Ford's PCs outspent rival parties by millions during snap Ontario election | CBC News

"Ontario's Progressive Conservatives outspent their opponents during last winter's provincial election by more than $6 million, but one of their nearest rivals says the governing party had a massive head start because of its use of taxpayer-funded advertising months ahead of the snap vote. The election spending figures come from mandatory filings more than six months after the writ period. Premier Doug Ford called the winter election seeking a new mandate to address U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threats and cruised to a third-straight majority government in February."

"His PC Party spent $15.3 million on its campaign, running well ahead of the Ontario Liberals, which spent $8.9 million, the Ontario New Democrats, which spent $8.5 million, and the Green Party, which spent $1.4 million. While the PC Party did not comment on the spending, conservative strategist Mitch Heimpel said the party's campaign got the results it wanted. With the third straight majority government, the first premier to accomplish that since the 1950s, Doug Ford got what he wanted out of his advertising budget, Heimpel said."

"Advertising was the largest single campaign expense for all of Ontario's major political parties during the election. The financial statements show the Tories spent the most on advertising during the campaign, $7.6 million, followed closely by the Liberals at nearly $6.6 million, while NDP spent $5.4 million. The Green party spent $750,000."

Ontario's Progressive Conservative Party spent $15.3 million during the winter provincial election, exceeding opponents by more than $6 million. The Ontario Liberals spent $8.9 million, the New Democrats $8.5 million, and the Green Party $1.4 million. Advertising was the largest campaign expense: Tories $7.6 million, Liberals nearly $6.6 million, NDP $5.4 million, Greens $750,000. Mandatory spending filings were submitted more than six months after the writ period. Premier Doug Ford called a snap vote over U.S. tariff threats and secured a third straight majority, a feat not seen since the 1950s. Critics said taxpayer-funded advertising gave the governing party an early advantage.

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