Where is Premier Doug Ford? He’s ‘been around,’ Christine Elliott says

Ontario PC leadership candidate Doug Ford speaks as he participates in in a debate in Ottawa on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018. Photo courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

By Richard Southern

Posted September 17, 2021 4:32 pm.

Last Updated September 17, 2021 5:25 pm.

Ontario’s Health Minister and Deputy Premier says Premier Doug Ford has been “very busy” despite being mostly absent from the public eye the last two months.

While the premier has sporadically appeared in videos posted on his Twitter and Instagram accounts, Ford has held just one news conference in the past seven weeks. The media and public are not alerted to his schedule ahead of time.

Asked Friday where the Premier is, Christine Elliott said he’s “been around.”

“Premier Ford is working every day to try and help limit the effects of COVID-19,” Elliott assured. “So Premier Ford is very busy and very active.”

Ford appeared Thursday on his Twitter account in a video promoting Tim Horton’s smile cookies, which sees some money given to charity from the coffee and donut chain.

Ford is seen in the video opening a box, eating a donut and encouraging Ontarians to buy a smile cookie to support charity. But Ford has been otherwise absent from regularly scheduled media availabilities and Queen’s Park. His government recently announced that the legislature would be prorogued, returning in October instead of September 13 as previously scheduled.

Some political analysts and opposition leaders have suggested the Premier may be keeping a low profile due to the federal election. Ford has not endorsed any person or party ahead of the Sept. 20 vote.

The province is set to launch its vaccine certificate program on Sept. 22, with businesses preparing for the proof of vaccination system.

In advance of that date, the government says all Ontarians can print or download their vaccination receipt from the provincial booking portal.

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