Our Meeting with Premier Doug Ford

As we stepped into November, the interns had the distinct privilege of meeting The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario! Premier Ford welcomed us into his office and generously took the time to speak with us about his path into politics, the major issues facing Ontario today, and the many questions we brought with us. Our discussion touched on the province’s economic outlook, the principles that guide his work as Premier, and his priorities for the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party and Ontario broadly in the years ahead.

We learned about the central role his family plays in shaping his leadership style, and how those relationships influence the way he approaches public service. He also reflected on the challenges faced during the pandemic, sharing candidly what the experience was like both during and after navigating such an unprecedented period.

Our conversation covered a wide range of topics, including housing, mining and energy development, jobs and business growth, and the importance of education. Premier Ford emphasized the importance of financially supporting the Canadian economy, especially during this time. We also spoke about his interactions with national figures such as the Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, and he emphasized how essential strong relationships are in political life.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Premier Ford for taking the time to meet with us and for sharing his experiences so openly. It was a privilege to converse with him and to gain insight into the responsibilities and realities of provincial leadership. And, of course, we could not end this off without mentioning one of the highlights of the day: sitting in the iconic Premier’s chair!