, so all buildings in Ontario are under rent control,” says Shreiner.
He says Greens would also bring in a moratorium on above-guideline rent increases and strengthen the rules around rent evictions.
The provincial election takes place on February 27th.
