Speaking at a Markham fundraiser that was closed to the media, Premier Doug Ford did not mince words about a vote he is expected to trigger as early as next week.

Doug Ford has repeatedly said he believes he needs a new mandate from Ontarians to respond to the potential economic devastation that could be wrought by U.S. President Donald Trump imposing a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods — this despite holding a large majority at Queen’s Park,

A new Leger poll, exclusive to the National Post, put Ford’s Progressive Conservatives 24 points ahead of the Liberals. The results indicate 46 per cent of poll respondents expressed support for the reigning Tories versus 22 per cent for Bonnie Crombie’s Liberals, 19 per cent for the NDP, just 7 per cent for the Green Party and 6 per cent other.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is considering calling a provincial election as early as next week, a Progressive Conservative source says, as Mr. Ford’s top staffer sent an internal memo about the need for a “strong mandate” in the face of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threats.

Premier Doug Ford, who signalled he needs a mandate to keep Ontario’s economy afloat after U.S. tariffs hit, is looking at sending voters to the polls on Feb. 27 or March 6.