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Robert Benzie

@robertbenzie.bsky.social
4.6K followers 113 following 1.1K posts

Queen's Park Bureau Chief Toronto Star www.thestar.com/users/profile/rober…

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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 6h
Joined @JordanLeichnitz, Kory Teneycke, Peter Donolo, and @niknanos at the @Empire_Club. empireclubofcanada.com/event/empire...
empireclubofcanada.com
Empire Nights: Politics in a Shifting World — Will Toronto, Ontario and Canada Meet the Moment? - Empire Club of Canada
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 7h
NEW: The Signal poll of polls suggest @MarkJCarney's Liberals are at 46.7% support and would win between 192 and 238 seats (with a median tally of 215). @PierrePoilievre's Conservatives at 32.2% and would win 67 to 111 seats (89 median). www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
thestar.com
Poilievre ‘clearly struggling’ as Carney Liberals’ support surges, polls suggest
The Star's supercomputer-powered poll aggregator forecasts that the Liberals would win between 192 and 238 seats if a federal election was held now.
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 8h
Joining @VassyKapelos on @VassKapelosShow at 1 pm on @NEWSTALK1010 with @l_stone, @MariekeWalsh and @mikelecouteur www.thestar.com/politics.html
thestar.com
Political News - Canadian Politics | The Star
Canadian politics news and opinion from the Star's leading journalists. Visit thestar.com for full coverage of political issues that matter to you.
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
We are so thrilled for our friend and @TorontoStar Queen’s Park bureau colleague @MoiraWelsh. A tremendous honour! www.thestar.com/entertainmen...
thestar.com
Star reporter Moira Welsh’s ‘The Astonishing Lives of Older Women’ among finalists for $70K Balsillie Prize
The shortlist for the annual award has been released with the winner being announced late November.
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Joining @MooreintheAM on @NEWSTALK1010 at 8:45 am with @sunirachaudhri and @RichardCrouse. www.thestar.com/politics.html
thestar.com
Political News - Canadian Politics | The Star
Canadian politics news and opinion from the Star's leading journalists. Visit thestar.com for full coverage of political issues that matter to you.
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Joining @RebeccaZandberg on @CBCOttawaMorning at 6:45 am. #onpoli www.thestar.com/politics.html
thestar.com
Political News - Canadian Politics | The Star
Canadian politics news and opinion from the Star's leading journalists. Visit thestar.com for full coverage of political issues that matter to you.
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Joining @DavidWCochrane on @pnpcbc at 6:30 pm with @StephanieLevitz and @RickBellwrites. www.thestar.com/politics.html
thestar.com
Political News - Canadian Politics | The Star
Canadian politics news and opinion from the Star's leading journalists. Visit thestar.com for full coverage of political issues that matter to you.
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Joining @VassyKapelos on @CTV_PowerPlay at 5:30 p.m. with @lraitt, @NDPAnne, @BrianGallantNB, and Rob Buffam. www.thestar.com/politics.html
thestar.com
Political News - Canadian Politics | The Star
Canadian politics news and opinion from the Star's leading journalists. Visit thestar.com for full coverage of political issues that matter to you.
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Joining @MooreintheAM on @NEWSTALK1010 at 8:45 am with @MarionNader and @RichardCrouse.   www.thestar.com/politics.html
thestar.com
Political News - Canadian Politics | The Star
Canadian politics news and opinion from the Star's leading journalists. Visit thestar.com for full coverage of political issues that matter to you.
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Joining @RebeccaZandberg on @CBCOttawaMorning at 6:45 am. www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
thestar.com
Doug Ford’s Tories getting a Trump bump, poll suggests
U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war against Canada is giving Premier Doug Ford's governing Progressive Conservatives a boost in popularity, a new poll suggests.
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Joining @JPTasker on @PnPCBC at 5 pm with @GinnyRothTO, @LauraMDAngelo, and @zainvelji.   www.thestar.com/politics.html
thestar.com
Political News - Canadian Politics | The Star
Canadian politics news and opinion from the Star's leading journalists. Visit thestar.com for full coverage of political issues that matter to you.
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
NEW: @abacusdata poll for the @TorontoStar finds Premier Doug Ford is getting a Trump bump. (Last night’s byelection vote tallies in parentheses. Turnout was 25%, half that of a general election.) PC: 42% (38%) Lib: 31% (30%) NDP: 17% (26%) GPO: 4% (3%) www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
thestar.com
Doug Ford’s Tories getting a Trump bump, poll suggests
U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war against Canada is giving Premier Doug Ford's governing Progressive Conservatives a boost in popularity, a new poll suggests.
