New Leaf Rundown 🍁 What a difference a decade can make!

Here's the bi-weekly rundown from your friends at New Leaf Liberals. This edition focuses on government advertising, we brought some receipts!

View in browser

Get Involved

-->

Get Involved

Hey New Leafer!

While Ontario families are feeling the pinch of a $13.8 billion deficit and a healthcare system in crisis, Doug Ford’s government has found plenty of money for one thing: themselves.

The latest Auditor General’s report has confirmed a staggering new record. In the 2024-25 fiscal year, the provincial government blew $111.9 million on government advertising - the highest amount ever recorded in Ontario’s history.

The Cost of "Spin"

This isn’t just about "information." The Auditor General flagged that many of these campaigns - including the ubiquitous "It’s Happening Here" and massive $40 million TV buys in the United States - would never have passed the original non-partisan standards.

To put that $111.9 million in perspective, it could have:

Built New Schools: In late 2025, the province announced a new elementary school in Tottenham at a cost of $20.2 million . The ad budget alone could have built five or six modern, high-quality schools in fast-growing communities like Brampton or Milton.

Hired Nurses: this money could have funded the annual salaries of over 1,430 full-time nurses to help alleviate ER wait times.

LTC Spaces: We could have seen roughly 500 to 700 new long-term care beds fully funded and built with this money.

The "Sylvia Jones" Standard

Perhaps the most frustrating part of this record-breaking waste is the blatant hypocrisy from the front benches of the PC cabinet.

Back in 2017, when she was in Opposition, current Health Minister Sylvia Jones was one of the loudest voices railing against taxpayer-funded ads. She even introduced the End the Public Funding of Partisan Government Advertising Act , claiming:

"Having taxpayers foot the bill for self-congratulatory and misleading ads is unacceptable... This is taxpayer money that should be going towards desperately needed hydro relief for families, businesses and hospitals."

In The News

Stay informed on how your tax dollars are being used to boost the PC's polling numbers:

Global News: Government won't say how much it is spending on its 'Protect Ontario' commercials

CBC News: Ontario spent record $112M on taxpayer-funded advertising, auditor finds

Auditor General of Ontario: 2025 Annual Review of Government Advertising

The Bottom Line: We shouldn't have to pay for the government’s re-election campaign. It's important we keep up the fight, and keep reminding our friends and neighbours that we deserve better .

Onward,

The New Leaf Liberal Team

Other Updates:

A Comment on Provincial Council:

We wanted to acknowledge the work of Jordan Kent and a handful of others at Provincial Council who stood up and provided motions and insightful debate. In a world where nominations are few and far between, policy conventions non-existent, and so few opportunities to have your voice heard - we are thrilled to support Ontario Liberals putting up their hands and building our party up from the ground level.

Our party is built upon the values of collaboration, fairness, and opportunity. For the first time since September's AGM - we saw that in action. Great work Jordan et all - keep it up!

Wishing him well!

We also wanted to acknowledge the work of Jonathan Katz, the (now former) Senior Field Manager at the OLP. Last week, he left his role for a new opportunity. His work for our party was extensive and pushed our movement forward in ways we've yet seen!

From all us New Leafers, wishing you all the best Jon!

Here's what we're reading:

The 2026 Ontario budget neglects core provincial responsibilities

The CCPA

-->

The CCPA

What do Ontario’s FOI changes mean for transparency?

TVO

-->

TVO

We Don’t Have to Agree. We Do Have to Work Together

Jordan Kent

-->

Jordan Kent

Terrebonne: Federal Liberals Show A Path To Provincial Revival

Evan Scrimshaw

-->

Evan Scrimshaw

Doug Ford’s Bill 5 called a ‘dangerously undemocratic’ law as legal challenge is launched

Toronto Star

-->

Toronto Star

Ontario Liberals need to set basic standards for how they treat each other

Jake Landau

-->

Jake Landau

Did we miss something? Let us know!

Upcoming OLP Events

For the New Leafers looking to get more involved in the OLP, you have some opportunities coming up, including:

Northumberland—Peterborough South PLA: Rural Healthcare Town Hall (4/12)

RSVP

-->

RSVP

Thornhill PLA: Meet the Prospective Leadership Candidates (4/12)

RSVP

-->

RSVP

Kenora—Rainy River PLA: Annual General Meeting (4/16)

RSVP

-->

RSVP

Burlington PLA: Annual General Meeting (4/16)

RSVP

-->

RSVP

Rural Road to Victory Gala (5/2)

RSVP

-->

RSVP

Looking for more?

Click here to find all OLP events coming up.

Looking to get involved?

Here's the simple ways you can help change the direction of our party. Consider joining the NLL bi-weekly call , or join our slack chat! Keep in touch and stay in the loop - sign up on our website here .

New Leaf Liberals

Ontario, Canada

You received this email because you signed up on our website .

Unsubscribe