Canada does not impose term limits on its highest political offices, but perhaps it should, if only for the benefit of the office holders themselves. A hypothetical piece of legislation, the Act to Save Senior Politicians from the Humiliations of their own Hubris, could serve as mercy legislation. It would not be compulsory but would involve high-level interventions with ruling authorities once they reach the eight-year mark of their mandate, strongly recommending they consider alternative careers starting the next weekend. An alternative title might be the Save Them From Themselves Act.
Such an act might have saved Justin Trudeau from being driven from office by his own caucus in year nine of his prime ministership. Similarly, Stephen Harper could have parted before the mistakes that saw him lose to Trudeau in his own year nine. In 2022, Quebec Premier Francois Legault was so popular he won 40 per cent of the vote in a five-party race and added 14 seats to his majority; he did not even make it to the end of his mandate, stepping down in April with a popularity rating just this side of a cholera attack.
Someone might want to explain this to Doug Ford, now in his eighth year as Ontario premier and making just the sort of blunders that assist other leaders into early retirement. A series of polls show Conservative support in sudden decline, with one survey putting the leaderless and not particularly dynamic Liberals with a slight lead. It is entirely possible the shift is temporary, a reaction to a particularly egregious recent snafu by the often-impulsive Ford, but which nonetheless signals both a rise in the premier's hubris index and a thinning of the public's patience. Ford still attracts personal support for decisive leadership, but decisiveness is not immune to the kind of battering he has been taking of late.
The Jet Purchase That Sparked Backlash
The tipping point to his troubles was the revelation that a $28.9 million Bombardier jet had been purchased for the premier's use. Scanning the catalogue of provincial priorities, no one could find 'premier needs a fancy new plane' on the list, sparking a backlash that saw the jet speedily returned to the maker amid semi-abject apologies from Ford, who defended the purchase while admitting he should have done his explaining before the deal was done. 'I have to get around, I have to go to the U.S. more … it's part of the job,' he said. True enough, but Ford was the one who mocked earlier premiers for using previous, less-glitzy aircraft to save time from extensive road journeys. 'I prefer to drive around and talk to the people about things that matter,' he boasted in 2019.
The timing of the purchase was particularly klutzy, coming as Conservatives determinedly portray themselves as economic warriors set on fighting the fallout of Washington's tariff attacks. Interim Liberal Leader John Fraser pointedly skewered the snafu when he noted: 'At a time when people can't afford to buy groceries or gas, Doug Ford is buying himself a private jet. It doesn't get much more out of touch than that.'
Additional Missteps
Beyond the jet controversy, Ford has faced other challenges. His government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, while initially praised, has drawn criticism over delayed responses and mixed messaging. More recently, decisions related to greenbelt development and healthcare funding have alienated some voters. The cumulative effect of these issues appears to be eroding the Conservative base, with polls indicating a shift toward the Liberals under their interim leader, even without a permanent leader in place.
Political analysts suggest that Ford's combative style, which once resonated with voters seeking strong leadership, may be wearing thin. The premier's tendency to make impulsive decisions without adequate consultation has led to a series of policy reversals that undermine public confidence. As the next provincial election approaches, Ford will need to recalibrate his approach to regain the trust of Ontarians.
