In a televised debate held on Monday, the leaders of Ontario’s main political parties clashed over pressing provincial issues, such as healthcare, housing, and affordability. With the provincial election fast approaching on February 27, the debate offered voters a glimpse of the leaders’ promises, their plans for the province, and criticisms of each other’s handling of key concerns.

Doug Ford, the Progressive Conservative leader, is currently leading in the polls. Throughout the debate, his opponents from the other parties largely focused their criticisms on him. One of the more tense moments came when Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner confronted Ford about Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) payments. Schreiner directly challenged Ford, questioning how it was acceptable for people with disabilities to live in what he described as “legislated poverty” on $1,300 per month, particularly given the rising costs of housing in Ontario. He highlighted that the average market rent was about $1,600 a month, with Toronto’s rent exceeding $2,000, pointing out the gap between the poverty-level payments and the high cost of living. Schreiner expressed concern about how people with disabilities are struggling to make ends meet and asked Ford how anyone could sleep at night knowing this situation existed in a province as wealthy as Ontario.

In response, Ford defended his government’s record, stating that ODSP payments were indexed to inflation, and that if the economy falters, the province may not have the funds to support those on ODSP. Ford reiterated his central campaign message, claiming that his government is working hard to protect Ontario’s economy from external pressures like American tariffs.

Another key moment was Ford’s justification for calling the snap election, explaining that he needed a stronger mandate to protect the economy and deal with potential challenges posed by a second term of Donald Trump’s presidency. Ford’s critics, including the NDP, Green, and Liberal leaders, argued that the election was unnecessary, given that he already had a majority mandate. They suggested that they would have supported stimulus measures to respond to potential U.S. tariffs, questioning the need for such a costly election.

When it came to addressing affordability, NDP Leader Marit Stiles proposed several measures, including reinstating rent control, issuing monthly grocery rebate cheques, and cracking down on price gouging. In response, Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie suggested implementing an income tax cut that Ford had promised in 2018 but had not delivered. Ford responded with skepticism, saying that he was so surprised by Crombie’s tax cut promise that he almost “fell off the stage.” He also took the opportunity to undermine her record as the mayor of Mississauga, while praising her successor, Carolyn Parrish.

Crombie took a more aggressive approach in her criticisms of Ford, particularly calling his uncosted plan to build a tunnel under Highway 401 “dumb.” She later apologized for being overly feisty but made it clear that her strategy was to target left-of-centre voters. At the end of the debate, she appealed directly to former NDP supporters, urging them to vote Liberal instead, so they could unite in their efforts to change the government and ensure that every Ontarian would have a family doctor within four years.

Polls suggest that the Liberals have gained some ground on the NDP, though they still trail the Progressive Conservatives by a significant margin. Stiles, however, dismissed Crombie’s appeal, suggesting that voters would judge the debate for what it was and decide based on what the leaders offered Ontarians.

One notable moment in the debate was when the leaders were asked about their stance on building homes on Ontario’s protected Greenbelt lands—a controversial issue related to a proposal by Ford’s government, which has now been reversed and is under criminal investigation by the RCMP. Stiles, Crombie, and Schreiner all firmly opposed building on the Greenbelt, while Ford once again acknowledged his flip-flopping stance on the issue. He admitted to initially supporting the idea, then reversing his position, before eventually proceeding with the plan, which he later apologized for.

The debate moderator, CBC’s David Common, attempted to lighten the mood by asking more personal, lighthearted questions. The leaders were asked about what food they would cook for each other, what their first jobs were, and where they would like to vacation in Ontario. Ford humorously replied that he would cook macaroni and cheese. Schreiner shared that he enjoys hiking around his riding in Guelph. Crombie mentioned her desire to go rock climbing in Thunder Bay, and Stiles, an avid swimmer, expressed an interest in swimming in Lake Superior.

Throughout the debate, the leaders presented a variety of plans and ideas aimed at addressing the key issues of affordability, healthcare, and housing, while engaging in a back-and-forth exchange of criticisms and proposals. The final week of the campaign promises to bring more intense discussions as Ontarians prepare to cast their votes.