Ontario byelections set to test Doug Ford's standing amid spending scandals

Ontario will hold three by-elections on Sept. 3 in the Greater Toronto Area, two of which were won by the Progressive Conservatives in the last general vote. Premier Doug Ford, still fuming over recent scandals such as the sale of a government-owned jet and costly hotel bills that led to Stan Cho’s removal from cabinet, sees the contests as a chance to validate his internal polling that predicts a fourth straight majority.

The opposition parties are in flux: the Liberals will not have a new leader until late November, and the NDP, led by Marit Stiles, remains behind the leaderless Liberals in some surveys. In response to criticism over spending, Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy announced reviews of eight provincial agencies, notably Metrolinx and the LCBO, hinting that job cuts could be considered. Ford himself avoided media scrutiny, touring flood-damaged Niagara and meeting the prime minister at a Toronto transit project. The outcome will either reinforce the Ford brand or give the Liberals and NDP an opportunity to deliver a political blow to the premier.