Ford Government Spent Nearly $46 Million on Two Major Ad Campaigns, FOI Documents Reveal

Ford Government's Ad Spending Tops $46 Million, Records Reveal

The Ontario government under Premier Doug Ford expended nearly $46 million on two major advertising campaigns running across social media and video platforms over the 2025-26 year, according to records released after a freedom-of-information (FOI) request by CBC News.

Breakdown of Costs: Protect Ontario and Ontario Corps Campaigns

The released documentation did not specify individual ad details but outlined the costs associated with two core campaigns: the Protect Ontario and affordability advertising, and Ontario Corps ads. From spring 2025 to July 2026, nearly $46 million was allocated, with $15 million approved for the Ontario Corps initiative—a province-wide network of volunteers supporting communities during emergencies such as wildfires and floods. The remaining $30,984,284.41 was attributed to the Protect Ontario and affordability campaign, with expenditure records showing significant payments to vendors including Google, Facebook, Publicis Canada, and EssenceMediacom.

Government Position: Ads Are 'Important Tool'

Responding to inquiries, Joseph D'Angelo, spokesperson for the Ministry of Emergency Preparedness, stated in an emailed response that, “Government advertising remains an important tool to highlight some of the ways Ontario is building a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy.” D'Angelo further claimed that the Ontario Corps ads contributed to more than a 200 percent increase in volunteer sign-ups, though CBC requested clarification on how these numbers were directly connected to the advertising effort.

Political Opposition Raises Concerns Over Spending

The campaigns have drawn criticism from opposition leaders. Marit Stiles, Ontario NDP Leader, described the spending as “outrageous” during a time when affordability is a key concern for many Ontarians. Stiles argued that instead of offering solutions, the government was “gaslighting Ontarians into thinking that they're doing something they’re not,” referencing public dissatisfaction with the government’s approach to both wildfire and flood responses in 2026. Stiles also questioned the necessity of advertising the Ontario Corps, suggesting that the government should focus on direct action rather than promotion.

John Fraser, interim leader of the Ontario Liberal Party, described the campaigns as “self-promotional,” and stated, “It's Doug Ford using taxpayers money, hard earned money, to benefit himself, his party and his government.”

History of Government Advertising Rules in Ontario

Controversy over political ad spending in Ontario dates back to changes made during the previous Liberal government under Kathleen Wynne in 2015, which loosened restrictions on the nature of government advertising. These changes were criticized by then-auditor general Bonnie Lysyk for enabling what she called “self-congratulatory” ads. Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives campaigned in 2018 on promises to reverse these changes, but so far, according to the FOI findings and recent reports, no rollback of these rules has been put in place.

Conclusion

The new disclosure of nearly $46 million spent on the Ford government advertising campaigns has amplified political debate, with questions raised about transparency, effectiveness, and priorities regarding public communication and government accountability in Ontario.

Source: cbc.ca.