Ontario Election Debate 2025: Key Moments and Takeaways
Ontario’s political scene was electric on Family Day as the four main party leaders—Doug Ford (PC), Bonnie Crombie (Liberal), Marit Stiles (NDP), and Mike Schreiner (Green)—faced off in a high-stakes debate ahead of the upcoming provincial election. Hosted at CBC’s Broadcast Centre in Toronto, this was the final televised debate before Ontarians head to the polls on February 27.
Doug Ford, seeking re-election, found himself on the defensive throughout the night, as his opponents took aim at his record on healthcare, affordability, and infrastructure spending. Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie was particularly aggressive, challenging Ford on his campaign slogan from the last election, “Get It Done,” by accusing him of failing to deliver on key promises. One of the most heated moments came when she criticized his proposed Highway 401 tunnel, dismissing it as a “fantasy tunnel” with an astronomical price tag.
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The debate opened with a discussion on U.S. tariffs, a topic Ford has centered his campaign around. He positioned himself as the best leader to protect Ontario’s economy from potential trade threats under a second Trump administration. But his opponents quickly steered the conversation toward local issues, arguing that healthcare and affordability should be the real focus. Stiles emphasized Ford’s history of “bad deals” and wasteful spending, while Crombie pledged to cut middle-class taxes and ensure every Ontarian has access to a family doctor. Schreiner, meanwhile, positioned himself as the candidate who puts people before politics.
Healthcare was another major battleground. Ontario’s struggling system has been a major issue, with emergency room closures and a shortage of family doctors impacting millions. Crombie, Stiles, and Schreiner all criticized Ford’s handling of the sector, with Crombie arguing that his push for private healthcare expansion undermines the public system. Ford countered that no government has invested more in healthcare than his, citing efforts to reduce surgery backlogs and recruit healthcare workers.
The Greenbelt controversy also resurfaced, with Ford admitting he broke his 2018 promise not to touch the protected land. Though he claimed he “learned his lesson” and apologized, his opponents weren’t convinced. Stiles and Crombie both accused him of prioritizing developers over Ontarians, while Schreiner framed it as another example of government corruption.
The debate was filled with sharp exchanges and memorable lines. Ford accused his rivals of wanting to “tax people to death,” while Crombie fired back, calling Ford privileged and out of touch. Stiles took issue with Ford’s refusal to take questions from reporters after the debate, saying, “It tells you a lot about Doug. He doesn’t want to be accountable.”
With just days left until election day, this debate may have been the final opportunity for Ontarians to see their potential leaders in action. While Ford remains the frontrunner, his opponents made it clear they are ready to fight until the very end.
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