Thousands of supporters gather in Vaughan for Ford Fest 2018

Thestar.com
September 24, 2018
Laurie Monsebraaten

What a difference a year makes.

Just 12 months ago, Doug Ford was using his family’s annual community barbecue -- held in his mother’s Etobicoke backyard -- to announce plans to run for mayor of Toronto.

Premier Doug Ford greets supporters at Ford Fest 2018 on Saturday. This year’s festivities were held at a banquet facility in Vaughan and organized by the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party.

On Saturday, several thousand supporters flocked to a sprawling outdoor banquet complex in Vaughan for Ford Fest 2018, where Ford held court as Ontario premier.

Scores of organizers wearing white T-shirts emblazoned with “For the People” and “Ford Nation” registered guests as they arrived and handed out Ford Fest shirts.

Unlike past Ford Fest bashes, which were largely a family affair, promotion and planning for Saturday’s free food and entertainment extravaganza was handled by the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party. A tweet about the event on Ford’s Twitter page linked to the PC party website where people could get directions and RSVP.

“Thanks to each of you, this year’s Ford Fest is bigger and better than ever before,” Ford told the cheering crowd when he arrived shortly after 7 p.m.

The premier began his remarks by asking the crowd to pray for two Halton police officers who were shot early Saturday in Burlington.

“I visited them and their families today and I’m happy to say that they’ll be OK,” he said.

Ford also said he was thinking about those in Ottawa affected by Friday’s tornado, which ripped through the region, toppling trees and damaging homes.

Supporters cheer as Ontario Premier Doug Ford speaks at Ford Fest in Vaughan.

“The entire province stands with you and is praying for you tonight,” he said.

For many in the crowd, such as retired school board employment counsellor Cathie Haywood, it was their first Ford Fest.

“I’m here because I just love him,” said Haywood, who drove from Cabbagetown to the gathering.

“I think Doug Ford is an honest person who really cares about the people,” she added. “It’s a good day.”

Etobicoke resident Santosh Malik and her husband, PC, said they never miss the annual party. Doug’s late brother, Rob, came to the opening of their fitness centre when he was mayor and was always there to help them, they said.

“We are family friends and we are here to support Doug. He’s doing good things,” said Malik.

Despite a week of protests over the Ford government’s decision to scrap Ontario’s updated sex-ed curriculum and legislation to halve the number of Toronto city councillors, the only placards Saturday were in praise of the premier.

“Ford #1” read Meera Anand’s poster. The Vaughan resident said Ford’s name stands for: Forceful, Outstanding, Rock of Ontario, and Dynamic.

“I’m just so glad he came to Vaughan this year,” she said. “Many of us wouldn’t have been able to get to Etobicoke.”

Janina Moroniewicz of Brampton said she was “surprised to get a phone call from the premier inviting me to come.”

She was among many who received robocalls and emails promoting the event.

“I know it was just a recording, but it’s nice to get an invitation,” Moroniewicz said.

With a municipal election in full swing, several local Vaughan candidates, including Simone Barbieri, used the event to drum up support for their campaigns.

“He made a lot of promises and he’s keeping them,” said Barbieri, who is running in Ward 2. “I’m proud to be associated with leadership like that.”

While Ford shook hands and posed for selfies with the crowd, some online critics said the premier should have been in Ottawa instead to support residents left homeless after the tornado. “Doug Ford should cancel his self-promotion fest and go to Ottawa,” said one Twitter user with the handle @VivianBloom.

Ford earlier pledged his support for Ottawa-area residents via Twitter and praised first responders and hydro crews.

He told the Ford Fest gathering he would be going to Ottawa on Sunday morning “to offer the full support of the Ontario government in the cleanup efforts.”