Why I’m Strategically Voting in the Upcoming Ontario Election to Keep the PCs Out

Disclaimer: Make Your Own Decision

Vote for who you genuinely believe in. I encourage you to research party platforms, assess policies, and use your critical thinking skills. If, after all of that, you still think Doug Ford and the Progressive Conservatives (PCs) are your best choice—then so be it.

However, I’ve always aligned with left-leaning policies and in this election, my stance is clear: Anything but the right.

Here’s why:

1. Gambling:

The Government’s Cash Grab at Our Expense

This one pisses me off the most as it’s the most personal. The rise of government-backed gambling—especially its most insidious form; online slots—has had devastating consequences. Gambling addiction destroys lives and families, and the Ford government has actively encouraged this crisis.

Ford's Ontario was the first province to introduce a regulated private iGaming market. The results? A flood of gambling ads, the normalization of online betting, and growing addiction rates. The government profits from the financial ruin of its citizens, all while cutting social services that could help those affected.

2. Healthcare:

Underfunding to Undermine

It's clear what Ford’s strategy is: underfunding to make free healthcare worse so he can provide justification for the privatization of our healthcare system. Ford’s Ontario is responsible for:

Longer wait times- Emergency rooms are overwhelmed, and the crisis is worsening.

Union-busting tactics- Ford’s government attempted to suppress nurses’ wages with Bill 124, which was later deemed unconstitutional.

Push for Privatization- His administration has been quietly increasing the role of private, for-profit healthcare providers, taking resources away from public hospitals.

Once privatization gets a foothold, it’s nearly impossible to reverse. If you want healthcare to remain accessible and high-quality for everyone, keeping the PCs out is crucial.

3. Domestic Violence:

A Refusal to Call it an Epidemic

Despite calls from advocates, Ford has refused to declare intimate partner violence an epidemic—even though Ontario’s own coroner’s office recommended it. Once something is recognized as an epidemic, then there are grounds to increase funding towards it to fix it. Women’s shelters and support organizations are underfunded, while domestic violence rates rise.

4. Abortion:

It’s Not Just About Ford—It’s About His Party

Ford has stated he won’t restrict abortion access, but let’s not be naive. Members of his caucus openly hold anti-abortion views, and we’ve seen in the U.S. how quickly abortion rights can be eroded when conservative governments gain power.

5. Bike Lanes:

Prioritizing Cars Over Climate & Safety

Doug Ford’s government has pushed laws to remove bike lanes and restrict the creation of them, prioritizing cars over sustainable transportation. In a city where traffic congestion and emissions are already major issues, removing bike lanes is an objectively bad decision.

Interested in learning more? Our own writer, Gordistotle did a deep dive on Toronto’s toxic relationship with bike lanes.

6. Ontario Place:

Backroom Deals and No Public Input

Ford’s plan to redevelop Ontario Place was pushed through without proper public consultation. The project prioritizes corporate interests over public use of the space. This is part of a larger pattern—decisions made in backrooms, without transparency, that benefit a select few.

Read more with Gordistotle’s article on the Ontario Place fiasco.

7. The Debt Hypocrisy:

Conservatives Are Not the “Fiscally Responsible” Party

Conservatives love to paint Liberals and left-leaning parties as reckless spenders, but Ontario’s debt has increased under Ford. His government has chosen deficit spending while cutting services, proving that the “fiscally responsible” conservative is a myth.

8. Some Things Should Not Be Privatized:

Healthcare & Education

The core of conservative economic policy is privatization—letting corporations take over services traditionally provided by the government. However, I believe that some things should not be privatized.

Public goods should not be profit-driven. Healthcare and education are essential for a functioning society. When you prioritize profit, you create disparities in access and quality.

Privatization costs taxpayers more in the long run. Private entities require profits, meaning higher costs for individuals while reducing access for those who can’t afford it. For example, in the US, the government spends almost 17% of GDP on its privatized healthcare, while publicly funded systems like Canada and the UK spend closer to 10%.

Society works better when people don’t have to worry about going bankrupt over medical bills or student loans. A strong public system ensures equal opportunity.

The Bottom Line: Vote Smart, Vote Strategically

If you’re reading this, you probably don’t want another four years of Ford’s government. But splitting the vote between progressive candidates could allow him to stay in power.

Here’s what you can do:

Look at the riding you live in and vote for the left party with the lead. Some ridings have a stronger NDP presence, while others lean Liberal, and there are even a few Green Party strongholds. Check out this site to help you figure it out: https://votewell.ca/

Vote for the strongest candidate who can beat the PC candidate in your riding. Even if they aren’t your first choice, this minimizes vote-splitting.

And make sure to encourage others to vote. The more people who turn out, the harder it is for conservatives to win.

Ontario’s future depends on this election. Let’s make sure it’s a future where healthcare, education, and public services are prioritized over corporate interests and backroom deals.

Opinion: Anything but Ford