Ontario Premier Doug Ford Praises PM Mark Carney in Historic Meeting

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Damn the critics, Ontario Premier Doug Ford is defending his decision to speak in favour of new Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney. Ford says that some right-wing radicals might take issue with the premier of the countrys largest province working with the just elected PM, but most voters dont see it that way, he says.

Ford hosted premiers from across the country at the Deerhurst Resort, not far from his cottage in Ontarios Muskoka region. Ford said that he and Carney, and some other premiers, stayed up around the fire until after midnight on Monday chatting about how to fix the problems of the nations. According to a couple of sources, all of them were decked out in Ford Nation hoodies as they stood around the campfire.

Thats where you get the work done. You have heart-to-heart conversations, one-on-one, Ford said.

I have a lot of respect for Prime Minister Carney, a very bright individual, a very smart business person. We share the same values. We have to run the government like a business, and were going to get things done no matter if its bail reform or dealing with President Trump on the trade deal.

Ford said that he has more confidence in the new prime minister than he did in the last one. Thats not a comment that is unique to him. In conversations public and private, premiers such as Albertas Danielle Smith, Saskatchewans Scott Moe or Nova Scotias Tim Houston have said the same.

Voters who wanted Poilievre to win the last election want to blast Ford, but Carney is seen as a breath of fresh air by the premiers. Sure, the bar was lowered by Justin Trudeau so much that showing up on time for a scheduled meeting is seen as a positive.

Speaking with one official at the meeting of the premiers on Tuesday, they described how Trudeau would show up 45 minutes late to meetings with the premiers, lecture them and then not pay attention to their issues. Carney is not only on time but several premiers say that hes listening to them and looking for solutions.

Ford answered those critics who said the meetings between the premiers and with the PM could have been conducted virtually over Skype or Zoom.

Its all about relationships. Business is about relationships. Work is about relationships. And nothings better than looking someone square in the eyes and reading them, Ford said.

Theres something to be said for that, being able to see someone face-to-face gives you a sense of whether you can trust what they said in a way that is different than a phone call or online conference call. Premiers are also able to speak more candidly when they know that its just them in the room and that a staffer isnt lurking in the background recording everything that is said.