A political firestorm erupted at Queen’s Park this week after Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles suggested Premier Doug Ford could end up in prison, prompting Ford and his Progressive Conservative government to accuse her of using “Trump-style” rhetoric.
The exchange has sharpened tensions between the government and the Official Opposition as the Ford government continues to face questions over the Greenbelt controversy and an ongoing RCMP investigation.
Stiles made the remark Monday while speaking to the Queen’s Park Press Gallery. She said an NDP government would launch a public inquiry into the actions of the Ford government after the next provincial election.
“Don’t worry about it Doug, when I’m premier, I’m going to call a public inquiry into all of this,” Stiles said. Maybe you don’t get another mandate because you’ll be in prison, Doug.”
Ford Government Condemns Stiles Prison Remark
Progressive Conservatives moved quickly to denounce the comment, arguing Stiles had gone beyond acceptable political criticism.
Government House Leader Steve Clark said the remark had no place in Ontario politics.
“Yesterday we saw the Leader of the Opposition invoke dangerous American-style Trumpian rhetoric that quite frankly has no place in this Legislature,” said Government House Leader Steve Clark.
“That type of rhetoric lowers the tone in this House. It has no place in this Legislature, our province, or our country.”
Ford also criticized Stiles, calling the comment unacceptable while saying he would not demand an apology.
“She doesn’t have to apologize, whatever she wants to do,” Ford said. “But we aren’t going to lower ourselves to the Trump-style rhetoric she’s feeling right now.”
Ford’s Own Political Language Draws Scrutiny
The premier’s response also revived questions about his own record of sharp political attacks.
In 2018, former premier Kathleen Wynne accused Ford of sounding like Trump after he suggested a “few more Liberals [would be] in jail.” He has also mocked former NDP leader Andrea Horwath as sounding like “nails on a chalkboard” and recently said Liberal MPP Stephanie Smyth was only in the legislature because “CP24 didn’t want her anymore.”
Asked about those past remarks, Ford said “words get said” inside the legislature, but maintained Stiles had “stepped over the line.”
Stiles Stands By Comment Amid Greenbelt Fallout
Stiles rejected the criticism and said the Progressive Conservatives were avoiding the larger issue.
“I think it’s very rich for this government to talk about this being Trumpian or MAGA,” Stiles said. “They’re clutching their pearls when this government is under RCMP criminal investigation for matters related to the carve out of the greenbelt.”
NDP insiders said the comment was not scripted. They linked it to the party’s recent request asking the RCMP to determine whether Ford government changes to Freedom of Information laws constitute obstruction of justice in the Mounties’ years-long Greenbelt investigation.
Stiles said her remark reflected what many Ontarians are already thinking.
“I think I’m saying out loud what a lot of people are saying quietly,” Stiles said.
