Ford’s right-wing populism: the gift that keeps on giving, for the rich

OTTAWA—Nothing says “for the people” like “buck-a-beer.” Ontarians put Doug Ford in office and slammed the Liberals in an election that confirmed the anti-progressive, me-first attitude that has become a prominent force in Western democracies as voters take out their unfocused anger over a changing world. Leaving aside immigration scare-mongering, Ford followed the Donald Trump model: a rich business person who fumed about how people were being screwed by the evil elites and waved around a lot of vague promises to fix everything for the little guy. Despite benefiting from a decisive desire for change, the Progressive Conservative leader was willing to tap into the misogynistic demonization of Kathleen Wynne in a way that was reminiscent of Trump supporters’ “lock her up” attacks on Hillary Clinton. Amazingly, the hollowness of it all seems to have zero impact once the populist bandwagon gets up and running. Without saying how a PC government led by a Queen’s Park novice would pay for its promises, Ford dazzled voters with cheaper gasoline, no carbon taxation to fight global warming, tax cuts, and cheaper beer. As well, the PCs pledged to deliver even lower electricity prices than Ontario residents pay now as well as massive spending on health care and transit. His decision to scrap Ontario’s cap-and-trade policy aimed at fighting climate change was an egregious backward step that appealed (Trump-style) to the public’s worst, selfish instincts and will saddle future generations with an even higher bill to try to save the planet. It may also cost Ontario many millions in lawsuits from companies in the province that took part in cap-and-trade auctions. And it deprives the government of $4-billion a year in revenues. Ford blandly claims the PCs can find $6-billion in savings in the provincial budget. But this is unlikely. In terms of the conservative experience federally, both Brian Mulroney’s government and Stephen Harper’s came to power with major preoccupations about slashing spending. Both governments ran record budget deficits. Behind Ford’s mumbo jumbo is the usual right-wing tax hoax. Corporations and small businesses will see their income taxes cut. This is being sold as a potential boost for the economy, though the evidence staring Ontarians in the face proves the opposite. Federal governments have been reducing corporate income taxes drastically for years, but Ontarians are not feeling any better about their economic prospects as a result. Ford’s approach will facilitate, not address, the growing wealth gap. There’s no hike in taxes on the very rich, and the well-off will benefit from reduced business taxes. Meanwhile, the average Ontario taxpayer will save about $15 a month (and that’s when the plan is implemented in the third year of the new government’s mandate). This is the amazing thing about right-wing populism. It convinces voters that their prospects and livelihoods can be improved with the very same corporate-driven policies that contributed to the current situation marked by wealth inequality, a decline in good jobs, and a struggling economy. A lot of the current populist angst arises, of course, from the fact that the economy has changed. Technology and increased global trade have created winners—and losers. But it’s clear North American economies are becoming service economies, not manufacturing economies. And corporations in many cases are more interested in inflating their stock valuations than in risking money on new competitive products. So there’s no point in whipping up a lot of misplaced nostalgia about the secure, easily obtained factory jobs of 30 years ago. In fact, rather than less government, people in Western democracies today need governments that are willing to actually take steps to improve the lot of everyday citizens, to make the investments needed to build a 21st century economy. This means full-time daycare, better education opportunities, and investment in innovative companies and projects, including the green economy. (Note that Ford wants to kill Ontario’s best strategy for helping to build a modern economy: the $2.7-billion Jobs and Prosperity Fund.) On the social side, addressing current conditions means higher taxes on the super-rich, pharmacare, and higher minimum wages (Ford is scrapping the next planned minimum wage hike). Without dealing with the fact that a Ford government will almost certainly run bigger budget shortfalls, the policies espoused by the PCs are in general the opposite of what Ontario’s insecure, change-averse, and economically worried voters need. But the new premier will probably get away with his act—at least for a while—of blaming it all on those who asked Ontarians to make a few sacrifices in hopes of a better future for the province. Les Whittington is an Ottawa journalist and a regular contributor to The Hill Times. The Hill Times