How Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader, Doug Ford, Seized a Historical Three-peat in a Snap Provincial Election

Despite Doug Ford's countless controversial letdowns—cuts to healthcare and education, favouritism toward developers, and policies that many argue harm the very people who voted for him, he remains politically strong, becoming the first premier to win three consecutive majority since 1959. How can so many Ontarians continue to support him despite the deteriorations?

Let’s look at some key factors behind his winning.

Doug Ford Has Made So Many Egregious Mistakes, How Is He Still Dominating Ontario's Election?

Despite his missteps, Ford retains support because of a mix of political strategy, voter psychology, media influence and a snap and rare winter election due to a tariff war. Ontario was not slated for an election until June 2026.

Voter Apathy & Low Expectations

Many Ontarians have lost faith in politicians altogether. They assume that no leader will truly work in their best interest, so they decide not to exercise their civic duty, settling instead for whomever the people choose. In fact, only 45 percent of eligible voters voted in this election.

Populist Appeal

Ford positions himself as the champion of the “everyday worker” against “downtown elites,” bureaucrats, and the media. He speaks in simple, relatable terms, often using slogans like “helping the little guy.” Even when caught in scandals, his supporters seem to turn a blind eye, choosing to see him as a flawed but relatable leader.

The “At Least He’s Doing Something” Effect

Ford’s government constantly announces new projects—whether highways, housing plans, or tax rebates. Even when these policies are flawed, they create the illusion of action. Many voters prefer a leader who “gets things done,” even if the long-term impact is negative. Ford also made himself visible in the Trump tariff war against Canada, seizing the opportunity to call an impromptu election and using it to his advantage.

Tribal Politics & Identity

For many suburban and rural Ontarians, voting Conservative is about more than policy—it’s about cultural identity. They see Ford as “one of them” and view alternative parties as representing “downtown elites” who don’t understand their struggles.

Are Ontarians Gullible? What’s Driving This Frenzy?

While it is easy to dismiss Ford’s supporters as uninformed or gullible, the reality is more nuanced. Rather than seeing them as naive, it might be more accurate to say they’re cynical—they see all politicians as corrupt, so they’d rather vote for “The devil they know.” Many are also victims of selective perception, misinformation, and political conditioning:

Cognitive Dissonance:

People don’t like admitting they are wrong. They tend to see what they want to see, especially when admitting they were wrong feels uncomfortable. Once they’ve committed to a leader or a party, they filter out negative information to avoid the discomfort of realizing they were wrong. Those who voted for Ford might unconsciously ignore or downplay his failures because accepting reality would mean admitting they made a bad choice. This is called cognitive dissonance—when faced with conflicting information, people choose the narrative that protects their egos.

Conservative Media & Messaging:

Many of Ford’s supporters rely on news sources that reinforce his talking points while downplaying his failures. They often get their news from sources that filter out his failures or frame them as something else. Conservative media and even some mainstream sources repeat his talking points without scrutiny. If people aren’t exposed to critical perspectives, they never question his poor decisions.

Short-Term Perks Over Long-Term Consequences:

A small tax cut, a $10 license plate rebate, or a temporary reduction in gas prices might seem like a win to voters who are struggling. But they don’t always connect these perks to what’s lost in the process—underfunded hospitals, privatized healthcare, crumbling public infrastructure and poor quality of life. Ford voters seem to focus on immediate gratification, while the real damage steeps under the surface.

A tax rebate feels more tangible than a struggling healthcare system, especially if you or your loved ones are not yet affected.

What I find particularly frustrating is that many of these voters are suffering the consequences of Ford’s policies—whether minimally or maximally, such as increased costs or declining public services—but they just don't care.

You’d think people who recognize the impact of Ford’s poor decisions leading to overcrowded hospitals, struggling schools, skyrocketing housing costs would make a different voting decision. So why don’t they?

They Blame the Wrong People

Conservatives convinced their base that someone else—immigrants, welfare recipients, the federal government, environmentalists, Trudeau, or “leftist elites” —is responsible for their problems. This misdirection prevents naive voters from seeing the real reason. Rather than admitting the government they supported was wrong and seeing the real issues for what they are, they doubled down on the blame game.

Some Ford supporters focus on what they personally gain (lower taxes, business incentives, deregulations). They prioritize “Their Own” over the collective rather than the broader outcomes for the province. It’s a case of what I call small-picture thinking.

They Think “All Politicians Are the Same”

Some voters recognize Ford’s flaws but believe every politician is corrupt, so they might as well stick with the one they know. This learned helplessness keeps them disengaged from real political change.

Is There Any Hope for Change?

Ford’s continued success was inevitable; it was contingent on the ballot box questions: Is Canada for sale, and who is the best leader to deal with Donald Trump threats? Breaking his hold on Ontario will require:

• Challenging the narratives that keep his base loyal.
• Offering a compelling alternative, not just attacking Ford.
• Getting people to care about long-term consequences rather than short-term gains.

Until then, Ontario will remain stuck in this cycle—one where Ford’s failures are evident, but his supporters refuse to acknowledge them. The real truth is that politicians who are skillful at pathology or emotional appeals—generate fear, pity, love, anger, or even jealousy—will often get their audience to accept them for better or worse. Let me tell you, I watched the debate and his pitiful demeanour almost swindled me. You can call it the Trump effect.

So, what do you think? Are Ontarians waking up, or is Ford’s grip stronger than ever?