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
A status quo result tonight with the @OntarioPCParty holding two seats while the @OntarioNDP regained one and the @OntLiberal Party was shut out. www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
thestar.com
Ontario Tories and New Democrats hold ridings as Liberals shut out in three byelections
The status quo result was a setback for the Liberals as they prepare to choose a new leader on Nov. 21.
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Joining @VassyKapelos on @VassKapelosShow at 1 pm on @NEWSTALK1010 with @l_stone, @MariekeWalsh and @mikelecouteur www.thestar.com/politics.html
thestar.com
Political News - Canadian Politics | The Star
Canadian politics news and opinion from the Star's leading journalists. Visit thestar.com for full coverage of political issues that matter to you.
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
It’s byelection day in the provincial ridings of Scarborough Southwest, York-Simcoe and Hamilton East-Stoney Creek. The @TorontoStar has complete coverage. www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
thestar.com
Voters head to polls in three byelections as Doug Ford’s feud with Donald Trump rages
With the popularity of Ford's Progressive Conservatives dipping slightly earlier this year, the pressure is on the NDP and Liberals to make gains.
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
NEW: Premier Doug Ford has issued an issued an RFP to remove bike lanes on Bloor, Yonge, University, Queen’s Park and Avenue Rd. Immediately scrapping the 600 metres of bike lanes on Bloor east of Clissold.
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Joining @MooreintheAM on @NEWSTALK1010 at 8:45 am with @sunirachaudhri and @RichardCrouse. www.thestar.com/politics.html
thestar.com
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Joining @RebeccaZandberg on @CBCOttawaMorning at 6:45 am. www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
thestar.com
Counter-tariffs on U.S. goods have support of most Canadians, poll suggests
More than three-quarters of Canadians back Prime Minister Mark Carney's decision to abandon trade talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, a new poll suggests.
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
NEW: @Pollara poll finds 78% of Canadians agree with Carney abandoning trade talks with Trump and 79% support retaliatory tariffs. Current US president plunges to new low in approval here. Only 7% have positive feelings toward Trump, 82% negative. www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
thestar.com
Counter-tariffs on U.S. goods have support of most Canadians, poll suggests
More than three-quarters of Canadians back Prime Minister Mark Carney's decision to abandon trade talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, a new poll suggests.
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
NEW: How Doug Ford went from a Trumper to kiss my rump, Trump. www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
thestar.com
Doug Ford calls Donald Trump a ‘loser’ now, but he was a fan not so long ago
The year before the name-calling started, the premier admitted he had hoped the mercurial U.S. president would be re-elected in 2024.
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Joining @grahamr299 on @VassKapelosShow at 1 pm on @NEWSTALK1010 with @mikelecouteur.  www.thestar.com/politics.html
thestar.com
Political News - Canadian Politics | The Star
Canadian politics news and opinion from the Star's leading journalists. Visit thestar.com for full coverage of political issues that matter to you.
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
A smart take with some important context about how we got here from the @TorontoStar’s @markrmcqueen. www.thestar.com/opinion/star...
thestar.com
Mark McQueen: What Mark Carney should have seen coming in U.S. trade talks
Angry as some Canadians are about President Donald Trump’s “America First” attitude, his desire to move the assembly of Ford pick-up trucks from Oakville to Avon Lake, Ohio is nothing
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
NEW: Premier Doug Ford strikes a conciliatory tone with President Donald Trump after yesterday’s war of words. www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
thestar.com
Doug Ford says ‘it got a little personal’ between him and Donald Trump
The premier says it's time to turn down the temperature and "get back to the table" to negotiate a fair trade deal between Canada and the United States.
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Joining @MooreintheAM on @NEWSTALK1010 at 8:45 am with @RichardCrouse and @MarionNader. www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
thestar.com
Doug Ford brushes off online insults from Donald Trump: ‘He’s a loser’
Trump blasted Canada's "current bad leadership, primarily Governor Carney, and his Flunky, Ford" and claimed "America has been carrying Canada for decades, but no longer."
