|term_start=June 29, 2018
|term_end=
|preceded=[[Kathleen Wynne]]
|succeeded=
}}
'''Douglas Robert Ford, Jr.''' (born November 20, 1964), known as '''Doug Ford''', is the 26th and current Premier of [[Ontario]], [[Canada]] and the leader of the [[Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario. He is the brother of late former [[Toronto]] mayor [[Rob Ford]].<ref>https://youtu. be/WjdTi1r-yRQ</ref> He has been both praised and criticized for his policies, including his opposition towards a federal [[carbon tax]] and handling of the [[COVID-19]] pandemic.
Despite running as a conservative in the 2018 Ontario election where his party ousted the Ontario Liberal regime of Kathleen Wynne which Ford thought to be corrupt,<ref>Crawley, Mike (September 25, 2018). [https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/doug-ford-accuses-kathleen-wynne-fraud-1.4835905 Doug Ford accuses Kathleen Wynne of fraud, coverup and getting rich off taxpayers]. ''CBC''. Retrieved May 12, 2021.</ref> many have criticized his management of the [[COVID-19]] pandemic, as some people thought he has acted in a totalitarian manner with lockdown measures increasingly intended to cripple Ontario's economy and bring life in the province to a standstill since the onset of the pandemic, controversially using the Ontario Provincial Police as his lockdown enforcers.<ref>The Canadian Press (April 17, 2021). [https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/ontario-walks-back-new-pandemic-police-powers-following-widespread-backlash-1.5391464 Ontario walks back new pandemic police powers following widespread backlash]. ''CTV News''. Retrieved May 12, 2021.</ref><ref>Tsekouras, Phil; Aguilar, Bryann (April 17, 2021). [https://www.cp24.com/news/ford-government-revises-new-police-pandemic-powers-after-pushback-1.5391473 Ford government revises new police pandemic powers after pushback]. ''CP 24''. Retrieved May 12, 2021.</ref><ref>CBC NEws (April 17, 2021). [https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-police-random-spot-checks-1.5991872 Ontario walks back new policing powers following pushback]. ''CBC''. Retrieved May 12, 2021.</ref>
==Anti-tyranny protests==
{{See also|Freedom Convoy}}
On February 11, 2022, Ford declared a state of emergency in response to the anti-mandate Freedom Protests in [[Ottawa]]. Ford authorized arrests, seizures, fines, and revocation of licenses. Ford reminded the Canadian citizens that only government is permitted to destroy livelihoods, collapse businesses and create economic pain. The people in and around Ontario are not allowed to disrupt or influence the provincial economic activity; picking winners and losers is exclusively the role of government.<ref>https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2022/02/11/ontario-comrade-doug-ford-promises-to-crush-the-rebellion-declares-state-of-emergency-announces-unilateral-orders-to-target-noncompliant-truckers-with-arrest-100k-fines-and-license-revocation/</ref> Ford promised to create legislation to permanently codify his orders against the truckers into Canadian provincial law. Trade unions must never again attempt this type of rebellion against the government.
==Subsidies to transportation==
During Ford, the service frequency of GO Transit has been greatly subsidized, tolls on Highway 412 and 418 were removed, and the licence plate renewal fee was removed.
His plans for Highway 413 have been criticized by environmental advocates, as the highway would result in induced demand for driving and increase pollution.<ref>Javed, Noor (April 18, 2022). [https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2022/04/18/doug-fords-government-picked-a-route-for-highway-413-its-own-experts-said-would-undermine-the-credibility-of-the-project-local-residents-are-baffled.html Doug Ford’s government picked a route for Highway 413 its own experts said would ‘undermine the credibility’ of the project. Local residents are baffled]. ''Toronto Star''. Retrieved January 7, 2023.</ref>
==References==
[[Category:Canadians]]
[[Category:Canadian Politicians]]
[[Category:Conservatives]]