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Ontario

Doug Ford

In office

Premier

Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario

2,375 days in office

Ontario's 42nd Parliament
07 Jun 2018 - 03 May 2022

Ontario's 43rd Parliament
24 Jun 2022 - 28 Jan 2025

The 2022 Ontario general election was held on June 2, 2022 to elect the 124 members of the 43rd Parliament of Ontario. The Progressive Conservative (PC) Party of Ontario, led by Doug Ford, won a majority government with 83 of the 124 seats in the legislature. The incumbent party, they increased their seat share from 76 in the 2018 election. They campaigned on a slogan to “get it done,” pledging to build highways and transit infrastructure and open up the “Ring of Fire,” a mineral-rich area in northern Ontario. Instead of an election platform, the Ontario PC Party presented its promises on its website in the form of press releases throughout the campaign.

In partnership with

Secrétariat du Québec aux relations canadiennes

Centre for the Study of Democratic Citizenship

Promise History

Economy and Labour

Ontario's 43rd Parliament

2.04.045 - “A re-elected PC government will spend $1 billion to build the road to the Ring of Fire”

Only Doug Ford and the Ontario PCs will Unlock the Economic Potential of the Ring of Fire

Published: Jun 2022

Justification

Although the provincial government has allocated $1bn in funding for the Ring of Fire, only limited road development has begun and that does not come close to the $1bn pledged. As such, this promise is partially kept.

“Ontario has dedicated $1 billion to support critical legacy infrastructure such as all‐season roads, broadband connectivity and community supports for the Ring of Fire region. Currently, there are no all-season roads connecting the Ring of Fire to the provincial highway network.”

2024 Ontario Budget: Chapter 1, Section A: Building Ontario

Published: Jan 2025

Justification

The Ford government is investing funding in the highways to connect the Ring of Fire, in partnership with two First Nations (see more here). In March 2023, the Ford government approved the Terms of Reference from the two First Nations, and indicated then that they had dedicated close to $1bn for this project. This promise is in progress.

“Ontario has dedicated close to $1 billion to support critical legacy infrastructure in the Ring of Fire area including constructing all‑season roads, investing in high-speed internet, road upgrades and community supports.”

Ontario Approves First Nations-led Plan for the Road to the Ring of Fire

Published: Mar 2023

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“Ontario has committed close to $1 billion to support critical legacy infrastructure such as all‐season roads to the Ring of Fire. To support the construction of all‐season roads, the government approved the provincial Terms of Reference for the Environmental Assessment for the proposed Marten Falls First Nation Community Access Road and Webequie First Nation Supply Road projects in October 2021. In addition, in April 2022, Marten Falls First Nation and Webequie First Nation announced that they will be submitting a Terms of Reference for the proposed Northern Road Link Environmental Assessment. The proposed road is the final piece of critical road infrastructure needed to ensure reliable, all‐season road access to potential mining sites in the Ring of Fire and connect both First Nation communities to Ontario’s highway network. The provincial government will continue to work with the federal government to coordinate the impact assessment requirements for these projects.”