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Joining @HallieCBC on @CBCOttawaMorning at 6:45 am. www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
thestar.com
Doug Ford brushes off online insults from Donald Trump: ‘He’s a loser’
Trump blasted Canada's "current bad leadership, primarily Governor Carney, and his Flunky, Ford" and claimed "America has been carrying Canada for decades, but no longer."
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Joining @JulieMasonShow1 on @SIRIUSXM in Washington, D.C. at 4:43 pm. www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
thestar.com
Donald Trump lashes out at ‘Flunky’ Doug Ford after premier says U.S. president can ‘kiss my ass’
The president blasted Canada's "current bad leadership, primarily Governor Carney, and his Flunky, Ford" and claimed that "America has been carrying Canada for decades, but no longer."
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
NEW: The current president of the United States and the premier of Ontario are in a name-calling war of words. www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
thestar.com
Donald Trump lashes out at ‘Flunky’ Doug Ford after premier says U.S. president can ‘kiss my ass’
The president blasted Canada's "current bad leadership, primarily Governor Carney, and his Flunky, Ford" and claimed that "America has been carrying Canada for decades, but no longer."
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Joining @VassyKapelos on @VassKapelosShow at 1 pm on @NEWSTALK1010 with @l_stone, @MariekeWalsh and @mikelecouteur. www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
thestar.com
U.S. booze ban backed by most Canadians, poll suggests
The Pollara Strategic Insights survey also found 42 per cent of respondents would boycott American wine and spirits if they are returned to provincial liquor stores.
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
NEW: @Pollara poll finds 80% of Canadians support the ban on U.S. booze in liquor stores. Only 9% of Canadians have positive feelings toward current U.S. President Donald Trump while 80% have negative feelings. www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
thestar.com
U.S. booze ban backed by most Canadians, poll suggests
The Pollara Strategic Insights survey also found 42 per cent of respondents would boycott American wine and spirits if they are returned to provincial liquor stores.
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
From the front page of the @TorontoStar, @StephTaylornews and @TondaMacC with today’s most-read story. www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
thestar.com
Donald Trump delays planned 50% tariffs on Canada, cites trade deal
Canadian negotiators are weighing whether to accept lower tariffs on autos and metals as part of an interim deal, according to three sources.
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
NEW: @reggcohn on ambition, opportunism, and political dynasties. www.thestar.com/politics/pol...
thestar.com
Martin Regg Cohn: The heirs apparent are already lining up for Toronto’s top job
Both candidates are on track to run on name recognition, even if not renowned for their track records, Martin Regg Cohn writes.
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Joining @JulieMasonShow1 on @SIRIUSXM in Washington, D.C. at 5:20 pm.
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Joining @MooreintheAM on @NEWSTALK1010 at 8:45 am with @sunirachaudhri and @RichardCrouse. www.thestar.com/politics.html
thestar.com
Political News - Canadian Politics | The Star
Canadian politics news and opinion from the Star's leading journalists. Visit thestar.com for full coverage of political issues that matter to you.
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Joining @GiacomoPanico on @OttawaMorning at 6:45 am. www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
thestar.com
Doug Ford says Ontario needs data centres to protect Canadians from Donald Trump
The premier warned that Canadians' data is at risk of "being sent to the U.S. and into the hands of President Trump."
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Joining @onthebeat1 on @CBCOntarioToday at 12:05 p.m. www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
thestar.com
Doug Ford says Ontario needs data centres to protect Canadians from Donald Trump
The premier warned that Canadians' data is at risk of "being sent to the U.S. and into the hands of President Trump."
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
NEW: With Wednesday's tariff deadline looming, Premier Doug Ford says the threat of Trump is why Ontario needs to keep sensitive date in Canada. www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
thestar.com
Doug Ford says Ontario needs data centres to protect Canadians from Donald Trump
Ontario has no choice but to welcome massive data centres in order to protect Canada from U.S. President Donald Trump, warns Premier Doug Ford.
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
From the the front page of the @TorontoStar, @MoiraWelsh on Premier Doug Ford’s biggest spending cabinet ministers. www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
thestar.com
Fine dining, oysters and axe-throwing: Inside Elections Ontario filings that reveal how some Doug Ford cabinet riding associations spend donor cash
The expenses by the riding associations of some of Doug Ford’s ministers, which include nearly $15,000 for organic grass-fed premium beef, are detailed in Elections Ontario filings, and are funded by ...
