Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford rolled into NDP Leader Andrea Horwath's home turf of Hamilton in an attempt to persuade blue-collar workers to vote for him on June 2.
"The workers and the trade unions at one time used to support the NDP. They've given up on it and I'll tell you the reason why — she's anti-building anything," Ford told reporters Wednesday in the city's industrial sector by the shipyards.
Ford announced support he's receiving from the Sheet Metal Workers' International Association and the Ontario Pipe Trades Council, which represent thousands of labourers. Previously, he announced support from other unions, including the Laborers' International Union of North America (LiUNA).
But the NDP, which kicked off its campaign in Hamilton late last month, still has fierce backing from some of the province's largest unions, including Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), which represents 180,000 workers, and the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL), which has over a million members.
The party also has the same target as the PCs and the Liberals to build 1.5 million new homes in 10 years, as recommended by a government-commissioned task force report earlier this year.
Ford's visit Wednesday to Hamilton — historically and still an NDP stronghold — with just two weeks left in the campaign is an attempt to try to stifle the New Democrats and the Liberals, according to Peter Graefe, an associate professor in the political science department at McMaster University.
"In this election, the weakness of the Liberals means that Liberal-linked unions, especially in the construction trades, are up for grabs," Graefe wrote CBC in an email.
"I think this is both an offensive move to try and grow the Conservative coalition and a defensive one, by trying to reduce the NDP's ability to make a late-campaign play for these votes."
The PCs also have some well-known candidates in a few Hamilton-area ridings, including incumbent Donna Skelly in Flamborough—Glanbrook, Fred Bennink in Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, and Neil Lumsden in Hamilton East—Stoney Creek.
Hamilton East—Stoney Creek is a particularly interesting riding as the incumbent is Paul Miller, who is now running as an Independent after being ousted from the NDP in March because of what the party said was a "pattern of troubling behaviour."
It leaves the future of that riding, where Hamilton Coun. Jason Farr has now thrown his hat in the ring for the Liberals, uncertain.
Despite not being with the NDP, Miller has maintained the support of United Steel Workers Local 1005.
Local 1005, which represents hundreds of Stelco workers and pensioners, posted on its website Wednesday that they will continue to back Miller as an Independent, and not the NDP candidate.
On Saturday, the NDP's new candidate, Zaigham Butt, will be joined by the party's federal leader, Jagmeet Singh, in Stoney Creek.
On Wednesday, Ford also repeated his plans to have Hamilton's Dofasco and Algoma Steel in Sault Ste. Marie replace their coal-fired blast furnaces for electric-powered systems.
Ford said he's trying to encourage Stelco to do the same.
"I can't dictate to the private-sector companies, but I can sure encourage them."
He said the companies will be part of a plan to make Ontario the electric-vehicle capital of North America.
Ford also said he supports building a "bigger and better LRT" — though his government pulled the plug on the project in 2019 before it got back on track — and said he would consider expanding Highway 403 and the Lincoln Alexander Parkway if elected.
Asked about his controversial track record on climate, Ford said he was focused on creating long-term jobs.
Ford was asked multiple questions about local PC candidates not participating in the upcoming Cable 14 candidates' debates and whether the party was instructing them to avoid any extra attention.
He didn't immediately answer the question on Wednesday. The second time he was asked, he said he couldn't speak for every candidate in the party since some are doing debates.
Skelly is the only Conservative candidate who is participating in the debate Thursday at 7 p.m. ET.
Bobby Hristova is a reporter for CBC News in Hamilton. You can contact him at bobby.hristova@cbc.ca.
To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted.
By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. Comments are welcome while open. We reserve the right to close comments at any time.
Join the conversation Create account
Audience Relations, CBC P.O. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6
Toll-free (Canada only): 1-866-306-4636
TTY/Teletype writer: 1-866-220-6045
It is a priority for CBC to create a website that is accessible to all Canadians including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges.
Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem.