Sore Losers

Having stayed up late last night watching the election returns, I really hadn't intended to post anything today, but comments by a Conservative MP altered my intent, so a few short observations follow.

Now I am no fan of Doug Ford; I see him as a largely incompetent man but a very successful politician, and it is that success which is engendering envy and anger at the federal level - to the point he is being blamed for PP's loss last night.

“He couldn’t stay out of our business, always getting his criticisms and all his opinions out, distracting our campaign, trying to make it about him, trying to position himself as some kind of political genius that we needed to be taking cues from,” a furious Tory MP Jamil Jivani (Bowmanville-Oshawa North) told CBC’s David Common in a candid interview.

“I see Doug Ford as a problem for Ontario and for Canada,” said Jivani, who once worked as an aide in the premier’s office at Queen’s Park.

“He’s not doing a great job in running this province, and now he’s trying to exercise his influence over other levels of government and it’s not like this guy is doing anything particularly well,” he said after telling supporters in Durham that Ford “sabotaged” the federal party.

Apparently, part of Ford's perfidy was making nice with Liberals.

“He has taken the provincial Conservative party and turned it into something hollow, unprincipled, something that doesn’t solve problems. He’s gladhanding with (Transport Minister) Chrystia Freeland, having coffees and lattes with Mark Carney.”

Obviously a clone of his take-no-prisoners boss, who rarely has met a bipartisan gesture he doesn't like, grace notes are not part of Jivani's makeup.

His apoplexy was probably worsened by Ford's post election congratulations.

“I want to congratulate Prime Minister Mark Carney on his election victory. I also want to thank Pierre Poilievre, Jagmeet Singh and every candidate who put their name on a ballot for their service to our democracy,” the premier said.

“This election comes at a crucial time for Ontario and for Canada. Workers, families and businesses are navigating the economic uncertainty caused by President Trump’s tariffs and they are counting on all levels of government to work together to protect Canada,” he said.

“As premier of Ontario, I look forward to working with Prime Minister Carney to protect the workers, businesses and communities of Ontario and Canada.”

Unlike those who adhere to PP's philosophy, poisonous partisanship is not part of Ford's makeup.

In an interview published Sunday with Politico, he was asked why Poilievre hadn’t made an effort to call him earlier.

... I think it’s common sense when you’re in an election, you reach across to as many people as you can,” said the premier, pointing out the federal Tory leader also has no relationship with Nova Scotia PC Premier Tim Houston.

“Not at all. Or local mayors. Or anyone. I don’t understand it,” said Ford, adding Poilievre had to be forced to phone him on the eve of the federal election call.

PP's party is down but hardly out. Even though the leader himself lost his seat, that will no doubt be remedied by a Conservative giving up their own win. However, he and his party need to ask themselves whether it was simply an unfortunate confluence of Trump tariffs and annexation threats that explain the results of an election that was theirs to lose. And part of that soul-searching must begin with the man at the top.