Del Duca accuses Ford of being a ‘climate change denier’

Doug Ford may be the current front-runner in the Ontario election, but the PC leader was facing accusations of being a “climate change denier” on the campaign trail, in the wake of a devastating storm that swept through southern Ontario on Saturday.

“When Doug Ford sort of in a blasé way talks about these things like they’re once in a lifetime, they’re not,” said Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca during a campaign stop in Toronto on Tuesday. “He just doesn’t get it because he’s a climate change denier.”

Ford was fending off those accusations during a campaign visit to Brampton.

“I believe in climate change, let’s make that clear, and we’re doing everything to prevent it,” said Ford.

Critics have pointed to Ford’s promise to build new roads, including Highway 413, as proof that he doesn’t take the climate crisis seriously. But the PC leader said that building highways is a way to battle climate change.

“One of the worst examples of pollution, go stand on the bridge of the 401 and watch bumper-to-bumper traffic,” said Ford. “That’s why we’re building roads and bridges and highways to get people home quicker, that they don’t have to sit in gridlock and smell someone else’s fumes.”

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath continued campaign virtually Tuesday as she recovers from COVID-19. Prior to a speech about long-term care, Horwath touched upon Saturday’s deadly storm.

“My mind is on the people who have been devastated by these storms that flew through Ontario,” said Horwath.

Polls continue to indicate that it’s a battle for second place between the Liberals and the NDP, but Del Duca remains optimistic.

“We can and will form a strong progressive Liberal government at Queen’s Park and we will make sure that Doug Ford’s first term is his last.”