Enough is enough!  I've had it with those "Protect Ontario" ads  It's disgusting that taxpayers' money is being used to pay for them. The ads are not informative. They simply put forth Doug Ford propaganda. They promote his policies and his agenda. If the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario wants to run those ads, the party should pay for them. They have every right in a democracy to express their views, but not at public expense.  

Why is Premier Ford getting away with this?  His ubiquitous "Protect Ontario" campaign includes television, radio and social media placements.  The ads can't be avoided.  I feel livid when I think how that tax money should have been spent on health, education and combatting climate change.  Those "Protect Ontario ads are self-promotional and they cost taxpayers millions. Their full cost remains under wraps.  However, according to Trillium (using the freedom information system), the full cost for just one ministry to produce and run them was almost $10 million.  The Ministry of Energy spent a whopping $9,932,437.20 during the 2025-26 fiscal year.  What s waste!  It is truly unconscionable.  The Ford government should be held accountable for this.  Talk about a gravy trains.  This is a scandal of epic proportions

So, how did Ford defend his "Protect Ontario' ads from criticism.  He compared the "Protect Ontario" ads to federal Liberal government advertising on cutting taxes and making life more affordable. "I think that it's great that we're informing people.  And I love the federal ads, too," Ford stated.  He then put forth that his government's ads offer an alternative view to what voters may encounter in the media.

The premier's defence does not hold water.  Firstly, why does Ford use the Trumpian tactic of mentioning what federal Liberals have done?  He sounds like Donald 'Trump, who when criticized, always points to Democrats, in order to deflect the pressure from himself.  Secondly, the federal ads do not appear as often.  Thirdly, much of the media is right wing and supports cutting taxes, even at the expense of much-need social programs.  Finally, the ads promote such controversial Ford policies such as building Highway 413. How is this informative?

The "Protect Ontario" ads should cease immediately unless the PC Party of Ontario is willing to pay for them.  You should not have to pay for them at a time when so many people are struggling to get by.

- Joanne