During a campaign stop in Ottawa on Tuesday, Premier Doug Ford said the City of Ottawa is “in over its head” with public transit, but the provincial government will step in to help if Ford is re-elected.
The media availability, which was held at the new Porter Airlines hangar at the Ottawa International Airport, focused on U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks on Monday that tariffs against Canada will come into effect on Mar. 4.
“As long as Donald Trump is in the White House, Ontario will stare down the threat of economic risk and uncertainty,” Ford told reporters, standing behind a sign that read “Protect Ontario.”
“His tariffs are coming on time and on schedule.”
But questions from reporters didn’t focus on the tariffs, instead asking the premier about his promises to support Ottawa and how he can assure Ottawa voters that he has their best interests in mind.
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Notably, the Ontario PC campaign has promised to assist with funding with phase two of the LRT and upload phase three — which brings the rail system to Kanata and Barrhaven — to the province if Ford is re-elected.
“I think [OC Transpo] is in over their head, to be frank with you, and that’s fine, we’re going to go in there and give them reinforcements, we;re going to support them, we’re going to give them money, we’re going to take care of it,” he told reporters. “They’ve tried, that’s all I can say. But now we’re going to bring in the big guns and get this job done.”
Ford first announced this plan on Feb. 5 with Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe. By uploading the LRT, the province would take responsibility for all operations and costs of the LRT, including the ongoing lawsuits associated with the system, which Ford said will save taxpayers money and “improve local services as we treat Ottawa fairly.”
Sutcliffe has been calling on both the provincial and federal governments to support Ottawa’s transit system. The 2025 City of Ottawa Budget involves substantial investments in public transit but requires an increase in transit fares and includes a $36 million gap in funding that the municipality hoped would be filled by upper levels of government.
Metrolinks, the transportation agency that would manage the LRT through the province, has been the subject of controversy and made headlines earlier this month when a Toronto city councillor called for a safety review after a woman was critically injured by a dump truck near transit construction.
When asked to address concerns about the involvement of Metrolinx in Ottawa’s transit system, Ford said, “I’m not going to [bring up] phase one and all the disaster that’s happened here with the LRT.”
“Metrolinx has done a good job, they’re professionals, and they’re going to really add to the team here in Ottawa,” he said. “They should be doing cartwheels that they’re going to have support now.”
The premier was also put on the spot about the French language. Although the premier is not required to be bilingual, Ottawa’s francophone community has criticized candidates for not offering more media availabilities in French. On Monday, Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie apologized — in French — for not providing bilingual signage and banners at her media appearance in Ottawa-Vanier. She has previously promised that a Liberal provincial government would ensure Ontario francophones will be able to access services, including healthcare, in French.
When asked by Ottawa Compass if Ford is confident in speaking and addressing Ontarians in French, he responded, “comme ci, comme ça” before continuing in English.
But he also emphasized his government’s support of Ottawa, assuring voters that although there has not been an Ottawa MP in the Queen’s Park Cabinet since Merrilee Fullerton, MPP for Kanata-Carleton and Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, resigned in 2023, Ottawa has “never seen so much love” from a provincial government.
“Were doing a lot. I can’t remember ever Ottawa getting this much love from a government,” he said. “We’re going to be there to support them Ottawa voters.”
