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�鶹��ý����ion stakeholders expressed wholesale support for Ontario Premier Doug Ford and his Progressive Conservative Party after the PCs walked away with a third consecutive majority win on election day on a “Protect Ontario” mandate.

Ford claimed he needed the new mandate to fight economic threats from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

The premier visited Washington twice during the campaign to advocate for relief from tariffs and announced an additional $100 million in funding for the province’s Skills Development Fund to support construction and other workers potentially hurt by disruptions.

In his victory speech Feb. 27 Ford emphasized his Protect Ontario campaign theme and reiterated pledges to spend billions on infrastructure including highway projects, expand GO Transit and build a tunnel under Toronto’s Highway 401.

“In these uncertain times, with the looming threat of U.S. tariffs, the need for strong leadership has never been greater,” stated Nadia Todorova, executive director of the Residential and Civil �鶹��ý����ion Alliance of Ontario, in a post-election release. “Ontario needs a government with a clear plan to continue building and strengthening the economy.”

The final tally before recounts had the PCs elected in 80 seats, down three from 2022, followed by the New Democrats at 25 and the Liberals at 13.

Ontario General Contractors Association president Giovanni Cautillo said Ford has shown he is trusted by voters to navigate future uncertainties.

“He’s got a very clear mandate from not only all of the constituents of Ontario, but from the OGCA members as well,” said Cautillo. “We’re very happy to support his ongoing initiatives and investments into construction, health and safety, skilled trades, but more so we’re very happy that the premier is taking a very strong stance for Ontario.”

Council of Ontario �鶹��ý����ion Associations president Ian Cunningham said in a statement it won’t be business as usual for the re-elected government.

“We anticipate the new Ford government getting down to business quickly, installing a new cabinet and addressing the tariff issue, which dominated the election campaign, and moving forward with their campaign promises,” said Cunningham.

Building Trades: ‘safeguard jobs’

Igor Delov, director of government relations with the Ontario Building Trades Council, recalled the heightened level of co-operation between the government and the construction sector during the pandemic and said stakeholders would play a similar central role to address new trade risks.

“We have to prepare for every contingency,” said Delov. “We would gladly revive that level of intense dialogue and industry co-ordination with our employers, with our owner clients and with the government, to see what can be done to safeguard our jobs, to safeguard investments, but also attract potentially new investments and diversify our economy as needed.”

Several building trades unions endorsed the government during the campaign including LIUNA and, for the first time in memory, the Carpenters’.

Three days before the election call, Ford had announced $14 million in spending to support the expansion of the Carpenters’ Regional Council Workforce Development Program.

Jason Rowe, executive secretary-treasurer of the council, said in a statement the Ford government has shown it appreciates the role unions and skilled tradespeople play in building the province.

“We know how crucial it is that we develop the critical infrastructure we need to solve the housing crisis, grow Ontario’s energy capacity and increase our self-reliance amid tariff threats south of the border,” stated Rowe.

LIUNA international vice-president Joe Mancinelli offered congratulations and said, “Now more than ever we must stand united to invest in Ontario and protect our economy and jobs against Trump’s looming tariffs that will impact LIUNA members across Canada and the U.S.”

Progressive Contractors Association of Canada vice-president for Ontario Karen Renkema said the association is looking forward to supporting the government’s work on easing interprovincial trade barriers and constructing nation-building projects.

“With a new, strong mandate, this government has the opportunity to provide bold leadership to reaffirm Ontario as the economic engine of Canada, with a focus on supporting an innovative, productive construction sector that’s equipped to build our future,” she said.

“If Ontario plans to move more quickly on the construction of major projects, it’s going to need a larger, stronger skilled construction workforce. We’re delighted the Ford government plans to expand training capacity, especially at our regional community colleges, so that more tradespeople can put their skills to work.”

RESCON ‘delighted’

After the PCs released a new package of housing reforms during the campaign, the Residential �鶹��ý����ion Council of Ontario under its president Richard Lyall quickly released a statement supporting the plan.

Lyall said in an interview while the Ford government may not have acted aggressively enough to get housing built during its previous term, it has shown it understands what needs to be done including reducing taxes and fees and cutting red tape.

“We’re delighted,” said Lyall, referring to the election results. “We’ve got the right leader in the province to deal with the immediate challenge of the U.S. and also the other challenges we’re facing.”

Ontario Sewer and Watermain �鶹��ý����ion Association executive director Patrick McManus stated, “The association is happy to see the Doug Ford get re-elected with another majority mandate. We appreciate his vision for investing in critical core infrastructure that will drive economic and community growth and investing in the growth of the skilled trades.”