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Joining @powerstim on @VOCM at 2:50 pm. www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
thestar.com
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Joining @VassyKapelos on @VassKapelosShow at 1 pm on @NEWSTALK1010 with @l_stone, @MariekeWalsh and @mikelecouteur www.thestar.com/politics.html
thestar.com
Political News - Canadian Politics | The Star
Canadian politics news and opinion from the Star's leading journalists. Visit thestar.com for full coverage of political issues that matter to you.
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Joining @MooreintheAM on @NEWSTALK1010 at 8:45 am with @sunirachaudhri and @RichardCrouse. www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
thestar.com
Ontario’s next Liberal leader needs a seat in the legislature, MPPs argue in first candidates’ debate
Rivals targeted front-runner Navdeep Bains’ lack of a seat at the first candidates’ debate of the Ontario Liberal leadership race.
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Joining @GiacomoPanico on @CBCOttawaMorning at 6:45 am. www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
thestar.com
Ontario’s next Liberal leader needs a seat in the legislature, MPPs argue in first candidates’ debate
Rivals targeted front-runner Navdeep Bains’ lack of a seat at the first candidates’ debate of the Ontario Liberal leadership race.
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
NEW: At the first @OntLiberal leadership debate, MPPs argue the next chief needs a seat in legislature to face off against Premier Doug Ford. www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
thestar.com
Ontario’s next Liberal leader needs a seat in the legislature, MPPs argue in first candidates’ debate
Rivals targeted front-runner Navdeep Bains’ lack of a seat at the first candidates’ debate of the Ontario Liberal leadership race.
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Joined @markusoff on @FrontBurnerCBC to talk about Alto and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. www.cbc.ca/listen/cbc-p...
cbc.ca
Could the Alto high speed rail plan be derailed? | Front Burner | CBC Podcasts | CBC Listen
There's been talk of high-speed rain for generations in Canada and while there's been a lot of studies and political promises, there's not a lot to show for it.  Finally, plans are taking shape for ...
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Premier Doug Ford has today written to Prime Minister Mark Carney asking him to extend the suspension of the federal fuel excise tax till Jan. 1, 2027 and consider making the break permanent like Ontario did. Ford is following Pierre Poilievre’s plea. www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
thestar.com
Pierre Poilievre challenges Mark Carney to extend gas tax break beyond Labour Day
With about a month before the Liberal government's break on the fuel excise tax is set to expire, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is demanding that Prime Minister Mark Carney cancel
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
How former NDP MPP and now Liberal MP Doly Begum could loom large in the Scarborough Southwest byelection. Her old party is trying to hold the seat while the provincial cousin of her new party is trying to win it. www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
thestar.com
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Joining @powerstim on @VassKapelosShow at 1 pm on @NEWSTALK1010 with @l_stone, @MariekeWalsh and @mikelecouteur  www.thestar.com/politics.html
thestar.com
Political News - Canadian Politics | The Star
Canadian politics news and opinion from the Star's leading journalists. Visit thestar.com for full coverage of political issues that matter to you.
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
NEW: Premier Doug Ford's Progressive Conservatives face their first electoral test since the private jet fiasco, the Billy Bishop controversy and an expenses scandal that cost a minister his job. www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
thestar.com
Doug Ford calls 3 byelections for Sept. 3
The premier has called byelections in Scarborough Southwest, York—Simcoe and Hamilton East—Stoney Creek amid a slew of challenges for his third-term government.
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Joining @chrisgloverCBC on @metromorning at 8:10 am. www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
thestar.com
Doug Ford’s popularity dips in wake of expenses scandal, poll suggests
The Progressive Conservative expenses scandal — that has cost one cabinet minister his job — is having an impact on Premier Doug Ford's popularity, a new poll suggests.
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Joining @HallieCBC on @CBCOttawaMorning at 6:45 am. www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
thestar.com
Billy Bishop expansion would benefit consumers, Competition Bureau told Carney government
Days before Ottawa halted the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport expansion, the Competition Bureau recommended the revamp to help consumers.
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Robert Benzie @robertbenzie.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
NEW: @abacusdataca poll for the @TorontoStar finds the @OntarioPCParty expense scandal has affected Premier Doug Ford’s popularity. PC: 40% Lib: 32% NDP: 21% Green: 3% www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
thestar.com
Doug Ford’s popularity dips in wake of expenses scandal, poll suggests
The Progressive Conservative expenses scandal — that has cost one cabinet minister his job — is having an impact on Premier Doug Ford's popularity, a new poll suggests.
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