Anti-Doug Ford rallies take place across Ontario to protest OSAP, FOI changes
Demonstrations are taking place across Ontario to protest against Premier Doug Ford and several of the province's recent controversial measures, including changes to freedom of information (FOI) laws and OSAP grants.Hundreds of people gathered at Queen's Park with signs and umbrellas despite the rainy weather, chanting "Doug Ford always lies, bring back FOI" and "no jets at Billy Bishop."Protester Doug Oliver said he joined the rally Saturday because residents are unhappy with the premier's actions, which he called "anti-democratic."“If he is amending the [FOI] act in order to prevent people from accessing things like his cellphone records, then that tells me he has something to hide,” said Oliver.On a website titled "Protesting Doug Ford," 55 protests are said to take place in various municipalities across the province, including Ottawa, Scarborough, Sudbury and Waterloo.The website urges residents to write to their local member of provincial parliament to initiate a no-confidence vote to "force Ford to resign.""Doug Ford is tabling legislation that the people do not agree with and that hurts Ontarians," the website states. "He’s making so many changes within a short time and against the wishes of the people that it quietly erodes democracy."Hundreds gathered at Queen's Park in Toronto on Saturday to protest various issues, including the recent changes to freedom of information laws that shield the premier and his cabinet. (Naama Weingarten/CBC)Saturday's protests follow similar demonstrations that were held across the province last month. On Friday, the Ford government's controversial omnibus budget bill received royal assent from Ontario's Lieutenant Governor — meaning changes within it are now officially law.The budget passed a vote at Queen's Park on Thursday, following heated debate and chants of "FOI" by opposition party members.Changes from the budget will include a cap to resale ticket prices, an introduction of a one year HST rebate and a retroactive FOI law that would shield the premier and his cabinet ministers from public access to documents.Ontario's Transportation Minister also introduced a bill this week that would allow the province to take over Toronto's role with Billy Bishop Airport and is part of a push to expand the island airport to include jets.Waterloo protesters challenge Ford's healthcare stanceAmidst chants of "hey ho, Doug Ford has got to go," hundreds gathered at Waterloo Town Square with many protesting changes to the healthcare system.Protester Andrea Pentz said she came to the rally to protest the province to "stick to the basics" and fund the existing healthcare system.She said she didn't realize how bad the system was struggling until after her mother went to hospital, and eventually died, a few months ago."I'm going into my older years and I'm afraid," she said. "Seeing it first hand, its like the care will not be there for me."Hundreds gathered with flags and colourful signs at an anti-Ford demonstration in Waterloo, Ont. (Diego Pizarro/CBC)Waterloo resident Dave Minnes asked the premier to think about the needs of the common man."Social programs are very important, they affect education, they affect medicine," he said. "Mr. Ford seems to push things to the people that have a lot more funds than people who don't."Demonstrators cheered as NDP Leader Marit Stiles spoke at the protest, saying public healthcare is the “backbone” of Canadian society and needed more funding.“It’s absolutely essential, and is part of who we are as Canadians, that we put patients and people ahead of profits,” she said.A large crowd also gathered in Ottawa, where similar chants were heard through the streets. Fight Ford Movement organizer for Ottawa Amanda Brown said she's "sick of Ford.""We want our province back because we're sick of getting thrown to the wayside so Ford can make his friends rich," she said. "It's really good to see people actually come out and do something in the city instead of sitting home and being angry at everything.""We want a fresh start."A large crowd also gathered in Ottawa, where similar chants of "hey ho, Doug Ford has got to go" were heard. (CBC)Toronto protesters brave rain to rally against FordFeelings at the protest were “boiling over” given the many changes brought about by the province, said post-secondary student Gurneet Singh.“I hate the rain, but I hate Doug Ford more right now,” she said. “It’s people power and I think it’s really powerful that all these people are showing up.”She says the number of concerns being raised by residents could mean Ford “has a rude awakening ahead,” especially when it comes to the next provincial election.Oshawa resident Ethan Eastwood said he’s worried about the province’s lack of transparency given the “shameful” changes to FOI laws.Protesters at Queen's Park Saturday said they were frustrated by Doug Ford's recent protest, and sale, of a $28.9 million private jet. The jet was sold back to Bombardier, according to Ford earlier this week. (Naama Weingarten/CBC)“We don’t get to know what [Ford] is doing, unless he decides to tell us,” said Eastwood. “I don’t trust him to be honest. I don’t trust him to be transparent and forthcoming.”He said he’s worried that the next elected provincial government may not reverse changes to FOI laws, or when that might even become a possibility.Eastwood also raised concerns with Ford’s recent claims that the province’s $28.9 million private jet had been sold back to Bombardier — a decision that was made following immense public backlash over the purchase.“I don’t know that I believe him and I would love to see those receipts,” he said, adding that will now be impossible without FOI requests.Province cutting 'unnecessary red tape' to 'protect Ontario'In a statement to CBC News, Ministry of Finance spokesperson Sarah Chapin said the province is delivering a plan to "protect Ontario" and is using every tool to "streamline processes and cut the unnecessary red tape that has held [Ontario's] economy back."She said the plan was endorsed by Ontarians when they elected the Ford government "with a third record majority" after last year's snap election.WATCH | Controversy surrounded Ford's budget bill due to changes to FOI laws:The Ford government's controversial budget bill, which includes changes to freedom of information laws, passed at Queen's Park Thursday. As CBC’s Queen's Park reporter Lorenda Reddekopp explains, the retroactive FOI law would shield Ford and cabinet members — along with their offices — from public access to documents, with Ford admitting that part of the rationale is to kill a request from Global News to obtain his cellphone records.The province says it held pre-budget consultations with Ontarians through 35 meetings, surveys and written submissions.Chapin said the 2026 budget includes support for businesses, investment in primary care, provides a total of $66 million to teachers through a $750 card to purchase supplies and invests $6.4 billion in the postsecondary education sector.She said the former OSAP framework was no longer considered to be sustainable due to "billions of dollars of pressure on the program," caused by increased uptake in recent years and after the federal government removed grant eligibility for students at private career colleges.
