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Trudeau rehearsed his election lines at a rally in Mississauga in April: “Conservative politicians like Doug Ford and Andrew Scheer don’t seem to believe in investing for the future. They only think as far as the next election, not the next generation.”

Bob Bratina, a Liberal MP from Hamilton, Ont., said the Ford factor is a real positive for his party on the doorsteps. “When Ford’s name comes up, it is with a tone of disgust,” he said.

When Ford’s name comes up, it is with a tone of disgust

Opposition MPs admit privately the tactic is working, and that they are also hearing the Ontario premier’s name unprompted at the doors. “It is a live issue,” said one MP.

Erin O’Toole, the former veterans affairs minister and Conservative MP for Durham, said that his response when the Ford government is raised is to point out funding cuts are the consequence of letting Liberals into government for multiple terms. “I say, ‘If you want to avoid belt-tightening, make sure we’re in’. I urge them to hold the line and not give Trudeau a second term,” he said.

But that pushback appears to be having limited success.

“Soccer moms don’t like Doug,” said one Ontario Conservative. “Those dual-income families in the 905 are with us when we talk about lower taxes, tight finances, safe communities and support for families. But if they think we are mean-spirited or out of step with the mainstream, they leave us in droves.”

The message that Ford and Scheer are soulmates will resonate even more strongly in the event of a teacher strike.