The Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario cruised to a third majority government in Canada's largest province as Premier Doug Ford campaigned aggressively against the threat of tariffs implemented by the United States. The Conservatives also promised to deliver measures that would enable homes to be built more quickly.
Ford's party, first elected in 2018, won 80 seats in the 124-seat Ontario Legislature and captured about 43% of the popular vote. The New Democrats, who had vowed to tighten rules on rent control, will form the official opposition group with 27 seats despite only capturing about 18.5% of the vote.
The Liberals won almost 30% of the vote and will have 14 seats because of a voting system that rewards parties with more concentrated votes in specific ridings.
On the real estate front, the Conservatives said they plan to standardize development study requirements to enable homebuilders to produce residences in less time. The party also has pledged to lessen uncertainty in the residential market by developing a provincewide tool to accelerate land use planning and building permit approvals and ensure all municipal standards comply with the Ontario Building Code.
Ford filed the writ for the election well ahead of a scheduled vote on June 4, 2026, because of what he called a need for a strong mandate to tariffs pressed by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has signed an executive order for a 25% levy on most Canadian goods.
The tariff order was delayed until Tuesday, when the trade taxes are expected to take effect.
Real estate investment trusts and other large commercial property firms across the country said they are watching closely what happens with the tariffs and preparing for a possible trade with the United States.
Benjamin Reitzes, an economist with the Bank of Montreal, noted in a public commentary that the Canadian economy had good momentum in the second half of last year that was supported by Bank of Canada rate cuts.
"Unfortunately, most of this was largely before tariff threats really ramped up, said Reitzes. "We'll be watching the February data closely, but it's clear there was solid economic momentum through the turn of the year. If Canada doesn't get tariffed next week, the Bank of Canada will pause its rate cut campaign at the March 12 meeting."
In his victory speech, the Ontario Premier Ford said he will continue to hammer away in his next term fighting United States tariffs.
"Now, as we stare down the threat of Donald Trump's tariffs, I will work with every level of government and every political stripe because fighting back against Donald Trump, standing up for Canada will take a full team Ontario effort; it will take full team Canada effort," Ford said.