Hundreds of people booed Premier Doug Ford at the opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on Tuesday night.

In contrast to Toronto Mayor John Tory, whose presence at the non-partisan event was cheered, Ford was jeered when he took the stage.

“Boy ... you know something? I haven’t heard that much energy in a long time,” the premier said gamely.

“My friends, boy, that’s the first time I’ve ever had some boos.”

Hundreds of people booed Premier Doug Ford at the opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

In fact, Ford was booed several times at candidate debates during the 2014 mayoral race he lost to Tory, and there was booing last November when he dropped the puck at a Peterborough Petes game.

Eyewitnesses told the Star the premier appeared visibly shaken by Tuesday’s outburst, which the Conservatives privately blamed on disgruntled teachers in the audience.

On Wednesday, the opposition New Democrats pounced on the episode, saying it proves the cuts in last month’s budget are not popular with Ontario families.

“It sounds like the folks at the event wish the premier hadn’t showed up at all,” said MPP Taras Natyshak (Essex).

The barbs infuriated Progressive Conservative MPPs in the legislature.

“I find it ironic coming from the member from Essex. He didn’t even bother showing up. At least we showed up,” the premier said.

“The throwing stones at a glass house is pretty staggering,” said Ford.

“I would remind the member from Essex, I’ve spent my whole life helping children with special needs through Rotary. For 23 years, I helped through Rotary by going to events and helping children,” he said.

“That’s what it’s all about. It’s not about getting into gutter politics and worrying about if you get a cheer or a boo. It’s about being there for the kids.”

Ford’s caucus gave him a standing ovation for his response.

But there are concerns among Conservatives because the Special Olympics, a global celebration of what people with intellectual disabilities can achieve in athletics, have always been apolitical.

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The fact that Tory, who has been in a war of words with Ford over the budget’s impact on the city, was hailed at the same event suggests the mayor’s campaign against Queen’s Park may be finding some traction.

A recent Corbett Communications poll conducted for the Star found the premier’s personal popularity is waning just 11 months after he led the Progressive Conservatives to a majority victory in the June 7 election.

The survey found 24 per cent approved of the job the premier is doing compared, with 66 per cent who disapprove, while 10 per cent were unsure.

Corbett used Maru/Blue’s Maru Voice Canada online panel to poll 1,836 Ontario voters May 2-3. A sample of that size would have a margin of error of 2.4 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

Interim Liberal Leader John Fraser said the boos sent a clear signal to the premier.

“What the families ... did last night was say, ‘You’re doing stuff, you’re cutting and you’re hurting our sons and daughters, our brothers and sisters and we’re sending you a message: listen,’” said Fraser.

At city hall, Councillor Joe Cressy said the reception should be a wake-up call for Ford.

“I’ve heard of premiers getting booed in the past but never (11) months into their first term, and never with kids from across the province for the Special Olympics,” said Cressy (Spadina-Fort York).

“Across Ontario, in communities of every size and with people of every political background, there is a wave of opposition growing to Ford cuts to public health and public education. We’re clearly seeing the deep opposition here, including from kids.”

With files from David Rider

Robert Benzie is the Star’s Queen’s Park bureau chief and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie Rob Ferguson is with the Star’s Queen’s Park bureau and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robferguson1

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