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“This is about respecting taxpayers … putting money back into your pocket instead of the government’s pocket,” he said to resounding applause, reiterating that he will always respect the “grassroots.”

“It’s about driving the economy and driving jobs back into Ontario,” he said, noting that for companies to reinvest back in Ontario, they’ve got to cut red tape.

Photo by Ernest Doroszuk / Ernest Doroszuk/Toronto Sun

Ford told me as he rushed off to another rally that there’s a movement afoot of people who are fed up with Wynne, high taxes and hydro rates that are killing jobs.

“It’s a movement like I’ve never seen,” he said, dismissing the “Stop Doug” posters that are cropping up around Toronto as a Liberal attempt to deflect from the billions of dollars that have been wasted.

“There’s a momentum like I’ve never seen,” he added, as he was stopped by a registered nurse pleading for a fix to health care.

Photo by Ernest Doroszuk / Ernest Doroszuk/Toronto Sun

Elliott conceded it was a bit of a “let down” and a “shock” that she so narrowly lost the leadership, but she’s back in the political realm and she knows she and Ford will work together “very well” to ensure the party wins a majority in June.

She said running against Ford was a bit “awkward” but they continue to be “friends.”

Elliott agreed the party is in a “very strong position” to win because people are so fed up with the Liberals and really upset with the “squandering of hard-earned tax dollars” as well as the debt that has been accumulated in 15 years.

“That’s what really angers me…that we have $312-billion worth of debt…we need to get things under control and spend money on priorities,” she said. “People have really had it with the Liberals.”