Ford made an appearance with local candidates in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Pictured: Premier Doug Ford. Photo Credit: Doug Ford/X.
On Saturday, Feb. 8, Ontario Premier Doug Ford returned to Niagara for the second visit of his re-election campaign.
Ford made an appearance in the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, where he announced new investments aimed at securing Ontario’s borders and enhancing safety for municipalities across the province.
“With President Trump’s tariff threats continuing to loom over Ontario workers and businesses, and fentanyl continuing to hurt too many families and communities, we need to take real tangible action to protect our borders and communities,” Ford said at a media availability.
Trump has been threatening painful tariffs on Canadian exports to the United States until he deems that Canada has taken the necessary steps to address illegal migration and drug trafficking across the Canada-U.S. border.
Ford said that upon re-election, he will provide $50 million to expand the Joint-Air Support Unit of the Ontario Provincial Police. This investment will help to provide two new H-135 helicopters to assist the Windsor Police Service and Niagara Regional Police in patrolling and securing border entry points.
Ford is also advising the federal government to enact even stricter protocols that prioritize border security, including instituting mandatory minimum sentencing for those convicted of drug trafficking.
“Any thug convicted of destroying communities like that, they need to be locked up for a long, long time,” said Ford.
Ford was accompanied by a number of local officials, including Niagara Falls Progressive Conservative candidate Ruth-Ann Nieuwesteeg, Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati, Niagara-on-the-Lake Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa and Deputy Lord Mayor Erwin Wiens, as well as Niagara Falls City Councillor Mona Patel.
At the announcement, Ford was formally endorsed by Wiens for a third term. Wiens was the latest municipal leader to back Ford, who has also received local support from Diodati, as well as St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe and Welland Mayor Frank Campion.
“I just want to come forward, and from the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, as the Deputy Lord Mayor, I want to endorse the Premier in this election, and we look forward to working with him.”
In addition to sharing border security initiatives, Ford also announced that the province will invest $35 million to help cover essential upgrades to the Royal George Theatre, a key part of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Shaw Festival.
Niagara is home to three swing ridings which are currently occupied by NDP incumbents but are seen as potential gains for Ford’s Progressive Conservatives.
The provincial election will take place on Feb. 27.
Nick Redekop completed his Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Labour Studies at Brock University. He has previously served in municipal and federal politics. In his free time, Nick enjoys following sports, taking part in outdoor activities, and reading biographies. Nick resides in Niagara Falls
