Editor’s Letter: The metamorphosis of Doug Ford

The Ford family business, Deco Labels, sits in a triangle-shaped industrial park framed by highways 401, 409 and 427. In late 2016, I sat apprehensively in its reception area awaiting an interview with Doug Ford for this magazine. For years, Toronto Life had been unflinching in its coverage of his brother’s chaotic mayoralty. Rob had recently passed away from cancer, and Doug had just published a “tell-all” book that he promised would “rock” the media and political landscape. He was ready to talk.

Suddenly, a door opened and Ford, in a shark-grey suit, filled its frame. Grinning widely, he extended his hand and graciously welcomed me into his office, where we sat across an ornate wooden desk. For the next hour, he patiently and thoughtfully answered my questions. At times, he was defensive and mad as hell. But he also showed exceptional insight and compassion. He railed against his political opponents (Kathleen Wynne, Justin Trudeau, John Tory) in one breath and showered them with praise the next. He candidly addressed Rob’s substance abuse problems and spoke in such a tender, heartbreaking way about his little brother’s last moments that we both teared up. “His breathing was slowing, and I could see the heart monitor, and then it just kind of stopped,” he said. “I was about an inch away from him. He opened his eyes—it kind of freaked me out—they were wide open. It was like, See you later. Then I just grabbed him and wouldn’t let go. And he was gone.”

This was not the combative exchange for which I had prepared. Ford seemed human, reasonable and...likable? Having lost the mayoral race, he was now plotting his future. The question wasn’t whether he’d run again but for which office. “Toronto is just a creature of the province, and if you really want to get things done, you go provincial or federal,” he said. I confess I didn’t take his aspirations seriously. Ford always seemed exasperated that city hall didn’t operate like a business, and he chafed at the endless procedure, debate and committee work. Surely he wouldn’t wade deeper into the political morass.

How misguided I was. Three Conservative majorities later, Ford has eclipsed the political legacies of his dad and brother, graduating from pothole-filling retail politician to one of our longest-serving premiers—albeit the author of too many gaffes, scandals and apologies to count.

Lately, we’ve witnessed yet another stage in the evolution of Doug Ford: international statesman. He was all but forced into the role when Trudeau left Canada with a leadership vacuum. Yet, as Katrina Onstad writes in “The Insatiable Political Ambitions of Douglas R. Ford,” our premier’s debut on the world stage as Canada’s protector-­in-chief was opportunistic and calculated. At least one inside source says he is serious about a run for PM post-­Carney. In her reporting, Onstad—spending time with Ford at work, at home and over the phone—discovered that, at age 60, he’s taking French lessons, as sure a sign as any that he has his eye on Ottawa. He makes no secret of his distaste for Pierre Poilievre, who represents a very different brand of conservatism. When Onstad asked directly, “Do you plan to run for prime minister?” Ford declined to say no.

It’s possible his ambitions have always been hiding in plain sight. Looking over my 2016 interview, I realized I’d asked what he’d do with the federal party if he ran for the top job. He didn’t hesitate: “I’d switch it from the party for rich, old, white folks to the working-class party.” Just like Trump, I said. His answer: “Exactly.”

Malcolm Johnston is the editor of Toronto Life. He can be reached via email at editor@torontolife.com.